Wed to a Highland Warrior (25 page)

Chapter 31

T
rey entered the great hall, knowing that his da or one of his brothers would be there. He wasn’t the only one to rise before dawn. His da, mum, and Bryce were there, talking, and though he wanted to join them, he slowed his steps. As soon as he reached the table, before he even sat or said a word, his mum would assault him with questions.

He hastened his step, figuring it was better to get it over with and smiled when he saw his mum’s mouth open before he reached the table.

“Don’t you go grinning at me,” she warned, shaking her finger at him. “I want to know why you haven’t taken your time in deciding if this marriage is right for you. You just learned that the woman you thought loved you never did and that she betrayed you.” She shook her head. “Why are you grinning like a fool?”

“Why wouldn’t I grin? I don’t feel an ounce of guilt over falling in love and loving another woman more than I ever loved the woman who betrayed me. If it wasn’t for falling in love with Bliss, I’d be, at this very moment, not only mourning a love that never existed but angry as hell for ever having loved Leora in the first place.”

“And you’re not the least bit angry?” his mum asked.

“More upset that I’ve been duped—”

“We all were,” Bryce said. “We all accepted and trusted her as a member of our family. Never once would any of us have believed that she was a spy. It still seems more tale than truth, but then, desperation causes people to do desperate things.”

“My concern is that you don’t get hurt again,” Mara said.

“Bliss would never hurt me,” Trey said, and was quick to raise his hand to silence his mum before she could argue. “My love for Bliss is far different than what I felt for Leora, and I have only realized that since falling in love with Bliss.”

“I think Bliss will make a good sister,” Duncan said, entering the room.

“I don’t know,” Reeve said, following behind Duncan. “She knows too much. There’ll be no keeping anything from her.”

“That’s a good thing,” his mum pointed out. “Then your wives will be able to keep a closer watch over all of you. Besides, you shouldn’t be keeping anything from your wives.”

“See what I mean,” Reeve said, grinning and shaking his head as he took a seat at the table.

“You don’t need a seer to have your wives know what you’re up to,” Carmag said. “Wives have the uncanny ability to know everything.”

Mara gave her husband’s shoulder a playful slap. “Even before you know it yourself.”

They laughed.

Trey didn’t want to interrupt the playful banter, but there were things that needed discussing. “We need to talk.”

Laughter died off, and expressions turned serious and attentive. Mara didn’t excuse herself; she knew it wasn’t necessary. She was as trustworthy if not more so than anyone there.

“Bliss informed me that Roan’s men were attacked by the king’s soldiers.”

There was stunned silence for several moments before his da spoke. “How badly?”

“One Pict was injured, no more. They are fierce fighters.”

“That they are,” Bryce said. “And for whatever reason, it would seem the king is anxious to make enemies of the Picts. It still makes no sense. King Kenneth is a good strategist when it comes to battle, and this is not a wise move on his part.”

“Bliss believes the same,” Trey said.

“Has she offered any insight as to why the king might be doing this?” Bryce asked.

Trey shook his head. “Not yet, but she believes the answer will soon present itself.”

Conversation turned silent when servants began to enter the great hall to prepare the tables for the morning meal. Warriors would soon arrive and share the meal and receive instructions for their daily duties.

The keep was coming to life, and any further private discussion would have to wait.

Tara entered the room with Leora, who looked as if she hadn’t slept a wink. That she was nervous and troubled was obvious, and Tara kept a supportive arm around her, as if the woman required help walking.

“Have something to eat,” Mara said, waving Leora over to the table.

Leora shook her head. “No thank you. I would like very much to be taken to my da and grandda now if you don’t mind.”

Trey stood, a sudden thought striking him. Would a daughter of his have the courage to do what Leora had done? Not that he would want her to put herself in danger, to sacrifice so much to save him. The question probably would have never come to mind if he hadn’t known he was to be a da, but knowing that made the difference. He could understand why Leora had sacrificed everything to see her da safe.

Leora moved away from Tara and hurried to Trey. “I am so sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

For a moment, he saw the woman he had loved standing before him, and he felt a catch to his heart. He felt sorry for her yet relieved for himself, and he had wished it could have been different. It could have been different if only . . .

