Despite that he knew these parts not at all, Tomas had dominated the search efforts. Piers had humored him, but the day had taken its toll, and he was ready for a tankard of ale and his lovely wife’s attentions.
“If you will excuse us.” Piers said.
“Of course,” Tomas yielded, and without another word Piers ushered his wife away from their unwanted visitor.
“You are squeezing my arm!” Meghan complained beneath her breath.
Piers released her, unaware that he was hurting her. “I’m sorry, my darling.”
“What is wrong?”
Piers twined his hand into her hair as they walked, loving the silky feel of it. “Naught, my love. It’s just been a harrowing day.”
She nodded, understanding, and reached out to hold his hand, casting a glance back as she did so. “I dinna think I like that man verra much,” she confessed in a whisper when they were far enough away.
He pulled her toward the stairs that led to their chamber, wanting a little privacy before the evening meal.
“Och, you look weary,” she said, turning to embrace him at the foot of the stairs.
Piers held her. “I am,” he admitted. “Weary and confused.” She squeezed him, comforting him. “Did Geoffrey truly think I would deny him? Did he think I would turn away his children? I don’t understand why he did not send word so that I could give them safe passage.”
She laid her head upon his chest, hugging him. “I dinna know, my darling.”
Their deaths would weigh heavily upon his shoulders. He had to find Elizabet, no matter if he had to search for her clear to Edinburgh and beyond. How could he tell Geoffrey that both his youngest children had perished even before they had reached safe harbor?
Piers recalled the boy John from his youth. That face hadn’t changed very much, and to see it in death had wrenched at his heart. The little boy John had been had followed Piers about, admiration writ upon his face, awe in his voice, and desire to earn his father’s approval so strong that it was plain even to Piers, who visited scarce at all.
He sighed heavily. “Did you arrange the funeral for tonight?”
Meghan looked up at him, her eyes full of compassion. “Tomorrow. My brother Gavin will come to give a short sermon.”
Piers nodded. He didn’t really care personally whether the grave was blessed or not, but Geoffrey would.
He reached down to touch his wife’s cheek and couldn’t help himself. He took her face into his hands and then bent to kiss her. “Thank you,” he whispered.
“What for?”
He smiled softly at her, wanting her to realize how grateful he was for her love. “For coming into my life.”
She returned the smile and reached up to touch his lips. “Och, husband, tonight you will be cursing me for the same when you see what I have done with the chapel.”
Piers slanted her a look. “What chapel?”
She grinned up at him and then turned to climb the stairs. “The one we have been building for Gavin,” she disclosed, but didn’t turn. She hurried up before him.
Piers stared after her. “What do you mean? What chapel have we been building for Gavin?”
She wouldn’t turn around, continuing up the stairs.
“Meghan!” he thundered, and started up after her. “We haven’t been building any chapel for Gavin!”
She tossed her hair from her face as she reached the top of the stairs and looked down at him, smiling. “Oh, but we have! It was going to be a surprise!”
God’s teeth, he really didn’t want to have to listen to her brother’s sermons every time he turned around!
“Just think how much joy it will give him,” she entreated. “He has nobody, Piers. He must be so lonely now that Colin and Leith are both wed!”
Piers rolled his eyes.
