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“I ken it is worrisome,” he agreed. “But ye ken da and Elspeth ken whit they are doing. We just need tae trust them.”
“I ken,” Florence sighed. And she did, but she was still scared. She did not want to lose anyone in her family. It was one of her greatest fears, despite how capable her entire family was of defending themselves. Her mother had made certain that Florence could handle herself as well, teaching her to use a sword and other weapons from an early age. Still, she knew it would not matter how skilled any of them were if they were outnumbered or taken by surprise.
Scot suddenly chucked her under the chin, dragging her attention from her spiraling thoughts.
“Dinnae get so lost in yer head,” he told her. “Ye are going tae drive yerself mad wi’ worry. Everything will work out. Just ye wait.”
Florence released a long breath and nodded, forcing a smile. “Aye, yer right. There is nae use worrying over something I have nae control over.”
“Exactly,” he said with a nod of his own. “Come along. Let us go in and make sure all is prepared for their triumphant return. I ken da will be starving. He has been so anxious aboot this alliance he has no’ been eating well.”
Florence allowed her brother to drop his arm around her shoulders and turn her back toward the keep. They made their way inside and she did her best to put her worries from her mind. However, she knew she would not be fully at ease until the three had returned safe and sound and they were all together once more.
***
“Tae the future o’ the McIntewars!”
Florence grinned and held up her goblet to join in her father’s declaration. It was later in the evening and the entire clan was gathered in celebration of their newest alliance. There was food and wine aplenty, and many of her clansmen were already well into their cups. Florence felt such a great sense of relief that everything had gone as planned and no one had been hurt that she had not stopped smiling since her father, mother, and brother had returned.
She gazed up at her father and she was so proud to be called his daughter. He had done what many had thought impossible, forging this alliance. Not only did it turn an enemy clan into their friends, but it secured the future of the McInewars, for no one would dare cross them with the McClarens at the ready to support them.
It was indeed an evening for celebration.
Florence gazed around the hall with a wide smile, then turned her gaze back up to her father. He looked so pleased, but when she looked at her mother who sat beside him, Florence felt her heart clench. Her mother was smiling and clapping along with everyone else, but Florence could see the worry lines around her eyes and the tension in her jaw. She was worried. Florence knew her mother did not trust the McClarens at all, but was she really so nervous that she could not enjoy this moment?
Turning her gaze from her mother, Florence focused back in on the celebration surrounding them. She told herself her mother was just a worrier. She always had been, as if she suspected someone was always coming after her. It was likely a result of something from her past, and really had nothing to do with the present. Florence would not let it worry her. For the moment at least, their family was safe and their clan’s future secured.
CHAPTER THREE
Florence
A
t first, she was not sure what had woken her. Florence opened her eyes and blinked up into the darkness, confused. She usually did not have a problem sleeping through the night, so why…
Then she heard it. The sounds of chaos. The sounds of battle.
Of slaughter.
Sitting up quickly, her heart started to race and she leaped from her bed to rush to her window overlooking the courtyard. She released a terrified gasp. The front gate was wide open, and the courtyard was littered with the bodies of McIntewar men. She could also see parts of the castle were burning.
What was happening? Who in the world was attacking them?
A sudden commotion in the hallway outside her room had her whirling around, her eyes sweeping the space for a weapon. Before she could find one, however, the door flew open. Florence readied to scream as loud as her lungs would allow, but she froze when she realized it was her mother standing in her doorway.
Elspeth had blood spattered across the front of her nightgown and a sword in her hand. Her usually perfectly contained red hair was loose and wild around her shoulders, like a flaming halo. She looked like an avenging angel, coming to earth to unleash her wrath.
“Ma!” Florence cried. “Whit is going on?”
Her mother rushed forward and grabbed hold of Florence’s hand.
“We need tae go,” she declared. “Now!”
She tugged Florence toward the door, but fear paralyzed Florence and she could not move.
“Ma!” she screamed. “Tell me whit is happening? Where is da?”
Florence whirled on her and snapped, “Dead! Ye will be tae if ye do no’ come wi’ me now!”
