“Catriona,” Alexander repeated. The way he rolled her name off his tongue with a deep gentle burring of his ‘r’s’ made her shiver. He gave it a sound it had ne’er before possessed. “Catriona?”
“Aye?”
“Thank ye.” Alexander paused for a heartbeat then said, “Thank ye for all ye’ve done. For me. And my men.”
“Aye, now go to sleep.’’ Catriona’s cheeks warmed along with her at heart at such appreciation. “Dawn will be here in but a few hours and ye need your rest.”
“Aye, lass. Rest ye well.”
Not bothering to answer, Catriona breathed in a deep breath to calm herself, then let it ease out in a silent sigh.If only.She winced at the thought, squeezing her eyes shut as though blocking out the possibility.Ye daren’t hope, fool. Clan Neal is your husband and family.
The tightness of unshed tears made her throat ache. Tears she’d held at bay ever since her dying mother had made her swear to watch over her younger brothers and see that her drunken brute of a father didn’t destroy the clan with his foolhardy ways.
Mother had protected them all before that, protected them from Father’s drunken tirades and shielded the clan as much as she dared. Catriona couldn’t hate Motherfor the burden she’d left her. Mother’s vow oftil death do us parthad kept her married to a man she’d hated. A man whose cruel and calculating nature intensified with drink. Father was a soulless man who couldna make the right decision if his life depended not it. Mother had told Catriona that right before she had died. She’d also warned Catriona to always keep her chamber doors locked when she retired. Mother had ne’er said why. Catriona had suspected but ne’er asked. ’Twas easier to pretend an evil didna exist rather than speak about it.
And now a legacy Catriona ne’er wanted trapped her like the biting steel of a hunter's snare. The legacy to protect Mother’s clan. Catriona’s clan now. There would be no husband for her. What outsider would wish themselves bound to such a remote clan? What man would spend his life atTor Ruadh, ever in the shadows of a drunk, inept chieftain and then under Calum’s cruel leadership while Catriona did her best to protect her people?
Aye. I’ll always be alone. I can ne’er leave Clan Neal.
She’d given Motherher word.
