Even as the words left her lips, she saw Mary move. In the blink of an eye, chaos filled the hall. Mary executed the wrist-hold escape to perfection, and her feet had begun to move across the floor, though Emma would swear they moved in slow motion as Merrick lifted her by the waist and tossed her onto the table.
Her foot pushed off the table, and she ducked to evade the swing from Glenn’s sword as it cut the air far too close to her head. Air sliced over her head with a swoosh that rang in her ears. Emma hit the floor in a hard tuck and roll that put her between Mary and Glenn’s blade.
Emma bit back the pain as she leapt to her feet. Despite the ache in her side and the protest from her foot, she pushed Mary behind her and felt her eyes bulge as Merrick jumped from the table with his sword pointed directly at Glenn. Merrick lunged forward and ran his blade straight through his father’s chest. The Draig claymore clattered to the floor, and Glenn fell on his back when Merrick pulled the blade free with the sickening sound of destroyed human flesh.
“You overestimated my loyalty when you sought to kill an innocent child,” Merrick growled down to his father. Emma cringed at Glenn’s dying gasp and the blood that seeped from the prone body. She heard Ciara scream before Merrick tossed her to one of the Draig men.
The hall stood in stunned silence, and Merrick leapt to the top of the table. “Hold men, and drop your weapons. Choose now if you would serve my half-brother, a weak boy, or me, a proven man. But none will touch any of the Draig clan,” Merrick yelled into the crowd.
The blessed sound of metal clanking on stone filled the air, and Emma took no time to contemplate the change in events as Mary ran around her to jump into her arms. Staggering on her feet, she clung to the shaking girl as she whispered, “It’s over, sunshine. I swear it’s over. I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”
The girl’s arms banded around her neck as she sobbed against her, and Emma held tight while breathing in her sweet scent. She opened her eyes to Merrick calling for his men to kneel and swear to serve him and leave the Draig lands in peace. When one man remained on his feet, Merrick jumped from the table and faced him with his sword at his side.
“Do you wish to die for my father’s sake?” Merrick coldly asked the man.
“Nay,” he answered. “I wish to ken what type of man I might serve. What is to happen to his widow and two young sons?”
Merrick chuckled and clasped the man’s shoulders. “If only to keep Emma from hurting me, they will live in peace on my lands. The widow shall be treated better than she ever was at my father’s hands, and the boys shall stand as my heirs until such a time as I have sons of my own.”
Emma breathed a sigh of relief when the man knelt and pledged his sword arm.
Declan held the Draig sword and called, “William, see these men from my hall. If any cause trouble, end it with no mercy. Those who walk in peace shall be treated as brothers.”
Men rose, and Draig warriors led them through the front door. She assumed they were heading to the barracks that housed the warriors.
Mary’s sobs quieted as the hall emptied. Her choked voice whispered, “They said you were dead . . . I dinna believe them . . . you came for me . . . I waited . . . for you.”
Pulling back to wipe the tears from her face, Emma set the child on her feet and grinned down at her. “I will always come for you,” she vowed. “I love you more than anything.”
Mary nodded, and Emma wiped the child’s face with her sleeve and then ran her hands over every inch of the child’s body, checking for any sign of hurt or injury. When Mary giggled, Emma stared at her in shock. “You lost a tooth!” The answering grin had a gap in the front.
“Aye, this morn. Meggie aided me, and I was verra brave. She said so.” Mary beamed at her.
Unable to believe she was smiling, Emma said, “Remind me to tell you all about the tooth fairy.” She turned her head to see Meggie crying tears of relief before the woman threw herself at her. Stumbling under the crushing hug, Emma squeezed back and laughed as the woman began to speak.
“Oh, Emma. You are alive, you sweet child. How I feared for you. You poor thing, chased from your home and all that you ken. I kept a fine eye on our sweet lass, have nay a worry.”
Laughing at the burst and famed prattling, Emma kissed her head. “Thank you for taking care of Mary for me.”
