Mari felt dizzy with surprise and gratitude. Even if it came to nothing, she felt humbled and thankful for the dowager’s support— She was so incredibly brave, sitting there in public court in front of everyone telling her grim tale.
Mari wept for the mother who chose to spill her family’s darkest secrets in order to help Mari. The pain the woman must have lived with all these years!
As Mari listened, so many things began to make sense. She felt vindicated, certain in the knowledge that she hadn’t done anything to earn her unhappy marriage or her terrible fate. The man was sick and twisted. It wouldn’t have mattered whom he’d taken to wife; that woman would have ended up one of two ways—dead at his hands, or a murderer herself. Just like Mari.
When the dowager had finished, the whole room hovered in silence for a few moments, then erupted in an avalanche of outrage. Mari didn’t hear all of what was being said, only snippets.
“Disgrace to his title—”
“Monster—”
“Beast—”
“—should be thanking her for ending him.”
And then, booming out above everything else, she heard the words she hadn’t ever dared to imagine.
“Marian MacKinlay, you are free to go.”
Mari was escorted out of the main room into a side chamber. The dowager followed close behind. When they were alone, she hugged the woman. “Why did you do this for me? You’ve brought scandal down on your family to save my life—someone you’ve always hated.”
The dowager’s lips—always pulled into a scowl before this—relaxed as her sharp eyes landed on Cam, who stood nearby, making arrangements for their departure.
“I attempted to stop him when he was leaving the house to come here today. He was very angry, and I knew he’d do something…manly and unwise. He finally confessed his plan to run off with you—a terrible life for a woman and a baby, mind you. Then he asked for my help. He told me swords and bravery could not save you. He could not save you. He didn’t try to bully me into coming forward. Instead, he went to his knees and simply asked me to save his life, and Lizzy’s life, by saving yours.”
To Mari’s surprise, the dowager reached for her, pulling her into an embrace with more strength than expected for a woman of her age and size. “Oh, Mother. Thank you.”
“I’m ashamed to admit, at the time I told him no. I let him go off to put into motion his ridiculous plan to rescue you. But I couldn’t sit there and let him sacrifice his life. Not when I knew you were innocent.”
Mari shook her head. “But I’m not. I did kill him.”
“Only because he left you no choice. I didn’t hate you, Marian. I never have. I hated the helplessness you made me feel inside. I knew I couldn’t save you from Mathias any more than I was able to save Eliza. It was easier to ignore you, so as not to feel responsible for your fate. I’m so sorry.”
Tears brimmed over Mari’s lashes. “I understand. I forgive you.”
The dowager swallowed. “My dear, I may have shared my awful story to save you today, but in truth, you freed me when you killed my son. Freed me from worry that it might happen yet again. And today you saved me from the guilt of living with that terrible secret. A debt was owed, so a debt was repaid.”
Mari pulled the other woman close as they cried together, both in joy and sorrow, and from all the other emotions swirling around them.
They were both free to live again.
And to love.
…
“Wife. Your Grace.” Cam gently interrupted the embrace his wife was sharing with her savior.
Mari turned to him, and he scooped her up when she sagged into his arms. He was glad he was there to catch her. She’d been through so much in the last months. They all had.
“You saved me with wits rather than brawn,” she told him with a wobbly smile. “I knew you would find a way.”
He laughed. “Do not tell anyone about my wits, lass. It will undermine my intimidating disposition.”
“You are quite imposing.” Her smile lit up his heart. From the moment she’d come tearing out of the woods on that first day, she’d softened him…and he was a stronger man for it.
When she released him, he turned to the dowager and hugged her, careful not to squeeze too tightly.
As expected, she voiced her complaint. “Let go of me, you brute.” But when he released her, she was smiling. Not much, but he could see it was a valiant attempt. “Take care of them,” she whispered, and squeezed his hand fiercely.
This woman, frail, aged, and surly, had turned out to be a formidable warrior. She’d proven herself on the battlefield today. As with any other warrior he’d fought next to, Cam felt great respect for her. She should be honored for what she’d done.
“Will ye come with us?” he asked, clearly surprising her as much as himself. “To Dunardry?”
“Yes,” Mari added immediately. As always, she understood him. “There is nothing left for you in London but scandal and loneliness. Please come with us. Join our family as Lizzy’s grandmother.”
When she shook her head, Cam tried again.
“This place is nothing but darkness and the memories you use to punish yourself. No more. Your daughter would be proud of what you did for us this day. It’s time to let go of the past and start fresh.”
“With us,” Mari added, her eyes bright.
He was glad she was accepting of this plan, since they’d had no time to discuss it first.
“I appreciate your offer, truly, but I am an old woman. I cannot make such a long trip and start my whole life over.”
“You are a spirited old crow, and more than capable of making such a trip if you decide it is something you want to do.” He held up his hand to
