Page 62 of The Defiance of a Scottish Heart
Hildi said, “Listen to her, Sheona. Trust us. Do you know someone named Ailis?”
Brynja said, “It won’t hurt you to listen. You’re troubled, and someone wishes to help you. Are you familiar with Ailis?”
Sheona’s eyes misted, the threat of tears overpowering her though she squeezed them tight. She knew Ailis, the only one—her dear mother who had passed on over a year ago.
Brynja whispered, “Sheona? Trust her. Who is Ailis? She could tell us about the men.”
She took four rapid breaths and paused. “My mother was named Ailis.”
“It’s her,” Lia said. “This woman is your mother.”
“Is Rinaldo there too?” Sheona would run back to the nunnery if she said he was with her mother.
Lia strode forward and took both of her elbows. “Nay. Rinaldo is not here, and your mother said he will never hurt you again. And that she is sorry she was not there to stop him before. That he deserved the sword in his belly from your father because his soul had turned evil. It is not your fault. And she wishes she could make you a batch of apple tarts covered with cinnamon.”
Sheona nearly collapsed, her tears now flowing freely. “Mama, I miss you so.”
“She said her heart misses you every single day, but she is always watching over you. And she said the next time, she’d stop you from eating three tarts at once. You wouldn’t have gotten sick if she’d stopped you at two.”
Sheona openly cried, unable to stop the tears at the memory of baking with her dear mother, of the possibility that she was standing nearby. Her heart ached for her dear mother.
Lia said, “Sit, please. Your mother has an important message for you.”
Sheona sat, swiping her tears away, her gaze locked on this odd lass in front of her. She had to listen. Who else would know that when she’d first tasted cinnamon, she declared it was her favorite flavor ever, and that her sire had sent to London for a small flask just for her? “I’m listening,” she whispered.
“Ailis says you must trust Taskill. She said he is coming for you and that you need to go with him. There is an evil friend of your brother who is searching for you. And what he wants fromyou is meant for your husband, so you must stay away from him.”
“I’ll go with Taskill. Who is it? Who is after me, Mama?”
“One man you don’t know. The other one is Clyde. Promise me you will stay away from Clyde.”
“I promise. Tell me, Mama. Should I marry Taskill? Or what do I do? Da is being unreasonable.”
“Da will no longer trouble you, daughter. He is in his own trouble now. Trust your heart and you will find the one for you. Ailis says she loves you, but she must go.”
“Wait, Mama. Is Taskill the one I should marry? Mama? Please tell me. I don’t know what to do. And what trouble is Papa in?”
Lia said, “She’s gone, lass. I’m sorry. They only have short times to pass on their messages.”
“Mama, I miss you so.”
Lia reached up and cupped Sheona’s cheek, “She misses you too. I could feel it in her heart. Do you know who Clyde is?”
“I do. He was a friend of my brother Rinaldo’s.”
Hildi ran toward shore and pointed. “There’s a boat coming. One man is in it, not two.”
Lia said, “It’s not Clyde. Go see for yourself. Godspeed with you, Sheona. Trust in your angels and in God.”
“My angels?”
“Aye. Your mother is one of your guardian angels. She will always protect you, if she can. Go. You have a wonderful life ahead of you once you find your way through this confusing episode your sire started. But sometimes the greatest pleasures come after the worst pain, my dear.” Lia waved goodbye and went after the two lads.
Sheona wiped her tears and asked Brynja and Hildi, “Do you believe her? Should I believe all she said?”
Hildi giggled and asked, “Do you like cinnamon?”
Sheona laughed and nodded at the same time.
