Page 26 of Halloween Knight (A Knights Through Time Romance #17)

“Aye, I know you well. You would have rushed off, not even considering it could be a ruse.” William scowled at her. “I am vexed with you, but I too would risk much to save a brother, had I one.”

It wasn’t the time, but soon she’d tell him. He did in fact have a brother, one leaning against a tree, scowling just like her husband did when he was angry.

Seeming to come to some decision, Lucy saw the moment the tension left William as he turned to fully face Callan .

“It seems I owe you a debt for returning my wife to me unharmed. You have my gratitude.”

Callan merely inclined his head, saying nothing.

After so many days apart, Lucy could finally breathe once more now that she was with William again.

Wiping her eyes, she turned in a circle. “Where is Albin? I do not see him.” Ice flooded through her. “Is he well?”

Her husband side-eyed Callan, who was still standing off to one side watching the proceedings, silent and waiting.

“Do not worry over him. I sent Albin ahead to Blackford with the horses. You were right. He did well on this journey.”

“I’m surprised you’d say ‘you were right’ after hearing all the trouble I’ve caused.”

He merely arched a brow, telling Lucy there would still be hell to pay later.

William’s tunic and hose were caked with dirt, there was a smudge of dirt on one cheek, and she could see beneath the gruff exterior, the worry, making her feel even worse than she already did.

When the men were finished making camp and Callan joined them, Lucy told the men about Agnes and the potential danger to the children. “…So it’s all my fault. I’m so very sorry.”

Thomas came to stand before her. He went down on one knee, offering his sword.

“Nay, I failed you, lady. I am not fit to lead your men.”

Everyone was watching as she looked to William, who gave her a look like, they’re your men, deal with it.

Squaring her shoulders, Lucy touched the blade.

“No, Thomas. I should not have rushed off as I did. My actions put us all in danger.” She gently tugged on his arm, bringing him to his feet .

“I find I am most comfortable with you as my captain.” She said, hoping she sounded like William. But knowing there had to be some kind of punishment for the perceived failure, Lucy added, “Hunt down the mercenaries that kidnapped me, and kill them all.”

She thought for a moment. “And the lady Agnes, for she has threatened to murder not only your lord, but the heir to Blackford, along with my son Peter.”

The men murmured amongst themselves.

Thomas knelt again. “I vow it, lady. The men and I will depart for Blackford shortly. Once we are assured it is secure, we will hunt them all down.”

When William found her standing at the edge of the camp watching everyone, he didn’t say a word, somehow knowing how upset she was by the trouble she’d caused. Thank goodness they were all unharmed.

“I thought you might like this back.” He held out her beautiful emerald ring.

Lucy held up her hand, showing him the pale band of skin. “Every time I looked at my hand, I thought of you and our boys.”

He slid it on her finger. “Back where it belongs.”

When she went up on tiptoe to kiss him, the stubble on his face tickled her lips. She held him close, knowing everything was about to change.

After a moment, he stepped back. “Is aught amiss?”

She hesitated for so long that he frowned.

“Whatever it is, we will face it together.” William pulled her close as she let his warmth comfort her. Finally, she blew out a breath, and just said the words.

“I know this may be difficult to believe, but Callan... is your half-brother.”

“Merde.” Shock rippled across William’s face.

He searched her eyes intently, then shifted his penetrating gaze to Callan, who was standing apart from the men, his face carefully blank.

She could see the struggle within him, wanting to deny it, yet unable to ignore the uncanny resemblance between the two men.

After they had made camp and had a hot meal in their bellies, William nodded to Callan.

“Lucy says you found these fine horses waiting for you when you escaped.”

The corner of Callan’s mouth quirked up. “Aye, they were most anxious to go with us.”

As they moved further away from the men, William crossed his arms over his chest. He hesitated only a moment before asking gruffly, “Is it true?”

Not pretending he didn’t know of what William spoke, Callan nodded. “Aye. I only recently learned of it myself.”

In halting words, with Scotland in his voice, Callan relayed the sorrowful story of his mother’s affair with William’s father, Lord Ravenswing, and how his mother and he had been cast out by their clan when they learned of the affair.

He told William the details of how he only recently found out he had a brother.

William listened silently, his expression giving away nothing of his inner thoughts. When Callan finished, the two men simply stared at one another, the weight of the revelation hanging heavily between them.

Then, with a deep breath, William told Callan of his half-brother Clement, who tried to steal Blackford and kill Lucy.

“Later I will tell you all you wish to know of my … of our fa ther. He died many years ago, but I have many memories.” William paused.

“He was a good father, a good man. All I can believe is that the letter never arrived, for my father wanted sons, ’twas why he strayed from my mother.

If he had known about you, he would have come for you and your mother. ”

Callan swallowed. “I thank ye for that.”

As they saw to the horses, Callan looked him in the eye. “Perhaps we might get to know each other?”

William clasped his shoulder.

“I would like that. Would you travel to Blackford with us, stay for a while?”

When he hesitated, William arched a brow.

“Are you planning to murder me in my bed?”

At this Callan made a noise in the back of his throat. “Nay, if I did I would come blade in hand so ye would see who plunged a dagger into your heart.”

He held a hand out to William. “In truth, I have not known ye long, but you are the only family I have, and I would stand before any who would harm ye or yours.”

William took his hand. “If you do not care for Blackford, and wish to go back to Scotland, I will send you with a horse and gold so you may make a life.”

“I thank ye.” His brother blinked a few times, then nodded, and seeing the emotion in his eyes, William left him with the horses.

In the morning, William dispatched Thomas with two of the men to ride ahead of them back to Blackford Castle with a warning of Lady Agnes’ treachery and to watch over the children.

“Do you think I did the right thing, bringing him back with us?” William looked to his wife, who was trying and failing not to grin .

“What? You bothersome woman.”

She gestured to Callan. “You have the same color eyes. You’re both standing the same way with the same scowl, and you both like to bellow and stomp about to get your way.”

Hrumph. William did not bellow. He simply spoke loudly.

Then he bellowed to the men, “Let us ride for home.”