Meggie let go and narrowed her gaze. “As if I could ever do less? Do you doubt my ability to keep her safe?”
“Never, Meggie.” Emma grinned as the housekeeper pulled Mary against her bosom and kissed the child’s head repeatedly.
“Tell me my daughter is hale,” Declan called.
Glancing up, Emma sighed at the hall that only held friendly faces. “She is perfect,” she called back.
In three seconds, Declan stood before her with his eyes roaming her body. “Tell me you are fine.”
“We’re good,” she replied. Before she could say anything else, strong arms yanked her from behind, and Emma turned to let Cortland pull her against him. She inhaled his scent and clung tightly to him.
“So much for you staying out of the hall, daughter,” Cortland chuckled against her hair. Too quickly, he pushed her away and raised his weapon. “Hold, Declan.”
Taking in Declan’s sword raised at Merrick, she leapt to place her body between the two men. “What’s wrong with you? He saved our lives.”
Declan’s gaze never found hers; instead, he glared at Merrick. “Move, wife. The man needs to pay for the blood on your neck and for touching you,” Declan growled even as Cortland knocked the sword from his hand. “Let me be, old man. We all ken Merrick acted at the last moment.”
“And a fine last moment it was,” Cortland said with grin. “Though none may appreciate his methods, it worked. The Draig lands are yours once again. Be a wise laird and hold your daughter as I plan to once again hold mine.”
On cue, Mary ran and leapt into Declan’s arms while Emma was again enfolded in Cortland’s loving embrace. Somewhere behind her, Merrick gave orders for his father’s body to be removed. Kissing Cortland’s cheek, she untangled from his hold and blinked back tears at the sight of Mary wrapped against Declan. She could have wept for the joy mixed with relief on his face. Taking a step toward them, she was caught off guard as Merrick reached over and pulled her against him.
“‘Tis a fine thing to have choices in life,” Merrick immediately said.
“Get your hands off my wife,” Declan growled over Mary’s head.
Merrick hugged her before stepping back. “Cousin, the fine lass is nay your wife. I was in the hall when you cast her aside.” Taking her face in his hands, he said, “I ken you had a moment or two of fear from me. Forgive the rouse. You would have only found the escape I pledged to you.”
Holding his hands, she didn’t know if that were completely true but let it go because the outcome was so wonderful. “While I have my doubts, thank you for everything.”
Merrick laughed, and he placed a kiss to her forehead. “You are a fine lass, but one with no husband. Leave with me on the morrow. It appears I have lands, and I need a strong woman by my side.” With a glance to Declan, he added, “You would never have a reason to doubt my intent.”
Sighing at the thinly veiled insult, she pulled his head down and placed a chaste kiss to his lips. “Thank you, but I promised to stay here. This is my home.”
Taking the three short steps to place herself in front of Declan, she said, “You are my home.”
Emma took Mary back into her arms, and Declan embraced them. With his forehead leaning against her, he whispered, “You have always been and shall always be my wife.”
It was Cortland who disturbed the tranquility of the moment. “You speak without my permission, Declan. On the morrow, you will face the father of Emma in the hall before all who gather.”
Declan straightened and held Cortland’s harsh gaze. “With great pleasure the hall will ring of my love for my wife and apologies for the wrongs done in my foolish attempt to keep her safe. My words will welcome you as the first among my men and as my father by marriage.”
Cortland nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. “I will listen and decide if you have appeased me after your claims are made. Though you should ken I plan to leave to join Kathryn as I pledged last eve.”
Declan nodded and glanced at William who smiled and offered a slight bow. The laird replied, “The offer of you standing by my side will be made. The choice is yours to make.”
Emma caught the mischief in Cortland’s eyes when he answered. “Then on the morrow our talk will begin. For this night, mayhap I will speak with Merrick to hear what his offer holds.”
Declan mumbled under his breath and let his arms fall to his side. Emma could only grin at him and his pout.
