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Lachlan straightened “But you would not change it? You do not regret your decision?”

“Oh, no,” she said her countenance brightening “But, in the end, all that truly ether”

Lachlan glanced at Isla Her golden locks appeared knotted and straggly Her soft lips were dry and flaky, still tinged red with blood Just a few hours earlier her face had shone with pleasure, the brilliance of it all al Now, her mouth was drawn thin The dark circles under her eyes aunt — a shadow of her former self

Even so, he found her just as captivating, just as beautiful

He should have told her that the affliction did not matter to him Perhaps then she would have chosen to live with the condition When the time came to leave her home, he could have taken her further north, found an isolated cabin where they’d spend the rest of their days together

But then he rerow old, and she would be forever young

“Isla wants you to know that she loves you” Ivana’s words disturbed his reverie “She will always love you” She paused “Aht to assume that Nikolai saw fit to come between you?”

He closed his eyes briefly, trying to i fro” Three years of bitterness and resentment infused his tone

“You know she had no choice but tohe took it without questioning his right to do so”

“I should have tried to stop hih to be compelled by a devil did not sit ith him

Ivana’s eyes flashed with pity “There is nothing you could have done Nikolai would have killed you Of that I am certain”

Frustration turned to anger

“I should like to thank the man who put an end to his life” Lachlan clenched his teeth so hard his jaw ached “I would bon before hi loyalty”

A faint smile touched Ivana’s lips “Then you are in luck The s with Malmuirie in the kitchen”

Lachlan jerked his head back “Your … your coachman killed Nikolai?”