by Dawn Brower
“See what?” her father asked.
“Her name was Emily Collins...they both share the same name. Do you think they did it on purpose? Gave him her family name to hide him from me?”
Her father shook his head and shrugged. “I’m not sure, Jamieson. I don’t have the answers you seek, but surely this is a good thing. You have a son.”
“Only a few decades too late,” bitterness laced Jamieson’s voice.
All this information was a little too much for her to take in. Jamieson was Rand’s father. No wonder he seemed so familiar to her. Lilliana stared at him for several moments. She took in all of his features and mannerisms. The more she looked at him the clarity of it all became firmer inside of her head. She knew why Jamieson seemed so familiar to her. It should have been obvious from the start. He reminded her of her own husband. It all made sense now that she had all of the information. How was she going to tell her husband about this? It was all so—extraordinary.
“Who do you think hid him from you?” Lilliana asked.
Her father placed a hand on Jamison’s shoulder, giving him support. Her father knew something she didn’t. He must have been privy to this story. They were close; they sailed on a ship together. Jamieson must have shared the details with him.
“Her damn family. When they found out she was pregnant they disowned her. I arrived after she had given birth to him. They told me she died and that the baby never even had its first breath. How could they have lied to me?” Jamieson crinkled up as pain poured out of his eyes. A small sound of pain fell from his lips before he spoke again. “I grieved so much that it led me to signing on to work with Thor on his ship. Nothing could have kept me in Beaufort after that. No one knew she was really my wife and wouldn’t tell me anything. Told me it was a family affair. I didn’t much see the point in fighting them. I believed I had nothing left to live for.”
“Rand is your son. Why would they do that to their own grandchild? They may have hated you, but Emily was still their daughter,” Lilliana said bewildered.
“Not everyone sees things in the same way. She ruined herself by getting involved with me. They believed her soiled goods. I don’t know why they lied about my son dying. I would ask them if they were still alive. That is if I could stop myself from strangling them.”
“I get why this information is interesting to Jamieson, but explain to me why you even care Father.”
Lilliana understood why Jamieson was a bit emotional at the news, but her father seemed equally overwhelmed. Not too long ago he was out to murder her husband. Something that still irked her.
“I can’t very well murder my friend’s only child. Especially as he just found out he existed, now can I?”
“Oh, I see how you are. You can murder my husband, but not your friend’s son. That is some convoluted logic.” Lilliana’s blood boiled at his statement. She clenched her hands into tight fists and restrained herself from hitting her own father.
“I have to agree with her there, Thor. That doesn’t make much sense to me,” her mother interjected as she walked into the room.
Lilliana turned to look at her mother. At least she had one reasonable person on her side. “Thanks Mother, though I could have used your support a lot sooner.”
Her mother waved her hand in dismissal. “I came in when I was needed. Have you settled everything?”
“Father was just going to explain why it made a difference that Rand is now Jamieson’s son, not just my lowly husband.” Lilliana glared at her father. “I’m not so sure we’ve settled anything.”
“You didn’t watch him suffer when he believed they both had died. It’s personal and I also understand what it’s like to be a father now.” Her father folded his arms over his chest. “Although I can’t kill him, it doesn’t mean I can’t maim him a bit. He did abduct my daughter.”
Jamieson frowned and said, “Well from what I understand of the situation she left rather willingly. You can’t harass the lad for helping her out. Besides it isn’t like you didn’t do a little kidnapping in your day.”
“He does have a point dear,” Pia agreed.
If the situation wasn’t completely ludicrous Lilliana would laugh. How had things gotten so far out of hand? She hoped Rand took the news all right that he had a father. It probably wouldn’t help having to deal with her father as well. It would be some pretty difficult news to swallow on top of all the chaos already in their lives. At least her father wouldn’t murder him now. She still thought it was absurd he only decided against that action because Jamieson believed Rand to be his son.
“Well, you two keep discussing this nonsense. I’m going to go check on my husband.”
With those words Lilliana stormed out of the room to go check on Rand. Maybe he was awake now and she could spend some time with him. He did say he would take her horseback riding around the plantation. Of course that might be asking a bit too much, she would let him decide what he was capable of doing. If all he wanted was to go for a sedate walk she’d do it. She was just grateful to have him in her life. Maybe that would be a good way for them to get away from the madness that had overtaken everyone.
Chapter Eighteen
Rand woke up in his room with a splitting headache courtesy of his new father-in-law. When his head cleared he walked down the stairs to confront him. No way did he intend to leave Lilliana to fight his battles for him. When he reached the doorway he overheard them discussing his mother. Everyone always said you never heard anything good when you eavesdropped. He learned that lesson the hard way. Rand tromped away from his wife—and his father.
With the earth-shattering news—Jamieson being his father—dropped on him, he needed to get away and think. Rand practically ran out the front door to gain some distance between him and his newfound family. The only thing he thought about as he strolled away from the house was how much his life changed in such a short period of time. He didn’t notice where his feet led him; he just kept prodding along until he couldn’t take another step. When he finally took notice of his surroundings he saw a large oak tree looming in front of him. Its branches blew in the breeze as the leaves whistled with each movement.
