“I’ve brought someone to see you.” Suddenly, he looked worried. “Listen to what she has to say, love. I’ll be here when you are done.”
The blood drained from her face, and her eyes widened with disbelief.My God!He hadn’t. He couldn’t. But he had.
Lachlan opened the door to the vestry, and there, standing in the middle of the room where the priest’s robes were stored, was her daughter.
Lachlan caught her from behind when her legs gave out. “Joan!” After three years, the soft cry was all she could manage.
The beautiful girl—nay, woman—looked back at her uncertainly. “Hello, Mother.”
Bella composed herself and turned to Lachlan, tears glistening in her eyes. He’d given her the greatest gift in the world. He’d given her back her daughter. Her heart squeezed. God, how she loved him! “Thank you.”
He nodded.
“Are you ready?” Bella asked excitedly, stepping forward but stopping when Joan took a step back. The subtle rejection stung.Give her time. It’s been so long. But Bella ached to take her into her arms. Covering her hurt, she asked, “Did you have time to gather what you needed?”
Joan exchanged a look with Lachlan over Bella’s head. He shook his head. “I’ll be waiting outside.”
Before Bella could construe what that meant, she was alone with her daughter.
“I’m not going,” Joan said.
Bella’s heart stopped. Her mind closed; she knew she didn’t want to hear this. “I know it’s been three years. I know you must think I left you—”
Joan shook off her attempt to explain. “I know you intended to take me with you. I don’t blame you for what happened. You did what you had to do. What you believed in. I could never blame you for that.”
Bella’s heart crumpled. Who was this quiet, self-possessed young woman? This stranger? Where was the girl who’d huddled with her in bed to hear stories, who’d run to her when she’d scratched her knee, who’dneededher?
“Then, why?” Bella choked. “Why do you not wish to come with me?”
Joan put her hand down on a small table as if to steady herself—the only outward sign that this might be difficult for her. Her expression was so composed and serene. Sodetermined.
“My life is here in England now with my cousins and uncle.”
Bella felt her heart breaking. “But it could be dangerous for you.”
Joan lifted a wry brow, the movement so mature it cracked Bella’s heart a little more. “More dangerous than Scotland?” She shook her head. “I think not. MacRuairi told me what they threatened you with, but I assure you I’ve never been in any danger. King Edward favors me. I think…” Her voice caught a little. “I think he is ashamed of what his father did to you. Sir Hugh is fond of me as well. He’s promised to find me a husband soon. A powerful man who can help ensure my claim to the earldom.”
Bella looked at her daughter in shock. It wasn’t uncommon, of course, but…“You wish to marry? But you are only fourteen!”
“Not right away, perhaps, but soon. I merely wish to explain to you why I cannot go. Why I will not go. You chose your path, Mother; now I must choose mine.”
Something wasn’t right. Or maybe she just wanted to tell herself that. “But—”
The door opened behind her.
It was Lachlan. “I’m sorry, Bella, we have to go. They’ll be changing the guard soon.”
But her legs wouldn’t move. After all these years, the one thing that had kept her going was the moment she would be reunited with her daughter. She’d never imagined Joan would not want to go with her.
“My life is here, Mother,” her daughter repeated quietly.
Bella felt her shoulders shake, felt herself begin to crumble. But Lachlan was behind her. Steadying her. Holding her up.
She let herself lean on him. God knew she needed his strength.
“If that is what you wish,” she said, her voice trembling.
Joan nodded solemnly. “It is.” She was not as unaffected as she seemed. Bella could see the stiffness in her arms and shoulders. She was holding herself very tightly.