“Let us find drink,” Merrick said as he clasped Cortland’s arm. “I have long enjoyed our chats.”
Declan took Mary from her arms and placed her on her feet by his side. With his gaze boring into Emma’s and Mary grinning up at them, he said, “They can talk forever. You are mine.”
Her reply was cut off by the small voice, “I am hungry. Can I have bread with honey?”
“Of course you can, sunshine,” Emma answered, while smiling at Declan. “Let’s go to the kitchen and find some. I’m hungry too.” Shifting out of his hold, she stumbled when she was pushed roughly from behind.
Ciara came from out of nowhere. Emma thought the woman had been led out with the rest of Merrick’s men. How in the hell did she get loose? Before her eyes, the woman threw her arms around Declan’s neck and scattered kisses all over his face. Her voice was sickeningly sweet. “Thank heaven Glenn is gone. Now we can be together as you promised. Oh, Declan, I was so worried for you.”
Emma didn’t need a mirror to know her eyebrows were in the middle of her forehead. Her mouth fell open at the sight of Ciara draped over him, and her vision blurred with the horribly intimate ones that her mind had created to haunt her for weeks. Forcing her eyes to see only what was before her, she finally caught Declan’s brutal glare at the woman as his hands pulled her roughly off him and shoved her back.
“Dinna attempt to make any here believe promises were made,” Declan snarled. “You ken there were none. You poisoned me and attempted to kill my wife. Your hands filled cups of wine while my daughter feared for her life. Ciara, for these crimes and more, you will answer.”
With tears falling from her eyes, she pleaded, “I had no choice. Glenn has long controlled my actions. The woman you used to call wife still lives. No harm was done.” With a daring step forward, she said, “I withheld the proper dose from your cup. ‘Tis no accident you yet draw breath. I did it because of all we have long meant to the other and for the future we will have together.”
Had Declan softened for even a fraction of a second, Emma knew she would have left the hall and never looked back. Instead, his eyes glowed with deadly rage. Placing the child in Cortland’s arms, her temper snapped when Ciara reached out to placed her hand on Declan’s chest. Without thought, she yanked the woman away by the arm. “Get your hands off my husband,” she growled.
Ciara’s surprise lasted only a heartbeat. She immediately recovered to taunt, “He is nay yours. You are naught but a discarded wife. Have enough pride to ken when you are no longer wanted.”
When Emma let go of Ciara’s arm, a victory smile crossed the woman’s lips. Yet before Ciara could spit anything else, Emma pulled her arm across her body to use all her momentum and back-fisted Ciara across the jaw. Ciara spun before she landed in a heap on the floor. With a sneer, Emma said, “Get out of my house.” Her body shook in disgust at the violent outburst, and she hated the insecurity that had caused it. He’s mine.
Without a glance down at the woman on the floor, Declan lifted her hand and kissed the spot that had struck Ciara. Loud enough for all to hear, he said, “I am yours in all ways.” Emma stilled at his proclamation and the cheers that rang from the men in the hall.
“I am the most fortunate of men to have a wife who would claim me before all,” Declan called out to the gathering.
Before she could reply, Declan pulled her close and kissed her soundly on the mouth. With a soft voice meant only for her ears, he whispered, “The village will speak of your actions. None will doubt that you are mine and that I am yours.”
Calm filled her and banished the traces of hurt caused by Ciara and images that had never been real. His bright green gaze locked on hers, and though the laird had spoken to the men and claimed her, the man was the one holding her. “Seems like no matter what I do, the village loves to gossip about me.”
Declan chuckled before he kissed her gently. “Say you are mine.”
“We are one,” she answered instead, which brought an immediate smug grin of satisfaction to his perfect mouth.
Merrick yanked Ciara to her feet and threw her at one of the warriors. “See her locked away until I leave,” Merrick commanded. “Glenn’s widow may wish to ken why she bore two sons and then lost many more before they drew breath.” Staring at Declan, he said, “She will pay, have no doubt.”
