Page 23 of Highlander’s Lesser Evil

“If ye recall, Beth tried to kill me as well,” Theo said dryly.

“But that is not Jillian’s sin.” The door slammed behind him, and Theo gritted his teeth as Gemma marched around them. Grasping Jillian’s hands, she helped the woman rise. “If you learned anything about Loch Moran, you would know that it is a place for the people who want to be as far from MacSeaver as possible.”

“Gemma!”

“She has asked for sanctuary. I do know that highlanders are liberal at granting that.”

“We have a peace treaty with the MacSeavers, Gemma.”

“Fine, then do not grant her sanctuary.” Gemma squeezed her hand. “Lady Jillian is my friend, and she is here to visit with me. Indefinitely.”

Theo blinked. “Ye know Jillian?”

“Does that surprise you?”

“Aye.” Theo nodded. “It most certainly does. When were ye going to tell me that ye were friendly with MacSeaver’s daughter-in-law?”

He knew what it sounded like, the suspicion in his voice, and she cut him a stern look. “Not every woman gets to choose their family,” she said pointedly as she put her arm around Jillian and walked her to their cottage. “Until we can find her a safe place to stay, Jillian will stay with me.”

“What?” Flustered, Theo took a step forward. “Wife, I am staying with ye.”

“Then I suggest you be polite to our guest.” With that, she marched Jillian into the cottage and slammed the door shut.

Theo growled.

Marriage is proving far more difficult than I first thought.

“You should have sent word that you were coming,” Gemma said a little angrily as she sat Jillian down and lifted her friend’s face to inspect the bruise darkening on her skin. “I would have sent someone to escort you here.”

“I tried, but all of my attempts at communication were thwarted. Oh, Gemma, I learned of yer marriage right before I left, and I was so worried that I wouldnae be able to stay. I doonae think yer husband is happy.”

There was blood in her friend’s hair. Gemma’s stomach clenched as she hurried to the basin to wet a cloth. “My husband’s happiness is the least of my concerns,” she muttered. “And you will be safe here as long as I draw breath.”

“Gemma, stop.” Grabbing her wrists, Jillian pulled them down and kissed her hands. “Ye married Laird MacDougal. What were ye thinking? Have ye learned nothing from me?”

“I received word from Fletcher. He sent Graeme to fetch me to wed. I was going to run, but these people wanted so desperately for me to marry Theo and forge an alliance between them and the people.”

“Fletcher?” Jillian shook her head. “Gemma, Fletcher doesnae remember ye. Honestly, I think he forgot about ye the first moment he sobered up after he bought ye. He has no idea ye are here, and he has no wish to wed again. Gemma, he is mad. He puts on a face when he is around others, but when we are alone, I see the insanity. Some days he looks at me and sees Beth.”

“Did he do this?”

“No. He has never had the heart to hit a woman.” Jillian touched her eye. “This is the work of his guards. Those that wanted Beth to succeed. They know I didnae play my part.”

“To seduce Fletcher so he wouldnae stray?” Gemma made a disgusted sound. When Jillian had learned of Beth’s real plan, she’d run as fast as she could to Loch Moran, but there was nothing here anyone could do but shelter her.

Then the king’s missive had arrived, and after that, Gemma hadn’t seen Jillian. She’d feared for her friend but knew that the king of Scotland was a kind man, and she prayed that he would see that Jillian was innocent and spare her.

It seemed that was exactly what he’d done, only he hadn’t bothered to check that Jillian had been safe.

“Men,” Gemma muttered. “They never think of the future. Well, you don’t need to fret. You will always have a home here with me.”

“Yer husband didnae seem so certain about that.”

“You can leave my husband to me. I married him so the ones I loved would be taken care of.” Sitting at the table next to her, Gemma bit her bottom lip. “Besides, I don’t think my husband is going to be the problem. Graeme is here.”

The young window’s eyes widened. “What? No! Fletcher ordered him to stay away from Loch Moran. He is supposed to be visiting Sinclair lands, searching for a bride.”

Perhaps Graeme thought it might be easiest if he took a bride who had already been purchased, Gemma thought grimly. But why go through the charade of fabricating a missive from Fletcher?