There wasn't a hint of emotion in Judith's voice when she answered him.
Douglas rushed forward to stand on Judith's right. Their father looked from one to the other and then back again. The similarities were startlingly evident to him now. He finally believed it was possible. 'Dear God…'
'Father, have you taken ill?'
The laird didn't answer his son. Iain walked forward to stand on Judith's left side. His arm brushed hers. She didn't know if he was looking at her or not. She was afraid to look at him, knowing he would be furious with her by now.
'What in God's name is the matter with you, Father?' Douglas asked. 'You look as though you've just seen the Devil.'
It was apparent Douglas hadn't heard her whispered confession. Since Iain continued to remain silent, she believed he hadn't heard, either.
Judith was determined to strike a bargain with her father. In exchange for her silence about his first wife, he would let Iain and the others go home. If he wanted to marry again, so be it. She wouldn't interfere…
'Why didn't you want me?'
She flinched inside. She hadn't meant to ask him that question. What did she care if he wanted her or not? And Lord, she'd sounded like a lost little girl.
'I didn't know,' he answered. He threaded his fingers through his hair in agitation. 'I vowed never to return to England. She knew I wouldn't break my pledge. After she died, I never gave her another thought. I put the past. behind me.'
Judith moved forward until she was touching the table. She leaned even closer then and whispered. 'She isn't dead.'
'Good God…'
'If you want to marry again, I won't tell Father Laggan you already have a wife. I won't care,' she added with a nod. 'But you must let the Maitlands go.'
She didn't wait for his promise, but backed up until she'd put some distance between them.
Laird Maclean didn't think he could take any more surprises. He was still staggered by the truths he'd just been handed.
'Father, what is going on?'
The laird tried to shake himself out of his stupor. He turned to look at his son. 'You have a sister,' he said, his voice hoarse with emotion.
'I do?'
'Aye.'
'Where?'
'She's standing right beside you.'
Douglas turned to stare at Judith. She stared back.
It took her brother a long while to accept. He didn't look very happy with the news. In truth, he looked appalled. 'I don't want you in my bed,' he stammered out. He was actually able to smile a little then. 'No wonder you were so repelled when I tried to-'
He didn't continue, for he'd only just noticed Iain was watching him. Iain's voice was deadly soft when he asked, 'Exactly what did you try to do, Douglas?'
Her brother lost his smile. 'I didn't know she was your wife, Maitland,' he excused. 'And I sure as certain didn't know she was my sister when I tried to kiss her.'
Iain didn't care what excuses were given. He reached behind Judith's shoulders, grabbed Douglas by the nape of his neck, and sent him flying backward with a flick of his wrist.
Judith's father didn't show any reaction to his son sprawled out on the floor in front of him. His attention remained on his daughter. 'I'm pleased you don't look like her.'
She didn't respond to that comment.
Her father let out a long sigh. 'Did she turn your heart against me, then?' he asked.
Judith was surprised by the question. She shook her head. 'I was told my father died defending England from infidels. He was supposed to have been a baron.'
'So you lived with her all the while you were growing up?'
'No,' she answered. 'The first four years I lived with Aunt Millicent and Uncle Herbert. Millicent's my mother's sister,' she added.
'Why didn't you live with your mother?'
'She couldn't stand the sight of me. For a long time I believed it was because I reminded her of the man she loved. When I was eleven years old, I found out the truth. She hated me because I was part of you.'
'And when you found out the truth?'
'I was told you banished my mother, that you knew she was carrying me, and you didn't want either one of us.'
'Lies,' he whispered with a shake of his head. 'I never knew about you. As God is my witness, I never knew.'
She didn't show any outward reaction to his fervent speech. 'If you'll only let us go home,' she said again. 'I won't tell the priest you already have a wife.'
Her father shook his head. 'Nay, I won't be getting wed again. I'm too old to wave such a sin in God's face. I'm content to let things stay the way they are.'
He turned his attention to Iain then. 'Did you know I was Judith's father when you married her?'
'Yes.'
Judith let out a little gasp. She was quick to recover from her surprise. Iain was obviously lying to the laird and she would find out his reasons later, when they were alone. If he ever spoke to her again, she qualified. She still couldn't make herself look up at him. She wanted to weep with shame because she hadn't trusted him enough to tell him the truth.
'Then why did you seek an alliance with the Dunbars?' Maclean asked. 'Or did the bastard lie to me?'
'The Dunbars approached us first,' Iain explained. 'I met their laird on neutral ground to discuss the possibility of an alliance, but that was before I knew my wife was your daughter.'
'And when you were certain?'
Iain shrugged. 'By then I knew what the Dunbars' game was. They couldn't be trusted. And so I sent my envoy, Ramsey, to you.'
'Did you marry my daughter because I was her father?'
'Yes.'
The laird nodded, satisfied with Iain's honesty. 'Do you treat her well?'
Iain didn't answer. Judith thought she was probably supposed to. 'He treats me very well. I wouldn't stay with him if he didn't.'
Her father smiled. 'You've got spirit. That pleases me.'
She didn't thank him for his compliment. Not five minutes before, he'd told her her boldness displeased him. He was contradicting himself, and none of his compliments were ever going to ease her pain.
She noticed her father's eyes were getting misty. She couldn't imagine why.
'When did you find out about me?' Douglas asked. 'Have you known since you were eleven that you had an older brother?'
Judith's composure almost snapped then and there. Her mother's treachery suddenly overwhelmed her. 'I didn't know about you… until today,' she whispered. 'She never told anyone.'
Douglas shrugged, trying to act as though he really didn't care, but Judith could see his vulnerability. She touched his arm in a bid to comfort him. 'Be thankful, Douglas, that she did leave you here. You were more fortunate.'
Douglas was moved by her apparent concern for his feelings. He cleared his throat in a bid to ease the sudden tightness there, then said, 'I would have watched out for you the way older brothers should. I would have, Judith.'
She nodded and was about to tell her brother she believed he would have protected her, but her father turned her attention.
'I want you to stay here with me and Douglas for a time.'
