“Stop!” Drew commanded.
Reginald winced, sighed, and turned slowly to face him. If Drew needed to get something off his chest, Reginald kenned he could at least give him that, after taking so much from him.
Collecting the ring from Phoebe, Drew marched up to Reginald and held it out to him. “This rightfully belongs to you. And if there’s an apology to be made, it isIwho needs to apologize to you, on behalf of my ancestors, for the dishonor and pain the McColls have lived with, all these years.” He added the dagger, holding them both out.
With trembling hands, Reginald took them, awed by the feel and weight of them on his palms. Thanks to Drew, the McColl family heirlooms had finally been returned. As he closed his fingers around the treasures, the burden of their loss fell away.
Relief, joy, amazement, along with overwhelming gratitude, crowded into the empty spaces of his heart. Staring into Drew’s eyes, Reginald searched for the truth behind the surprising gesture. ’Twas there, intertwined with pain and sorrow. But, somehow, the anger and disbelief were gone.
“Yedoonae owe me an apology for anything. What happened in the past has no bearing on ye.”
Drew raised an eyebrow. “Do you honestly believe that?”
“Aye,” Reginald stated earnestly. “I do.”
“Do you mean in the same way Fergus’ rumored activities, true or not, had no bearing on you, all this time?”
’Twas a gut-punch. As hard and breathtaking as if Drew had punched him with his fist. Could he have been so wrong, all this time?
“Sometimes,” Drew said, gesturing at the wounds on Reginald’s chest, “the truth can even be a harder blow than a musket ball.”
So many years wasted, Reginald realized. He’d worn his uncle’s shame like a personal banner of unworthiness. Until Lauren, who’d made him want to be the best he could be. To believe in himself, again.
When he glanced at her, she seemed understandably shaken. But there was something else on her face that he couldnae read.
“You’re a good, honest man, ReginaldLyallMcColl,” Drew said, pulling his attention from Lauren. “And I’m proud to call you my friend. If ye’ll have me, that is.” He held out his hand.
Reginald took it, squeezing hard to impart how much Drew’s friendship meant to him. “Unconditionally.”
“Oh my,” Phoebe cried, coming to hug each of them. “I’m still trying to reconcile everything in this old head of mine, but one thing I do know. I love the two of you as if you were my own.”
She turned to Reginald. “Can you forgive an old woman a momentary lapse of her senses? This new…reality, is a bit of a shock. But I wish I had a Soncerae of my own, so Crayton could know you.”
Phoebe’s hug held all the love and acceptance Reginald would have received from his own mither and in this moment, he knew with a certainty, he had the love of both.
Julia joined Drew and when Phoebe pulled away, gave Reginald a shy hug of her own.
When Julia pulled away, Lauren was there behind her. “Drew,” Lauren said softly, “I’d consider it a personal favor if you’d take Julia and Aunt Phoebe to the party.” She smiled at Phoebe. “The guest of honor should make an appearance, and you look so beautiful. You, too, Julia. Besides, Drew’s mother has gone to so much work.”
Slowly, Lauren turned to Reginald. “I’m staying here. Reggie and I have some things to discuss.”
Chapter Twenty-One
After some earnest convincing that she and Reggie needed this time together, Lauren listened to Drew’s car drive away. Somewhere in the house, a clock ticked the seconds away. She hadn’t said anything yet, and neither had Reggie. He was probably waiting for her to begin. But how? Where could she start?
“I…” she looked around the room. “Can we sit down?”
“Would ye walk outside with me, instead?”
“Of course.” Anything to give her a few more minutes to figure out what to say. How to say it. Especially when her logical brain was still waging war against her belief in Reggie.
“I ken ye have questions, lass. I’ll try tae answer them all.” He took her arm and led her toward the door, but stopped halfway. “Would ye grant me a moment tae change out o’ Crayton’s clothes. ’Twas generous of Phoebe to lend them, but I dinnae feel quite like myself. And when we talk, I dinnae want ye tae have any confusion about who the man is, ye’re speakin’ with.”
She glanced down at her glittery dress and fancy heels. “That’s not a bad idea. I think I’ll do the same.”
“Aye.” His eyes caressed her face as his thumb brushed back and forth across her skin, sending a shiver through her.
“Reggie, I—”
