Highlander Most Wanted Page 0,98

to become a weepy mess in front of him.

“I’m ever grateful, Laird,” she said sincerely.

Graeme nodded, then turned to Bowen. “If your business here is complete, let us be on our way. I’d see my wife as soon as possible. I do not like being parted from her.”

“We are ready,” Bowen said in a voice that told her he was as ready to be done with McHugh Keep as she was.

He held out his hand to assist Genevieve onto her mount. He lifted her high, and she slid into place on the saddle, excitement and nervousness assailing her.

She was truly leaving this place.

She could barely contain herself as she waited for the men to mount and give the call to move out.

Such a beautiful day. Symbolic. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. No fog. The morning sun cast a glow over a pink-and-lavender sky. If ever there were a more perfect day to set out and put her past behind her, this was it.

Bowen rode up beside her and reached over to clasp her hand. He squeezed and gave her a smile that warmed her to her toes.

Ahead, Graeme gave the call to move ahead. The gate to the courtyard creaked open and the Montgomery warriors began to file out one by one. Graeme fell into line just ahead of Bowen and Genevieve, and Bowen motioned her forward so that she was between him and Graeme.

From the corner of her eye she saw Taliesan trying to hurry toward the gate, but she was hampered by her heavy limp. Genevieve gave a cry of alarm when Taliesan stumbled, but Brodie was suddenly there to steady her. Then, to Genevieve’s surprise, Brodie scooped her up and strode at a fast clip toward the gate so that Taliesan would be there when Genevieve rode past.

Taliesan’s cheeks were stained with color, but she held her head high and waved bravely despite the tears of grief in her eyes as Genevieve rode past.

Genevieve kissed her fingers and extended them in Taliesan’s direction. Her one true friend—her only friend.

“Safe journey to you,” Taliesan called. “Be happy, Genevieve. Be happy.”

“Farewell,” Genevieve called. Then to Brodie she said in a fierce voice, “Take care of her, Brodie. Look after her well.”

Brodie gave Genevieve a salute and then she was past the gate, following behind the line of Montgomery warriors that extended to the nearby hillside.

When she reached the top of the hill, temptation was too great and she swiveled in the saddle, looking back at the keep in the distance.

For a place she knew to be filled with darkness and pain, it looked much like any other keep. Seemingly harmless. Not a place of such evilness.

“Do not look back, Genevieve,” Bowen said in a quiet voice next to her. “There is nothing for you there.”

“Nay,” she agreed, taking one last glance at the symbol of her imprisonment. “There is naught for me there. I’ll not look back ever again.”

She turned as her horse rode on and she notched her chin up, determined not to give way to the overwhelming sadness eating at her soul.

She knew not what her future held. But she was free of her past. From here onward, her future was what she made it. Bowen had given her something long denied her. A choice. And she was determined not to make foolish choices.

She glanced sideways at Bowen, wondering how much of a role he would play in her future. He acted as though he cared for her, but she knew not if his feelings were driven by pity or something much deeper. He hadn’t spoken of his feelings—or the future—other than to tell her that he was taking her away.

He’d once promised her a place within his clan, as a Montgomery. But what did that mean? Was she to be his leman, as she’d once offered? Or was she to be treated merely as a cousin or sister or clansman and once they were home the passion between them would cool and become a distant memory?

She tried not to dwell on all the what-ifs and unknowns because it would do naught but drive her to madness.

She had to focus on the fact that she was being given a chance to start anew. She was free of the horrifying abuse that Ian had subjected her to for an entire year. He was dead. Patrick was dead. No one could hurt her anymore. Bowen had sworn that he would protect her from any threat. He was