Page 89 of Wedded to the Devilish Highlander
“I dinnae. But how could she blame ye?”
“I like seein’ her happier, and she’s been a wee bit happier since I’ve become betrothed. I ken that grandchildren will bring her happiness, but I also ken that helps to hide her pain. She’s carried that pain around with her for six years, and she doesnae talk about it with anyone. I daenae think anythin’ will ever take away the pain of me faither’s passing. She doesnae show it much when we’re around the clan, but in private, me heart aches for her.”
“Ye should talk about it with her,” Eileen suggested.
“Nay, I dinnae think I’m the right person for that. Ye’re the one who is good with that sort of thing. Ye could help her.”
“Well, it’s nae really me place, is it? She’s nae me maither, and I barely ken her. Besides, I’ll be gone from here soon.”
He felt a pang of fear in his chest. “Aye, but ye’re nae gone yet, are ye?”
“Nay, I’m nae,” Eileen relented. “I’ll stay here until Reid wakes up, and then he’ll need to regain his strength before we go back home. Aye, I’ll be here for a while until then.”
“That brings me some happiness,” Archer admitted.
He hadn’t meant to say it, but it had come out anyway.
“Aye, me too,” Eileen murmured. “I like bein’ here, despite what’s happened since I arrived. And I like bein’ betrothed to ye, even though it’s nae real.”
“Aye, but I think that’s ‘cause ye like sneakin’ around with anyone kennin’ what ye’re doin’. Ye like the danger of it,” Archer said.
“Aye, maybe ye’re right,” Eileen conceded. “I did like sneakin’ off in the hopes ye would chase me.”
“Ye like danger, and I like keepin’ ye out of danger,” Archer snorted. “It’s like storin’ yer lamp fuel by yer lit candles.”
“Aye. But it’s fun, is it nae?” Eileen smirked.
“Aye, it certainly is.”
26
Eileen felt a thrill run through her.
When they were together, she felt happy. If she could carve out more moments like this, maybe Archer would realize it, and then she could…
She didn’t know what she wanted, but she was not ready to go home just yet.
When she’d snuck out of the castle, she had regretted her actions, but now that she and Archer were enjoying a romantic picnic together by the river, she did not regret it one bit.
She took a sip of her mead, the sweet, syrupy drink warming her.
“Ye did look in an awful hurry when ye arrived here,” she teased. “I didnae ken ye werethatworried about me.”
“I ken ye’re teasin’ me,” Archer said somberly, “but there are people around here who want to harm ye.”
Eileen tapped the dirk at her waist. “That’s why I took me dirk with me.”
“I only hope ye dinnae have to use it.”
“Is it nae beautiful, though?” she asked. “Would ye have come out here if I asked ye to have a picnic with me?”
“Nay, probably nae,” Archer admitted. “Still, I’m glad I’m here. This is nice.”
“Aye, I’m glad ye’re here, too.” Eileen inhaled deeply. “I’m grateful for everything ye’ve done for me. Ye’re a good man, Archer.”
“I’m a better man since our betrothal.”
“Then there’s hope for ye yet,” Eileen snorted. “Perhaps yer days of bein’ a rake are over.”
