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Florence was not certain that explanation took the sting away from the years she had spent feeling as though her mother were keeping things hidden from her, but she could understand her mother’s reasoning.
Intertwining her fingers with her mother’s, she held the woman’s gaze and said, “Thank ye for telling me that. I will…try tae keep moving forward.”
Her mother gave her a small smile. “I am glad tae hear that, truly. We will start anew, together…but we will no’ forget her da and brothers. They will remain wi’ us for the remainder o’ our days.”
Tears sprang into Florence’s eyes, and it was as though a floodgate was opened within her. She started to weep and crumbled into her mother’s open arms.
CHAPTER SIX
Elspeth
S
he had not known what she would feel upon seeing her old home after so many years, but as Elspeth and Florence rode up to the front gate, she was overwhelmed with a surprising sense of homesickness. Elspeth had not realized how much she had missed her old home, but the moment the keep’s towering walls came into view, she was assailed with memories of her childhood. It made her heart ache, but she was careful not to let her inner thoughts and struggles show in her face.
The gate was open and they drove their horses through and into the courtyard. It was strangely quiet. She remembered the keep being busy and active with Duncan clansmen going about their business all hours of the day. Of course, she reminded herself that a Laird was no longer in residence there, and so the majority of the clan would have moved on as well.
She was happy to see, though, as she gazed around, that the buildings appeared well cared for and the yard neat and orderly. Elspeth could not remember who it was who possessed the keep at that moment, but she assumed it was a distant relative, and she prayed they would not turn her and Florence away.
At that moment, the main entrance to the castle opened and a tall man stepped outside with a confused frown on his face. He watched as Elspeth and Florence approached, his expression wary.
“Good day,” Elspeth said with a nod of her head before dismounting from her saddle. “Are ye the current master o’ this castle?”
The man arched a brow and replied, “Aye. Roger Duncan is ma name. May I ask who ye are, lass?”
Roger Duncan. The name was familiar. She thought he might be a distant cousin. He was not the person she had left the castle to, however.
“Whit happened tae Marcus Duncan? Is he no’ Laird anymore?”
The man blinked, apparently surprised by her questions. “Nay, he is no’. He died some ten years back, am sorry tae say. His son took the position o’ Laird, but did no’ wish tae remain here and so passed ownership on tae me. I am his cousin.”
“I see,” Elspeth murmured.
“Now, again,” the man said in a firmer tone, “who are ye, lass? Whit has brought ye here?”
“I am Elspeth Duncan,” she answered in a bold voice. “Am here because me husband’s clan, the McIntewars, were attacked and slaughtered by their enemies. We escaped and fled here, tae ma childhood home.”
Roger’s eyes widened. “Elspeth Duncan? Beg pardon, m’lady. I did no’ recognize ye.”
“Nae need tae apologize,” Elspeth replied.
He indicated behind him to the open door and said, “Please, do come inside. Ye are most welcome. The both o’ ye.”
Elspeth smiled. “Thank ye.”
She glanced back at Florence and nodded to her to follow. Her daughter dismounted and they both followed Roger into the keep.
Once inside, Roger turned to them and said, “I will have rooms prepared for ye and yer maid at once, m’lady…”
“She isnae my maid,” Elspeth corrected him. “This is my daughter, Florence.”
Roger blinked, his gaze jumping between her and Florence. “Yer…daughter?”
There was something in his tone that made Elspeth tense. His warm and friendly demeanor shifted slightly. He might have tried to hide it, but she could tell he was not particularly pleased to meet Florence.
Gathering his bearings, he cleared his throat and said, “Well, ye are both welcome. Ye will likely wish tae freshen up after such a long journey. Please, take time tae rest and I will introduce ye tae my family at dinner. They will be quite pleased tae meet ye, I am sure.”
Elspeth had her doubts, but she gave him a pleasant smile and nodded. “That sounds verra good. Thank ye again.”
