Page 21 of The Highlander's Virgin Widow
“Aye,” Evander responded.
He couldn’t exactly figure this out on his own. He was going to need all the help he could get, and if that came from both men-at-arms, then it was a great start.
The image of the man he had killed in the woods flashed across his mind again. It was so vivid that he could feel the disdain, the utter disrespect, right before the man spat on his face.
Whoever did this was incredibly spiteful and wanted him dead—or even worse. While he had known the lady of the castle for only two days, he could tell that she was not a vile person and did not feel hatred toward him. Granted, she called himMisterjust to rile him up and spoke back to him at almost every opportunity she could get. But he could tell from the look on her face and their encounter that previous night that she didn’t want him dead. At least, not yet.
“M’Laird,” Rory called.
Evander was quick to respond this time around. With a single order, they filed into the courtyard, avoiding the sharp fences as they did.
Keira finally looked up at him, and an unreadable emotion crossed her face as their eyes met.
“Is everything all right? Do ye need something?” Rory asked, the concern in his voice palpable.
“Nay. Just a slight complication,” Evander responded, clearing his throat one more time as he avoided Keira’s gaze.
Soon, they rode out of view and toward the stables.
This was going to be simple. He would find her a husband as promised, and she would get out of his castle and out of his life. It did not matter how sick the mere thought made him. This was something he had to do, and that was final.
8
Keira’s eyes flicked up at the noise. Her friend’s words faded into the background as her gaze landed on Evander, who rode into the courtyard on his horse, the wind blowing through his unruly dark hair.
He had that look on his face. One that said he was specially created and everyone around him was born to serve him and him alone. She hated it.
She hated the flutter she felt in her stomach just from staring at him. She hated how she couldn’t stop thinking about their encounter the previous night. She wondered if he knew it and was taunting her with those lingering glances.
She could still feel the warmth of his chest on her palms. She could still picture the look he had given her. She could still hear the last words he whispered to her before leaving.
“Ye look bonny when ye’re flushed.”
He looked away at the last second and rode toward the stables with the men-at-arms. Hudson cast a courteous glance and nodded at her. She did the same.
At this point, Lesley had noticed what was happening.
“Ye think he would’ve gotten away with being feared and respected if he wasnae so handsome?” she asked, her voice pulling Keira out of her daze.
“Who?” Keira asked.
“The new Laird.”
Keira winced. She hated those words.The new Laird. They made her seem old and tired. She felt like something to be discarded.
How did one man come in and manage to upend everything she had managed to build and every iota of respect she had earned over the months injust afewdays?
“Answer me.”
“I dinnae see the charm.” It was a lie.
“Ye saw those eyes and that jaw. The way he carries himself and the way he only says a few words. Even this baby goat sees his charm.”
As if the striped baby goat before them understood what was being said, he let out a throaty bleat.
“All I see is a man trying to take me home from me,” Keira hissed, venom lacing her voice. “And a man I’ll have to fight with everything I have if necessary.”
“I understand how ye feel. Ye have only just started feeling at home here. Then, someone had to go and destroy everything ye have built. Do ye ken who that is?”
