“Tell me where she is Ethan!”
“Well… the lass didn’t seem in much of a hurry to see you again, last I spoke to her.”
No, after the way he had treated her, he would be damn lucky if she would even look at him. He thought of the horror in her eyes, the blood smeared on her delicate chin from his punishing kiss.He groaned in agony. He would never forget what he had done to her, nor would he ever forgive himself.
“Anyway, you should know, it seems there is more to this whole curse thing. It’s not that you couldn’t getanywoman with child, just that there was only one, a true mate, if you like.All you had to do was find her, or in this case, I suppose she found you, for the curse to be broken.” He paused. “This information was found, by the by, in the hands of Lord Ross. He had the document, a copy, I think. I took the liberty of sending Seamus to go through his personal belongings. It was hidden, but the servants knew all about it.”
Ceann groaned again and pulled his hands over his face.“Ah, God.”Could this get any worse? Seamus was their very best scout; he could either talk or sneak his way into anywhere. He did not doubt that he had found the document. If his uncle knew about his one true mate, and kept it from him, it could only mean hewasbent on betrayal. Hehadtaken Ella. She had been telling him the truth, and he hadn’t believed her.She surely must hate him by now. How could she not?
“Ross seeks my ruin after all”, he said quietly. “He wants Tulloch for himself.”
Ethan nodded in agreement. “Aye, he has the parchment, or at least a copy of it. He knows that if you find your true mate, there will be an heir, and Hugh will not inherit the lairdship. Although, I suspect there is much more to all this than we know.” His expression turned grim. “Ross and Hugh have fled. I sent out search parties while you were… away, but there has been no sign of them.”
“God, Ethan, he could have killed her. He could have taken everything I didn’t even know I had.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say you have it all yet… the lassisrather angry at you.”
Ceann sighed.“I know it.Please, Ethan, tell me where she is. I have to fix things before I go mad.”
He sounded so defeated that Ethan gave in. “That night, I saw her leave the stables, not long after you did. She was crying, and she ran off into the woods. I didn’t want to see her hurt, so I followed. She told me what had happened. I couldn’t believe you really meant it, Ceann, so I saw her safe for you. I brought her to Iona’s cottage. She’s been well cared for there.”
“She has been there all this time?”
“Aye.”
“There was never any other man waiting for her,” Ceann said softly, “And I sent her away from me, when she was mine all along.” He looked up suddenly.The curse is broken. “I’m going to be a father, Ethan!” he said as if truly realizing it for the first time. “I never dared to believe such a thing was possible.” He felt his chest swell with the joy of it. He would think about all that Ethan had just told him later. Right now he had more important things to do.
Ethan scrunched up his face, looking doubtful.“Well, aye, you managed to get the lass with child alright, but winning back her favor is another matter all together.” He slapped him on the back.“You’ll bevery lucky to keep your ballocks. I don’t envy you the coming battle, but I wish you luck.”
They rode fast and hard for the cottage. All the way there Ceann wavered between elation and terror. What if she refused him, despite his apologies?What could he even say to her, to make things better? What if she simply walked away with his heart and his child? He could not blame her if she did, but he was quite sure it would kill him to lose her now.
***
Iona stood suddenly from where she was sewing by the window and smiled, clapping her hands together excitedly, anticipation lighting her face.“He’s finally coming for you! It took him long enough.”
Ella looked up. “Ceann?He’s coming here?Now?”Ethan, that scourge,he told him where I am!Her heart beat faster even as all of the anger and hurt of the last time she saw him came crashing back down on her. “I don’t want to see him. I’m not ready.”
Iona sat beside her, and placed two fingers on her fluttering pulse. “Your heart betrays your words, love.”
“Does he know about the child?”
“Aye, he knows”.
She heaved a breath. “Then that is why he comes here”, she said miserably. “He doesn’t want me, he wants his heir.”
Iona smoothed her hair. “I think you know that isn’t true. Do you not remember what was between you before there was a child?”
Yes, he lusted for her, and she for him. But he never wanted her for his own. He didn’t want any woman, any wife...had he changed his mind now, just because she carried his child?
She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry Iona; I’m not usually so bad-tempered.”
Iona smiled, “Tis only the babe that makes you so, it means he’s strong and healthy.”
There was a thunderous pounding on the door then, and Ella jumped up from her seat, startled. Even though she knew exactly who it was.
Ceann had leaped from his horse and reached the cottage before Ethan could even dismount, and was hammering at the door with his fists, shouting for Ella.
Ethan sighed and shook his head. “Ceann!Do you really think they’re going to open the door to a madman?”
