Page 86 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds
“You did? You already asked him?”
“Lass, you are my betrothed, and I wished to do things right. We handfasted, so we are husband and wife. Now, when can I convince you to move to my castle?”
“How about on the morrow?”
“Truly? That soon? That would please me.”
“Aye. Come back on the morrow and we’ll chat with Mama. I’ll talk with her first. But is your chamber ready for me? I think you might need another chest and a chair, Sloan. Your bed is big enough, but I do have some gowns.”
“Och, nay. I have to go.” He stood and kissed her. “Sorry, but I forgot to remove the bloody sheet. I don’t want the maids to see it. I must hurry.”
He opened the door but then stopped to lean down, giving her a big kiss. “I love you, Eva.”
“I love you too. Did I please you, Sloan?”
“More than you could ever guess. Did I please you, Lady Rankin?”
She giggled. “More than I would have guessed.”
Sloan said, “I’m going home to get our chamber arranged, love. I’ll see you on the morrow.”
He opened the door to head down the stairs, spoke to someone, then Eva asked, “Who is it, Sloan?”
He whirled around, conversing with someone coming up the stairs. “I’m taking my leave. You have a visitor.”
“Who?”
“Lia. She wishes to speak with you.”
“Of course. Send the lass up.” Eva had to admit that she was shocked to think the wee lass was here to visit with her. She’d had a powerful effect on so many, but not directly on Eva. “Greetings, Lia.”
“It’s so lovely to see you happy, Eva. But you are, are you not?” Lia asked, moving over to a stool to sit down. “It surely is a lovely place to center your thoughts.”
“I am happy, Lia, and this place is beautiful.”
“And it’s in your own home. How fortunate you are to have such beauty from the parapets.”
“It is.” Eva peered out over the landscape, thinking on Lia’s words and how true they were.
“You are in love. So do you finally accept that you are deserving of Sloan and his love, Lady Eva?”
“What? I’m not sure what you are asking.” But in her heart, she did know, a sudden realization blossoming like the petals of the finest flower in her garden.
Lia said, “Sometimes, people are unkind to others in many ways, and people take that cruelty to heart and think they invited it or that they are deserving of the evil. But you never were, Eva. Of Alycia’s or D’s or any of it. I wish for you to know that.”
Tears misted Eva’s gaze, but she couldn’t speak, memories flooding her mind.
“Dante thought he could quash your strength, but I’m telling you never to allow a stranger to ruin your self-worth. You let him control you for a short time, and he didn’t have that right. I’m so glad you began to believe in yourself, that you deserve the good things in life.”
“Lia, who are you?” Eva couldn’t stop the tears this time and let them flood her cheeks. It was so odd speaking with a child who spoke like a wizened healer or priest. “Are you some kind of angel?”
“In a sense, aye. I come to help people for two reasons. One is to help right the evil in the world when it spins out of control. I help some people believe they have the strength to overpower evil. You did a fine job of it with Sloan’s help.”
“And the other reason?”
“To help people find their purpose. We need certain things to happen, and if they don’t, we come to move things in the right direction. We send you inklings and feelings, but for some people, it’s difficult to interpret through their pain.”
“But why?”
