"Ye dinnae have much choice. Tis what ye were born to be. Tis what your fither wanted for ye. Ye are an heir. Tis a great responsibility. Most of us dinnae e'er get to be an heir. Tis a thing to be proud of."
When Reynard looked at her, Jolene nodded. “Your father would expect you to do your best to care for his lands and his people. They are now your lands and your people. Roger and Emma will come to Drumwich to stay with you. They will love you and teach you how to be a good earl, one to make your father proud."
"You cannot love me anymore?"
She kissed his cheek and stroked his hair. “I will always love you. I just cannot be with you. Howbeit, ne'er forget that your aunt loves you most dearly and will always hold you in her heart."
"I cannot lose your love just like Sig'mor says I cannot lose a good friend."
"Exactly like that. And, if you e'er have a need for me, I will be there for you. Always."
Jolene held her nephew close as he sighed and tried to rub the tears from his face. It was almost painful to hold back her own tears, but she fought to do so. She did not know how much Reynard understood, but she did know it was best to remain calm as she tried to explain matters. Glancing toward Liam, Roger, and Sigimor, she hoped they would soon finish their business. It was going to break her heart to ride away from Reynard, but she knew the parting had to come soon. Her grief and her tears could not be tethered for much longer.
"Ye will care weel for the boy, aye?” Sigimor asked Roger as he rolled up one of the marriage agreements they had both signed and handed it to Liam.
"Aye,” replied Roger. “Emma and I have not been blessed with children, though we dearly wanted a child. Reynard will be our child. My wife is already at Drumwich waiting for him. And, as a Gerard, ‘tis my duty to see that the boy grows to do the name proud and care well for the family seat."
"And that he willnae hate his aunt for leaving him like this?” Sigimor asked quietly as he watched Jolene hug Reynard.
"Never. He will never be allowed to forget all she did for him, all she risked, or how she loved him. Or what the Camerons did for him. You will have one English border holding that will not be hot for Scottish blood."
"And if ye have a bairn of your own?"
"We have been wed for ten years, since she was but fifteen and I seventeen, and my seed has ne'er taken root. We were content, but I know my wife is most eager to be a mother to that little boy."
"Ye are both still young. Ye may yet have a bairn. Sometimes I think ‘tis just that the seed is weak or the lass has but one or two bairns within her. This bonnie fool's parents,” he nodded toward Liam, “were wed near to twenty years ere they had him whilst my father spawned fifteen of us. That old fool MacFingal is my uncle and he has bred an army. Liam's mother was sister to both men but she had only two bairns late in life.” Sigimor stood up as Roger did and clapped the man on the shoulder. “There is nay kenning God's plan for us."
"True. I do not think I will tell my wife your opinion, however. It might be cruel to stir her hopes."
"Aye. Tis best if she has accepted it all. Liam's mother was slow to accept the lack of a bairn. Verra slow."
Roger smiled faintly as he asked, “How slow?"
"Took her near to twenty years to give up trying.” He nodded when Roger's eyes widened. “Fate's a capricious thing."
"It would seem so. But, do not worry o'er Reynard. I loved Peter as a brother.” Roger looked toward Reynard. “It will be very easy indeed to love his child. And, my wife has a very big heart."
Sigimor sighed heavily as he looked at Jolene. “So does the lass and ‘tis sure to be broken o'er this parting. Aye, especially since she must ken that there is little chance she will see the lad again."
"Mayhap not. Yet, that holding you now own is not so very far from the border. If we are not at war, the occasional visit might be arranged. Tis something we can both think about."
"True. I willnae promise her that until we have a sound plan, however. Best if we let each of them grow accustomed to the parting, too, or this grief will be felt after each visit.” He looked at Roger. “Ye say she had already decided to return to Dubheidland?"
"She had. That decision was made not long after she joined me here. In all honesty, I tried most vigorously to change her mind.” Roger met Sigimor's scowl with a grin. “She is a rich prize and the king will not be pleased to have lost the chance to arrange a marriage for her. I was awarded the guardianship of Reynard, but my king hesitated to put Jolene into my care. He likes to award loyal men with orphaned heiresses for brides and there are not so very many of them."
"Are yesureyour king willnae be crying foul and trying to get her back?"
"Quite sure. If he seems to even consider that, I will tell him that she has been well bedded by her Highland lord and is already breeding.” Roger gave Sigimor an apologetic smile. “No Englishman would want her now."
"Aye, they ken they wouldnae bear up weel under the comparisons sure to be made.” He ignored Roger's stuttered protest and started toward Jolene. “Best I get the lass home and start working on that bairn. Wouldnae want anyone to be able to cry ye a liar."
"How kind of you,” Roger muttered as he scowled at a grinning Liam, then followed Sigimor.
Jolene saw Sigimor and Roger start across the clearing toward her and Reynard. She set Reynard on his feet and stood up. It surprised her a little when Fergus immediately moved to stand close by her side. She wondered if he thought to put himself between her and Sigimor's anger or was boldly reminding Roger of the Camerons’ claim to her, then decided it was probably a little bit of both.
A quick look around the clearing revealed that the rest of the Camerons were already at their horses and gathering behind her, all of them keeping a close eye on Roger and his men. Catching her glance, several of Sigimor's kinsmen grinned and winked at her. They all considered her one of them, she realized. This united display of possessiveness comforted her in some ways. She was not sure if she was truly needed, and she had no idea exactly what her husband felt for her, but she was obviously considered one of their clan now, part of their family.
Sigimor collected her sack of belongings and a horse for her as she exchanged a few words with Roger. He had her sign a few papers, including one that said she had willingly accepted her brother's choice of husband for her. It was a lie, but she did not hesitate to put her name to it. Not only would it make things much easier for Roger, especially if the king was annoyed by the marriage, but Jolene felt her brother would have approved.
