Page 27

Iver stood a short distance away from his uncle and heard the exchange between the husband and wife.

What he did not understand completely was the cryptic message that had been delivered to the Lady Gwyn.

It stated they were coming for the 'package she has kept in safekeeping' .

It had simply not made any sense to him but it was obvious she understood it well.

While the Lady Gwyn attempted to place an impassive stare upon her face, he could see the devastation she felt almost immediately.

There was no doubt she had been clearly stricken by his words.

Perhaps it was because he had come to know her over these last few weeks that made him understand her so well.

Or perhaps it was because he had held her within his arms that one time and he had shared her emotions so decisively.

Having experienced those, he was more keenly aware of these subtle changes within her.

It was clear the laird most likely did not have a clue as to what he had just disclosed.

In fact, when the Lady Gwyn walked from the laird's presence he simply shrugged his shoulders as if an insignificant duty of his had been completed.

It was obvious he cared little for the news he had delivered and in turn, he showed to Iver he cared even less for his wife.

But he, himself cared and his laird's reactions angered him.

'You are such a bastard where she is concerned.'

Until the Lady Gwyn had been summoned to the gathering hall on this eve, he had only seen her one other time since the night he had pledged himself to the Chattan.

And it was only briefly when she went in search of her son.

As he thought back to that moment when she had crested the hill and her steed came to stand nose to nose with his own, it nearly ripped at his heart when she tore her gaze from his and asked instead for Donnan's assistance and not his own.

While he understood her reasoning, it hurt him more than he was willing to admit.

He and the Lady Gwyn both slept within the same stone walls of the keep, yet he was not to have the opportunity to see her. He often wondered if her avoidance was planned or if it were merely a coincidence.

'Will you not ever forgive me for taking full advantage of you in that moment?'

Of course, he did not speak the words aloud but they reverberated heavily upon his heart.

The Lady Gwyn also must have understood all they risked.

She obviously did not think he, nor the passions they shared were worth the price they would ultimately pay.

There was no doubt within his mind that something such as this if acted upon, could never be kept a secret for long.

As much as they would have wished to hide it, he knew they would some day be discovered and that would be devastating.

The evening passed slowly and Iver soon found himself alone in the gathering hall.

Philomena had long since summoned the laird and they had retired together.

This was another detail that perplexed Iver completely.

The laird and this other woman were so obvious of their mutual feelings and with how they even shared of the same chamber.

They had even been so bold in their actions while still in the presence of the Lady Gwyn.

He was certain she could not be so blind to all they shared.

He had realized this within the first two days of his arrival and she had been wed for many years.

When the dusk had fully descended upon the lands and Gwyn had not yet returned, Iver began to worry.

"Lady Gwyn, where have you gone?"

Without another thought, Iver went to the stables and discovered her mare was missing.

Quickly, he saddled his own steed to go in search of her.

He was out the door with nothing but anxiety beginning to lace his heart.

He traveled in the direction of the one place she would go, the hillside beyond the back of the holdings.

As he crossed the open field separating the keep from the hill, he remembered the day he and Donnan had first spied her with her son. She had surprised him with her words and her actions. Neither could he deny that which astonished him also made him want her even more.

"Christ, Gwyn, please be well."

The Lady Gwyn was an honorable woman and one who would make any man proud to call her his own.

It was not the most significant thing that to gaze upon her body made his heat rise because she obviously, was an exceptionally stunning woman.

It was more of what he had come to know of her that he yearned for even more.

She was honest and kind, humble and more dedicated to her duties than most were probably aware.

But it was her fierce loyalty to her son that spoke to him the most loudly.

It was clear, she would do everything in her power to love him, guide him and make him into a worthy man.

Even now, he only wished to comfort her with whatever sorrows she held. Although if he were to be honest with himself, he wanted so much more then to just give her his strength and understanding. And he was having a difficult time reconciling himself to that fact.

As Iver moved over the large field separating the keep from the rise, he slowed the pace of his beast knowing it should not be he who went in search of the lady.

Regardless of that knowledge, he felt such a sense of relief for at the bottom of the hill was her mare tied to a tree.

He pressed his horse forward even though he knew he should not, all the while reasoning with himself that he only wished to ensure she was safe.

When he was moved his beast next to hers, he quickly dismounted.

After he tied his stallion to the nearest tree, he stopped to listen intently in his effort to locate her. He heard her immediately and the sound pulled intently at his heart. It was not loud, but he distinctly heard a sniffle from behind a great oak that was near.

As Iver crept closer, he realized she was crying. His heart nearly broke for her sadness as he pictured the pain as it shown upon her lovely face in the hall. He did not wish to startle her and only wanted to help as he whispered into the night from where he stood.

"My lady?"

Gwyn had ridden to the only place she knew that could bring a semblance of peace to her otherwise turbulent world.

She went to the hillside where she could freely consider all her duty had provided.

Many memories of the child she had raised and the lessons she had inspired were formed here.

Now, with more grief then she ever could have imagined, she conceded it was all going to be taken from her.

She would be left here and all alone with nothing in her life which was meaningful.

She understood when Durell left the Chattan, Gwyn would be unable to follow because her life was now pledged to the Laird Errol.

"No, please, do not take him from me just yet!"

As the panic of her situation clearly dawned, Gwyn realized she was trapped.

Not only was this out of her hands, she suddenly felt so all alone.

With the exception of her son, there was no love in this home nor even any camaraderie between its occupants.

It pained her to know what little joy she did have would be gone in mere weeks.

While she had always known this day would come, until her husband had announced it, she had dared not consider it.

Not really. And now? Now, she was angry and hurt and understood she was so completely all alone and powerless to do anything to prevent it.

The pain was more than she ever could have thought possible and it tore at the deepest depths of her soul.

"My lady? Are you near?"

When she heard the words spoken in the darkness, she knew it could only be Iver.

As she anxiously wiped at her tears, she was relieved.

Deep within her heart, she had known. Some way and some how, she knew he would eventually come to her.

Or at least in the innermost part of her being, she had hoped he would.

"I am here, Iver."

When he stood before her in the murkiness of the night, she could only stare silently at the magnificent Highlander before her.

As she gazed up observing his strong features with the aid of the silvery crest of the moon, she refused to hide the plethora of emotions that were now plaguing her heart.

For once, she needed someone to see her for who she truly was and how she was suffering.

"Oh, Iver."

Gwyn longed for someone to really understand all that had been asked of her.

While she knew she could never disclose any of her secrets to even him, she understood she would in this moment, not hold back any of the feelings coursing through her body.

He would see her and all her pain for what it truly was.

And suddenly, she found she no longer cared.

"I am so thankful you have come."

If she frightened him away with all she wished to show and give, then so be it. She had so much grief and anger upon her heart there was no telling what she would do if she did not have some real outlet. She only hoped he would understand.

Gwyn took a single step forward bridging the small gap between their bodies to nothing more than a mere breath.

With all of the emotions clearly inscribed upon her face, she turned to gaze upon him.

God he was beautiful and more than anything she wanted the opportunity to feel his powerful arms around her.

She needed urgently the fire of his touch and the security she knew his embrace would bring.

As her heart beat furiously within her breast for just his nearness, she conceded if he kissed her or touched her in any way she would gladly give in to him. Even though she was frightened, she would not pull away as she had the previous time they were alone together.

"Iver, please-"