Chapter 13

Dinner was delicious, but Evander could scarcely bring himself to enjoy it. Not when he was sitting only a few seats away from the man who’d almost ruined any chance he and May might have had for happiness. It was all he could do to remain civil to Laird MacPherson, and he wasn’t sure he’d have managed that much, had he not known that hurting her father would also hurt May.

He also respected Killian enough not to cause a feud-worthy incident while under the MacPherson heir’s roof. However, that didn’t stop him from addressing every comment the laird made to him in a cold, harsh tone.

May sat on his other side, now dressed in a skirt and blouse with MacPherson colors. Halfway through the meal, she gave him a chiding look. “Ye dinnae have tae be so short-tempered.”

“I ken.” He was tempted to air his grievance with the older man, but it was a private matter, not one for dinner table discussion. He sighed. “I suppose I’m in a poor mood after being ambushed.” He bowed his head to her. “Me apologies May.” He dipped his head to Killian and his wife. “And tae ye, heir MacPherson, and yer lady.”

“Och, well…” Killian shrugged, clearly discomfited by the fact that Evander wasn’t also apologizing to his father, but unwilling to pursue the matter and risk an argument. “I’ll wager ye’ve had an uncomfortable time o’ it. I’m nae surprised ye’re a little short-tempered.”

“Aye. Thank ye.” Evander took a swallow from his tankard of mead and forced himself to settle on something relatively neutral to discuss. “I understand ye were on the field against MacDonell’s men when May was kidnapped?”

“Aye. We were, and I was surprised tae nae see Scot himself on the field, as bitterly as he’s pursued this feud. O’ course, now I ken why he wasnae there. The battle was tae keep us away from the keep.” Killian scowled. “A waste o’ good warrior’s lives, fer such a cowardly tactic.”

“MacDonell’s nae kent fer his honor, nor his bravery.” Evander made a derisive gesture. “We’ve never had much tae dae with him, despite the lands being close.” He considered the matter a moment, remembering what May had said about the place she was held. “There’s been some indications though, that he might be encroaching on Mackintosh territory.”

“He might well.” Laird MacPherson agreed. “Our scouts have reported he’s preparing another attack on our clan as well. I dinnae want tae be inhospitable after the aid ye’ve given us, but I ken yer Clan Mackintosh’s war leader. ‘Tis best if ye return tae yer own clan afore ye’re caught up in the fighting here.”

Evander smirked at the older man. He didn’t know why Laird MacPherson seemed to disapprove of him, but he’d clearly noted Evander’s affection toward his daughter. It was just as clear that he was trying to separate them again, likely for the same reason he’d lied to Evander years ago.

Just as well he’d spent time with Killian this afternoon, taking his own measures to ensure he could remain at May’s side. “In point o’ fact, I’ve sent me braither a letter already, telling him that I’d like tae stay and assist with efforts tae fend off MacDonell, since ‘tis become a matter fer both our clans.”

“I see.” Laird MacPherson looked to his heir, and Killian nodded. “Me thanks tae ye and Laird Mackintosh fer yer aid then.” He went back to his meal, and the rest of the table lapsed into silence.

Evander confined his attention to making sure May had everything she wanted to eat, and to making plans for the next few days. There was no chance that he was going to leave May at risk of getting kidnapped again, and he didn’t trust her father or her brother to protect her, not when they’d already failed.

He wasn’t worried about Alec protesting his decision to stay in MacPherson Keep for the moment. Alec had noticed the obvious danger in May’s story about her escape as well as he had – that somehow, MacDonell had a foothold at or near their borders. And that was assuming he hadn’t had the audacity to actually try to establish himself in Mackintosh lands.

The use of that location, wherever it was, and May’s escape onto Mackintosh clan holdings made the matter of Scot MacDonell a problem for both clans. With MacPherson being the one who was formally in a blood feud with MacDonell Clan, and the main target, it made sense for their combat resources to be concentrated on MacPherson land. Especially if Laird MacPherson was going to insist on keeping the daughter Scot MacDonell had already kidnapped in his own home, rather than allowing her to remain in the sanctuary of Mackintosh Castle.

