“Hethinks differently.”
Ittook a long time to convince Beatham’s parents that they would not be able toenjoy a reunion with their obstinate son just yet. When they left to restbefore beginning their journey home, Ruari sank into his high-backed oak chair,sighed, and refilled his tankard. He was not sure he was pleased when Rossearrived. Yet again he had to explain what had happened. Each retelling stirredup the painful feelings on which he struggled to keep a tight rein. Rosse alsolooked prepared to discuss the matter thoroughly.
“Yewere a wee bit slow to see the truth,” Rosse said when Ruari finished his tale,including relating the painful revelations he had endured.
“Aye.I suppose ye will claim ye saw it ere I did,” drawled Ruari.
“‘Tisoften easier for one who watches the couple involved to see such things ere thecouple does.”
“Weel,it matters not who sees it or saw it, for ‘tis a truth that is now utterlyuseless.”
“Mayhap.”
“‘Tisa debt of blood I speak of, Rosse. I cannae go against Dougal Hay’s wishes. ForSorcha I would be willing to taint my honor, but to do anything against DougalHay now would leave me with no honor at all. I would be an outcast, as wouldSorcha if she wed me. Nay, my only hope is that Dougal’s fury fades and hebegins to realize that I am a good match for his sister and Dunweare. I seethat as a verra faint hope.”
“Yemust not forget the lass,” Rosse said. “She is clever. She may think of a wayto untie this knot.”
Ruarifelt the tiniest flicker of hope cut through the gloom encompassing his heart.He knew Sorcha would understand why he could not act. What he could not becompletely sure of was if she would want to try to solve the impasse betweentheir clans. They had never spoken openly about their feelings. Not only couldhe not be certain of how deep her feelings ran, but she had to be uncertainabout his as well. She might even doubt that he would welcome her if she didfind a way to return to him.
“‘Tisa verra thick knot, Rosse,” he murmured. “And ‘tis not only Dougal Hay whohelped tie it.”
Sorchagrimaced as they rode into Dunweare, people gathering around to see the prizesbrought back from the battle. Dougal had not kept her tied to the saddle long,but he had kept a very close watch on her. Margaret had joined them, weepingvociferously, and although the noise she made had grown fainter, it had notceased. She and Neil had spent the long journey telling Dougal what an idiot hewas, demanding that he change his mind about the Kerrs, and even occasionallytrying to coax him to their side. Nothing had worked, and Sorcha was sofrustrated that all the grinding of her teeth she had done had left them achingbadly.
Herfirst instinct had been to get free of Dougal and race back to Ruari’s arms,but with Neil’s help she had seen the error of that plan. Ruari was caught tightlyin a debt of blood. He would lose all honor and standing at court if he brokeit, and that would not only hurt him, but also Gartmhor and all of his people.The only solution was to get Dougal to back down and agree to their marriage,but after arguing the matter all the way from Gartmhor, Sorcha saw very littlechance of that happening.
Asshe dismounted she caught the shimmer of a figure in the shadows near thegates. Even though he was not very distinct, she knew it was Crayton. There wassome small comfort to be had in the knowledge that she could now give Craytonthe peace he had sought for so long. It was the one good thing that had comeout of that tumultuous day by the creek at Gartmhor.
“Crayton,your enemy is dead,” she announced.
“Areye certain? Ye said he must be dead of old age by now,” came Crayton’s voice inher head.
“Aye,the one who actually murdered ye is long dead, but will it not satisfy yourneed if one of his blood has been cut down by a Scottish sword?”
“AHay sword?”
“Nay,but it was the arrival of the Hays upon the battlefield that brought about hisdeath, and”—she lowered her voice so that the people near at hand could nothear—“the mon who killed him is the lover of a Hay.”
“Goodenough. ‘Tis odd, I trust in your word, but—“
Sheheld up her hand to stop his fumbling explanation. “Dinnae fear that ye willinsult me, my dear friend. Ye have waited too long for this day. ‘Tis notenough just to be told.” She walked to the litter that held Simon Treacher’sbody. “Ye must be shown.” She lifted up the blanket.
Theshadow that was Crayton grew more distinct as he looked over the body. By thetime she dropped the blanket back over the dead man, Crayton was almostcompletely visible. She felt a deep sadness, for she knew he would leave hernow. She was happy for him, yet would truly miss him.
“Crayton,”called a sweet female voice.
Sorchastarted slightly and looked around. She noticed that Crayton was staring intothe distance, and she tried to see what had caused the intense look of joy uponhis face. Slowly a light appeared, growing wider and brighter until she caughtthe glimpse of a pretty young woman in its depths. The woman smiled at Craytonand held out her hand.
“Elspeth,”Crayton whispered, and the depth of emotion in his voice made Sorcha shiver.
WhenCrayton turned her way, a hint of fear and reluctance briefly dimming theelation on his face, Sorcha smiled. “I shall miss ye. Go, Crayton. She waitsfor ye and she has waited a verra long time. Ye are done here.”
Shewrapped her arms around herself as he moved toward the woman. For one shortmoment, she felt the chill of his leaving. Alongside it was a deep warmth, andSorcha knew she was being touched by the joy and emotion Crayton felt as hetook his Elspeth’s hand. The couple embraced and, in the blink of an eye, weregone.
Aheavy sigh escaped Sorcha. She was tired and, when Dougal approached her, sheglared at him. He was the reason she was alone, but she was determined that hewould not succeed in keeping her and Ruari apart. If she could not change hismind she would find another way. If Elspeth and Crayton could be reunited afterbeing separated by death itself, then there had to be a way to salve honor andpride on both sides and also have Ruari.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Nay,never, and that is my final decision,” bellowed Dougal.
