Page 45 of The Best of Madeline Grant

“You need not refer to me as ‘my lady.’ I am no longer the mistress of the clan, but I do consider myself to be the mistress of the bairns. That your poor daughter was subjected to such treatment has upset me terribly. I have taken on the mission of retrieving her from the men who ran your life.”

“But they’ll not listen to you. They’re cruel, evil monsters.”

Raw fury filled Madeline Grant’s kind eyes. “Iwillget that child away from them. You can count on it. My husband has nearly a thousand warriors at his disposal, and we have five other allies who will give us at least a hundred each. I think we can handle whatever men your monsters have hired to fight for them. They will go to battle, and the Scots will triumph, but before that happens, I will get your daughter away. Do not doubt my word.”

Connor’s mother spoke with such a passion that she could only admire her. She had no doubt that she meant what she said. Thinking about all the numbers she had offered, Sela became hopeful. Perhaps Connor and his familydidhave the might to crush out the Channel once and for all. If so, she could only help them.

“Many thanks to you, mistress. I fear Claray may not leave with you, so it will be best if I go with you.”

“You are welcome, but I will warn you of two things.”

Sela had never seen such a powerful woman, yet one who no one would suspect of such strength. Awe encompassed her. How would this woman feel about her son holding or kissing Sela? She suspected she knew the answer to that question. She was an unmarried woman with a young daughter.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Madeline said, her eyes warm again, “so allow me to tell you this before I give you my warnings. I judge people by what’s in their heart and not their circumstances. You were forced into your life of servitude, and I understand how such a thing can happen. If my son chooses you, I will support him. But this brings me back to my two warnings for you.”

“And they are?” She swallowed, a gulp much larger than she’d intended, but she couldn’t help herself.

“First of all, please don’t hurt my son. If he loves you, I hope you return his love, but if not, do not tease him with empty promises.”

Sela nodded. “Agreed. I don’t know what will happen after all of this, but I respect your son.”

Her heart was in turmoil, but Connor had awakened something inside her. She could not think past the task that lay before her, yet she knew she wished to know him better.

“Second, I know you want to go to your daughter as soon as we get near Berwick Castle. You may feel driven to act without thinking, but I give you my word that I will do what is best for your daughter and I will see this done.”

“That doesn’t feel like a warning.”

“’Tis not a warning...but this is. When we are in the position to gain your daughter back, do not get in my way.”

Sela didn’t say a word, her mouth agape and her eyes fixed on this wonderful, fearsome woman.

Chapter Eleven

Maddie becomes the protector of bairns.

Connor heard sounds he recognized, glancing up in the sky right before they arrived at the gates. Will, Maggie’s husband, was the former rover known as the Wild Falconer, his falcons rightly famous for their loyalty and ability to follow his direction.

If the falcons were near, Maggie and Will were almost upon them. Why would they change their minds? Or had they decided to stay at the back to observe?

The rest of the Band lined their horses up in a show of solidarity, his father in the middle with his mother in front of him. A guard was positioned in front of them, one on either side, and many behind them.

Two men, he guessed Guy and Dee, came out of the castle to greet them. “Greetings to the Highlanders. What brings you to England and why have you brought so many reinforcements? We have no desire for a battle.”

Alex Grant spoke first. “You beat my son and left him for dead. Did you think we’d not retaliate? Be warned that we will if you don’t agree to our demands today. We have no wish for battle now, and just so you’re aware, you are indeed in Scotland. This land has gone back and forth, but Berwick is currently under Scots control. Mayhap you are lost?”

The man he guessed to be Guy laughed, a dark laugh that made Connor wish to throttle him.

“What is it you want? Speak and be done with this,” the other man, who had to be Dee, instructed, his eyes coming to settle on Sela.

Connor’s mother was the first to speak. “You tell Hord that Madeline Grant, wife of Alexander Grant, wishes to see him now. And do not play foolish with me.”

Dee’s gaze panned over the group for a moment, as if he were assessing whether or not the request could be denied. Something like fear flashed in his eyes, and he turned back and spoke to a man behind him. “Get Hord and bring him here.”

“Good, we will wait,” Connor’s mother said firmly.

If Connor were to guess, these men were nervous because they were not prepared for battle. They may have been promised a hundred guards, but that number had not yet arrived at Berwick Castle.

The foul man Connor recognized as Hord came through the cluster of horses—stringy dark hair, dark mantle, and an odd bag hanging from his waist. He had a sick grin on his face that made Connor wish to throttle him.