Morea cackled with laughter. “One could say so after I stopped trying tae kill the bastard. Nay, I spent nearly a month’s time in the dungeons with the infernal Scot refusing tae let me die. He told me the only way he would leave me be is if I would wed him, so I did.”
Ainslee could not believe that the woman before her had spent time in a dungeon, ultimately marrying her enemy.
It seemed their stories weren’t quite so different after all.
Morea opened the door to the keep and they stepped through, finding themselves in the warmth of the kitchens. “Arran gave the command for us tae prepare for visitors,” she explained as the staff scurried around the large space. “So, we are preparing food that can be stored in case we are unable tae light fires and boiling bandages tae keep them as clean as possible.”
Ainslee’s stomach roiled. “Mah brother, he is coming?”
“Yer brother?”
Realizing she had spoken aloud, she turned to Arran’s mother. “Aye. McDougal is mah brother. I...I lied tae ye and for that, I am vera sorry.”
The older woman continued to stare for a moment until she shook her head. “Well, now. Ye had a grand reason, I’m sure. Mah son, he knows?”
Ainslee nodded, glad that she had told Arran the truth, especially after last night. She would not have been able to share his bed in that manner if she were still harboring such a devastating secret.
Morea’s mouth set in a firm line, and she gave Ainslee a sharp nod. “Then there’s no need tae worry about who ye are, lass. Ye are a Mcaiwn and the future mother of mah grandchildren.”
Ainslee’s eyes pricked with tears. She had found a family, but for how long? Would Liam tear this all away from her?
“When?” she asked.
Morea sighed. “They will march tomorrow, at first light. We have scouts watching yer brother right now, but Arran doesnae want him tae get close tae the keep if he can help it. We must protect the keep at all costs. Can ye do that? Can ye go up against yer own kin?”
They had not been her kin, save Katherine, for some time. “If we are successful in defeating mah brother, I have a cousin who will need protection.” That is if she could get her to leave Meredith to her own fate.
“Of course,” Morea said, linking her arms with Ainslee’s. “Yer kin is our kin now, save yer brother, of course. May he rot in hell for what he has done.”
She couldn’t agree more.
The women left the kitchen, and Morea took her to the second landing, where she found two young lads seated side by side, books before them.
“Mah sons,” Morea said proudly, waving her hand. “Not all of them will grow tae be warriors.”
“I will be!” the tallest exclaimed, having caught that his ma was watching. “I will be just as great as da was!”
“Not me,” the other one grumbled, clutching his book with his hands. “I dinnae wish tae stab anyone.”
The women laughed, and Morea propelled Ainslee ahead of her. “This is Arran’s wife, Ainslee. Ainslee, these are mah brave lads, Alec and Graham.”
Ainslee gave them a warm smile. “Wot are ye studying?”
The littlest one came up to her and showed her the book he was clutching. “Healing plants.”
“Ainslee is a healer herself, Graham,” Morea added with an encouraging smile. “Perhaps she could show ye some of what she has learned.”
“Would ye?” Graham asked carefully.
The lad couldn’t be any older than nine or ten, but there was genuine curiosity in his eyes.
“Of course. I would be honored.”
“Shall we go see the warriors spar?” Morea suggested. “I’m certain Ainslee has never seen anything of the like.”
The boys cheered and raced out of the room, down the stairs to the great hall. Morea caught Ainslee’s arm as they started after them.
“They are not Arran’s father’s,” she explained, anguish on her face. “I went through a difficult time after mah beloved died and for years, I am ashamed tae say, I attempted tae find wot was lost tae me. There is a man, in the village, that wilnae marry me but has been mah companion for years. He is their true father and Malcolm’s as well, but Arran wants his brothers tae live in the keep.” She then smiled. “He even offered for mah companion tae do the same, but he’s comfortable where he is for now.”
