Page 85 of The Defiance of a Scottish Heart
Her father kissed her forehead and said, “Do not apologize. I’m sorry I didn’t protect you from the evil soul. I should have, but I never would have guessed that I needed to protect you from your own brother. I wish he were alive right now to stand in front of me …”
She stared at him wide-eyed, that thought so terrifying that she wished not to think on it.
“Nay, lassie. I wish I had the good fortune of being able to stab his dark soul again. He’s a liar among other things. I’m sorry.”
They sat together near the hearth, her tears now spent. Her father finally said, “I love you, Sheona. Always remember that. And I miss your mother too. I’m sorry she wasn’t here to help you with such a thing.”
“I love you too, Da. And I think I love Taskill, but I’m not sure. I’m still confused.”
“You take whatever time you need. I’ll not push you anymore.” He lifted her and set her on the bed, pulling the coverlet back and tucking her in. “You need rest. We’ll talk on the morrow.”
He moved over to the door, but she had to catch him. “Da?”
He stopped, looking older but still as strong as ever. “Aye, Sheona?”
“You aren’t leaving, are you?”
“Nay. I promise I’ll be here in the morn. One more question, daughter. Who were the two men looking for you at the abbey?”
The look in her sire’s eyes was one she was more familiar with—one that sent men running years ago. “Clyde. That was the only name my friend heard.”
He took that information and left, the click of his boots ringing out down the passageway.
She closed her eyes and thought of Taskill. They definitely needed to talk on the morrow.
Chapter Forty-Four
Sheona and Merryn
Merryn came into the great hall in the morning, pleased to see Sheona Rankin seated by the fire, chatting with Rut and Dermot.
She approached right away. “I see you’ve found your sire, Sheona. How did you get here? We were not expecting you. Broc and I arrived two days ago. Everyone was looking for you and Taskill along with this lovely couple. We just learned they were here this morning. Apparently they wished to keep their arrival a secret! I’m glad you are here. And is Taskill here too?”
“He is. We were caught in the storm when we were returning from Iona Abbey. The waves split the boat in two. We ended up on Erraid, which was near your brother’s place, fortunately. When Tristan said he’d seen my father and Rut get on a boat, we had to follow.”
“Broc will be down shortly. Where is Taskill?”
“Aye, he should be down soon.”
Rut stood and said, “Dermot, I’d like to go for a stroll on the courtyard and the parapets. Would you escort me, please?”
Sheona caught the look that passed between the two, and she had to force herself not to stare at her own father. He acted like a lad in love.
“You know I would love to escort you anywhere, dearest Rut.” With a smile, he found a fur to wrap over her shoulders and led her outside with a smile.
“Were you surprised?” Merryn asked.
“Completely!” Sheona didn’t know what else to say. She’d met Merryn but didn’t know her well. “You are enjoying your trip?”
“Anywhere I go with Broc makes me happy.” The staff were busy cleaning up the trestle tables and ignoring them. Merrynleaned toward Sheona and asked, “I need to ask you a question that’s a wee bit different. Do you mind?”
“Go ahead,” she replied, wondering what she could possibly be considering.
“If you haven’t heard, I saw the evil Kelvan kill my sister with my own eyes, and I heard him kill my parents. He was with a small group of men, many who I saw at the battle at Drimnin, and thus saw them meet their death in battle. But there is one man who I recall well, and he was not there. I’m here to see if he is one of my uncle’s guards. I still have fears.”
Sheona’s mind filled with images of watching someone kill Marta or her mother and father, of how she would feel after witnessing such an atrocity. How could she continue to function? “How did you …” Unable to put her thoughts into words, she fumbled for the right way to ask such a thing.
“I continued because Shealee needed me, and Nala had put her into my arms just before her husband killed her. She begged me to save her daughter, so that’s what I did. There is no other explanation. I had to protect that beautiful wee bairn, and she remembers nothing.”
