Page 66 of Tempting the Highland Captive

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

Ron spent the next several days going through his father’s papers and speaking with the people. He had been received with mixed emotions by most. Liam had helped to smooth the way by explaining to people the truth behind Ron’s mother’s death and that it had been Michael Rossell, and not Ron, who had killed her. He also detailed the circumstances that had led to Rossell’s death at Ron’s hand. It was difficult for many to accept such horrible tales about their former laird, but those who had known him best were not surprised. The warriors were pleased to have Liam as their marshal and that helped to quiet some of the discontent within the ranks.

Ron missed his wife and looked forward to returning to her at his earliest opportunity. He did not know how they were going to balance the joining of their two peoples, but he did know that the only way to make it work was together. He was sitting at his father’s desk working his way through the food stores ledgers when a messenger arrived from the Clan McAlpine. “My Laird,” the boy bowed his head in deference then handed Ron a sealed letter. Ron recognized the seal of his wife and opened it with haste. As he scanned the page he smiled. “My Lady requests a reply upon my return,” the boy informed him, then took a step back to wait.

A knock sounded at the open door and Ron looked up to find Liam waiting for admittance. “Enter,” Ron invited with a smile.

“I heard that ye received word from the Lady McAlpine,” Liam greeted with a smile and came into the room to take a seat by the fire. “Will ye be returning?”

“Soon.” Ron nodded. “And so shall ye.”

“Oh?” Liam asked, his brow raised in question.

“Aye, we all will be. We have been invited tae a reconciliatory gathering wherein both clans will dine side by side.”

Liam’s face changed from questioning to surprise. “A brave lass,” he observed with admiration.

“She is indeed.” His heart felt warm with love for his beautiful intelligent wife. “Will our people attend at my instruction?”

“They will.” Liam nodded. “Ye have made an impression upon many o’ them. Nae everyone will wish tae attend, but I think enough o’ them will attend out o’ curiosity alone.”

Ron nodded. “That will do.”

“When does Her Ladyship propose tae hold such a gathering?”

“Soon, if we agree.”

Liam nodded. “I will go and see what I can learn about the clan’s response. It is better tae ken for certain than tae walk in tae former enemy territory unprepared.”

Ron nodded his permission. “I agree. I will tell my wife tae expect us.” He felt a thrill at the thought of holding her in his arms once more.

“By yer leave.” Liam arose and left the room.

Ron took up a quill and inked out a reply to his wife’s invitation. He sealed it with wax and handed it to the messenger boy. “Take this tae yer lady. Dinnae tarry.”

“Aye, my laird.” The boy pulled his forelock in recognition of his master’s order, then ran out of the room, letter tucked safely inside of his shirt.

* * *

Amelia sat in her bedchamber staring into the flames that crackled cheerily in the fireplace as she absently caressed her lower abdomen. She dreamed of the moment that she would tell her husband of their impending joy. If the midwife’s calculations were correct, she would be giving birth to their child in the spring. She had carried the secret with her since Ron’s departure. It had made her feel special in a way she had never felt before. Their love had made a life. It was awe inspiring to her in a way that she had never understood before. Her mother, Anna Maria, had suffered with miscarriage after miscarriage. Amelia prayed that she would not fall victim to the same fate.

“My lady,” Lucas’ voice called from the doorway.

“Lucas,” Amelia greeted him with a smile. He had rushed back to her side after hearing what had happened with Ysenda and had not left her since. He had not been terribly pleased with her idea to invite the Rossell people to dine, but she had been determined.

“The lad has returned with yer husband’s reply.”

Amelia smiled and held her hand out to receive the letter. She noted that Ron was not using his father’s seal. “Lucas?”

“My lady?”

“Can ye summon Angus tae come and speak with me at his earliest convenience?”

“Aye, I will do so now.”

Lucas left the room and Amelia opened her husband’s letter. She smiled at the sight of his bold masculine scrawl across the page. He wrote of the progress he was making with his father’s people, of his friend Liam, and of how much he missed her. He agreed that a gathering was a much-needed step toward unity and that they would come when she was ready for them. Amelia’s smile widened. If it meant having her husband back in her arms, she would be ready with all haste.

* * *