Page 10 of Highlander’s Evil Twin

Then it was all over. He kissed her lightly on the lips, a promise of what was to come, and proudly walked with her down the aisle.

4

“Heather, I’d like to introduce you to my brother. Connor, this is my wife, Heather,” Hiram stated proudly when she walked into the dining room and joined them at the table.

“She’s even more lovely than you described. Nice to meet you, Heather,” Connor said.

Heather smiled at him kindly. “It is good to finally meet you too.”

She recalled Hiram’s words that his brother was nothing more than an asshole and wondered if it was sibling rivalry or if indeed, he really was nothing like her husband. As she watched them interact, she suddenly realized that they were so similar, almost identical.

“Oh, you are twins?”

“It didn’t take her all that long to figure out, even with my hair color changed, although I am sure she can see that I am the good-looking brother!” Connor chuckled.

“She’s a smart woman, I told you that already.” Hiram smiled broadly and squeezed her hand. They were so similar and yet, there was something different Heather thought, or maybe she was merely being influenced by Hiram’s feelings.

He had never really spoken much about his brother and she had longed to ask but always felt that there was a barrier when it came to him. Yet he seemed likeable and was talkative and engaging. So, what was it? Perhaps now that Connor was back, Hiram would feel ready to talk to her about his brother so she could understand. They were chatting animatedly now so perhaps past frictions had dissipated now that they were older.

“My brother, it is so wonderful to be back. It has been a long time since we were together, and I have missed you. I cannot believe that you are now married. I missed the wedding and I am sorry for that. How long have you been married now?” he asked.

Hiram smiled at Heather. “Just a month and a half now. We didn’t want to wait with the clan unrest. It was not the most romantic time to get married, with father having just died. But we honored his wishes.” His emotions rose up within him and he held Heather’s hand, blinking back unwanted tears.

“I thought maybe you had grown up into a man while I was gone but I see you are as sensitive as ever. Heather, did you know you married a female?” He raised an eyebrow at her and waited for her reaction.

Heather gasped. The remark was totally unexpected. Before she could say anything, Hiram cut in.

“Connor, don’t start already, Heather doesn’t even know you yet,” Hiram warned.

“It is okay Hiram; I know the truth about you. I know a real man when I see one and I lie next to one each night.” She stood up suddenly, looking at Hiram. “I must write to my mother. She wanted to know when your brother was home so they could come and visit. Excuse me.”

Heather walked away, inwardly fuming. How dare he say such things about Hiram? Now she understood all too well why Hiram disliked him.

Heather returned to their chambers; it had become a sanctuary against the stresses of the day. She had a feeling that she would be here much more now that Connor was back, and she hoped that he would become bored at playing joint Laird and leave again. She didn’t really understand why he had left in the first place, but she hoped that whatever the reason, the desire to go would strike soon. It was rare that she felt dislike for someone, especially so quickly, but Hiram was her husband and she would always support him.

Perhaps in time things would settle here. She had to focus just on her marriage and consider the needs of her husband...as she had last night. Heather smiled. It had been the most deliciously, tender love-making session yet. She had been in bed waiting for him and he’d slid between the sheets, pulling her back towards him, sliding his arm around her, his hands roaming all over her body. At first, she had protested at their position, but the passion inside her welled up and quelled her voice. She could feel him hard against her naked body and he had fondled her nipples until she had groaned out loud.

When he had explored her fully this way, he’d turned her to face him and they had kissed, his tongue invading her mouth, kissing her in earnest. Then he had made love to her for hours on end and once she was satisfied, he released his own desire for her. They had slept still caught up in their embrace. She’d dreamt of conceiving his baby and felt her desire well up inside her again. She longed to be pregnant with his child and wanted to bring happiness into their lives.

More, she felt that she would be a good mother and believed in the ethos of the marriage. They would bring their child up in the best way they knew how, working together to create a happy, harmonious home. Of course, they had never discussed this at all, but she could only wait with anticipation for when he would impregnate her. He had never told her he loved her, but he treated her with such respect and consideration. She was sure it was only a matter of time.

She’d been so afraid that he would be arrogant and demanding but she hadn’t seen much evidence of this. She knew he had an inner strength and he was capable of emotion but had heard people say he had demonstrated his arrogance at times. Most of the time he treated her as an equal. The only time he didn’t include her was when he was talking battle strategy. She dreaded the time when he would ride out to fight again. What would she do if he died? She couldn’t bear the thought.

The floorboards outside the room creaked and startled her. Hiram? She hoped it was. She needed to feel his arms around her and for him to make love to her again. She felt the remnants of her desire from last night rising again and rushed to the door.

“Connor?” she gasped. “What is it?”

“I just came to let you know Hiram received some unsettling news about unrest brewing. He told me to let you know he would be back in time for our next meal.”

She felt a wave of disappointment. “Why did you not go too?”

“He asked me to stay here to look after you.” Something in his voice made her look away.

“Are you okay?” His voice broke into her thoughts and she jumped. He grabbed her arm to help steady her.

“Yes, I am fine,” she said stiffly, trying to remove her arm from his grasp. She stepped back a little but to her dismay, he moved forward, now almost inside the room.

“Do I make you nervous Heather?”