Read Highland Hearts 03 - Crimson Heart Online
Authors: Heather McCollum
Tags: #warrior, #Crimson Heart, #Scotland, #Edge, #witch, #Heather McCollum, #historical, #healer, #Hearts, #Highland, #Entangled
Highland Hearts 03 - Crimson Heart (32 page)
Elena came back to his side. He could tell she was bursting to decide, but schooled herself with the patience of a brilliant ruler. She had already let everyone know her mind through her suggestion and by taking Judith’s hands, yet she waited for his words. Had she maneuvered his reply from the moment she saw Judith’s teary eyes? He looked down at his innocent wife’s face.
“What say ye, wife. Shall we journey to our neighbor’s and help them learn to rule themselves?”
Elena’s eyebrow rose as a smile touched her lips. She stepped closer and nodded. “I accept.”
Despite the crowd, Searc caught her cheek in his hand and pressed a kiss to her soft mouth. In the background, several men shouted “aye!” while Judith clasped her hands. But as Searc pulled back just enough to look deeply into the green eyes of his love, all else melted away. With his strength and her wisdom they would guide the clans well together.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love ye, my little queen.”
Five years later
Davidson Castle, Scottish Highlands
“I know what I saw.” Elena kissed each of her daughter’s fingers and the palm of her little hand. It curled reflexively into a tight pink fist. “She has the dragonfly mark on her back.”
“I think wee Elspet is too young to heal anyone.” Searc stroked their daughter’s head, his large hand covering the small, perfect sphere. She blinked up at him. “She’s only a month old.”
“I didn’t say she was healing anyone,” Elena insisted. “Just that her hands glowed blue.”
Searc picked Elspet up from Elena’s lap. “Ye aren’t getting enough sleep, love.”
“I am not seeing things.” Elena narrowed her eyes but couldn’t help her smile as Searc brought his face right up to Elspet’s to nuzzle her tiny nose. Their daughter’s little fists opened and shut, catching a little bit of Searc’s dark hair, which matched the dark sprinkling on Elspet’s much smaller head.
“I didn’t feel my magic until I was five or six, and Thomas is past three and hasn’t shown any sign of it.” He spoke of their energetic son. He set Elspet over his broad shoulder. A little burp came from her and Elena smiled, knowing that Elspet had most likely spit up down her father’s back. Served him right for not believing her.
Elena crossed her arms under her chest. Searc’s eyes dropped to her breasts that resembled large, round bread loaves on a platter. “I’m glad ye decided to nurse her yerself.” He grinned.
“Don’t even think about it.” Elena glared. She laughed as he swooped in for a kiss, his hand holding Elspet securely against him.
A knock at the door brought him back up and Elena straightened the bed clothes around her. “Aye?”
Judith pushed into the chamber. “Good ye’re up. How’s the wee one?”
“Healthy and full.” Elena smiled contentedly, her heart nearly bursting with happiness.
Searc spied the trail of milk going down his back. “Well, not quite as full as she was a moment ago.”
Judith brought in a large wooden box to set on the bed. “This came for Lady Elena Munro. By way of an English messenger, who happens to be quite handsome.”
Searc’s eyebrow rose. “Will ye be tricking him into the dungeon, Judith?”
She smiled slyly. “I hadn’t thought of that, but now that ye mention it…I’ll have to ask if he’s wed.” She waved at the box. “Well, go ahead and open it.”
Elena looked at Searc and he shrugged. “Is there a letter with it?”
Elena lifted the lid. “Here’s one.” She pulled a rolled parchment from inside, her eyes widening at the Tudor wax seal. Searc frowned and handed Elspet to Judith, who cooed at the babe. Elena’s hand shook slightly as she unrolled the official letter from London.
May this document signify that on this 5
th
day of March of our Lord’s year 1559, that it is duly noted by Elizabeth I, Queen of England and Ireland, that King Henry VIII and Queen Catherine of Aragon did have a second living child. Proof has come forward that this child was taken after the birth and quickly died on a date unknown. The testimony of Thomas Seymour’s elderly maid has since brought light to this matter. Although the remains have not been found, it is by the authority of this royal seat that the unknown princess be quietly and privately acknowledged as having died. This declaration brings an end to this matter.
Elena swallowed hard and wiped a hand across her eyes, feeling like a weight had been lifted from her chest. “New babes make me so teary.” She laughed at herself as she met Searc’s gaze.
“What an odd thing to send.” Judith knew nothing of Elena’s true lineage. “Is there anything else in there?”
Elena felt down in the box and drew out a circular object wrapped in velvet. Searc caught a smaller parchment that fell out of the folds. Elena unwrapped the royal purple material. A wreath, made for the head, sat in the richly soft nest. The base looked to be made of bronze and small gold wires curved up from it with tiny gems fastened together to look like dainty wild flowers. Glass seed beads were strung, woven along the frame to resemble green vines.
“I’ve never seen the likes of it.” Judith bent forward to study it. As Elena held the delicate frame up, Judith gasped softly. “Why it’s a crown, a crown of flowers.”
Searc was reading the note. “Judith, could ye take Elspet down below to my mother for a spell. I think she’s anxious to hold her newest granddaughter.”
Judith left, cooing to Elspet and Searc sat on the edge of the bed. “Ye’ll want to read this.” He handed Elena the note. Elena wasn’t sure she wanted to take it, but he smiled and nodded. “It’s just a piece of paper and ye’re as brave as a queen.” He kissed her head and took the crown as she read the short note.
A token of my affection. A crown for an unknown Highland queen. Lord Randolph speaks quite highly of you as he has returned from exile. He’s been sworn to secrecy else lose his tongue.
Now that I sit upon the throne, I wonder, sister, which one of us is the wiser, the one who took the crown or the one who refused it. Many blessings for a comfortable, godly, and anonymous life.
E
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my fabulous readers! The Highland Hearts series has been so much fun to write, and your appreciation thrills me every time I hear from you. I love your notes, comments, questions and reviews. Have a fabulous, meet-your-favorite-hero kind of day!
About the Author
For more information about my books and writing life, please visit
www.HeatherMcCollum.com
. I can also be found here on
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Also – as an outspoken ovarian cancer survivor, I always list the symptoms of this sneaky, vicious disease in hopes that if you are experiencing any of them every day for more than three weeks, you will please go see your doctor.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer:
B
loating that is persistent
E
ating less and feeling fuller
A
bdominal pain
T
rouble with your bladder
Ovarian Cancer cannot be detected by a PAP Smear. Additional symptoms may include fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation, and/or menstrual irregularities.
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