His breaths became shallow as he swallowed that truth with a heavy reluctance. He never expected to find the man who helped create him. So many emotions rushed through him he couldn’t pinpoint which one to hold onto. He needed to get back to the house and be there for his wife. He knew he acted like a coward by walking away. Closing himself off and not dealing with the issue wouldn’t solve anything. He should have stayed and faced his demons instead of running at the first sign of adversity.
Jamieson seemed like a good man, aside from working as a pirate’s right hand man. If what he said held true then he didn’t know of his existence. Rand couldn’t hold him accountable for the actions of someone else. He should give him a chance to be the father he never had. Easier said than done, in his opinion at least, years of believed abandonment were hard to let go of. He knew Jamieson said he thought he died. Rand heard all of the details; it was just hard for him to process. He wanted to believe everything he heard, but it all had a surreal feeling to it.
He had more than himself to think of now. With a heavy heart he started back toward the house. Lilliana depended on him, and he couldn’t let his own inner turmoil get the best of him. As he walked back up the plantation steps, Lilliana exited the house and stopped with the door open. She stared at him for several minutes before she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.
“I’m so sorry. My father shouldn’t have hit you.”
“I don’t blame him, Lily, he should be protective of his daughter.”
“Still. He could have at least listened first before reacting.” Lilliana frowned.
“I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to hold you for a little while.”
“There is something I should tell you...”
“I already know.”
She was going to tell him about Jamieson. He d
idn’t want to discuss his newfound father with her. He wanted to forget he had overheard the conversation.
“You do? How?”
“I overheard part of the conversation. It was a little bit to take in. It’s why I’m outside. I needed the fresh air. To think,” he said in a quiet tone.
“I see. I’m at a loss on how to respond. I thought you were out here because of me and my father. Instead it has to do with the news about yours. How does it make you feel?”
“I don’t feel like talking about it. Why don’t we go for a ride instead. It is what we planned before your father rudely interrupted us.”
“Shouldn’t we ask Jamieson...”
“Ask me what?”
They turned to see Jamieson standing in the open doorway. Rand wanted to walk away again. He didn’t want to deal with him and what the man could mean for him. He did want to make his wife happy so he tried to put a smile on his face just for her, even though smiling made his face hurt.
“We are looking to go horseback riding.” Rand said.
“Ah, I’d hoped to talk to you. I went looking and you were not in your room.”
He wanted to give him a chance, but he hadn’t had enough time to process it all. Jamieson may mean well—he just couldn’t handle his well meaning emotional responses at the moment .”I’m not much in the mood to talk right now.”
“It’s kind of important, son.”
“Don’t call me that. I’m not your son,” Rand replied scathingly.
“Rand!” Lilliana’s shock evident on her face. “I don’t think you need to be so rude to Jamieson. He is only trying to reach out to you and talk.”
“You know?” Jamieson asked.
“That you believe you are my father? Yes. It doesn’t make it true,” Rand said.
“If your mother is—was Emily Collins, then yes, I am your father,” Jamieson said with conviction.
Rand stood and looked at the man for the first time and took him in. Jamieson’s features resembled his in a lot of ways, and he carried himself with an air of authority. Looking him over it didn’t surprise him as much to realize that the man claimed to be his father.
“I know you think this is some kind of miracle. I’m not so blind to the ramifications of this mess. I’m not going to hug you and say I’m glad you are my long lost dad. I’m not made like that. I can’t just accept you and be okay with years of perceived abandonment.”
“No one is expecting you to... Just give it some time.” Lilliana wrapped him in a tight embrace.
“Just show us the horses. I can’t deal with this right now.”
“I can do that,” Jamieson agreed.
They strolled to the barn, and Jamieson led them to two horses in stalls next to each other. They were beautiful well-mannered animals.
“The chestnut is named Max and the white filly we call Sally. They are both good horses and are great for riding. Do you require a side saddle?”
“No, I don’t ride side saddle,” Lilly told him. “I have a skirt made just for riding astride, it splits down the middle. I made sure to wear it when I got dressed this morning anticipating going horseback riding.”
“Good, I don’t much care for the side saddle, it’s dangerous,” Jamieson replied.
“My father agrees and never allowed me to learn how to ride with one.”
“I’ll help you two get the horses saddled so you can be on your way.”
Jamieson opened the stall and threw a saddle up on one of the horses. Lilliana stood to the side as Rand put the saddle on the other horse. Once both horses were prepared, they mounted them and rode them out of the barn. Lilliana’s laugh of delight filled the air as she brought the horse to a light canter. Rand caught up to her quickly and kept up with the pace she set.
“I think we should talk about what happened,” Lilliana said.
“I’m not ready to think of him as my father, Lily. Don’t push it.”
“You really need to give him a chance, but it’s your decision I won’t push.”
“Thank you for supporting me.”
“I’m your wife. It’s what I’m supposed to do.” She smiled. “How about a race?”
He started to tell her to no, but she took off at a fast gallop before he could get the words out. He knew she was only trying to lighten his mood, but he deemed a horse race too dangerous. No way would he put her life at risk by galloping their horses at full speed.
“Slow down Lily,” Rand called.
