Page 75 of Bride Takes a Charmer
“I did no such thing,” Geoff bellowed with frustration and rammed his hands through his hair. He paced before the table now with agitation.
“Aye, ye did. Ye murdered Rodick to which Sorsha bore witness… Then ye took her child and kept them apart to gain her accord so she would not tell a soul about what she saw. Ye needed to be rid of us, aye so ye could give my lands to Idris? And so ye sent him to slay me but as ye can see, he was unsuccessful. As to Corliss, she tried to hurt Sorsha but by the grace of God, Sorsha survived. I am sorry to say that ye will not fare as well.” Shaw gripped his sword’s hilt in anticipation of finally gaining justice for all those whom Geoff had hurt.
Geoff gripped the chair back in front of him and his brows furrowed. “Shaw, cousin, I plead with ye to remember that we are kin and family does not murder family. Ye are my own aunt’s son and cannot kill me. I might’ve murdered Rodick och he deserved it.”
“Family does not murder family,” he threw back Geoff’s words.
“I swear by God that I did not mean to hurt Sorsha. I cared for her. I did not send Corliss or her spineless husband to harm ye. Your sister took matters into her own hands because her inept husband lost his lands. I had naught to do with their actions.”
Shaw disbelieved him but perhaps there was a glimmer of truth to his words. Then he remembered what Aela had told him. Nay, the man was guilty. “Regardless, Geoff, ye must pay for the crime of murdering your brother. I cannot hold back your adversaries. The allied clans will not cease their pursuit of justice. Either I slay ye or they… Which is it to be?” Shaw made his way around the table and continued at an unhurried pace while he waited for Geoff’s answer.
Geoff stepped away from the table and held out his arms. “I would rather die by ye, an honorable man, than that of a hostile band of ornery Highlanders. Come, send me to the hereafter, Shaw, but let them not destroy my body. I will face the devil himself if need be, och I will be whole.”
Shaw was astounded by his cousin’s speech. He tensed and before Geoff could react, he shot forward and pierced Geoff’s midsection with his blade, exerting his arm and running him clean through. Blood streamed from the edges of his lips, hampering him from making any further speeches. Geoff huffed and kept his eyes trained on him as if he was astounded that he’d followed through on his request. His legs gave out from beneath him and he fell, half-supported against a table leg.
Shaw reached down and pulled his sword free then set it on the table and waited for his cousin to take his last breath.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Sounds of thumpingin the hallway gave Sorsha the alert that someone was approaching. She could think of nothing but the war that was taking place at that very moment. Prayers had crossed her lips throughout the morning in hopes that everyone would be safe. She waited with anticipation, hoping that Shaw had returned. When she saw Walen, her shoulders sagged. Then she spotted Niahm and was pleased to see her.
“I brought ye some company and thought ye might need a distraction.” Walen supported Niahm as he guided her into the bedchamber.
Sorsha smiled at seeing her friend. “I was rather lonely. My thanks, Walen.”
Niahm’s movements were slow and when she reached the bed, she shifted to sit. Walen helped to lift her so that her back was to the headboard and then he lifted her feet to settle upon the bed covers.
“Have a good visit, ladies. I will return in a wee bit and must check in with the watch.” Walen gave a wave and then disappeared through the doorway.
“I am gladdened you came. How are you?”
Niahm grabbed her hand and held it. “I am ready to have this bairn and I worried about ye. I should be asking how ye are.”
Sorsha wrapped her arm with Niahm’s and sighed. “My leg hurts but otherwise, I feel well. ’Tis remarkable that I didn’t die in that fall. God was looking out for me.”
Her friend nodded vigorously. “Aye, indeed. There are too many people who need ye here. Shaw would have been inconsolable and the children likewise. It would’ve crushed me as well.”
“You are so kind to say so. I am worried about Shaw and the Mackintosh soldiers. They have gone, haven’t they?”
Niahm nodded. “Aye, but worry not because they were meeting several other clans. The Chattans could not defeat all of them. They were far outnumbered. Besides, nothing makes a Highlander happier than wielding a sword and fighting for any cause.”
“I never saw Shaw look so determined and I feel guilty because if not for me, he would not have a reason to go against his mother’s family.” Sorsha detested that and prayed somehow that the battle would be finished before it began.
“Oooh,” Niahm moaned and dislodged her hand. She pressed her fingers on her lower back.
“What is wrong?” Sorsha shifted sideways to search her friend’s eyes and saw the pain in the blueish-green depths.
“My back has been aching for days and ’tis getting worse.” Niahm moaned again. “I fear that this bairn might be coming…perhaps this day.”
Sorsha gasped and tried to sit up straighter, but the cumbersome brace around her leg prevented her from much movement. “Oh, we should call for help but there is no one to hear us.”
Her friend groaned and tried to roll off the side of the bed, but she was stuck and couldn’t get her body to cooperate. “I shall go.”
Sorsha grinned and pressed a hand on her upper arm. “I do not deem ye can make it out of this bed. Someone will come soon.”
“Oh, I remember… Luthor is in the hallway. Aye, Walen gave him a small sack of rounded rocks to play with whilst he stood guard. He told Walen that he would not leave the hall while ye were bedridden.” Niahm continued to rub her back, and although she tried not to show her discomfort, small sounds in her throat signaled her distress.
Sorsha called out, “Luthor, lad, come here.” She waited for him to show himself and within a moment, he didn’t disappoint. His sweet face appeared within the threshold. “Come here, lad.” She waved him forward.