Page 73 of Tempting the Highland Captive

Liam’s heart thudded in his chest as his stomach felt like it dropped out from beneath him. “Those were my parents’ names.”

Amelia turned her eyes toward him in sympathy. “So, Ysenda took her bairn tae be raised by her sister’s husband.”

“It would appear so,” Father Jacob nodded. “If Michael Rossell kenned who ye truly were, lad, he would have used that against yer true maither and our clan. If he threatened ye, he could have gotten her tae do anything.”

“Ysenda was the spy after all.”

“Now that I see him,” the priest gestured toward Liam, “I have verra little doubt.” He looked between them both a look of sympathy in his eyes. “What are ye going tae do?”

“Tell the truth.” Amelia sighed, straitening her shoulders in what could only be perceived as readying for battle.

“The truth puts ye in great peril, my lady.”

“That may be, but Liam deserves nothing less.”

Liam stepped forward and laid a hand on his sister’s shoulder. “I will nae do anything that will put ye in danger. There is nae need for anyone else tae ken who I am.”

“They will ken who ye are the moment that they lay eyes upon ye,” Father Jacob warned. “There is nae hiding who yer faither is.”

“Then I will leave and ne’er return.” Liam’s heart thudded again at his own words, but he held steady. He would do what was right and protect his newfound family no matter the cost to himself.

Amelia stood and took Liam by the arms. “I dinnae want ye tae go. Ye are my brother. I want ye tae be in our lives.”

Liam shook his head. “I will nae have my presence bring danger tae ye or tae Ron.”

“Nae matter what ye choose tae do, someone will find out about this. There were others who saw ye upon yer arrival. My life will be in danger nae matter where ye are. We are stronger if we choose tae face it together.”

“I am sorry,” Liam whispered, placing his hand on her cheek, thumbing away the tears.

“Dinnae be. I am nae ashamed o’ ye. It is our faither who is tae blame. His sins are nae yers or mine.”

“And what if the elders decide tae make the lad laird o’er ye and Ron’s dead bodies?” Father Jacob asked, his voice filled with concern. “How can we trust that the lad will nae turn on ye for power?”

“I dinnae want the lairdship.” Liam shook his head fiercely. “I will cut down anyone who attempts tae bring Ron or Amelia harm.” Liam caught a glimpse of Amelia reaching down to place a hand on her abdomen protectively and his mind sang with what he saw concealed beneath her dress. “Ye are with child?”

Amelia’s head snapped up, her eyes filled with surprise. “I am, but I have nae spoken o’ it tae Ron as o’ yet. I planned tae tell him tonight.”

Liam took his sister into his arms and held her gently. “I am tae be an uncle,” he spoke with pride and joy. Releasing her, he knelt at her feet, drawing out his dagger. He placed the blade against his heart and looked up into his sister’s eyes. “I, Liam Russell McAlpine,” he added this last part in honor of his dead mothers, “do swear my solemn oath o’ fealty tae ye, Lady Amelia McAlpine, and tae yer progeny, from now until my dying breath. Should I e’er break my oath and raise my hand against ye, may this blade pierce my heart and strike me dead where I stand. May God in his infinite mercy make it so.”

“Amen,” Father Jacob blessed them both with the sign of the cross. “What I have witnessed this day, I and our heavenly faither will enforce.”

“So be it.” Liam nodded in acknowledgement, then arose and kissed his sister on both cheeks. “I am yer liege man now and forever. Yer command is my life.”

Amelia smiled up at him, eyes overflowing with tears. “Then let my first command be this, stay and be my brother. Love me and mine, and let us be a family, here, together.”

“Always,” Liam whispered, tears fillign his own eyes as the two siblings embraced accepting all that they were and all that they would ever be.

“Now tae tell the elders,” Amelia reminded.

Nodding, Liam, Amelia, and Father Jacob all straitened their shoulders and departed the kirk for the castle. Ron met them at the edge of the road taking his wife’s hand in his own. Liam was not certain about a great many things in his life, but there was one thing that he was now sure of. They would face whatever the world might throw at them and they would do it together as a family. With fierce love and pride for his sister and brother in his heart, he knew that they would win.