Page 30 of The Return of the Heir

Before Callum could object, Lottie spoke. “I will be with them all night. If anything changes, I’ll come get you. I promise. Right now, the best thing you can do to help your sister is to eat something and go to bed. She’ll need your strength come morning.”

Lottie moved to the hearth and spooned some of the bone broth she’d made for Arabella into a mug and handed it to Gwendolyn. “Drink this right now. It will give you strength.”

Gwendolyn accepted the mug. “Thank you.” She remained on the floor as she drank the bone broth. Sip by sip she started to feel her strength return. When she was done, Callum helped her to stand, then guided her from the chamber and across the hall to a beautifully furnished bedchamber in hues of yellow and green. Just stepping into the room brought a sense of peace and comfort, which was so different from the cold stone walls she’d not only stared at but memorised each nook and cranny of for the past five years. “Thank you for being so kind to me, Callum.”

His brow creased and his gaze dropped to the floor. “I’m sorry for not knowing. . .for not doing anything. . .”

“Callum, please look at me.” Gwendolyn reached out and touched his arm. When he brought his gaze to hers, she said, “You did not imprison us in the tower. None of this is your fault.”

“I could have—”

“Nay,” she interrupted. “What happened to us happened. It is over now. Let us rejoice in that. Your duty now is to your brother. Garrick MacDonald’s plans for the MacLeods started with imprisoning us to torture Alastair, but he will not be satisfied until all the MacLeods are destroyed. You cannot allow that to happen.” She pulled her hand back. “Go to Alastair and help him. Help him stop a war between the clans.”

“I’ll try,” he said and after a moment she saw the tension in his shoulders relax. “It’s time I show Alastair that I’m not a child. I am his equal.”

“Aye, you are,” she agreed with a slight smile. “Go show him your worth.”

With a nod, he left her, shutting the door softly behind him. When she was alone, she sagged against the wall behind her. Her stomach clenched, and she fought the urge to vomit the broth she had just consumed. The thought of what her life had become through no fault of her own overwhelmed her. The MacDonalds had taken her parents away from her, they’d destroyed her village and everyone in it, except her and her siblings. Then when the three of them had finally found a small sliver of peace, Garrick MacDonald had destroyed that as well.

Leaning her head back, Gwendolyn stifled a moan as she closed her eyes. Alastair taking a new bride had nothing to do with the MacDonalds, but it was because of Garrick that he’d been forced to do so. Gwendolyn was certain Beatrice would not want her or her siblings around much longer to remind Alastair of their past. It was only a matter of time before they once again had no place to rest their heads at night.

It was up to her to find a solution, to find a way for them to move forward. Gwendolyn released a long breath as she straightened, doing everything in her power to keep away the sensation of the floor falling out from beneath her.

Whatever came next for the three of them depended on Arabella’s recovery. Gwendolyn made her way to the bed and wearily pulled off her soiled gown, then threw it on the floor before sliding beneath the covers. In the morning she would pick up the threads of her life and move forward. She had proven her courage and strength over the past five years, and she’d overcome huge challenges in her life already. For every problem, there was a solution. She simply had to find one that would work for herself and her siblings.

Challenges were what made life worth living. She had almost convinced herself of that by the time she fell into an exhausted slumber.