His leman smiled as bright as summer. She lifted a hand and motioned him forward. “Come my dear and see our first grandchild.”
The color drained from his face but Brodick didn’t think the man weak. He understood.
“Anne has a babe?”
“My wife has given me a son.”
The earl suddenly smiled. He slapped a hand on Brodick’s shoulder that sent him forward a step.
“Well now, that’s grand news!”
Ivy shook a finger at him. “Hush. Anne needs her rest.”
“I’m not sleeping, Mother.” Anne shouldered her way through the curtain drawn across the doorway. She cradled her child, a soft smile curving her lips.
“Here Father, come and meet your grandson.”
Tears shimmered in her father’s eyes. Anne gently placed the baby in his arms. Brodick slid an arm around her waist, taking up some of her weight. She patted his hand reassuringly. “I am well.”
He didn’t listen. Her husband scooped her off her feet in one smooth motion. “I did warn ye that I intend to drive ye insane with my protective attitude.”
He carried her back to the bedchamber. Anne frowned at him when he settled her back into bed.
“I have never been idle.”
“And ye have never had a babe before either.”
Anne wanted to be cross but she looked past Brodick at her parents. The earl cradled her son while his forehead touched her mother’s. Joy radiated from them, warming the entire room. Her throat tightened and so did the arm Brodick had around her.
“Love is a beautiful thing, lass.” Brodick’s words were thick with emotion.
Her father turned to look at her, his gaze touching on the man that held her.
“Well now, Anne, my girl, you have made me proud.”
Her father walked into the room. He settled the baby back into her embrace.
“Young Brodick, I see you make a good husband for my daughter.”
“I intend to spend many a day trying, sir.”
Her father nodded. “Glad I am to hear it.”
No one would let her out of bed, so they spent the afternoon talking and getting to know the new baby. It wasn’t until the sun began to set that her father’s expression turned dark. He placed a kiss on Anne’s cheek.
“I must see to my wife.” His words were grave but sad as well. His body was tense as he left the room. Brodick followed.
The Earl of Warwickshire shoved open the door to the chamber where his wife and daughter were imprisoned.
“Philipa…”
The chamber was silent. Brodick scanned it, looking for the women. They were already in bed. Moving closer, he and the earl peered at the pair of unmoving forms. There was only a whisper of breath in them, the skin of their faces pasty white.
The earl touched Mary’s face, moving her eyelid up to look at her eye.
“Poison, if I’m not mistaken.” His voice had the unmistakable ring of familiarity with that evil vice of assassins and taunted lovers.
“Nae by my hand.” Brodick shook his head. “I’d have run them through and taken credit for my own deed.”
The earl looked pensive. “I believe you.” He searched the room, lifting the used goblets and sniffing them.
There was a cough from the bed. Mary opened her eyes. The earl walked toward her.
“Tell me, daughter, what ails you?”
Mary drew a deeper breath in order to speak.
“Mother got the hemlock…from the village…for Anne.” She sighed. “It was left on the table and…the…boy took it…by mistake…for our afternoon…wine.”
Her eyelids fluttered but she lifted them and stared at her father. Mary reached for his hand.
“It was not his…fault. Mother…plotted murder…and…I agreed…We have…reaped…what we…sowed.” Her fingers clutched at her father’s hand. “Forgive me. I repent…my…sins…please, Father…bury me in hallowed…ground…I…beg for your pardon…I repent…God have mercy…on me…”
Her voice trailed off as her eyes closed. The earl laid her hand on her chest, slowly shaking his head. He reached out to stroke a hand over her head.
“I’m sorry I failed you, child. I knew your mother was bitter but I didn’t think she’d turn you so spoilt. I thought her love for you would keep her sane. I was wrong. Forgive me, Daughter.”
Mary’s hand clutched at the bedding. She held it tight for a moment before her fingers went lax and her breathing grew soft once more. She never opened her eyes again. Her mother died before she did, but Mary followed before sunrise. The Earl of Warwickshire sat by their bed, slumped in his chair.