“I had no choice, Sheona. I had to take an opportunity and had no choice. I left instructions for Hamish to protectyou.”
She scooted out from underneath him and off the bed. “You know as well as I do that Hamish cannot contain your father. I was left with no one to protect me fromhim.”
He stood as well, the bed between them. “Did he touchyou?”
She shook her head. “No, but only because—” She glanced toward the door and wondered if she should tell him. Would he understand or would he think hermad?
His gaze followed hers. “I had forgotten about that door.” He walked toward it and tripped it to close. “When I was a lad, I used to hide in there sometimes.” He turned back to her. “Is that where you’vebeen?”
Shenodded.
“But how did you find it? The trigger stone is not easy tolocate.”
She took a deep breath. “Someone showedme.”
“Who?”
She came around the bed and stood in front of him, gazing up into his handsome face. She didn’t want to be angry with him. She wanted to crawl back into her bed and stay there. So much had happened since that day he’d taken her from Bracadale. They were married in haste, but she hadn’t hesitated. She’d seen good in him and gazing at him now could still see it. But he’d left her to her own devices and that was a hurt not easilyforgiven.
“The laughter, the weeping, I found thesource.”
“The WhiteLady?”
She nodded. “I have seen her, Malcolm. I believe sheis—”
Before she could get the words out, the secret door opened wide and the White Lady stepped through. She shimmered, not quite transparent, but not quite wholeeither.
Malcolm’s jaw dropped. The White Lady approached and reached up to trail his scar with her fingers. His eyeswidened.
“Your wife is a very brave lass, Malcolm. But you should not have left her here for your father totorment.”
“Mother,” hewhispered.
“Aye, my sweet lad. I have missedyou.”
Moisture filled Malcolm’s eyes. Sheona turned away to give them a moment of privacy, but he reached for her hand and pulled her back to hisside.
“You are part of me, Sheona. I want you beside me.Always.”
His words cracked the hurt that had hardened around herheart.
“I showed Sheona the secret passage and helped her contain yourfather.”
Malcolm turned toward the White Lady and smiled. “Thank you. I did not want to leave, but I had to reach the council to acquire their assistance. I believe we can end this feud once and for all. I amsorry.”
“It is not me who needs to hear that apology.” Once she said the words, her form faded until only the two of them remained in thechamber.
Malcolm turned to Sheona and cupped her face with his hands. “My beauty. I am so sorry. I did what I did for the good of the clans and to end the bloodshed. Will you ever find a way to forgive me? I love you with all my heart and will do anything you wish to make it up toyou.”
Sheona smiled. He loved her. In that moment she realized she loved him too. “I love you too, Malcolm. Do not ever leave meagain.”
“I won’t. You have myword.”
Sheona wrapped her arms around him and held on as though he too would disappear. Malcolm buried his face in herhair.
“God, I missed you so much. I was worried. You do forgive me, don’tyou?”
“Aye, husband. I do. Now take me tobed.”