“You never trusted me or my family enough to help you. You chose deceit instead. If you had only confided in me or in any of us, we would have helped you. And it would have saved us both much suffering.”

She hung her head. “I made a poor choice.”

Trey lifted her chin. “You let fear rule, and when you did, sound reason slipped away.”

“I’ll leave, go away. You’ll never see me again. Just, please, let me see my family.”

Trey shook his head. “You still don’t understand. You never did. I would never keep you from your family.” He stepped aside and called out to one of the warriors. “Malcom, take Leora to Old John’s place and make certain that he knows that he and his family are welcome to remain part of the MacAlpin clan.”

Tears ran down Leora’s face, and she reached out, placing a hand on Trey’s arm. “I am truly sorry I hurt you. And I am glad you found love. You deserve it.”

She walked over to Malcom, and he escorted her out the door.

The great hall filled with talk and laughter as more warriors entered, and the women joined their husbands, and the twins were passed around to uncles and aunts as the parents took turns eating. Bliss was the last to make an appearance, and Trey stood so that his wife could sit beside him on the bench.

“I’ve no want for food,” she said, her hand going to her stomach. “I’m going to see Dolca.”

Trey went to her, his hand covering hers and lowered his voice. “You are not feeling well?”

“Just a bit,” she said softly.

He didn’t voice his concern, not wanting his family to know about the babe just yet. Instead, he said, “I’ll take you to Dolca.”

She shook her head, then stepped around him. “Mercy, do you mind showing me where Dolca is staying?”

Trey realized that Bliss had a far different reason for asking the favor of Mercy. Obviously, she believed it time for grandmother and granddaughter to meet.

“I’ll take you,” Duncan said, pushing away from the table to stand.

Mercy stopped him with a gentle touch to his arm. “I will take Bliss.”

Tara smiled down at Conall, sound asleep in her arms. “I’ll look after this little fellow for you.”

“And I’ll watch after Kate,” Charlotte offered, hugging the smiling babe against her.

Mercy thanked them, gave her husband a quick kiss, and joined Bliss.

Trey hugged his wife close, and whispered, “Are you sure you feel well enough?”

She smiled and kissed his cheek, then whispered, “Your son makes his presence known.”

A stab to his heart and gut turned him silent as she walked away with Mercy. It amazed him to think that his son grew inside her, and all he could think about was how very much he loved them both, and his son had yet to be born. He would keep them safe; no matter what it took, he would keep them safe.

His thoughts turned to Leora, and, once again, he realized how difficult it must have been for her when the soldiers took her da away. She must have felt so helpless and fearful. If only she had trusted him.

Slipping on fur-lined cloaks that were kept on pegs by the door, the two women left, hurrying out into the cold and snow.

Trey turned to rejoin his family, and they all sat staring wide-eyed at him.

Naturally, it was his mum who spoke. “Anything you want to tell us?”

“T
here is something you wish to tell me, isn’t there?” Mercy said, as the snow fell lightly but steadily on them.

When Bliss woke this morning, she strongly sensed it was time that Mercy met her grandmother. More and more she sensed the urgency that longtime secrets be revealed. It was time the truth became known . . . it was time for the true king to step forward.

“There is something you need to know, but it is for Dolca to tell you.”

Mercy nodded, and they walked in companionable silence until Mercy stopped in front of a small cottage.

“Will this upset me?” Mercy asked, before approaching the door.

Bliss smiled. “It may upset and surprise, but I believe it will also bring joy.”

Mercy released a worried sigh, nodded, walked to the door, and gave it a rap.

Dolca welcomed them in though Bliss stopped in the doorway and suggested she leave them alone. Neither woman would have it, Mercy tugging her in, insisting she stay, and Dolca agreed with her.

They gathered around the small table, a hot brew in front of each though none touched it.

Unease filled the small space, and so Bliss got right to the crux of the matter. “Dolca is your grandmother, Mercy.”

Mercy remained silent for a moment, as if trying to make sense of what she had just heard. “You’re not the king’s mother, and my mum’s mother has long been dead.”

“A tale your mum told you to protect you,” Dolca said.