Stepping back from the man whose eyes begged her to stay but whose attention was being called for by many of the men, she took Mary’s hand in hers. “I’m going to feed Mary and put her to bed.” She knew it was time for Declan to be the laird.
“My wife and daughter eat in the hall, nay tucked from sight,” Declan called to her back.
Without facing him, she said, “We will when the blood is gone.” While in his own way, he was attempting to secure her place at his side, Mary had seen more than enough for one night.
“As always, you are wise, wife,” Declan agreed. “Once matters are resolved in the hall, I will find you.”
Confident that he would, she resumed her walk. At the doorway, Mary paused to ask, “When are you going to teach me to hit like that?”
The men in earshot laughed and passed the question to those who asked what was amusing. Emma looked down at the green eyes that burned with a want to be able to handle any danger in life, young eyes that had already faced too much. “Very soon. I plan to raise a strong daughter.”
Chapter 36
Emma let her gaze wander the room she had previously doubted she would ever see again. The laird’s chamber, their chamber, seemed to be exactly as it had been left. A small fire burned in the hearth and filled the room with soft light. The bed linens smelled of fresh air and the herbs kept in the storage closets. Soft pillows braced her back against the headboard carved with the two-headed dragon symbol. Yet the peace in her soul came from the child asleep next to her, snuggled against her hip.
Mary had refused to be put to bed in her room. Given the child’s tale of being taken from it earlier in the evening by one of Glenn’s men, she couldn’t fault the child for not wanting to be alone. Emma had doubted her ability to let Mary out of her sight for the night. My world is so much better with her tucked beside me.
Smoothing her hand over the girl’s hair, Emma sighed in relief. While images of what could have gone wrong threatened to fill her thoughts, she forced her mind to relish the moment and savor that everyone she loved was safe. My sweet girl is safe. I can touch her.
Her heavy eyelids shot open when the chamber door was thrown open. The blood that instantaneously roared in her veins at the possible threat relaxed when Cortland appeared in the doorway. I think he just scared the crap out of me. He called into the corridor, “Declan, they are within your chamber.”
Cortland entered and shook his head as if in disbelief. Striding to the bed, he said, “When you were nay within Mary’s chamber, we feared the worst. To say I am relieved is too little.”
Emma held her finger to her lips to quiet the loud voice that threatened to disturb the sleeping child. Lifting her body gently from the bed, she straightened her old frayed robe and stepped into Cortland’s waiting arms.
Against his shoulder, Emma explained, “I came in here to change my clothes. There was a bit of blood that had dripped from my neck. It bothered Mary. Anyway, she refused to leave, and I didn’t really argue.”
“How much blood?” Declan growled, entering the room.
“Only a few drops,” Emma quickly replied, not wanting Declan to go after Merrick in a rage. She waited patiently while he picked up her discarded shirt and touched the dried specs.
“Too much,” he mumbled and then threw the shirt through the open door into the corridor. In seconds, the door was closed and bolted.
Stepping out of Cortland’s embrace, she walked to Declan. “Merrick didn’t do that, I did. When I saw you and Mary in the hall, I stumbled. It’s already closed up.” Pushing her hair over her shoulder, she lifted her chin for Declan’s inspection. His finger traced the edge of the wound, and his simple touch pushed away the horrid image of her family facing possible death. I never knew I could be so scared and so close to losing everything in my life that I love.
“I nearly died when you entered the hall with his weapon at your throat,” Declan whispered. “All I saw was our end.”
“Me too,” she admitted. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she melted into his hold. His hand buried in her hair while the other pulled her firmly against his chest. His heart beats so strong and steady. If I doubted how I felt earlier, I know that I love him and how much I need this man.
“We have much to appreciate and celebrate,” Cortland added. Emma heard his steps and lifted her head to see him settle in a chair before the fire. “Your wife should be off her ankle,” Cortland chided. “Her limp is back, and her diving off a table could nay have aided her ribs.” Unfortunately, he’s right. My body is so not happy with me.
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