Page 45 of Bride Takes a Charmer
“What is it, sweetheart?” Shaw moved next to her and tried to take the missive but she pulled it back from him.
“Edmund writes that accounts are being reported that my father’s ship left the harbor and struck an embankment. It capsized and no one saw anyone reach the shore. Edmund says the captain is being blamed for his negligence in leaving the harbor when there were apparent rough waters. It is presumed all lives were lost but Edmund says he shall look into it further.”
Shaw set his arm around her back. “I am sorry, love. Your father knew the risk of being a merchant and sailing on the waters around the island. Crossing the channel is dangerous even in calm waters. Many ships are lost to its depths.”
“I never got to forgive him, my father, for forcing me to marry Rodick. I had hoped to see him again but now that is impossible. I should have told him that I understood why he had accepted the treaty with the Chattans. I just hoped to see my mother again.” Sorsha wiped the tears on the rim of her lashes away.
“Ye are so merciful, Sorsha, and I am sure he knew that ye forgave him. Do not despair. I do not like seeing ye weep.” He cuddled her cheek with the palm of his hand.
“I shall pray for my family. That wasn’t all that Edmund wrote…”
“What is it?” Shaw reached out and took the missive. His eyes scanned the lines Edmund had written. “Luthor’s parents have also perished. Oh, this is distressing news, but alas, we will take care of Luthor. He will always have a home with the Mackintoshes.”
“It is sad to think that his parents died in prison without knowing what happened to their son. We must honor them and make certain Luthor has a good life.”
“We shall.” Shaw folded the missive and handed it back to her.
“I was thinking… perhaps we can keep Luthor with us and raise him as our son. He is too wee to be put to training with the other lads. I fear for him and want to keep him with us.” Sorsha cared greatly for the lad and it mattered not to her if he was their true son. She would care and love him as if he were.
“If ye wish it then I shall make it so,” Shaw said and embraced her. “The only thing that troubles me is how we will break the news to him.”
“He will be upset. I wish Gillian spoke. Having another child near his age would be a comfort for him. Still, she won’t speak to anyone. I am greatly troubled by it.”
Shaw glided his hand over the locks of her hair and nodded. “Aye, as am I. Och, the lass will speak when she is ready. We must have faith that she will and that Luthor will accept us.”
He helped her to rise and she grabbed the tartan from the ground. As perfect as the afternoon was with Shaw, it was also disheartening with the news she received from Chamberlain Edmund. Somehow, she had to find a way to protect both her daughter and Luthor. Not only would she see to their safety, but she would love them with all her heart.
Chapter Sixteen
Adisturbing night’ssleep caused Shaw to yawn repeatedly upon leaving his bed that morning. Throughout the night, he couldn’t help but be concerned for Luthor’s acceptance of their news or Gillian’s acceptance of her new family. He’d tossed and turned, envisioning the lad’s reaction to hearing of his parents’ deaths.
After finding his mamo at the graves earlier and escorting her back to the keep, Shaw ambled around the island. He agreed to meet Sorsha later that evening before the children’s bedtime so they could tell Luthor their news. The lad would be sad and there was no way to know how he’d react to the death of his parents. Together, they would break the news gently.
When he reached the training field, he watched some of the men spar with swords and fisticuffs. There were fewer than the usual number of soldiers on the field and he wondered where the rest of them were. Additionally, he didn’t see Trey there either. He’d have to have a word with his commander about being absent from his duty, and tell him that he had to set an example for the men.
On his walk back to the keep, he stopped at the stables and visited his warhorse. He hadn’t ridden much in the past fortnight. Though he was gladdened he needn’t travel because there was much to do at home.
“Laird, I already fed him and filled his trough,” the stable master, Jonah, said and pressed back the long strands of hisbrown hair. The horseman was no older than he was and yet far more muscular from lifting heavy bales of hay and working with the horses.
“Aye? He needs to be exercised soon. I’ll take him for a ride later this day or on the morrow,” Shaw said absently, more to himself.
“He has been a wee bit ornery stuck in his stall,” Jonah grunted. “Och, I can put him in the pen for a while if ye cannot get to ’em.”
“My thanks, Jonah, and also for taking Luthor in hand. Is he attending to his chores?”
“He be a good lad, Laird, and is keen to do his duty. I sent him back to the keep a short while ago since he finished mucking out the stalls. The lad could do with a bath for I swear he might’ve rolled around in the muck and hay.” Jonah chuckled. “Och, ’tis just like a wee lad to do so.”
Shaw snickered because he’d been the same as a lad, always getting into a wee bit of mischief. He nodded to the stable master and left. There was some time before he needed to meet with Sorsha and so he didn’t rush back to the keep. His steps slackened and he greeted his clan’s men and women as he passed. Ahead on the lane, he spotted a group of people. Curious as to what the trouble was, Shaw picked up the pace.
In the center of his soldiers, Trey had Idris in a headlock and held him bent over. Soldiers clamored about who was winning the fight. The men grunted in their effort to be free of each other. Trey held a dagger in his hand but Idris prevented him from striking when he twisted his body and jumped back a step or two.
“What is going on here?”
Everyone quieted and Trey shoved Idris’s chest and he fell back but scrambled to his feet.
“I asked, what is happening?”
“Laird,” Trey said as he returned his dagger to its sheath, “This man spoke ill of ye and Milady. I heard his affront and challenged him.”