Way up…for Conall towered above the boy, though Colin didn’t look frightened at all, just curious.His eyes wide and his mouth rounded in awe as his gaze fell to the sword at Conall’s belt, and he pointed with one finger.
“May I see, Papa?”
At once Lisette felt some of the tension ease from Conall as if he had softened inside at the inquisitive request from his son, and he let go of her hand to gesture for the boy to come closer.Then he knelt down on one knee so as not to appear imposing, Colin approaching him not with any trepidation but great eagerness to touch the polished hilt.
The boy’s awestruck intake of breath grew to a childish gasp as Conall slowly withdrew a third of the weapon from its sheath, but no more, as if not wanting to risk his son harming himself somehow on the blade.Only then did Lisette look up from the touching scene to see Lorna not looking at Conall and Colin—but at her.
Lorna’s green eyes glittering with a coldness that pierced Lisette to the bone…no more welcome on the young woman’s face than if she stared at a hated enemy.
Such dismay overcame Lisette that it was all she could do not to flee from the room, but Conall’s low-spoken discourse with his son made her stay rooted in place.
“One day you will wield such a sword, Colin.Would that please you?”
“Oh, aye, Papa!Will I grow tall and strong like you and have a sword as big?”
Conall’s chuckling warmed Lisette’s heart even as Lorna’s relentless glare chilled her, and his nod made Colin clap his small hands together and hop up and down with excitement.
In truth, Lisette was amazed that the child so readily called Conall “Papa,” but clearly Lorna had prepared the boy for the new life he would know as a Campbell.Lisette’s mouth dropped open in surprise when Colin suddenly reached out for her hand, though he glanced behind him at Lorna before taking her fingers.
“Aye, Colin, Lady Campbell will be your new mother after I return home tae Hamish and your little sister—”
“Oh, Mama, will I see you again?”
Colin’s plaintive query stilling Lisette’s breath, she saw only that Lorna’s expression had hardened into something not beautiful at all but as harsh as her tone.
“Mayhap if your father grants us a visit—but enough, Colin!Go back tae your blocks by the window.”
Obediently, the boy obliged her, though he looked over his small shoulder as Conall rose to his feet.
“Of course you may visit, Lorna, I’ve already told you as much,” he said tersely, once again reaching for Lisette’s hand.
Gratefully, she took it, the warm strength of his fingers soothing away some of the chill that had not left her.She saw that Lorna had noted their joined hands with an impassive expression, yet it was the open jealousy in those emerald depths that reflected exactly how she felt as she looked from Conall back to her.
“Mayhap, but I’m sure your bonny bride would prefer that we go our separate ways, aye,Lisette?”
She blanched, Lorna’s hostile tone so reminiscent of Isabeau’s that she faltered now and looked uncertainly at Conall.
“I…I think I should go.I’m sure you and Lorna have more to discuss—”
“Nothing that’s not tae be said in front of you, wife.”
His voice brusque and stern, all good humor fled from his darkened expression, Lisette could only nod at him as he addressed Lorna.
“I had thought you might wish tae accompany us tae our new home so you can see where Colin will live—but clearly your suggestion tae go our separate ways is the better plan.You’ve some of Hamish’s kinsmen awaiting you in the village, aye?”
Lorna nodded stiffly.“Four of his cousins that escorted us tae Campbell Castle.”
“Good, and I’ll provide six of my own men tae see you safely home.The roads will be muddy and treacherous for a few days after the rain, so you’ll stay here with Colin for a short while longer.I’ll not have your husband saying I didna do my part tae protect you while you’re in Argyll.You’re welcome tae invite your kinsmen tae our wedding feast if you wish.”
“I willna attend and neither will Hamish’s cousins…no offense intended.I’ve nothing fine tae wear and they’re of common stock like my husband.I doubt they would be comfortable in such grand company—”
“F-forgive me, Lorna,” Lisette broke in softly, grateful for having found a way to mayhap reach out to her.“I’ve gowns newly made and I’m sure one would fit you—and if not, I’ll have a seamstress alter it for you…and make some new clothes for Colin as well.You can choose whichever one you like—”
“Aye, a kind and generous offer from my wife and one I hope you’ll accept,” Conall interjected, giving Lisette’s hand a gentle squeeze.“We would be pleased if you attend the feast with Colin…mayhap your last night together for a time.We know leaving him with us canna be easy for you.”
“Truly?”Lorna had drawn herself up and lifted her chin, her eyes welling as she fixed her gaze upon Lisette.“May you never know the sorrow of giving up a child, Lady Campbell, and may you never hear your husband make such a demand of you—anydreadful demand.You may think Conall an honorable man, but I knew him when he promised me the moon and stars!Yet in the end, he would not trade his station as a warrior for another that would keep him safe with me, so I lied and told him I didna love him and made light of our time together.”
“Lorna,stop—”
