“My son has gone to fetch something for you to eat, lass.” William came to stand beside Lydia.
She turned her face away and closed her lips tight. She heard the rustling of Lydia’s gown and watched with dismay as her beloved mother-in-law left the room. She wanted to burrow under the covers.
“My wife lays the blame for all that has befallen you at my feet,” William said. “My people tell me, were it no’ for you, we would have ceased to exist as a clan. They say I have you to thank for my son’s life many times over, and for the lives of my nephews and several of our best men as well.”
William took her hand. She yanked it away.
“Good daughter, I have come to beg your pardon.”
His words took her by surprise, and anger loosened her resolve not to speak to the man. “I heard you and my husband arguing. Malcolm said he would renounce his inheritance for my sake. I cannot let that happen.”
“Nor can I, Alethia.”
“I heard how you spoke about me. You do not know me or my people. I know who I am, William, and where I come from. I will never forget it.” She couldn’t control the emotions causing her voice to break. “If my father were alive, you would have to answer to him for suggesting I play the part of Malcolm’s whore so you can marry him off to someone you find more worthy.” She raised herself to sitting so she could glare at him.
“I have wronged you.” William took the seat by the bed. “It seems I dinna ken my own children.”
For the first time, she noticed how haggard he looked. “I know you only want what’s best for your clan. I couldn’t let Malcolm throw away his future. That’s why I left.”
“It seems I no longer have any idea what is best for my family or my clan. I’m afraid ambition clouded my vision. I dinna suppose you ken where Elaine has gone off to?”
“She’s not here?” Her mind raced through the possibilities and came up with the only logical solution to Elaine’s whereabouts.
“Nay, she disappeared without word the same day you did.”
“I might know.” She played with the edge of the linen sheet. “She said Dylan of clan Sutherland asked for her hand a while back, and you refused to grant them permission to wed. They love each other very much, William. Their feelings endured even though they rarely saw each other. We met Dylan at the fair in Inverness last fall. He asked Elaine to elope with him.” Once again, she glared at her father-in-law. “She refused him out of fear you’d disown her. I think maybe she changed her mind.”
“I pray it is so and that no harm has come to her. I would no’ forgive myself if anything were to happen to my lass.”
“I’m sure you’ll hear from her soon.” Their conversation had worn her out. She lay back down and covered her eyes with her arm. “I’m tired.”
The door to their chamber opened, and Malcolm entered with a tray. The smell of food made her stomach growl. Hunter rushed in behind him and climbed up on the bed beside her.
“I did what you told me.” He beamed with pride. “I shot the bad man’s horse and came here and got my Da. And then I guarded the horses all by myself.”
“You did? I’m proud of you, Hunter. You saved my life.”
His little face went solemn. “I told you we shouldn’t have left without Da.”
“You were right.” She hugged him to her and glanced at Malcolm. His back was to her as he fixed a cup of tea at the table by the hearth. “I haven’t thanked you, Malcolm. You saved my life. It’s the fourth time you’ve done so, and I’m grateful.”
He straightened and tilted his head as if recounting the past eight months. With a smile that took her breath, he came to her side with the mug of steaming tea.
“Have I saved your life that many times?” He leaned over and kissed her forehead, placing the tea into her hands.
“Yes, you have. The first time was when you found me, then the first time you rescued me from Hugh. There was the time Hugh trapped me in the lake, and again when the Comyn laird had me trapped in the gallery, and yesterday.”
“Yesterday makes it five times, mo céile. And here I thought ’twas you who did all the rescuing.” Malcolm gave her another chaste kiss on her forehead.
“Do I have your forgiveness, Alethia? And yours, Malcolm?” William rose from his place by the bed. “There will be no peace for me unless I set things aright.”
“Aye, so long as there is no more talk of my wedding any other than my own sweet wife.” Malcolm tilted her chin up to examine her battered face, and his eyes were full of tenderness and concern. “Did Mother tell you Alethia carries our bairn?”