His mother smiled. “Ye have fergiven us?”
“Of course.”
The Lochiel’s wife reclined in her chair and sipped her drink. “I like that aboot ye, Elspeth. Ye fergive easily. It shows yer pure heart.”
“Nae, my lady, ’tis I who needs fergiveness from ye.”
“Call me Ismay,” his mother said, then, “Why would ye need fergiveness from us?”
“Fer blaming everything on yer son. Fer coming here to kill him.”
Hearing this, his mother took in a sharp intake of breath.
“But I have put that desire to death. I wouldna hurt yer son, not even fer the king.”
“I’m pleased to hear it,” his mother…Ismay said, glancing at her. “Did ye try to kill Logan before ye lost yer heart to him?”
What could Elspeth do but tell her the truth? “Aye, I tried to hit him over the head, and to stab him. I didna succeed because I didna want to.”
His mother was visibly shaken. Elspeth should not have volunteered so much information. “My lady—”
She held up her hand to stop Elspeth from speaking. “Swear to me that ye will never hate my son fer what he believes.”
“I swear to ye that I will never hate Logan fer any reason.”
His mother grinned at her and lifted her cup.
Someone knocked at the door. “Who?”
“’Tis Logan.”
Upon hearing him speak his name, Elspeth was filled with warmth that had no beginning and no end. She wanted to cry out, ‘Enter!’
“Enter,” his mother granted, filling Elspeth with anticipation that made her tremble.
The sitting room door creaked open and Logan’s handsome face appeared. Seeing her, he smiled. She returned the gesture when she saw him.
Watching, his mother covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled.
“This looks cozy,” he remarked happily when his mother allowed him entry.
“’Tis. Grab a cup and pour yerself some heather ale.”
While he did so, his father entered the room. Elspeth was quick to note that they barely looked at each other. Had something taken place between them? Did it have to do with her?
“Constantine,” his wife scolded when she saw him, sensing the same thing as Elspeth, “Ye will leave yer disagreements at the door. Is that clear? Logan, the same goes fer ye. Dinna drag any bickering into this room.”
Elspeth watched with admiration, for Ismay MacPherson sparkled in her gaze like the summer sun dappling on the sea. This mere wisp of a woman looked the Lochiel straight in the eyes without a thread of fear, and demanded he leave his disagreements at the door…and he nodded in agreement! Her son also dipped his head and stared at his boots.
Elspeth had to know how she did it!
“Have some ale with us or leave.”
Both her husband and son filled their cups with the fragrant liquid.
The Lochiel took a seat beside his wife and smiled at her.
Without a knock, the door swung open and Ealar strolled inside the sitting room.
