“Renovations?” Valan went to Elspet, wrapped an arm around her, and pulled her closer, glad of the decision she had found the strength to make but confused at his brother’s announcement. “Who ordered renovations on my land?”
Ross and Thorburn shared a mischievous wink, then turned to him with proud smiles. “Lady Christiana. She felt certain ye would need the place made fit to live in. Appears she knew ye’d neglected the whole of it except the one bedchamber over the past five years.”
Elspet gave him a confused frown. “Why would ye let the rest fall into ruin?”
Valan shook his head. “I needed naught but the bedchamber whenever in Argyll.”
“Aye,” Ross agreed. “He always made certain to arrive at Tòrrelise for at least one meal each day.”
“And found his way to my home at Dunthoradelle for the others,” Thorburn added.
“Ye sound like the dog that always knows when to find the banquet hall.” She arched a brow, but the sparkle had finally returned to her eyes and for that, his brothers could say anything about him they wished.
“Did ye tell her of yer title?” Ross asked as they meandered through the gatehouse tunnel and entered the courtyard.
“For the life of me, I couldna remember it. I told her I had one. It was Baron or something of the like.” Valan honestly couldn’t recall because it mattered naught to him. He valued the land, and now that he was about to take a wife, he valued the tattered keep at its center. He shrugged at Elspet. “I dinna ken for certain, but I do have one.”
“He has more than one title, m’lady,” Thorburn said with a sidling look at his brother. “But most are nay fit for a lady’s ears.”
Valan hugged her closer and kissed her cheek. “Dinna change yer mind about being my wife because of my brothers. I beg ye.”
Elspet laughed as they made their way to the forestair and climbed the steps. “I pray our keep will be close to theirs. I look forward to enjoying the warmth and caring of yer family.” Her smile faded as she reached the landing where she always addressed the clan. At sight of theGallóglaighsurrounding the castle, the alarm horns had sounded, and those of the clan who were not imprisoned, the ones who had turned a blind eye and remained silent to all the atrocities, gathered round like rats afraid they were about to be clubbed.
Valan glared at the heartless folk. The ones too young, fragile, or elderly to fight against the treason, he understood and forgave. But the others—the able-bodied men and women who could’ve banded together and made a difference—they deserved nothing but grief and suffering all the rest of their days.
Elspet rested both hands atop the railing and slowly scanned the gathering crowd. Then she resettled her footing as though about to do battle.
Valan moved closer and rested his hand atop hers, offering his strength.
Ross and Thorburn remained on the steps below, unsmiling and blocking the way so no one else could pass.
“In three days’ time,” Elspet said, her voice ringing across the courtyard, “Lady Beitris and I leave Caerlaverock. Never to return.”
A low rumbling swept through the people as they turned to each other, then stole nervous glances back at Elspet. A young woman at the front stepped forward. “What about us?”
“What about ye?” Elspet said, fixing a stoic glare upon the lass.
“Who will see that we’re safe? See the village rebuilt? Tend to the keep and the clan?”
Elspet shrugged, making Valan prouder with each passing moment. “None of that is my concern nor my responsibility any longer. Nor is it the responsibility of Lady Beitris.”
“But ye are the lady of the keep,” a man deeper in the crowd called out. “Laird Herbert said ye would always be here for us when he was called to fight. Ye always looked after Caerlaverock.”
The courtyard hummed with their loud murmuring again.
“Ye say that now, yet when I was beaten and caged, when my daughter was publicly ravaged, ye said naught a word nor stepped forward to help either of us.” Elspet resettled her footing again and wet her lips.
Valan squeezed her hand, ready to catch her should she swoon.
She thanked him with a grateful smile and nodded. Then she turned back and faced the crowd. “Do what ye will. I care not and willna be here to either bless yer actions or curse them. Those imprisoned will be sent to the king to hang for treason. The rest of ye can burn in Hell when ye are judged for yer lack of action to help yer kin.”
Silence fell across Caerlaverock. Elspet turned and climbed the remaining steps to her floor. Valan followed close behind as did Thorburn and Ross. As soon as they entered and the door closed behind them, Elspet crumpled to the floor and covered her face with her hands.
Valan shot his brothers a look, then knelt beside her. “M’lady, my dearest heart, stand tall, my queen. I admire yer strength, yer courage, and yer dedication to all that is right.”
“But I worry about the weak ones. Those who couldna help us even if they had wished to.” She drew a shaking breath, rested her head on his shoulder, and closed her eyes. “What will happen to them if the others fail to thrive?”
“We shall make a list.” Valan gently rocked as he hugged her. “Name the ones ye feel are innocent.” He tipped her face up to his and looked down into her eyes. “We shall take the innocents to Creagshead. If they wish to come with us.”
