“Tristan says you’d like to tell us how you met,” Laird Liam stated. He offered Elene an encouraging smile. “I knew your father since well before you were born. He and Alex were close in age. I’ve met your mother a few times, as well.”
Elene tried not to wriggle, already uncomfortable with the conversation. She caught the hesitancy in the older man’s voice, and she assumed he knew about her mother’s reputation. When the laird said nothing more, Elene glanced at her husband.
“I already told Da this,” Liam began. “I met Elene when I arrived in Skaill and overhead her arguing with her mother. I should have been clear that I understood, and I should have given them privacy. But I admit I couldn’t stop watching Elene.”
Liam’s cheeks heated, and he couldn’t bring himself to look at his mother, father, grandfather, or any of his uncles. He settled for looking at his Aunt Deirdre. She offered him an encouraging smile.
“They were arguing about a Norse trader who they expected back soon. Elene warned her mother than the man had foul intentions for her, but her mother refused to listen. She didn’t seem to understand Elene’s point.”
Elene covered their joined hands with her free one. “My mother has always drunken too much. It wasn’t so bad while my father was alive, and I was very young. But he died several years ago, and she started drinking far too much, far too often. She’s—” Elene looked at her lap as she mustered her courage. She focused her attention on Laird Liam. “She’s not of sound mind these days.”
“What do you mean by ‘foul intentions’?” Mairghread asked.
“He means to sell me as a bed slave,” Elene blurted. She figured it would be best to just say it and be done with it. She couldn’t meet anyone’s eyes, so she jumped when a warm, manly hand rested on her shoulder that she knew wasn’t Liam’s. She looked into emerald eyes, an exact match to her husband’s. Tristan offered her a smile so paternal that her heart ached. His touch was gentle but reassuring. She realized her husband inherited many traits, both physical and character, from his father.
“You don’t have to say any more,” Tristan offered softly.
“Androw and Janet confirmed this,” Liam picked up the story. “Even if they hadn’t, I met Gunter. I—”
“Gunter Haakonsson?” Laird Liam interrupted.
“Yes, Grandda.”
Laird Liam steepled his fingers and leaned back in his chair. His right eye narrowed as he surveyed the young couple. He remembered meeting his wife, Kyla, when they were betrothed. It had been an arranged marriage to end a feud between the Sinclairs and Sutherlands. He remembered how his bride’s beauty veritably knocked the wind out of him. He remembered how skittish and uncomfortable she’d been when he complimented her. And he remembered the day he’d seen the fresh bruises his cousin gave her and the nearly healed ones her father caused before she arrived at Dunbeath. He’d been ready to set the Highlands ablaze to avenge and protect her.
The older man’s gaze shifted to Mairghread, and his heart ached. He hadn’t seen Mairghread tied to a bed as two men made ready to assault her. Tristan and his sons told him the tale, what they encountered just in time to rescue her. She was a wonderful and constant reminder of his beloved wife. He couldn’t imagine living without both Kyla and Mairghread. He’d never been so grateful for four strapping sons and a mountainous son-by-marriage as he was when he saw Mairghread riding safely in front of Tristan as they returned to Varrich.
With a deep inhale, he looked at his first daughter-by-marriage. He’d never imagined he could love four women as much as he did the daughter born from his own seed. He couldn’t have asked for better helpmates for each of his sons. Siùsan was the daughter of Kyla’s best childhood friend. She’d been emotionally abused and abandoned her entire life by a negligent father and wretched stepmother. He’d arranged the marriage between Siùsan and Callum in part to save her, and in part because he’d heard about her character and believed she would be a strong influence on his oldest son. But it hadn’t been without its challenges. History had repeated itself, and it was Callum and his youngest son, Magnus, who saved Siùsan as two men attacked her. He’d nearly lost three precious women in his life to violence at a man’s hand. He had no tolerance for mistreatment of women. He hadn’t before he met his wife, and he still didn’t as a grandfather to a passel of young girls.
“I know the man’s reputation, Elene. I’ve met him many times, and I trust him not at all. What you say doesn’t surprise me, unfortunately. He’s a petty and violent man. Those two qualities mixed make him unpredictable and dangerous. I’m glad you are away from him.”
Laird Liam turned to the young man named for him. It felt like yesterday that he was crooning nonsense to his oldest grandchild, then carrying him around on his shoulders, pretending to gallop like a horse while the toddler used his hair as reins. A man now sat before him. One he was immensely proud of and loved with a devotion he’d never imagined possible as a young man.
“I also know he’s a man with a fragile ego and a temper to boot. He must know by now that you escaped.”
“He does, Grandda. He found us on Mainland. We tried to keep Elene hidden, but he spotted Elene as she entered Dingieshowe. She hid in Ninian’s croft. Gunter sent warriors into the croft in the earliest morning hours. We pushed them back out, but rather than fight us alongside his warriors, he tossed a burning log onto the thatch. He trapped Ninian, Sonneta, and Elene inside. Elene was in the cellar. I got all three of them out, but we couldn’t save the croft. Two more logs wound up on the roof.”
“Ninian and Sonneta, are they all right?” Callum asked.
“The last we saw, they were. Bernard, Hugh, Mans, and Meg were there. They saw everything and swore to help Ninian and Sonneta. They won’t forgive Gunter any time soon. He’s likely ruined his trade relations on that island. We went back to Rousay to gather Johan and Katryne.” Liam looked to his aunts. “Thank you for caring for them while we…”
“Katryne and Johan are adjusting so well,” Elene turned the attention away from Liam and the hint that they’d spent a week coupling. “They told me while we broke our fast this morning how much fun they’re having with the other children. Language doesn’t seem to keep children from making friends.”
“They’re brave, too.” Liam smiled as he considered what they’d endured. “Gunter found us as we tried to squeeze between Egilsay and Shapinsay. He spotted us from near Tingwall. Elene suggested they hide in barrels and go into the water. It was the only choice since there was nowhere to hide them on either birlinn, and we couldn’t get to shore before the Norse reached us. They nearly froze, but we reached them in time.”
“If you had them hiding in barrels out at sea, Gunter must have boarded your boats,” Ceit observed.
“He came aboard mine. He cut open some sacks and knocked over empty barrels.” Liam looked at his father, then his grandfather. “I didn’t complete all the trade.”
“I’m the earl whether or not we trade seeds and whisky. That’s not what’s important. However, I govern those lands, and attempting to capture and sell someone violates our laws. I’m within my rights to apprehend Gunter and imprison him. Prince or not.”
“We’re here now,” Elene whispered. “Can we not just let it go?”
Liam kissed her temple and drew her closer. He looked at his grandfather, imploring him to let the matter rest for now. He flicked his gaze to his mother, hoping she would know what to say, since he was at a loss to how to soothe his frightened wife.
“I’ll think about what you’ve told us. We don’t have to do aught right this moment,” Laird Liam assured Elene.
“There’s a market in the village today,” Mairghread said, changing the subject. “My sisters and I are going. Would you come with us?”
