Page 100 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

“Lord Torrance was born at Purdom keep?” Esme asked, even though she was aware of it, wanting to hear all of what Ida would say.

“Aye,” she said with a wide smile. “And we all celebrated the birth.” Her smile faded once again. “Unfortunately, her life did not go well after that. Her husband refused to allow her to return to Purdom Keep and visit her family. Some say it was jealousy that she preferred Clan Purdom to Clan Glencairn. Others believe he was angry that she did not give birth at Clan Glencairn like generations before.”

“Do you know why she gave birth at Purdom keep and not Clan Glencairn?” Esme asked, to see if her story would confirm what they had already learned.

Ida’s voice turned whispery soft as if revealing a secret. “Some say it was despite her husband that she hated him and traveled to Purdom without his permission. By then, a snowstorm prevented her from returning to Clan Glencairn to deliver the bairn.”

“Who attended the birth?”

“Let me think,” Ida said.

“Was it the healer who delivered Claire’s daughter?” Esme asked.

Ida shook her head. “Nay, she left the clan not long after.” She scrunched her brow trying to recall, then she smiled. “I remember. It was Claire’s mum. She had a wise healer brought here for the task fearful her daughter might lose another child, though I don’t recall her name. I don’t know if anyone knew her name.” Her eyes widened. “Verna. She was a loyal servant to Claire and willingly went with her to Clan Glencairn. She might know.” Her eyes turned sad, and she shook her head. “Though she may have passed by now, since she would have returned to Clan Purdom after Lady Claire’s death and she hasn’t been back.”

Esme tucked that name away to share with Ryland, and asked, “Lord Randall must have been thrilled to have a son.”

“If he was, he certainly didn’t show it. He was furious with her when he arrived the next day. He raved and ranted and even swore at her. Lady Claire’s mum had him physically removed from the bedchamber. Some believe that was why he forbid Lady Claire to see her family.” Sadness filled Ida’s eyes. “Poor lass, she looked so heartbroken when she left a week later. I think she was hoping for a miracle that would keep her home, but it never came.” She leaned across the table and whispered again, “It was heard that Lady Claire forbade him to ever touch her again, the reason they never had more children, and in retaliation Lord Randall turned his son against her. But it was no secret he had his mistresses to please him. The poor lass had a moment of happiness with the man she loved and a lifetime of misery with a man she hated.”

Ryland nodded to the door and slipped out, concerned the old woman would get upset when she recalled that he was there.

Ida shivered and hugged herself. “Did you feel that chill?”

“A slight one,” Esme said as the door shut quietly behind Ryland.

“A chill haunts Purdom Keep along with Lady Claire. You can hear her weeping in the upper chambers, crying for all she has lost. Many believe we are cursed to suffer until her heart hurts no more.” Ida shook her head slowly. “I pray that someday she finds peace.”

“I pray the same,” Esme said, her heart hurting that Claire’s life was filled with such pain. “Thank you so much for the delightful chat, Ida.”

“I quite enjoyed it myself.”

Esme stood. “By chance, would you remember the name of the man Lady Claire loved?”

Ida shook her head. “She never let anyone know who it was. She feared if her da found out he might send him away or worse… harm him.” She got teary-eyed. “She died of a broken heart, and some say it was his name she whispered before she died.”

Esme couldn’t stop the tears from filling her eyes. “Thank you again, Ida.”

Ida grabbed her arm as she walked past her and whispered, “Don’t let him hurt you like Lord Randall hurt Claire. Run. Run as far as you can to get away from him.”

Esme stepped outside, a couple of tears rolling down her cheeks.

Ryland was at her side in an instant, his arm around her. “What’s wrong?”

“Your mum. She had but a moment of happiness and it was gone.” Another tear fell. “We can’t let that happen to us. I don’t want a fleeting time with you, little to no memories, I want to spend the rest of our lives together.”

“We will. I’ll make sure of it,” he promised.

“I imagine the man your mum loved promised the same and she believed him, had hope, and then…” Another tear fell.

“Our situation is far different.”

“Is it or do we follow in your mum’s footsteps?” she asked fearfully.

He took firm hold of her chin. “Listen to me well, Esme. You are mine now and always, and I will let no one take you from me. We belong together and we will stay together.”

She nodded, though she remained fearful, thinking his mum must have once thought the same.

“I never knew Torrance had,” — he shook his head— “I have a half-sister.”

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