Page 12 of The Best of Madeline Grant

Caralyncouldimagine since that was exactly how she felt at that moment and it was what she had been afraid of all along. She gazed at Lady Madeline, wondering how she knew. Moments later, Ashlyn burst in the door with Fiona and Gracie at her heels.

“Och, here is Fiona now.” Maddie turned to her maid. “Please have the men tote hot water upstairs for the lady. We must also find her something clean to wear.”

Maddie kissed Caralyn’s cheek and said, “Welcome to Clan Grant. We’re verra happy to have you here. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance. I will leave you alone with your delightful daughters. I am sure they have much to tell you.” She left with a smile.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Maddie does her best to help Caralyn understand her worth.

Two days later, Robbie sat at the table in the middle of the solar while Alex sat behind his desk with Maddie seated close to him. “Why did she wish to see you, Alex?”

“I don’t know, but I granted her request. Do you wish to give us a little background on your relationship with Caralyn before she joins us?”

Robbie shrugged his shoulders as he walked over to pull the fur back from the window. “I found her after a Norseman beat her until she was unconscious. She was in bad shape and didn’t awaken until the next morning. I brought her to my camp, then went back and rescued her daughters. Tomas and I took them all to the priory near Glasgow right before the Battle of Largs.”

“And that’s all?” Alex’s eyebrows lifted as he watched his brother.

“That’s what is most important.” He turned back around from the window to face Alex and Maddie.

“Then how did you end up bringing her to our clan?”

“Och, ‘tis a long story.”

“We have the time.” Alex glanced at his wee wife, methodically rubbing her rotund belly. “Is aught wrong, sweeting?”

Maddie smiled. “Nay, I am fine. Just a wee bit tired.”

Alex leaned over and kissed her cheek.

“Would you two like me to leave?” Robbie asked.

“Nay! You will stay until you answer my questions.” Alex glared at him.

A soft knock sounded at the door.

“Enter,” Alex said.

Caralyn stepped in hesitantly before closing the door, pausing for a moment when she saw Robbie standing by the window. “Should I come back?”

“Nay.” Alex stood and ushered her over to a chair. “I have asked my brother to attend. Is this agreeable to you, Caralyn?”

She nodded and smoothed her skirts as she waited for a prompt to begin.

Alex settled back into the chair behind his desk and nodded for her to begin.

“My laird, I have come to explain a bit about myself and to ask a favor.”

Robbie couldn’t guess what she was about. Nervous, he started pacing in front of the hearth.

“I have two things I wish to discuss with you, if I may.”

“Go ahead, lass.”

“My mother always taught me to be honest, so I feel the need to give you an explanation of my background. I don’t know what Robbie has told you about me.” She glanced from Robbie to Alex Grant.

“Verra little. You tell us whatever you need to tell us,” Alex said.

Caralyn’s hands gripped her skirts before she started. Robbie wanted nothing more than to walk over and hold her in his arms before she started, but he could tell how much it had cost her to come here to speak with Alex, and he needed to let her stand on her own.