As Clan Mackintosh’s war leader, Evander was the logical choice to coordinate strategies between the two clans. He could do that better at MacPherson Keep for the moment. He’d written all of those reasons into his letter, and was confident that Alec would understand.

And if his chosen, logical course of action kept him close to May as well – he was hardly going to complain. Quite the opposite in fact.

He knew what they’d shared in the cave, and in the healer’s cottage, had changed things between them. He wasn’t going to risk leaving, and having her taken from him again, until they’d both decided what they wanted to do about it, and what their relationship would be going forward.

May knocked on the door to the guest rooms Evander had been given. She knew it was risky, coming to visit him in his rooms so soon after she’d arrived home, but she couldn’t help it. She hadn’t had a chance to speak to Evander since the evening meal, and there were things she needed to say.

A test of the door revealed it was unbolted, and she slipped inside instead of waiting for him to open the door. She didn’t want one of her family to catch her hovering at the door and ask awkward questions.

Evander was just emerging from behind a screen, a kilt wrapped hastily around his hips. May blushed at the realization that she must have caught him changing back into his own, freshly cleaned clothing, or preparing for bed. “Yer pardon.”

“Nae need tae be shy.” Evander’s smile was roguish, and made her heart skip a beat. “What can I dae fer ye?”

“I-I dinnae ken. I just…” She moved closer, until she could press a hand to his chest, to feel his heartbeat. The sensation of it against her hand was soothing, but it reminded her all the more of why she’d come to see him, and the words came out without thought. “I dinnae want ye tae be here, placing yerself in danger because o’ me.”

Evander’s arms went around her. “I’m likely tae be in danger with or without ye, if MacDonell’s aiming tae take both MacPherson and Mackintosh. Or if he takes insult tae Mackintosh giving ye shelter when ye escaped, which is fair likely, given what I ken o’ the man. And if I’m tae face the danger either way, I’d rather do it with ye nearby.” He pressed a kiss to her brow.

May thumped his chest with a closed fist. “But I dinnae want tae see ye hurt! Nae after... nae after finding out the truth!” She looked up at him, not bothering to conceal the tears in her eyes. “Evander, I dinnae think I can take it if ye come tae harm while defending me.”

“Then I’ll have tae be sure I dinnae come tae harm.” Evander bent his head and kissed her again, callused thumbs smoothing over her cheeks to wipe away the moisture at the corners of her eyes. “If the chance o’ me being injured upsets ye, then I’ll dae me best tae walk away without a scratch. But ye cannae ask me tae step back and out o’ danger when there’s nae way tae protect ye if I dae. Ye’re nae the only one who couldnae bear seeing aught happen fer yer sake.”

How else could she respond but to kiss him again? May melted against him, feeling those firm lips on hers, that mouth that tasted of sun and mead and masculinity, a firm, solid strength she was coming to identify as uniquely his.

Through the fabric of their clothing, she could feel his manhood stirring, as the touch of his hands left trails of heat beneath her skin. With an effort, she pulled back to look into his face. “Evander, what are we doing?”

“Whatever we wish tae.” His voice was low, seductive in the rough, husky quality of it. May wanted to melt into that voice, into his arms, but she couldn’t.

“Evander, we cannae. ‘Tis madness tae be doing this, when we both ken ye’re a man tae be married in a month.” In the healer’s cottage, when they were both so on edge and reeling from the truth about the past ten years – that had been one thing. But now she was home, with her family. And he had family, as well as a betrothed, waiting for him. “We cannae…”

“I’m tae be married, but I’m nae wed tae anyone yet.” Evander’s expression was solemn in the firelight. “And if it comes tae that, I’ll ask ye what ye asked me last night.” His hands took her shoulders. “May, dae ye love me?”

She knew she should deny it, for the sake of his upcoming marriage if nothing else, but she could sooner have denied herself air. “Aye. I love ye.”

“Then that’s all that matters, fer either o’ us. At least fer now. We’ll sort out the rest o’ the matter as it comes, but for now, loving each other is enough.”

She wanted to say that wasn’t true, that they both had other things to think about, but his hands were warm, and his touch made her feel alive, in a way she hadn’t felt since the day they’d been parted. With a sigh, she gave in, leaning against his broad, strong chest.

She was just about to ask him to take her to bed when a knock sounded on the door.