Page 98 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

“We shouldn’t waste any time in talking to Patrick,” Esme said, moving away from him to get out of bed to dress.

“Aye, and to make sure he is all right.” Ryland followed suit, getting out of bed, but before reaching for his garments he pulled Esme into his arms. “Never forget that I love you.”

“The same goes for you. Never forget that my love runs deep for you and always will.”

The exchanged a quick kiss and began dressing.

“What did you mean about making sure Patrick is all right?”

“Brack told me he had to encourage him to talk.”

“Surely Breann would have spoken up out of fear,” Esme said.

“Breann was unimportant to Brack. Patrick was the one who received the message and the one who took me into the woods. His words were what Brack wanted to hear. We will go to the meeting hall for the morning meal and have Patrick brought there to join us.”

Ryland draped Esme’s cloak over her shoulders, then slipped his on once they were ready to leave and they stepped outside surprised by a flash of sun and rise in temperature. Snow was beginning to melt and children hurried to make snowballs while they could and toss them at each other laughing.

Ryland opened the door to the meeting hall for Esme to enter and raised voices greeted them.

“What goes on here?” Ryland demanded in Torrance’s commanding voice, seeing Breann trembling as she stood before Brack.

“Patrick has vanished,” Brack said, standing.

Ryland hurried Esme to the table where Brack stood, and food waited.

“Patrick is a warrior,” Ryland said, assisting his wife to sit. “He would not confess his intentions to a healer.” He turned to Brack. “Who discovered Patrick had fled?”

“I did, my lord,” Breann said, continuing to tremble. “I went to his cottage to see how he was, and he wasn’t there.”

“And she did not report her findings to me,” Brack said. “It was only when I went looking for him that I discovered he was gone and that she had known it and said nothing.”

“I didn’t know he had fled,” Breann argued. “An empty cottage was no indication to me that he fled. He simply was not there.”

“Or you lie and helped him flee,” Brack accused.

Ryland took command of their exchange. “Need I remind you again that Patrick is a seasoned warrior and would need no help fleeing. If he has fled, then he has done so on his own. You may leave, Breann.”

“Wait,” Esme said and looked to Ryland. “May I speak with her privately, my lord, a small healing matter.”

“A moment,” Ryland said sternly and waved at Brack to follow him.

When the two men stopped by the door, Esme whispered, “Who has been here at Purdom the longest.”

If Breann thought the question odd, she didn’t show it. “That would be Ida. She has seen many chieftains come and go. She knows the history of Clan Purdom well. So does Patrick, the last of his family. And I truly do not know where he is, my lady.”

Esme smiled softly. “I never thought you did, Breann.”

“Is that all you wanted to ask me, my lady?”

“Nay, if asked, please say I wanted to know how long before I know for sure I am with child.”

Breann smiled. “Did you miss your monthly bled?”

“It isn’t due for a few days, but I suppose I am anxious,” she said, realizing that now, finally, there truly was a possibility that she was with child.

“That is the first indication, tender, fuller breasts are another, and stomach upsets in the morning or throughout the day.”

“Thank you again, Breann.”

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