“Phillip?” her mother whispered, wide-eyed. Her hand fluttered to her stomach. “Is that you?”
But of course, it was. He might have changed some, hardened to be sure, but there was no mistaking her father.
“Yes.” Phillip’s pained gaze went from Greer to her mother. “’Tis me.” His eyes lingered on her a moment before returning to Randolph’s men. His men now. Being married to Mother made him next in line to inherit Randolph’s estate. “Sheath your weapons and stand down. If not, the Scots surrounding you will finish you off.”
Right on time, Teagan and Malcolm’s men, along with the MacLomains, melted out of the darkness. All grew very quiet. Crackling fires became deafening and gazes warier by the moment as men sized each other up. How far would their opponent go? Was this a fight to the death? Sweat pearled on foreheads. Jaws clenched. Gazes grew more untrusting still.
Would mayhem unleash?
Was there yet more blood to be shed?
Thankfully, in the end, one by one, Randolph’s men sheathed their blades, many clearly relieved. In truth, based on the looks her uncle received as he lay dying, he hadn’t been overly favored. But then, if he left his estate and without doubt many of these men’s families undefended, it was no wonder.
Confident all was well, her father looked at Greer’s throat with concern.
“Greer,” he said softly, closing the distance. “Are you all right, daughter?”
“Yes,” she managed, still coping with the shock of seeing him. “’Tis but a scratch.” She looked from Mother to Father. “How are you here? I thought you…”
“Died,” her mother said hoarsely, finishing her sentence when she trailed off.
“Not dead.” He pulled her mother into a tight embrace. “But very much alive.”
“Thank God.” Mother pressed her cheek to his chest and embraced him just as tightly. “Thank our dear, merciful savior.”
Greer swallowed hard and nodded that she was okay when Teagan removed the cloth and eyed her wound.
“I’m all right.” In fact, she was better than she’d been in a long time. Not only because her father was here but because of what had just happened. The courage and freedom she’d felt taking action like that. Even if her uncle had known things were off from the beginning, she’d gotten the ball rolling.
“Daughter.” Her father reeled her into his and her mother’s embrace. “How I have missed you both. All of you.”
While still somewhat hurt and confused over his sudden departure, she didn’t feel as strongly as she had before. Truth told, it hardly mattered anymore. What mattered was him being here now. Because whatever happened, there could be no doubt he loved her dearly.
“We need to talk,” he murmured. “All of us. So that you might understand.”
“Yes.” Mother wiped away a tear as she pulled back. “We most certainly do.”
“There’s a village close by.” Father crouched and rummaged through Randolph’s pockets until he found the gem. “We will rest there for the eve.” He stood and addressed his men. “’Tis your choice if you stay on at my estate. If you do, expect things to change. As many of you already know, I’m not the man your former liege was.” He shook his head. “No man, woman, or child, be they Scottish or English, will be kept under my care unless they wish to be there. All will earn fair wages.”
He looked at Alfred and nodded with pride.
“Whilst I’m in Scotland seeing to my family, Alfred will be in charge.” He clasped Alfred’s shoulder. “He’s proven himself a true warrior in every sense of the word.” Emotion flashed in his eyes as he looked at him. “You have my deepest gratitude for protecting my eldest daughter as you have.”
“’Twas my h-honor.” Alfred straightened and looked at the men. “As ’twill be my honor overseeing your estate and the good men who protect it.”
She was relieved to see so many nod their heads in turn. To see so many of a different mind than their former liege.
“I would suggest you head back tonight,” her father counseled Alfred. “’Twas foolish of Randolph to leave our estate so undefended and bring our men here. ’Tis too dangerous.”
Alfred nodded. “Yes, m’lord.”
Alfred embraced Cecille goodbye, then Greer.
“One of these days I will visit, and we will talk some, yes?” Greer smiled at Alfred, never so grateful. Sad that it had taken her all this time to get to know him better. To push beyond her demons and see him for the hero he was. Had always been. “I think it long past time we became friends.”
“I would like that,” he replied without nary a stutter. He nodded at Teagan, then looked at her again. “I wish you only the best, Mistress Greer. A lifetime of happiness.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, teary despite herself. “As do I, you.”
As Alfred and his men made ready to leave, the MacLomains said their goodbyes as well.
“This is where we part ways, I’m afraid.” Adlin clasped hands with Teagan and Malcolm and smiled warmly at Greer. “Wishing you and your new husband the verra best. Until we meet again, might you enjoy Clan MacLauchlin and your bonnie new country.”
“Many thanks.” She smiled at Teagan. “I cannot imagine it any other way.”
They said goodbye to Tiernan as well and bid them all farewell.
“I will send a man to let Ada and Edmund know all is well,” Adlin assured, swinging onto his horse.
“Please do,” her father replied, having evidently followed a great deal of their adventure from afar. “Tell Edmund that whilst the men who traveled with him to the border were unable to detour Randolph, they remain unscathed. Also, he's not to worry over his estate and kin. We will see them protected, and any rumors of treason quelled.”
“Aye.” Adlin nodded. “I’ll see the message delivered straight away.” He winked at Greer. “Best to put his mind at ease so he can enjoy his eve with Ada and the wee ones.”
With that, he and his men left, as did everyone else after Randolph was buried, and a prayer said over his grave. They would stay at the village for the night, then arrive at MacLauchlin Castle on the morrow.
“How fare ye, lass?” Teagan murmured in her ear as they traveled. “Truly?”
“Good,” she replied. “Very good, actually…and looking forward to talking with you later.”
“Aye?” he asked curiously. “What about?”
“Things long past needing to be discussed,” she said vaguely, not wanting to do this on horseback in the dark but where she could see him. “Things I want you to know about me.”
“Aye, then,” he said softly, hesitant. “Mayhap, I’ve things to share as well.”
“I hope so,” she whispered, glad to hear it. Because she knew it had to do with what happened that morning. Demons that needed to be confronted once and for all.
As it turned out, though very small, the tavern in the next village had room enough for the four of them. Malcolm and their men continued on to let everyone at MacLauchlin Castle know all was well and their enemies no more.