Page 70 of Tempting the Highland Captive

CHAPTERTHIRTY

Ron stood at Maggie’s side and helped her into the chapel so that she might recover herself in private. “What has overcome ye, lass?” He lowered her down into a chair and knelt beside her.

“The laird,” she whispered in disbelief. “He looks just like the laird.”

“Who looks like the laird? Do ye mean Ralf McAlpine?”

“Aye.” Maggie nodded slowly, her eyes dazed.

“Who, Maggie?”

She lifted her hand and pointed behind Ron toward the door. Ron turned around to find Liam standing there, his face lined with concern. “Him,” she whispered, tears coming to her eyes. “Ysenda was telling the truth.”

“Are ye certain?”

“Aye.” Maggie nodded her head. “He is the laird’s son.”

Ron’s heart thudded once, twice, then sped up to such a speed that it made his head ache. “Liam?” He met his friend’s eyes in question.

Liam shook his head in denial. “My faither was a warrior. He died in the service o’ yer faither. Ye ken that as well as I do.”

“And yer maither?” Maggie inquired.

Liam’s face took on a sorrowed expression. “She died in childbirth.”

Maggie shook her head. “Nae she did nae.”

“What do ye speak o’?” Liam’s confusion was turning to anger. “My maither died giving birth tae me. That is a guilt that I have carried with me my entire life.”

Maggie looked to Ron for help, but he was too dazed and confused himself to know what to say. If what Maggie was saying was true, then he had been the one to kill Liam’s mother. If it was true, then Liam was the biggest threat to Amelia’s safety. The thought of Amelia in further danger awoke his mind from the shock of what Maggie had revealed. “Both o’ ye need tae come with me. Dinnae speak tae anyone o’ this. We mut find Amelia.” Helping Maggie to her feet, Ron led them out into the walled garden, out through the kale yard, into the kitchen, and up the back stairs. He had seen Lucas and Amelia climb the stairs when he had helped Maggie. He found them in the library. Amelia was sitting down looking as if she might be ill clutching something in her hands. Lucas stood with his hand on her shoulder, a protective look upon his face.

Amelia looked up when they entered. When Liam stepped into the room, Lucas moved his body to shield her. Ron lifted his hand for Lucas to stand down. From the looks on their faces he could tell that they had come to the same conclusion as Maggie. He stepped forward and Amelia handed him a miniature portrait. He looked down at it and found Liam’s face staring back out at him. “So, it is true.”

“The portrait is o’ my faither before he married my maither,” Amelia informed him.

“I should have seen it in the eyes,” Ron murmured shaking his head. “Ye both have the same green eyes.”

“As does half o’ Scotland,” Liam quipped. “Ye are nae making sense.” He angrily came forward and took the miniature from Ron’s hand, then stopped and stared in absolute shock at the image. “Why do ye have a portrait o’ me? Is this some sort o’ jest? I am nae finding it humorous in the least.”

“’Tis nae jest,” Amelia breathed shakily. Ron could see her heart breaking as she said the words.

“I dinnae believe ye.” Liam shook his head in denial. Turning, he left the room.

Ron was torn between being with Amelia or helping his friend. I did not know what to say to either of them. They both needed answers, but the people who held them were all dead. Amelia looked up and must have seen his indecision. “Go,” she whispered, then spoke again stronger. “Go. He needs ye.”

“Amelia…”

She shook her head. “I will be fine. Go tae him afore he creates a problem we cannae fight against.”

Ron nodded and left the library to run after Liam. He found him in the walled garden, having retreated the way that they had come. His knuckles were bloody from where he had punched the wall. “Liam?”

“Leave me be, Ron,” Liam warned. His tone showed that he was more than willing to back his words up with physical violence if ignored.

Ron stood in silence, unmoving but patient. He knew his friend well. He would calm down eventually. Ron just needed to wait him out. The fact that he had retreated to a private place meant that he had not told anyone else of their discovery. Ron needed a chance to explain to Liam the danger his existence brought to Amelia if not handled properly. They would need to come up with a plan together before everyone in the clan met him. The older generation would see the resemblance and it would cause an instant dispute among the elders.

Liam paced back and forth, his breath coming in furious pants. “It cannae be true.”

Ron did not answer.