His father shook his head. "Well, you can't depend on a woman like her for your heir. Claybourne had her captured. He could've raped her. She might well be carrying his bastard."
"Nay. She said Claybourne didn't rape her."
"Well, of course she's going to say that. She's trying to trap a wealthy earl in her web."
Rebbie let out an annoyed breath. "She's not like that."
"Love is blind, son. Love is blind."
Rebbie tensed, his teeth clenching. "I'm sure you would know."
"Indeed, I do."
Rebbie snorted, knowing full well his father had loved none of the women he'd ever married or bedded.
"I loved your mother," his father said in a quiet tone. He gazed forlornly out over the loch for a long moment, his dark eyes glinting with the painful memory. "I could never forget her. I tried, as you ken. But, in truth, none of the other women could measure up to her."
Rebbie crossed his arms over his suddenly aching chest. "Why have you never told me this?" Such knowledge would've meant a lot to him. And he would've regarded his father with a lot more respect when it came to his four marriages.
His father shook his head. "'Twastoo hard to talk about her. Besides, you wouldn't have understood. But now, I think you might." At the edge of the loch, he paced away, leaving Rebbie feeling restless and annoyed.
***
Although Calla didn't truly want to, she joined Rebbie and his father at the high table for supper that evening. Of course, she wanted to eat with Rebbie, but his father had been casting a critical and displeased eye upon her since his arrival. He had a stern look about him with those silver streaks running through his dark hair.
"I hope you're feeling better this eve, Lady Stanbury,"Kilverntaysaid, taking the chair beside hers. Though his words were polite, they were not exactly friendly. And with those dark eyes, he scrutinized her.
"Aye, my headache is not quite as severe."
He gave a slight nod. "I hope MacGrath andDraughonwill find your son unharmed."
"I thank you."
Rebbie sat on her other side, thank goodness. Still, her head pounded again, simply because she sat so close to his father. She was always aware he was a powerfulmarquessand member of parliament who could easily turn her life into a living hell if he knew her secret. She prayed he would never find out.
"Lachlan and Alasdair will determine where the lad is," Rebbie said in a reassuring tone and squeezed her hand beneath the table. "If Claybourne has him, they'll do everything in their power to rescue him."
"I know." She prayed Claybourne had never set eyes on Jamie and that he wouldn't need rescuing.
She loved the feel ofRebbie'swarm hand around hers, but it was too soon gone as their food was served.
"This Claybourne must be a madman,"Kilverntaygrumbled. "How much do you owe him?"
Heat washed over Calla and she wanted to vanish beneath the table. Rebbie must have told him of the debt, the reason for Claybourne attempting to abduct her.
"Da, 'tis not something the lady wishes to discuss," Rebbie chided.
"I beg your pardon,"Kilverntaysaid in a sincere but annoyed tone. "'Twasrude of me to ask," he added dryly and began eating.
Had Rebbie told him he intended to pay off Claybourne? Or did he think she'd latched onto Rebbie because of his wealth? She'd been accused of using men for their money since she was a lass of fifteen, and she was well and truly sick of the assumption. Calla forced herself to take a bite of bread, hoping it would settle her queasy stomach.
"Who is your son's guardian since his father passed?"Kilverntayasked.
Calla chewed and swallowed. "The Earl ofGlenhaven."
"Ah. A decent choice."
Regardless, she'd had no say in the matter. Stanbury alone had made the decision. Not that she knew of anyone better to act as male guardian to her son. "His wife isStanbury'ssister."
