Page 99 of Ruined By the Ruthless Highlander
“Go back to England, Marian,” he grunted. “Nothin’ keeps ye here anymore.”
Marian’s breath caught at his words. She opened her mouth to say something, then stopped herself, her eyes glistening.
Are those tears?
Lachlan tore his eyes away from her before he could bring himself to confirm it. His expression remained hard, even as his heart screamed at him to take his words back. His hand still held her arm.
“Let go of me,” she demanded quietly.
He did, releasing her one finger at a time as though she were a precious gemstone.
Marian stepped back, smoothing her sleeve where his hand had been. The gesture sent a pang through his chest.
“Very well, my Laird,” she said, her voice perfectly composed now. His heart ached at her suddenly distant tone, as though the past week had meant nothing. “I shall take my leave at once.”
Her lips quivered as she said the words, then she turned and walked toward the stairs.
Lachlan’s gaze never left her back. Not until she disappeared from view. And even then, he remained standing there, staring at the empty space where she’d been.
Goodbye, Marian. ’Twas what needed to be done.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Marian’s heart ached.
She stood by the small window in her chamber, tracing her fingertips along its frame as she tried to push every thought of Lachlan out of her mind.
In the previous weeks, the sight of water flowing through the valley had comforted her many times when she was distraught. But today, it did nothing to ease the terrible tightening that caused her heart to break.
She closed her eyes, breathing in the cold air as the sound of her name filled her ears.
Lachlan had called her Marian. For the first time ever, he had said her name as it truly was, and it had sounded like honey on his lips. But in the same breath, he had told her there was no use for her here. And that was how she knew he truly meant it.
She inhaled sharply, feeling a pang in her chest.
Her hand instinctively came up to cover the area, as though the mere action could ease the bone-deep pain. She closed her eyes, lifting her chin to keep her tears from falling.
I cannot cry.
Her breath caught in her chest as she felt a tug at the hem of her dress, and she opened her eyes again, looking down to see what it was.
“Mossie…” She smiled despite herself, bending to pick up the gray cat. Her voice trembled slightly. “Have you come to say goodbye?”
The cat curled up comfortably in her arms, rubbing against her before turning its head to look out the window.
Marian followed its gaze. The rain had finally cleared, leaving the hills washed in pale afternoon light that looked like a dream.
She stroked Mossie’s fur as she took one last look at the land beyond the glen.
In the short weeks she’d spent in Glen Carrick, she had gotten to know the lands as more than a mere inheritance. She had learned its spirit and had almost dared to think of it as her home.
From where she stood, she could see the scattered sheds, the grazing fields, and the winding path that disappeared into the forest beyond the ridge. All the different places where she had made fond memories of the Highlands. All the memories that she would have to leave behind.
A soft breeze brushed against her, and she smiled softly despite herself.
It is foolish.
The thought stung, and her smile faltered as slowly as it had formed.
