Page 115 of The Laird’s Wrong Wife

“I willnae answer for her,” he said. “That choice belongs to her.”

Paisley’s eyebrows drew together. “Why did ye want her to leave?”

Oscar exhaled. “I never wanted her to leave.”

“Then what are ye afraid of?”

He looked down at his daughter. She had already taken his wrongdoing upon herself because he had hidden the cause behind orders and anger. Protecting her from the truth had left her to invent one that condemned her.

“I am afraid somethin’ will happen to her,” he admitted. “I am afraid we will lose her now that we have found her.”

Paisley did not move.

“I have seen childbirth end in death,” he continued. “When Muriel told us about the bairn, I saw that danger before I saw Ceana’s joy. I let me fear govern what I said to her.”

Her gaze moved to the blanket on the floor. “But Faither, I think we have already lost her.”

Oscar closed one hand around the edge of the chair beside him until the wood creaked. “Ye may be right.”

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Tommy entered with a folded notice held above his head. His sleeves were still rolled up from helping Mairi, and flour marked one cuff.

“Mairi says every sack has been given out, the linen is stored, and I have finished me work.”

“That is good to hear,” Oscar said.

“I found this beneath a pile of papers.” Tommy walked over to him and opened the notice across his knee. “The fire festival is next week.”

Paisley came closer to read it. “What can the festival change?”

“Ceana promised the village women she would attend.” Tommy tapped the notice. “Lady MacKane must judge the jumps.”

The thought sparked hope in Oscar’s chest. The fire festival gave him a place where Ceana would stand among people she trusted. Her parents could accompany her, and the villagers would surround her. She could hear him without setting foot in the castle or meeting him alone.

Alas, she could also refuse him and depart under her father’s protection.

He would wait until she had finished her duty before requesting a word.

The thought of making even the slightest thing about himself troubled him more than he had expected. If she granted him permission, he would tell her that he wanted their child. He would tell her that he believed her. He would admit that the accusation had been his failure, not hers, and that fear had made him wound her when she had trusted him with something precious. If Ceana chose to remain at Morrag, he would accept it. He had taken enough choices from her already.

“If Ceana attends, ye may both greet her,” he said. “Ye willnae ask her to return for yer sake.”

Tommy’s smile faded. “Why?”

“Because I drove her away. I will speak for meself, and she may give whatever answer she chooses.”

The children could offer Ceana their affection, but for now, they would carry none of his argument. That was the most important one.

“She promised,” Tommy said. “Ceana keeps her promises.”

Oscar exhaled as low as he could. “Aye. We will go.” He looked from Tommy to Paisley. “And this time, I will ask.”

CHAPTER 29

The drummer changed rhythm as Ceana crossed the wet festival ground beside Heather and David. A boy collecting wagers raced past them, splashing mud over the hem of his plaid.

“Two to one on the smith! Three to one on the shepherd!”

Smoke blew low from the fire trench and caught in her throat. She stopped to cough and rested one hand on her waist until the discomfort passed. Her gown concealed her belly. Heather had loosened the lacing before they left Morrag, giving her room to breathe without showing enough to invite questions.