Page 64 of Tempting the Highland Captive

Lucas’ eyes swung back up to hold Ron’s.

Ron nodded. “It was a son.”

Lucas’ hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white from the strain. Ron knew that he was thinking of the threat to Amelia that such a person would cause. “Do we ken the truth o’ this?” Lucas asked, his teeth clenched as he attempted to control his emotions. Ron was certain that it was taking all the larger man’s considerable strength not to jump on the back of his horse and race back to his lairdess’ side. He had sworn his allegiance to Amelia, and nothing, not even the appearance of his former master’s male bloodline could sway him from his devotion.

“Nae, we dinnae.” Ron shook his head. “Father Jacob and I spoke with Ysenda’s family, but the priest is unaware o’ our true conversation about the bairn. The family wanted nothing tae do with their daughter. They had disowned her over the child and tae their knowledge, the bairn died at birth. They did nae believe it tae be Ralf’s child by force or otherwise. Amelia and I also spoke with the village midwife. She was nae in attendance at the birthing, but Ysenda told her then that the bairn had died and that she had buried it in the woods.”

“I was nae yet head o’ the laird’s fighting men, but I was a young warrior in training at the time. I remember Ysenda leaving the clan for a time, but I dinnae recall anything o’ this.”

“The family kept it quiet. Only a small number o’ people kenned anything o’ the matter, but all believe the child tae be dead.”

“So, it is dead then,” Lucas firmly stated in denial of any other option.

“I would think so, aye, but why would Ysenda attempt tae kill Amelia otherwise?”

Lucas thought about that for a moment. “She is mad, perhaps due tae the loss o’ her child all those years ago.”

“Then how did she manage tae hide it? Madness is nae something that one can control all o’ the time.”

Lucas shook his head. “I dinnae ken. I only ken that the possible existence o’ such a child places our lady in great harm. I must return tae her with all haste.”

Ron nodded his head in agreement. “Angus is watching over her while we are away, but I will feel much better tae ken that ye are at her side. Ye must nae spak o’ what I have told ye tae anyone until we ken the truth o’ the matter.”

“I swear it.” Lucas nodded in agreement. “I will leave a portion o’ our men here with ye and take the rest back with me.”

Ron agreed, “I thank ye, my friend.” The two men arose, clasped arms, then Lucas left Ron alone in the great hall to face the ghosts of his past.

Rising from his seat, Ron left the hall and climbed the stairs to his father’s rooms. He entered the library first. It was as he remembered it, a collection of a warrior’s possessions. Swords and other weapons hung from the walls. The tapestry of the Rossell banner that his deceased grandmother had sewn lay upon a table near the hearth strewn with maps. A desk sat in the middle of the room covered in all sorts of writing paraphernalia and stacks of books lay everywhere. To any outsider it would have looked like the library of a learned respected powerful man, but it did not show the cruelty that had been plotted in the heart of the man who possessed it.

Ron sat down at the desk and ran his fingers over the stacks of letters and ledgers. There was much work to be done and he was not certain where to start but letting go of the past seemed as good a plan as any. “I will ne’er forgive ye for what ye did tae my maither, but ye have paid for yer cruelty with yer life. It is time for the pain o’ the past tae rest.”

“My laird,” a deep masculine voice beckoned him from the open doorway.

Ron looked up to find a familiar face looking back at him. “Liam,” he greeted with a smile, and he arose from the desk to embrace is childhood friend.

“I ne’er thought I would see the day that ye sat behind that desk, my friend.” Liam shook his head in disbelief.

“Nor did I.” Ron motioned for Liam to join him, and they both took the seats on either side of the hearth. Ron poured them both a drink from a side table.

Liam raised his glass in salute. “Tae new beginnings.”

“Tae new beginnings,” Ron replied, raising his glass in return.

“I overheard ye speaking tae yer faither’s ghost.”

“Ah.” Ron sighed. “My apologies.”

“Nae.” Liam shook his head. “Ye are right. We should nae dwell in the pain o’ the past. Yer faither did nae treat ye well. It is nae secret among our people. Many disagreed with his actions toward ye, they simply lacked the courage tae say so. When yer faither claimed that ye murdered yer maither I did nae believe it. I am certain that I am nae alone in that.”

“I thank ye for yer belief in my innocence.”

“I am grateful that ye were nae hanged as we were led tae believe.”

“I verra nearly was. Had it nae been for the king’s pardon, I would have been.”

“Thanks be tae the king.” Liam lifted his glass in another toast and downed its contents. “So, ye married the McAlpine’s daughter, aye?”

“I did.” Ron nodded, smiling.