Highland Vengeance by K. E. Saxon

Author:K. E. Saxon [Saxon, K. E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Highland
Published: 2012-04-30T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

Just before leaving for the training field the next morn, Daniel spoke privately with Lady Maclean, informing her of his cousin’s desire to wed Jesslyn.

After her grandson departed, Lady Maclean hurried to the solar in search of her granddaughter-in-law. She rushed inside and quickly shut the door behind her.

Maryn started and swung her gaze up, eyes round.

Scurrying toward her, and out of breath, Lady Maclean said in a rush, “Good morn, my dear.” And then, settling on the stool next to her, she asked, “What think you of this sudden betrothal between my grandson and that widow?”

“Good morn to you as well, Grandmother Maclean.” Tucking the needle into the material she was embroidering and placing it in the basket on the floor next to her foot, she answered, “I dearly hope ‘twill be a good match, as I have grown to admire Jesslyn, and Callum deserves to find a bit of contentment in his life after all the blows his pride has taken these past moons.”

Lady Maclean’s eyes widened in amazement. “You’ve grown to admire the woman? How can that be?”

Maryn’s smile was wry as, with a bit of a shrug, she replied, “Aye, I know you find it hard to believe, but I’ve come to see that she only acted out of desperation.”

Lady Maclean snorted in derision. “More like jealousy and selfishness, I’d say.” She shook her head, chiding, “You are much too generous, lass.” Resting her hand on Maryn’s knee, she advised, “Take care.”

Swiveling on her stool, Maryn looked fully at her, saying, “Your suspicions are groundless, I swear it. If you’d but spend time with her, you would see that she is not the morally depraved person we thought her to be. Only think how it is for her: She raises her bairn alone without support—other than the little offered by her laird and her clan.” She sat forward. “And Daniel was her best means of rising out of that state as, ‘tis truth, there could be none better than he for husband—or for father to a bairn.”

Lady Maclean tightened her grasp on Maryn’s knee. “But the woman boldly endeavored to entice your husband with her fleshly charms! Surely you agree, that speaks ill of her character.”

“Nay, I swear, ‘twas fear that made her do the deed. ‘Twas not—is not—a true reflection of her nature.” She held Lady Maclean’s hand in both of hers. “Only imagine being forced to give such a man as Daniel up! I honestly believe I might have done the same thing—or worse—were the roles reversed.”

Lady Maclean silently regarded her granddaughter-in-law for a moment. The lass, it seemed, was quite set on believing the best of the widow—and there was clearly naught that would change that fact. Sighing, she at last nodded her head, saying, “If you are certain that the widow acted only out of her own sorrow and fear for her future, then I shall say naught more.” But, she silently vowed, she’d speak with the lady at the earliest opportunity to gauge for herself the verity in her granddaughter-in-law’s belief.

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