Life had to continue on for everyone.
Only she wasn’t prepared for that day to arrive so quickly. The weather was too fine to put off travel any longer, and her family had to pack their belongings for the journey home finally. This time, however, Ewan was sending two Sutherland warriors with them to ensure their safety, and return with Faye’s belongings.
It had not taken long for Faye’s sisters and mother to prepare as they had taken only a few effects with them when they’d left Castleton in their haste to find her. All too soon, the horses were being readied while they waited in the Great Hall.
Faye’s mother drew her in for a hug, embracing her in the familiar lavender comfort of home. “I’ll miss ye, my girl. Ye need only say the word, and we’ll be back, aye?”
Faye nodded, unable to summon speech around the thickness in her throat.
“Regardless of whether Faye asks for ye or no’, ye’re always welcome at Dunrobin.” Ewan put a hand to Faye’s shoulder after her mother released her, offering his strength and support, of which Faye desperately needed.
“We will visit for certs, thank ye.” Clara offered one of her sweet, genuine smiles, and it stuck fast in Faye’s heart.
Kinsey smirked and opened her mouth, but before she could utter one word, a warrior approached Ewan. “Forgive me, sir, but several riders have approached insisting on speaking with ye.”
“Who are they?” Ewan asked.
No sooner had he spoken than a booming voice broke through the silence of the hall. “Sutherland!”
Faye stiffened at the familiar voice of her grandfather. She was not alone. Her mother’s gaze shot to the doorway. None of them had time even to consider where to go before Ross strode confidently through the entrance.
He caught sight of them and stopped short. His expression flinched as though seeing them wounded him to his core. “Cait.” He said her name softly, displaying more emotion than Faye had thought him capable of.
“We were just leaving.” Mum nodded to Clara and Kinsey, and they all strode toward the entrance.
He reached out and wrapped his fingers around her arm, his touch gentle.
Faye’s mother glared down at his hand that remained on her. “Release me, ye bastard.”
Ross’s brows lifted. “Bastard?” He barked a laugh and looked to Sutherland. “Do ye hear how she greets her own da?”
Mum jerked her arm from Ross’s grip. “Aye, ye heartless bastard. I hate ye. I told ye to leave Faye be, and ye stole her from us. Ye stole her and dragged her all the way here to force her into marriage.”
As she spoke, her face colored a shade of red Faye had never seen on her before.
Ross’s mirth vanished, and he sucked in a hard breath as though she’d struck him. “Cait.”
“Ye stole my child from me. My child,” Mum ground out as tears glittered in her eyes. Her words embedded into Faye’s chest and ripped open a fresh wound of pain.
Ross’s face colored to the same red as his daughter’s. “Listen here, aye? I’m yer da—”
“I have no father.” Mum’s declaration rang out on the stone walls.
“Damn it, Cait.” He reached for her again.
This time, she lashed out, striking him in the face. Faye pulled her dagger free and raced to her mother’s side. She was not alone. Both her sisters were with her, their weapons ready as well. And in front of them all, blocking the lot of them, was Ewan.
Kinsey’s bow was drawn, an arrow nocked. “Do that again, Ross, and I’ll put an arrow in yer eye.”
“’Tis time for ye to leave,” Ewan said to the Ross Chieftain.
Faye reached behind with her hand extended to offer support to her mother. Mum took it, her fingers trembling in a way that created a fresh wave of hurt, clenching at Faye.
“I’m here to see ye,” Ross said to Ewan. “About my land.”
“Monroe,” Ewan called. “Take Ross to my solar. I’ll join ye anon.”
Monroe stepped forward from where he’d been lingering by the doorway and beckoned. Faye’s grandfather hesitated and stared behind Ewan in an attempt to see Faye and her family.
Suddenly, his face fell, and hurt brimmed in his eyes. No longer did he appear to be a power-hungry chieftain, but an old man withered by life’s burdens. “Cait, I…” He looked at the ground, and when he glanced up, his lower lip trembled. “I’m sorry.” His watery gaze shifted to Faye. “I’m sorry.”
Mum’s hand tightened on Faye’s.
“Ye may claim to no’ have a da,” Ross continued, his gruff voice barely audible. “But I have a daughter who I will never forget and who will always hold my heart.”
Faye glanced behind her and found tears in her mother’s eyes as well.
“Ye’ve done too much wrong,” Mum replied in a choked voice. “To my bairns and me. I dinna know that I can ever forgive ye.”
Ross lowered his head and gave a resigned nod, a strong man defeated. “I love ye, Cait.”
His endearment was not reciprocated. A hollow silence settled over the Great Hall. Monroe approached the aged chieftain, indicating Ross should follow him to the solar. Much to Faye’s relief, Ross did not protest and allowed himself to be led from the room.
Faye and her sisters turned to their mother.
“What was that about?” Kinsey asked.
Faye and Clara shared a look. Kinsey had voiced the question they were both clearly thinking.
Exhaustion creased Mum’s face. She appeared as defeated as Ross had. “’Tis a tale for another time.”
“I’ll say my farewells here,” Ewan said apologetically as his gaze slid toward the doorway where Ross and Monroe disappeared.
“Thank ye, Ewan.” Mum embraced him, going on tiptoe, so he didn’t have to bend down. “Ye’re a good man. Truly.” She released him and smiled at Faye. “I hope the two of ye will be happy.”
Clara came next, embracing Ewan and thanking him for everything he’d done for them as well as Faye. Kinsey did not
