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Angus wiped his dirty hands on his already grimy shirt then scratched at his thick beard. “How is your mother? You know she’s a good woman and deserves a good man to look after her.”
The three brothers exchanged glares, and if Angus knew them well enough he would have recognized this as a warning to go no further.
“I’m right here, Angus Bunnock,” Addie Sinclare said loudly as she emerged from the shadowy corner with a platter of sweet bread and handed it to Lachlan, who placed it on the table.
“You’re still a beauty, Addie,” the old man claimed.
And she certainly was. Fifty-three years had not robbed the woman of her natural beauty. She was tall and slim with red hair spattered with gray that she wore piled on her head, though several soft waves managed to fall around her face, and her brilliant green eyes continued to sparkle with the vibrancy of the young.
“But not foolish enough to shack up with the likes of you,” she said boldly, though with a smile.
“You’re breaking my heart, Addie,” Angus declared. “You know I always loved you. I’d make you a good husband.”
Addie’s smile faded. “I had a good husband and there is no one who can replace him.”
Lachlan smiled and saw that his brothers did as well. They were proud of their mother’s courage and the love she still carried for their father, though he had passed over a year now.
“I was sorry to hear about Tavish,” Angus said, offering his sincere condolence. “He was a good friend and a good man.”
“Thank you,” Addie said, “and I am sorry to hear about Alyce. She was a—”
“Shrew,” Angus said. “No one wanted her.”
“She was a beautiful woman just like her mother,” Addie defended. “I often envied the skill she had in braiding her long blond hair and how she had taught Alyce to do the same with her identical hair. And Alyce had the most beautiful blue eyes. They reminded me of the sky on a gorgeous summer day.”
Lachlan felt a punch to his gut. “Alyce had long blond hair and blue eyes?”
“That she did,” Angus said. “And your mother’s right, my daughter may have been a shrew, but she was a beautiful shrew.”
“Was she tall?” Lachlan asked anxiously.
Angus nodded. “A good eight inches over five feet.
Lachlan near growled his annoyance. “A born leader?”
“Like her father,” Angus boasted. “Could sit a horse as good or better than most men and could handle a sword like a man, though she had a mind of her own. She did and wanted things her way, always her way. Wouldn’t listen to me, wouldn’t obey me, fought me no matter what I said to her.” He slammed his fist on the table. “And had the gall to fight with me in front of my own men and tell me I was a fool.”
“You can be a fool, Angus,” Addie said.
He grinned. “See, you saying it doesn’t sound bad.” He cringed and shook his head. “But Alyce screeched it.” He mimicked her, his voice pitched high. “You’re a fool, an old dumb fool if you think I’ll marry a fool of your choosing. I’ll die first.” He shook his head again. “And she did, though it’s strange. Alyce was always strong as an ox, never getting sick.”
Lachlan felt a double punch to his gut. Could it be? Could Terese actually be Alyce Bunnock? It would explain so much. He didn’t know whether to be angry or relieved. Had she been trying that last night they spent together to confront him with the truth when she asked if he would help Alyce? Or had she simply wanted her way as Alyce always wanted and played him for a fool?
Lachlan braced his arms on the table and looked at Angus. “Tell me more about your daughter.”
Much later that night Cavan and Artair sat in the solar with Lachlan.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Cavan asked.
“I must,” Lachlan said.
“Not so,” Artair disagreed. “It is for Angus to deal with.”
“No,” Lachlan argued. “It is mine to deal with and my decision is made. I ask that you both respect and accept it.”
“As long as it is what you want,” Cavan confirmed once again.
“It is for the best,” Lachlan said, “besides we need to make contact with the mercenaries and see if they know anything about Ronan. How many men will I take?”
“Same as before, plus Bogg,” Cavan said.
Lachlan nodded realizing his brother’s plan. “Bogg was once a mercenary.”
“He will find out what we need to know,” Cavan said. “Are you sure you wish to leave so soon?”
“It took me two months to return home. I’ve been home for two weeks and it will take me two months to return again. I will miss the birth of your daughter.” Lachlan shook his head. “You’ve got me believing that Zia and her grandmother know that she will have a daughter.”
