Page 41 of Love Me Forever (Highland Duo #2)

“L ater we finish what we started,” Royce whispered a several minutes later in Brianna’s ear as they entered the great hall to greet her brother and Moira.

Brianna smiled at seeing her brother, and also because it was the third time Royce had told her that, and she much agreed with him, for her brother’s timing was poor, though she was happy to see that he and Moira had arrived safely.

“Ian,” Brianna called out and hurried to her brother.

He hugged her and then stepped back, his hands hugging hers. “You look beautiful.”

“I feel wonderful. Royce is very good to me.”

Royce joined them, greeted Moira with a kiss on the cheek, and gave Ian a hardy handshake before he walked behind Brianna and slipped a protective arm around her, his hand resting on her stomach.

“My sister flourishes with you; this is good to see.”

“She is well and safe and will remain that way,” Royce said, wanting Ian to know he need not worry.

Brianna sensed that the two men wished to talk, and she doubted that they wanted her present, but she did not wish to be kept ignorant of the situation.

Moira stepped forward. “I am famished and there is so much to tell you about Duncan and Anne. Anne is with child.”

There was excitement in her voice but there was something else there as well, and Brianna was wise enough to understand that Moira wished to speak with her alone.

“That is wonderful. I wish to hear everything. Let us leave the men to talk. I will have food brought to my stitching chamber, and you can tell me of all the news,” Brianna said, eager to be alone with Moira.

“I will see to it,” Delia said, not standing but a few feet away from Brianna.

With a quick kiss on the cheek to both husbands, the women hooked arms and walked off.

“Why do I feel they are up to something?” Royce asked.

“Because they are, and if you tell yourself that, then you are never surprised by their actions.”

Royce smiled. “You have learned well how to deal with your wife.”

“When a woman is as intelligent as Moira, it is necessary for a husband to be well aware of her words, actions, and definitely her whereabouts, for she can get into the damnedest situations.”

Royce laughed.

“Do not laugh,” Ian warned with his own laugh. “She has taught Brianna well.”

Royce raised a brow. “Sometimes I think it is easier facing battle than dealing with a woman.”

Ian slapped him on the back. “Are you only just discovering that?”

Royce shook his head. “It is time for a drink.”

The two men sat down at a nearby table that held a full pitcher of ale to drink and to talk.

* * *

The women settled themselves in the stitching room. Comfortable chairs sat around a fireplace, a small fire burning to chase the damp chill away. Night was near to falling, and while spring warmth had dominated the days, a chill continued to settle over the night.

Hot cider and a platter of meats, cheeses, and bread sat ready for them, and while they enjoyed the cider, the food remained untouched. They were much too engrossed in their conversation to pay heed to the tempting fare.

“I know you have things to tell me,” Brianna said with a sense of excitement. “But tell me of Anne first. I am thrilled for her. I know how much she wanted a child.”

Moira hugged the tankard of cider and smiled.

“Anne still marvels at the thought that she is to be a mother. The babe is expected with the winter and Blair is” —she paused as if in search of a fitting word— “stunned and proud, and he refuses to allow Anne to do a thing. She suffered terribly from the morning sickness for two straight weeks, and your brother and I thought Blair was going to die watching her.”

Brianna laughed. “He will make a good father.”

“If Anne does not kill him before the child is born. He follows her around, watching her every move, and Anne does love her freedom. That is one of the reasons she wed Blair—he understood her spirited nature.”

“They will do well I am sure.”

“They are at least entertaining the keep and the village. Everyone is placing a wager on whether or not Blair will survive the birth.”

The two women laughed, and when the laughs faded, the conversation turned serious.

“I felt that your brother and Royce wished to protect you from the truth, especially with you being with child. Men feel the need to constantly protect. They do not seem to understand that women have strength and courage of their own. That is why I wished to speak with you alone. There is much for you to know.”

Brianna nodded. “I am grateful for your insight. I would fear more and feel more vulnerable if I was not informed of the details. Tell me all you know.”

“I must first tell you that it was Anne who discovered most of the information. Ian was stingy in regards to the matter, knowing full well I would supply you with all I knew.”

“Then please extend my appreciation to Anne and tell her I will pray for a safe and easy delivery for her.”

“Let me start with what Ian told me. He learned that Arran had formed a group of men, men who had no faith or allegiance to any particular clan.”

“Men of little virtue,” Brianna said.

“Their virtue is coins, which is what Arran promised them.”

“But he had no coins of his own. It was a false promise.”

Moira seemed reluctant to continue, but her hesitancy passed quick enough.

“Arran planned to return to the clan, beg your brother’s forgiveness, speak of his duty to you, his wife, and win Ian’s approval for a second chance.

Whether he was granted it or not made no difference.

He intended to kidnap you and demand ransom from Ian for your return. ”

Brianna sat silent for a moment. “He will not stop until he has what he wants.”

“That is what Ian believes, and that is why he sent William here as soon as Arran had escaped.” Moira paused to sip her cider. “Anne learned that when Arran discovered that Royce had taken you away, he grew furious.”

“Because I had spoiled his plans.”

“Aye, now he had to devise an alternative plan, and he certainly had not considered having to face a legendary warrior.”

“Royce frightens him,” Brianna said with pride.

“And for good reason; the man would put fear in the devil himself.”

Brianna was quick to defend Royce. “But he has a gentle soul.”

