Page 63 of Tempting the Highland Captive

CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN

Ron rode away from the castle toward his father’s former lands. His heart ached at leaving Amelia behind, but Angus had agreed to stand guard over her until Lucas was able to return. They had been unable to ascertain whether Ysenda had been working alone or not. They had also not been able to ascertain whether her son had survived or not. All was conjecture and rumor without any solid proof. They could not risk the fate of the clan on such fragile information and so they had kept the secret of Ysenda’s life and death between them. There had been no further attempts on their lives, but there was no guarantee that someone else would not try to finish the job. When they had parted, Amelia had a look about her that he could not interpret, but when he had asked her about it, she had just shaken her head, kissed him, and sent him on his way.

God, protect her and keep her safe.

His thoughts turned to the task ahead. He did not know what to expect. As a child, he had been treated with hostility, abuse, and neglect by his father except for his warrior training. In that regard, he had had the best, most brutal teachers. His father’s men had taken their own heading by following their leader. It had been an unbearable childhood and an even more difficult adulthood. His father had rented him out to whatever lairds needed men to fight. It had been when he returned from one such employment that he had found his father standing over his mother’s body, her blood on his sword. Ron’s violent response had landed him in prison.

His men are unlikely tae follow the man who killed their leader.

He recalled the image of their battlefield surrender on bended knee and was encouraged by at least that one admittance of cooperation. He was not certain how long the peace would last, but he knew without a doubt that the transition would not be seamless. As his father’s only heir, the clan fell to him unless one among their ranks wished to challenge him and could defeat him in battle. It was not beyond the realm of possibility. It was likely that someone would try, but they would not succeed. Though his father had given him very little in life, he had given him the tools to win battles. He rolled his shoulders to test his wound sites. There was still as twinge, but it was manageable. He had barely defeated his father due to his wounds, but he had defeated him.

When he crossed over onto Rossell lands, he was greeted by one of Amelia’s men. “My Laird,” he inclined his head in respect.

Ron nodded his head in greeting.

“Lucas awaits ye at the stronghold.” The warrior returned to his watch and Ron continued riding on.

As he rode, he would encounter other men standing guard. They would nod in respect recognizing who he was, but nothing more. The mood in the air was tense, ready for any threat that might present itself. Until Ron asserted his authority over the Rossell clan publicly, they would be in danger by other clans who might wish to claim the lands. Just as Hugh Rossell had taken the lands by force, others would be tempted to try. Though he had no special attachment to his father’s people, he would not leave innocent women and children, or the elderly, to the hands of his father’s enemies. He also did not like the idea of having another unknown entity on Amelia’s borders. At least if he was in control of his father’s lands, then he could better protect her. It was that thought alone that had made his decision for him to accept the lairdship.

As he approached the stronghold, he rode through the adjoining village. Men, woman, and children stopped their tasks to stare at him. They all knew the story of his life, but he did not know if they knew that he did not actually kill his own mother. He was certain that his father would have lied about that. He did not know what he would do if they believed him to be a villain capable of killing both of his parents. One problem at a time, he reminded himself.

Lucas met him at the gates of the stronghold. They clasped arms as brothers, genuinely pleased to see each other. “How has it been?” Ron asked, as Lucas led him inside.

“There is much suspicion and hostility. Ye have much work ahead o’ ye.”

The two men sat down by the large hearth of the great hall. A kitchen maid materialized from the shadows and poured them each an ale. A few moments later, a plate of Bannocks, a platter of venison and cheese, along with a bowl of dried fruit appeared. “It would appear that they are as efficient as always.”

“Aye, I get the impression that yer faither did nae accept anything other than perfection from those who served him.”

“He ruled by fear.”

“Fear can certainly motivate, but it does nae breed love or true loyalty.”

“Which may work in our favor.”

“Aye.” Lucas nodded thoughtfully. “Ye may be right. Amelia has ruled with a loving but firm hand and had bred loyalty among those who have known her best, but it requires a genuine effort by both persons. As ye saw with the elders, it is nae always effective against those with greedy nefarious hearts.”

“Perhaps something in between love and fear?”

“That is how Ralf ruled, leaning more on the side of fear, but there was nothing that he would nae have done tae protect the clan from its enemies.”

“But he neglected and abused the women o’ the clan. I cannae say that I wish tae be anything like my faither or hers.”

“Ye will find yer own way, just as ye did with our people.” Lucas laid a reassuring hand on Ron’s shoulder.

Ron sighed and rubbed his face in exhausted frustration. “There is much tae tell ye, my friend.”

Lucas became instantly alert. “What has happened?”

Ron looked around to make certain that they could not be overheard. He lowered his voice as an extra precaution. He and Amelia had discussed it and decided that Lucas should know the truth about everything so that he could best protect the clan and Amelia from harm. “Ysenda attempted tae kill Amelia while we were sleeping. I in turn was forced tae kill Ysenda.”

“Our Ysenda?” The shock on Lucas’ face was profound.

“Aye.” Ron nodded gravely.

“Why would she do such a thing?” His eyes reflect the inner war with confusion and disbelief.

“She claimed tae have been raped by Ralf McAlpine and came with child by the vile act. Though all who knew o’ the bairn believe it tae have died in childbirth, she told Amelia with her last dying breath that the child had survived and been hidden away.”