Page 69 of Tempting the Highland Captive

“Uneventful,” Ron replied. Lowering his voice as he spoke for their ears alone. “I have been unable to ascertain anything further about the traitor within our midst. If anyone kens who it is, they are nae speaking o’ it.”

Amelia nodded. “The same here,” she sighed frustrated with their lack of answers.

“And the other matter?” Ron asked, tightening his hold around her waist in support.

Amelia shook her head. “Nae. I can only believe that the bairn did die at birth and that Ysenda went mad with the grief.”

Ron nodded. “I have nae proof that she e’er kenned Rossell. It would appear that the traitor is unconnected tae Ysenda’s attempt on yer life.”

Amelia searched her mind on how to tell her husband that she thought his friend was a part of the attack against them, but she could not bring herself to do so in front of everyone. He deserved the privacy to be able to process his emotions, not have to hide them to get through the dinner that was coming. Resigning herself to waiting until they were in bed alone, she led her husband and his people into the great hall.

“My Laird,” Maggie greeted Ron with a smile. “Welcome home.”

Ron grinned. “’Tis good tae be home. I have missed yer cooking.”

Maggie’s smile widened and she motioned for them to follow her. “I have a meal prepared for ye and yer people. ‘Tis nae as the festivities will be this night, but it will fill yer empty places.”

Ron nodded his gratitude and sat down upon the raised dais with Amelia. The majority of the Clan McAlpine would not be joining them until the evening meal. Those warriors who were on guard wore suspicious looks on their faces, but they stood stoically at their duty despite their reservations. The Clan Rossell eyed the McAlpine warriors with similar suspicion, but they filed quietly into the hall where the women, children, and elderly took seats and the warriors stood over them in protection. There was no violence between them, but the tension in the room was palpable. When the last of the Rossell people finally entered the castle walls, Liam strode through the door and joined them at the dais.

Amelia felt Lucas’ body jerk in surprise next to her, but before she could ask him about it, Maggie dropped the platter of meat on the table where it clattered loudly, and the meat fell askew into Ron’s lap. Ron leapt up, “Maggie, what has come over ye? Are ye unwell?”

“My Laird?” Maggie stammered in question, but she was not looking at Ron.

“Maggie?” Ron asked, coming around to take her by the arm. She looked as if she were about to faint.

Lucas grabbed Amelia’s arm to stop her from rushing to Maggie’s side. “The lad,” he spoke urgently.

Amelia followed his eyes. “Liam?”

Lucas nodded once, muscles tense, eyes alert.

“Was he one o’ Rossell’s spies?”

“Come with me.” Lucas pulled her from the dais and led her upstairs to her father’s library. He began pulling out drawers and dumping them on top of the desk until he found what he was looking for. Grabbing it up in his hand, he came back around the desk to stand in front of Amelia. “When yer faither was tae wed yer maither, yer grandfaither had this miniature made to send tae yer maither. She sent it back as a sign o’ her refusal tae wed him. Yer faither changed over the years o’ battle, drink, and whoring, but in his younger years he was a bonnie lad.” Lucas reached out and settle a small oval object into Amelia’s hand.

Amelia looked down at it and saw the face of Liam staring back at her. “This cannae be,” she breathed in disbelief, her heart racing as a lump filled her throat. “This cannae be a portrait o’ my faither.” She shook her head in denial. “This looks nothing like him.”

“The man ye knew was an auld man by the time that ye were born. All youth had been drained from his features, but I assure ye, lass, that the portrait is o’ yer faither.”

“But this means that…” She could not bring herself to finish the thought.

“This means that the lad who rode in at yer husband’s side is nae other than the son of the Laird Ralf McAlpine.”

“Ysenda spoke the truth,” Amelia breathed, a myriad of emotion caused her insides to shake tumultuously.

Lucas nodded gravely, his hand coming to rest on her shoulder in support. “Aye, it would appear tae be so, my lady.”

Amelia sat down hard in the nearest chair, her world spinning out of control. “Liam is my brother…”