His heart thundered in his chest as she sped in front of him. He wanted to reach out and stop her, but it was physically impossible. Rand could feel the color draining from his face with each bit of distance that grew between them.
She didn’t hear him call out to her. Lilliana kept her horse’s pace at a fast gallop. Rand raced to catch up to her, but she had gained a terrifying lead. She turned her head to look back at him, and with her attention divided she didn’t see the tree branch directly in her path. She turned a moment too late, and Rand screamed as she flew from the horse. Her body hit the ground with a loud thud. He stopped his horse and jumped off of it racing to her side. Fear like he never knew before spread though his body. He couldn’t lose her, not when he just found her, not ever. A tear began to form in his eye and fell down his cheek as he knelt beside her still body. Pain began to seep into his heart at the thought of losing her.
“Oh Lily, please be okay,” he said pulling her into his arms. “I love you, I can’t lose you when I just found you.”
He stood and carried her back to the house trying not to jostle her. His fear was palpable and deep rooted inside of him. He had never been so afraid in his life. When he saw her flying from the horse all of his worst nightmares came to life.
“Quick someone help me, Lily took a nasty fall from her horse,” Rand yelled.
Just as the words left his mouth he heard a voice bellow, “What the bloody hell did you do to my daughter?”
“I didn’t do a damned thing to her, she fell from her horse. Help me take care of her.”
Torrington reached to take Lilliana out of his arms, but Rand refused to relinquish her over to him.
“I’m not handing her over to you, she’s fine where she is and I’m taking her upstairs until a physician can look at her.”
Rand could hear them discussing the situation as he walked with huge steps toward their bedroom.
“Thor leave the man be, can’t you see how distraught he is?” He heard Lilliana’s mother say, stopping Viscount Torrington from going after Rand.
“He’s manhandling my little girl.”
“Sorry Thor, but I have to disagree with you again,” Jamieson said.
“On which part, ol’ friend, the manhandling or the fact that she’s my little girl?” Thor asked.
“Well both actually. What I see is a man looking out for his wife.”
“I fail to see your point.” Thor’s angry voice bellowed through the plantation walls.
“Rand and Lily are married. Sorry, Thor, but I believe that trumps your rights a bit.”
“Bloody hell, I need a drink,” Thor cursed. “What the hell are you waiting for, my daughter needs a physician. Send for one already.”
Even though Rand had fear coursing through his body a small smile formed on his face. He heard Thor storm into the sitting room. At least Jamieson had his back. Maybe he could accept him in his life if the man willingly stood up to an ex-pirate.
Chapter Nineteen
Pain crashed through her skull as someone poked at her body. Tiny shards of agony filled her head with every touch. A constant thrum of torment beat against the back of her head, and every inch of her body was stiff with soreness. Whoever thought it a good idea to add to the throbbing burrowing its way inside of her would soon find the error of their ways. She didn’t do well with any kind of discomfort, and the idiot kept adding to it with each poke and prod he made. If only she could open her eyes to tell him to stop stabbing her with his fingers. Her eyes refused to open, bu
t she could hear everyone around her.
“She’s just unconscious,” she heard someone say. “I expect she’ll be in a lot of pain once she wakes up. Her body is one huge bruise.”
“But she will be okay?” a familiar voice asked.
Rand. He wanted to make sure she would be okay. Of course I will be, she wanted to scream the words at him. He shouldn’t be made to worry about her.
“She better be all right, boy,” another familiar voice roared. “Or I’ll make sure you take your last breath.”
Her father threatened her husband again. When would he stop tormenting Rand? Her mother had to be nearby; she wouldn’t leave knowing Lilliana was hurt. Why hadn’t she said something? Lily needed to hear her mother’s voice.
“You won’t be murdering my son, Thor. Back off.”
Ah, yes, Jamieson would be there to help support Rand. Happiness filled her at the sound of Jamieson’s voice. Rand had someone in his corner. He needed someone on his side. He often let the weight of the world hold him down. Jamieson would make sure he didn’t give into his darker side.
“He’s right, Thor. You are only making things worse by threatening him. Be happy that Lily chose him. You know we thought she’d never get married. I’m happy she found someone to give her heart to.”
Oh yes Mama, I did. He’s wonderful! I can’t wait for you to know him as I do. She needed to wake up and tell them everything. The pain in her skull throbbed harder and faster as it tried to beat her from the inside out. Please stop I can’t take the pain anymore.
“There are too many of you in the room,” a man she assumed was the doctor told everyone. “Only two visitors at a time or she’ll never get enough rest to heal.”
“Fine. Everyone can leave. I want to spend some time alone with my wife.”
Good for you Rand. Tell them all to leave. It should just be you and me for a while. My head hurts and I can’t think with all of them hovering over me.
She heard some rustling as a door opened and closed. She believed that all of them left the room without arguing with Rand. That made things easier on both of them. The silence was blissful and the pain began to ease a bit as it washed over Lilliana. She could feel a head lay down on her waist and grabbed a hold of her hands. It must be Rand. He wouldn’t have left her. He must have found a chair to set by the bed so he could keep vigil. She needed to wake up and help ease his pain.