She turned to Torrian. “You knew?”
“Aye. I suspected many moons ago when I came upon you while I was in the woods with my pups, but you ran away. At the time, I’d just learned that Loki’s sire was alive.”
Loki added, “Do not fault Torrian. When he told me about you, I asked him not to share the truth with you. I think ‘tis something that must be done in person.” Then Loki asked,“Would you mind telling us what you know of your parents? Who raised you? That may help us piece everything together.”
Heather stuttered, but she continued. “I was raised by my grandparents in Perthshire, not far from the Buchan land. They told me my mother died in childbirth. I recall meeting an aunt on a couple of occasions, but she was a distance away.”
“Do you remember aught about a brother?” Loki’s gaze settled on her, unwavering.
Tears misted in her eyes as she thought back to a day when she was young. Her grandmama had told her she looked like her brother. “Aye, on one occasion my grandmother mentioned a brother, but my grandsire yelled at her.” She stared at her hands in her lap. “They never said another word about a brother. I thought she was mistaken. I had no idea…”
Loki said, “I know exactly how you feel, lass. Kenzie brought me to Father Francis the same way.”
Tears spilled over onto her cheeks and she reached for Torrian’s hand. “I recall one other thing.”
Father Francis whispered, “What is it, lass?”
“The only thing they said about my sire was that they hated him. They said my mother was the sweetest creature ever, and my father was cruel.”
“Mayhap we should leave it to you, Heather. I cannot prove you are my daughter, but I can attest that your mother was indeed the sweetest creature ever, and if you believe me to be your sire, I’d be happy to tell you all I know about her.”
Heather sobbed into her hands, then stood and leaned toward Loki. Wrapping her arms around him, she said, “I’m so happy to meet you, brother.” She turned to Father Francis and fell into his arms sobbing. “Will you tell me about my mother someday?”
“Aye, naught would give me more pleasure.”
Loki let out a deep breath. “I believe you’re my sister. My mother hated Blackett. I’ve met him and they had good reason to hate him. He beat her. You were fortunate your…our grandparents took you away. I wish I had known them. You have much to share with me.”
She turned to him with a questioning look. “You did not know them?”
“Blackett left me to die in the woods after our mother died. I suffered a head injury that took my memories of my life before that. Though some memories have returned, I have none of grandparents. I may have known them, but I do not recall. I lived on the roads of Ayr for years until I was adopted by the Grants. Father Francis is my true sire, but Brodie Grant is my adopted sire.”
“Welcome to the family, Heather Preston,” Father Francis said. “I must confess, I am the one who asked Father Rab not to marry you until we met. It was too late for me to marry my son and his wife, but I hoped for the opportunity to be the one to marry you and Torrian, if it proved true that you are my daughter.”
“I would be honored to have you marry us, Father.” Heather laughed and hugged them both. She turned back to gaze at Torrian. “Do you not agree?”
He rubbed his hand in small circles on her back. “Aye. I would be honored, and it pleases me that your brother is my cousin. I hope you are not angry at me for keeping the secret.”
She threw her arms around her husband-to-be. “Nay.” She paused to give him a thoughtful look, taking in the kindness and love she saw in his gaze. “I do not think I could ever get angry with you.”
Loki added, “I heard my sister say that, cousin.” He winked at him. “See if she says the same after you’ve been married for a few moons.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Heather is kidnapped.
Torrian slowed his horse as Loki drew up beside him, and Jake fell in directly behind them.
“You know where they are headed?” Loki asked.
“Not for certes, but there is a deserted hut not far from here. My guess is that’s where he’s taking her. He has four guards with him.”
Jake said, “He’ll post the four guards outside while he takes her inside.”
Torrian’s jaw clenched. He did not want to think about that, but Jake’s assessment made sense.
“Who is it?” asked Kenzie. “Who stole her? Ranulf, the whoreson?”
Torrian replied, “‘Tis not Ranulf. I saw him fighting at the rear of his warriors.” He wasn’t ready to reveal the name of Nellie’s sire and his suspicions just yet.