“I have no doubt. Love often tames the wildest beast.”

“Not so with Arran,” Brianna confided.

“Love only tames when love is shared. Arran loves nothing but himself.”

“Why could I not see that?” The thought that she was blind to Arran’s obvious flaws continued to torment her.

“We do not always make wise choices in life. It is not a sin; the only sin is if we do not learn from them.”

“You make sense of the senseless. I envy you your knowledge.”

“Everyone has knowledge,” Moira said. “It is easy to remain ignorant, but with a little effort knowledge is yours.”

“How do I use my knowledge to combat Arran?”

“First, do not give in to your fears, Arran counts on that.”

Brianna nodded. “You are right. After a while in my marriage I feared everything.”

“And he used that fear to control you. As it is easier to remain ignorant, it is easier to remain fearful. You are strong; use that strength.”

“How?”

“You must be ready for anything. Arran is devious and will stop at nothing to have what he wants.”

“As was his way,” Brianna said.

“Aye, and you know he has not changed, so you must be prepared. Do not take chances. Do as Royce tells you and make certain a guard remains with you at all times.”

Brianna winced.

“I know it is not easy, especially after a taste of independence, but this is most necessary. And now you not only have yourself to think of, you have your child.”

“You are right; I have been selfish in my thoughts.”

“It is difficult to have someone constantly following you about.”

“I forget it was the same for you,” Brianna said with regret. “I am so sorry my husband caused my family so much distress, particularly you.”

“It is not your fault. You have nothing to apologize for. You need to concern yourself with you now. You know Arran will attempt to take you from Royce.”

Brianna nodded. “I have no doubt he will make an attempt. Royce has prepared well for any intruders. The whole clan has.”

“You sound doubtful.”

“If Arran penetrated my brother’s defensives, why could he not penetrate these?”

“That is why you must be vigilant to all that goes on around you. Pay special heed to your senses, for they will alert you to possible problems.”

“The question is what if Arran succeeds? What then is my fate? Royce believes he wishes me dead.”

“The ransom would only be exchanged when you stood in front of Royce or your brother.”

“Much can happen in between that time,” Brianna said and shivered.

“Then build your strength and your confidence. It may not be needed, but it will be ready if necessary. Arran will be expecting the weak woman who once was his wife. He will not know how to deal with you if you show him strength and courage.”

“I had not thought of that, but you are right. If I do not cower but defy him, he will not know how to respond to me.”

“It may never come to that. He could be discovered and his plans thwarted.”

“But it is better to be prepared, and it will help to chase my fears.”

“That it will,” Moira agreed with a smile. “Now I am hungry; shall we eat and speak of more pleasant things?”

“Aye, I am famished and feeling much better. Thank you yet again for your help. It is wonderful to finally have a sister.”

The two women hugged and set about enjoying the food.

* * *

The men continued their talk in the great hall. Ale flowed freely and food was brought out in intervals.

“There is no more to do but wait. A game I do not favor,” Royce said, dusting crumbs off his hands from the bread he had enjoyed.

“I have sent men out to see what they could discover, but Arran has a way of disappearing.” Ian refilled his tankard.

“I attempted the same, and you are right, the man does have a talent for disappearing without a trace.”

“It frustrates, but it is certain he will surface again.”

“I do not doubt it,” Royce said.

“He is a determined man.”

“Nay, he is a greedy man, and greedy men make mistakes.”

“You expect Arran to make a mistake?” Ian asked.

“He has already made it.”

Ian waited in silence.

“He has challenged me.”

Ian had heard endless gossip about the legendary Royce Campbell. He thought most a myth until he had met him a few years ago and had seen with his own eyes the man’s fearlessness and his extraordinary skills and the respect given him.

Arran had chosen an opponent far beyond his meager skills, and Ian had no doubt that the man would be sorry.

Ian addressed his one concern. “My sister?—”

“Is stubborn,” Royce finished, raising his tankard in a salute.

Ian laughed and raised his own tankard in agreement. “That she is, and it could prove troublesome.”

“Add to that being with child, and you have explosive.”

Ian’s laughter rumbled through the great hall. “It is good to see that her courage has returned.”

“Courage, aye, but she is not invincible.”

“She has been vulnerable too long.”

“I understand that,” Royce said, “and there is still a part of her that is. There is a deeper part that fears that her husband will forever haunt her and that she will never be strong enough to fight him. I wish to help her change that.”

“I think you have. When she returned with you in tow, she looked different; she looked full of life. She defended herself as she once did when we were young, and it was good to see.”

“Your sister had a courage that was undeniable when she was with me at the cottage. I was a badly scarred stranger seeing to her every need, and she showed not an ounce of fear, though I knew it was there; she just refused to allow me to see it. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to rely on a strange man for her every need. It took courage.”

“Aye, it did, and I am grateful it was you who found her.”

“I had thought of that often myself, but then, I thought our meeting was meant to be; we were meant to be.”

“It was fate, for it obviously intervened.”

Royce raised his glass for another salute. “I was destined to love your sister. She is mine, and no one else shall have her.”

Ian half raised his glass and teased, “Are you certain you want her? She is stubborn.”

“Stubbornly beautiful Ian had to drink to that. Their tankards clinked and moved to their lips when the hall door flew open and William and John rushed in.

“Strangers have been spotted in the woods.”