She made a muffled sound on his chest.
“I want ye with me. Everyday. I will always be on yer side. Can ye trust me?”
“Can you trust me?” she asked quietly.
He made a playful scoff, his face brightening like the noon sun had risen out of it, “Aye, although it might be harder with that accent of yers.”
Grace looked up with a smile stretching her beautiful lips. Duncan could not resist kissing her again. For the two, the battle was won when their hearts started to beat as one.
Hand in hand, he strolled into the main hall with Grace and walked up to where his mother stood with Sheena. To his confusion, Sheena smiled at Grace. His father’s appearance was dark, however, like a storm brewing. Especially when his eyes dropped to see the couple holding hands.
Duncan could read his father like a book. He was worried that Duncan’s association with Grace could lead to a disruption in their system. The people would not trust their leadership and his men would not abide his words. And they would never trust her again.
Duncan tightened his hold on Grace’s and proceeded to make their case.
“She’s a liar!” resounded in the hall. Emily hurried in from the door, harried and uncharacteristically scattered. Her hair was all over her face. Her skin pale and pallor.
Lady Fiona and Sheena made no attempt to stop her. Rather watched her with curios eyes. Grace showed no fear, nor did she let Duncan go. This warmed his heart beyond doubt.
Emily faced Laird Fergus.
“She is a spy and yer daughter allowed her out of the dungeons! She has lied to them and continues to do so, me laird. Will you let this go unpunished?”
Laird Fergus raised a hand to calm her and she went quiet. Duncan shook his head. Knowing the root of Emily’s anger, he could not deride her. He waited for his father to speak.
“Sheena, is this true?”
“Faither. A chance to redeem herself is what I gave her.”
“’Tis nae yer place tae determine her redemption.”
He launched into a fit of coughing that alarmed his children. However, neither of them moved. Being feeble was one thing, being treated like paper was another. And Laird Fergus would not allow it.
“As such, both of ye will be-”
“Faither.” Duncan called. He did not want to wait for his father to make a pronouncement. “She saved me life today. If Sheena had not freed her, I would have been a dead man.”
“Never!” Lady Fiona swore vivaciously. Having lost one son, just the thought of losing another paled her face.
“She had the opportunity tae escape. She chose tae stay with me. More than that, the Commander was about to kill me, and she saved me life. There is nae other reason than love. I want tae be with this woman until me dying breath. It'll be me honor if this request is granted.”
Unable to stifle her emotions farther, Lady Fiona flew down, her robes whistling. She hugged her son, repeatedly thanking Grace for saving him. Duncan was deeply moved for it was the first time he had truly seen his mother break at the thought of losing him. Right now, he was not the replacement son, he was hers. Letting out a breath, he hugged her back, without letting go of Grace’s hand.
“Enough!” the laird called.
The three broke apart. But Lady Fiona quickly stood by Grace’s side. She cradled Grace’s face and muttered, “thank ye, child.”
Emily shrunk into herself, looking hopefully toward Laird Fergus.
“Grace, is it? Come forward.”
Grace looked at Duncan. He nodded with a smile. She returned a shaky one. She dropped to one knee. Duncan wanted to rush to her but his mother held him back.
“I apologize to the court for my wrongs. It was the misguided mission of a broken daughter. I hope you will be consideratetoward me, me laird. I truly love your son, even if it was all unintentional.” Duncan had never heard her sound so unsteady. Toward the end, her voice petered out.
“Dae ye wish tae stay in the clan then.”
Her jaw dropped. Duncan’s chest squeezed seeing that she’d expected a punishment.
