The Angel and the Highlander(58)

“Shrew,” Angus said. “No one wanted her.”

“She was a beautiful woman just like her mother,” Addie defended. “I often envied the skill she had in braiding her long blond hair and how she had taught Alyce to do the same with her identical hair. And Alyce had the most beautiful blue eyes. They reminded me of the sky on a gorgeous summer day.”

Lachlan felt a punch to his gut. “Alyce had long blond hair and blue eyes?”

“That she did,” Angus said. “And your mother’s right, my daughter may have been a shrew, but she was a beautiful shrew.”

“Was she tall?” Lachlan asked anxiously.

Angus nodded. “A good eight inches over five feet.

Lachlan near growled his annoyance. “A born leader?”

“Like her father,” Angus boasted. “Could sit a horse as good or better than most men and could handle a sword like a man, though she had a mind of her own. She did and wanted things her way, always her way. Wouldn’t listen to me, wouldn’t obey me, fought me no matter what I said to her.” He slammed his fist on the table. “And had the gall to fight with me in front of my own men and tell me I was a fool.”

“You can be a fool, Angus,” Addie said.

He grinned. “See, you saying it doesn’t sound bad.” He cringed and shook his head. “But Alyce screeched it.” He mimicked her, his voice pitched high. “You’re a fool, an old dumb fool if you think I’ll marry a fool of your choosing. I’ll die first.” He shook his head again. “And she did, though it’s strange. Alyce was always strong as an ox, never getting sick.”

Lachlan felt a double punch to his gut. Could it be? Could Terese actually be Alyce Bunnock? It would explain so much. He didn’t know whether to be angry or relieved. Had she been trying that last night they spent together to confront him with the truth when she asked if he would help Alyce? Or had she simply wanted her way as Alyce always wanted and played him for a fool?

Lachlan braced his arms on the table and looked at Angus. “Tell me more about your daughter.”



Much later that night Cavan and Artair sat in the solar with Lachlan.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Cavan asked.

“I must,” Lachlan said.

“Not so,” Artair disagreed. “It is for Angus to deal with.”

“No,” Lachlan argued. “It is mine to deal with and my decision is made. I ask that you both respect and accept it.”

“As long as it is what you want,” Cavan confirmed once again.

“It is for the best,” Lachlan said, “besides we need to make contact with the mercenaries and see if they know anything about Ronan. How many men will I take?”

“Same as before, plus Bogg,” Cavan said.

Lachlan nodded realizing his brother’s plan. “Bogg was once a mercenary.”

“He will find out what we need to know,” Cavan said. “Are you sure you wish to leave so soon?”

“It took me two months to return home. I’ve been home for two weeks and it will take me two months to return again. I will miss the birth of your daughter.” Lachlan shook his head. “You’ve got me believing that Zia and her grandmother know that she will have a daughter.”

“It’s been that way for generations, but Zia assures me our next child will be a boy,” Artair said with a smile.

A gentle knock interrupted them and Addie entered. “I wish to speak with Lachlan alone.”

Though the solar was strictly the laird’s domain, Lachlan knew Cavan would not deny his mother, and he and Artair left, closing the door behind them.

“I miss your smile,” Addie said, taking the seat beside his and placing her hand on his arm. “Tell me this decision of yours will bring it back.”

“Oh mother, what I’m about to do will bring me so very much happiness,” he said and grinned from ear to ear.



Terese looked over the lush fields. The harvest would be plentiful this year. There would be enough to store for winter and more than enough to share with the mercenaries. In a couple of months, around November, meat would be cured and stored for winter and Septimus promised that his men would supply them with more if necessary.

Andrew and the other men were busy building more cottages, though Andrew worked most diligently on the one he and Megan planned to share. They spent all their time together and Terese had never seen Megan so happy. That they were in love was undeniable, and Terese was so pleased for her.

Piper and Evan were inseparable and already had a cottage of their own. Piper had asked that she be able to confide in him about the mercenaries for it was getting more and more difficult to hide the tracks from him. And she didn’t want to continue to lie to him.