Mercy shook her head. “First, I’m told that my mum is a Pict, and now you tell me all I thought about my mum’s past is not true?”

“Your mum wanted to keep you safe. You would not have been safe if you knew the truth,” Dolca said. “Let me tell you about your mum, who she truly was and why she did what she did. And then you will learn for yourself what a truly loving mother she was.”

Bliss could sense Mercy’s anguish and pain as the story unfolded. All she had been told, all she believed her mum to be, was nothing but lies, and, in the end, all her lies were to protect her children.

Tears streamed down Mercy’s cheeks, and she reached for Bliss’s hand and held on tight until, finally, Dolca finished.

All Mercy could do was stare at the woman. It took her a few moments to gather her thoughts and find her voice.

“All these years I thought—” Mercy could not finish. “Mum sacrificed everything for me and”—she shook her head—“I can’t believe I have a brother.”

Dolca rested a gentle hand on Mercy’s shoulder. “It is time for all of this to be known.”

Mercy nodded. “Yes, secrets have been kept long enough. I wish I had known this sooner.”

“Things are revealed in their own time,” Dolca said.

“Very soon, all will be revealed,” Bliss said. “At least now you know just how much your mum loved you.”

“And why my father hates me,” Mercy said.

“Your mum made a fool of the king,” Dolca said. “Can you imagine what he felt when he discovered who she was?”

Mercy wiped at her tears. “And what that made me. No wonder he wanted me dead.”

“Your mum would have been proud of you,” Dolca said with tears in her eyes. “And she would have been happy that we have finally been reunited.”

Mercy smiled though it was with a touch of sadness. “It is wonderful to learn you are my grandmum. Another time you will tell me more about my mum?”

“I will tell you everything so that you come to know your mum and what a brave and amazing woman she was. And I am eager to meet my great-grandchildren.”

The sadness faded as Mercy’s smile grew. “It will be so wonderful for my children, Conall and Kate, to know their great-grandmum.”

Dolca pressed a hand to her chest. “Did you say your daughter’s name was Kate?”

Mercy nodded. “I have always loved the name ever since my mum told me stories of a brave little lassie called Kate.”

Dolca couldn’t stop tears from falling. “Kate was your mum’s true name.”

Tears fell again, though this time Mercy smiled. “I am happy that my daughter bears the name of such a courageous woman.”

Dolca nodded. “Yes, your mum would have been exceptionally proud of you.”

Bliss sensed relief wash over the two women and happiness prevail. She only wished her stomach would settle. It had grown steadily worse since being there; she wasn’t feeling well at all. She had laid her hand on her stomach while the women talked, hoping she could settle the unease, but it hadn’t worked. Trey’s son growing inside her was already a stubborn one, and she couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

“You must come to the keep now and meet your great-grandchildren,” Mercy said.

“I would like that,” Dolca said.

Mercy looked to Bliss. “I can share with the others what grandmum has told me?”

Bliss nodded. “Aye, you can, and more secrets will be revealed because of it.”

The three women slipped on their cloaks and left the cottage. The closer they got to the keep, the worse Bliss felt, and she had no desire to enter the hall and take a chance of someone’s realizing that she was ill. No doubt questions would be asked, and she worried that she would not be able to hide the obvious . . . she carried Trey’s babe.

“I must see to something,” Bliss said to the two women, who walked a few steps ahead.

They stopped and turned, and Mercy asked, “Are you all right? You look pale.”

“I am fine,” Bliss said, pleased that it truly wasn’t a lie. She was well. It was only the babe making himself known. “I will join you soon though please wait until I do before you tell anyone the news.”

Dolca slipped her arm around Mercy and gently urged her forward. “Bliss is a fine healer. If she were ill, she would heal herself.”

It seemed to satisfy Mercy, and the two women continued walking though Dolca glanced back at Bliss once, and Bliss nodded and smiled her appreciation. She recalled Dolca and her grandmum often communicating without words, and Dolca did it with her as well.

Dolca had graciously offered her cottage to her while she was gone, and, with her hand to her protesting stomach, she turned, hoping her stomach wouldn’t empty itself before she got there.