Page 193 of Claimed Highland Brides

The court was in an uproar at those words.

“Tha’s no’ true!”

“There is more likelihood that it is true than that my client did what ye say. Ye have no evidence directly linking him to the crime.”

Barclay felt his chest burn with anger, and he leaped forward, his hands aiming for the solicitor’s neck. Two men held him back even as he growled, and Gilroy smiled smugly at him.

“I can link him directly to a crime, my lord,” the old lady rasped as her two escorts helped her forward. Barclay stopped struggling to watch.

“Who are ye?” Daividh asked.

“My name is Susanna Fitzgerald. I was housekeeper to Hamish and Estefania MacFarland. I was there the night the raiders came. It wasnae some random skirmish gone wrong. Gilroy MacFarland planned to kill his stepbrother and take his land, and that is just what he did.”

There was a collective gasp from the spectators.

“Ye have proof o’ this?” Daividh asked with narrowed eyes.

“Aye I do, for Gilroy MacFarland came to me and told me of the plan. He offered me four gold pieces to leave the gate ajar so that he could get in.” The woman sobbed, head drooping. “I am ashamed to say that I did it. I helped them to kill your parents.” She looked at Barclay with rheumy eyes. “I dinnae ask for yer forgiveness. I have lived wi’ this shame for many years. I shall die wi’ it. But I hope ye get yer justice. Yer uncle is evil, and while he lives, ye and yers will ne’er be safe.”

Barclay couldn’t breathe. The hall was in an uproar.

“How do we know she’s telling the truth?” the solicitor shouted.

The old woman reached into her pocket and extracted four gold coins, throwing them on the ground where they gleamed guiltily. “I never could bring mysel’ to spend them.”

There was a loud silence in the room. Daividh looked up at Gilroy. “Do ye have anything else to say?”

Gilroy swallowed, looking away as he shook his head.

“Vera weel then. Then hear me: On the crimes of murder and theft of property, I find Gilroy MacFarland guilty. On the charge of attempted murder, I find Gilroy MacFarland guilty. He is sentenced to die by hanging in the morning. This court is adjourned.”

The shouting was deafening after that, but Barclay heard none of it.

* * *

“Drink.” A cup appeared in Barclay’s hand, and he lifted it automatically to his mouth. Expecting water, he almost choked on the whiskey. He looked up at Aileen’s concerned eyes.

“Are ye alrigh’?”

He took a deep breath. “I am fine. At least now, I have answers.”

She reached down and embraced him. “Ye have answers, and ye have me. We can make a new family together.”

He pulled her close. “Aye. Ye’re flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone. We are one, and nobody and nothing will e’er come between us again.”

She reached up, offering him her lips, her body, and her spirit.

“Amen,” she said.