“What about all the screeching and wailing then?” Bree said. “What was all that about?”
“I have a reputation to uphold. I needed the men who escaped to believe I was the witch and that I sank their boat. If they believe that, they will not return to Pradwick.”
Bree could see how that would work. They believed she had all right.
The rain increased and wind whipped down through the expanse between the ruins and the mountains on the other side of the river. Bree shivered. Whether it was from the cold or shock that her father was alive, Bree wasn’t sure, but she couldn’t contain her trembling body.
Horland wrapped his arm around her waist. “Come along, my love.”
He guided her out of the weather and into the great hall where a roaring fire was already ablaze. He found a chair and brought it before the fire and sat her down on it. She flopped into the chair, as everything that had happened hit her all at once. Her body felt like she had been run over by a train, her mind filled with images of death and mayhem until she could take no more and without any effort on her part, her mind went blank and her eyes focused on the fire. Bree stared into the flames, barely taking in the conversation surrounding her.
“My love?” Garlain said. “What have you to say, Sir Horland?”
“I am in love with your daughter.”
At that, Bree stirred. Horland loved her?
“And I believe she loves me.”
Yes, yes, I do.
He knelt before Bree and Bree’s gaze was immediately drawn from the fire and fastened on Horland’s eyes.
He smiled. “I love you, Briana. Will you be my wife?”
Warmth flooded through Bree and she grinned. “Yes.”
Horland enclosed her in his arms and lifted her up, swinging her around. “I love you.”
Bree laughed. “I love you.”
Chapter 21
The townspeople who watched Bree and her companions pass through the gates followed and were joined on the way by more groups of curious bystanders. None said anything, not to the homecoming party, but whispered and chattered amongst themselves.
Bree didn’t know where to look. Her gaze tried to take in everything, the people, their clothes, their expressions, curious, wary, but overall, happy. The high parapets were lined by soldiers, and while she couldn’t see their expressions, by their countenance, they were relaxed and happily chatted to one another.
The castle loomed in front of them, sending her gaze into the sky. She wanted to stop at the well in the middle of the square, but Horland tugged at her arm and kept her moving with the group.
Horland and Garlain nodded in greeting as they passed people they knew, and Kieri waved and called out to her friends, but Morla kept her gaze forward as she strode majestically through the streets.
“Garlain! Garlain!” a young woman shouted as she pushed through the crowd, hurrying toward the group.
Garlain stopped and waited for the woman as she finally made her way to him. He held open his arms and she crashed into his chest, holding his massive torso with all her might. “Oh, Garlain, where have you been?” She gazed at Horland, her eyes brimming with tears. “Thank you for bringing Garlain back to me.” She pushed her dark hair out of her eyes and leaned back to look Garlain in his eyes. “Where have you been? I’ve been so worried.”
“I’ll explain all.”
Bree hadn’t thought Garlain would have anyone waiting for him, and she was curious as to who the dark-haired beauty might be. She frowned. From what she was told, he had been at the old ruins since he returned to his time. Which meant he had left his home, so how could he have a relationship with another woman before he left for the ruins? He seemed to be still grieving her mother’s death when she found him. It just didn’t make sense.
Bree raised her brow in question at Horland.
“That’s Simone, Garlain’s sister,” he said in a low voice.
“Oh,” was all Bree could think to say. She should have realized the young woman was Garlain’s sister. Why was she so quick to condemn the man?
Simone let her brother go and asked, “Where is Patricia and the child?”
Garlain glanced at Bree. “There is much to tell you, Simone.”
