Page 44 of The Best of Madeline Grant

“You’re not wrong, Maddie, but I must consider the operation as a whole. This is our chance to stop these men once and for all. We must do this for Scotland.”

“I may operate on a much smaller scale than you,” she said, meeting his gaze, “but it does not make my endeavor less important.”

“What is this endeavor?”

“I must protect the bairns of our country. You consider everyone else, but I have purpose, too, and ’tis no less important.”

“You would risk all to save this one child?”

“Aye, I would. The others will not be there for two to three days. We can save this child before that.”

He stared at her, then ran his finger down her jawline. “This is important to you?”

“Every day she goes without safety and comfort is another day of torture for her. I cannot bear to think of her in such a situation. I was subjected to a similar situation, and I was much older. I cannot think how a lass of three summers would endure it.”

He kissed her lips. She pressed herself closer to him but did not fall under his usual spell. This was too important to her.“Alex, I would prefer for you to help me, but if you cannot, I’ll find another way.”

Still cupping her face, he said, “All of Scotland places demands on me, but you have asked so little of me over the years.”

Her voice cracked when she said, “Because I trust you, Alex.”

“Then trust me when I say I will save both Claray and Sela when we go to battle with the English.”

Her voice came out in the barest of whispers. “Nay. Claray must be saved on the morrow. Your men will be here by then to assist you. Those bastards don’t need a wee bairn around to finish their deeds. Get her out. We’ll fight them later.”

“If I take three hundred of the warriors I’ve readied for this mission, I’ll be telling the fools that we’ll be attacking with that many in the future. I don’t wish to reveal our strategy.”

Maddie considered his point for a moment. Her husband was keen at coming up with the best tactics for battle, but she could not relent. “Perhaps you’ll not need three hundred. A smaller number could handle the task. I see no reason to take all your warriors.”

He reached back and massaged her neck. “You hide why you want this, but I know. ’Tis because our youngest son is asking you. You sense it, too. There’s something between him and Sela. There is a possibility this wee bairn could become our granddaughter. Is that not part of your reasoning?”

Her heart could take no more, and so she fell against him sobbing. “Alex, we must stop those evil men.”

“For you, anything,” Alex said. He gave her a tender kiss, then mopped her tears away. “This might work. They’ll not want to risk fighting us just yet. They cannot afford to lose men. I’ll discuss the matter with Logan and our sons, but I think we can agree on a plan. If we decide to move forward, you will comewith me on the morrow. Wee Claray will need more consoling than I can give.”

She smiled at her dear husband, then leaned in for a kiss, though it was one of those times when he may not notice her. Sometimes her husband was so busy strategizing against a villain that he became engulfed in his own world.

Her lips met his, and he kissed her briefly, as absentminded as she’d expected.

This time, she’d allow it.

Chapter Nine

Sela meets a woman who holds more power than any she’d ever met…Maddie Grant.

The next time Sela awoke, she was alone in bed. Thoughts of Connor holding her while she fell asleep warmed her. She couldn’t remember when she’d last felt precious to someone besides Claray. Pushing herself up on her elbows, she groaned at the pain and the itching, but it had definitely improved.

A sound told her that she was not alone after all. Glancing up, she noticed the woman seated across from her. Though her hair was as light as Connor’s was dark, she could only be his mother. The striking beauty sat as though there were an arrow behind her straightening her back, and she wore a deep blue gown so striking that it appeared to have been designed just for her. Her blue eyes were filled with warmth and compassion. Of course they were. She was in awe of someone who would raise a son who was so fierce yet gentle.

“Good morn to you, Sela. I am Connor’s mother. Once we finish our discussion, I’ll send a maid with food and she can also help you clean up. May I have a few moments of your time?”

Sela didn’t know how to react. Was she about to be lectured? Told to stay far away from her son? Accused of being a whore since she was an unmarried mother?

Out of respect for Connor, she nodded.

“My name is Madeline, but please call me Maddie. Connor has informed his father and me of the torture you were subjected to, and for this, you have my utmost sympathy. We were also told that your daughter of three summers was subjected to the same horrid treatment. Is this true?”

“Aye, my lady,” Sela said, her eyes downcast.