Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 99593 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99593 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Brack and Brenna both turned, fear in both their eyes.
Esme understood. Torrance loved to play games, fill people with hope then snatch it away from them with a laugh. That’s what they both thought was about to happen.
“By any chance, Brack or Brenna, do either of you know of a woman in the clan known as Verna? The name is not familiar to me.”
Ryland saw it in Brack’s eyes as soon as he said it. The thing that Brack had been waiting for… the proof to his suspicion. Ryland quickly turned a scowl on him, then shifted his eyes briefly to Brenna then back to Brack, a silent warning.
Brack nodded. “I am not surprised you don’t remember her, my lord. They’d be no reason to. Verna was my uncle’s second wife. They wed in their later years, not long after your mum’s passing. Is there something in particular you would like to know about her?”
“We will discuss it later, Brack. Go see to getting that cleric,” Ryland said.
When the door closed behind the pair, Ryland turned to Esme, his voice low. “He knows who I am.”
Esme almost sighed with relief, and whispered, “Good, someone you can confide in.”
“But can I trust him? Will he believe I didn’t kill Torrance, or will he want revenge against me?”
“I believe that keeping his love for Brenna a secret is proof that he knew how evil Torrance could be and that you can trust him. You just allowed him to wed the woman he loves and hearing who you are and knowing Torrance won’t be around to snatch Brenna away from him at a whim will no doubt be a huge relief to him.”
“I do see the wisdom in that,” Ryland admitted. “But with Verna dead where do we go next to prove that I am Torrance’s twin brother?”
Esme slipped her hand around his, hugging it tight. “You may never get the proof you seek, and I don’t know if it would matter to the clan. I believe that when you announce that you are Ryland, Torrance’s twin brother, and will rule Clan Glencairn that the clan will be overjoyed with relief, believing they will finally have hope of a better life under your rule. And maybe it will stop attempts on our lives.” She leaned closer. “You can’t continue to do this alone. It is time to send for those you trust and bring this to an end.”
He rested his brow against hers. “I know you’re right, but once I announce who I am that leaves you—” He paused briefly, lifting his head, his eyes sparking with excitement. “Marry me. When the cleric arrives to wed Brack and Brenna, he can wed us. Do not refuse me. Do not tell me it is too soon. Do not tell me we must wait. You will wed me and there is nothing more to be said about it.”
“But there is,” Esme insisted.
“And what is that?” he snapped prepared to argue with her.
“That I accept. I would be honored to be your wife, Ryland.”
The door rushed open and Brack hurried in. “Chieftain Roland of Clan Rennoch approaches with a troop of warriors.
CHAPTER 30
Word traveled fast in the Highlands—faster than even a horse could ride when rumor ran hot with talk of betrayal and blood.
Chieftain Roland of Clan Rennoch rode through the village with a troop of twenty warriors, their presence turning heads and causing whispers.
Ryland, still cloaked in Torrance’s name and title, stood on the steps of the keep as Roland came to a stop in front of him and dismounted. His deep-set eyes gleamed with concern, but Ryland wondered what truly was in his thoughts.
“I heard of the attack in the woods,” Roland said. “Word is… someone seeks your death. I have come to offer my support.” He looked past Ryland to the keep, then to the warriors who stood as sentinels along the walls. “And prove that clan Rennoch is loyal to you.”
“A wise decision, Roland,” Ryland said and offered no hand in greeting. “How does your father fare in the dungeon?” A reminder that Clan Rennoch’s betrayal still weighed on his mind.
“He suffers his punishment as best he can.”
That news matched what Brack heard from the warriors Ryland had left there to keep watch over Rennoch since he didn’t trust them.
“I’ve placed men beyond your sentinels—silent watchers hidden where none will see. If any troops approach, we’ll know before they reach the village. The rest of my warriors will make camp along the outskirts.” He nodded toward the line of men behind him, each heavily armed with weapons and ready to fight. “Better to be cautious, aye?”
Ryland gave a single nod. “Aye, see to setting up your camp. We can talk later.”
Roland bobbed his head. “My lord.”
Ryland watched until he disappeared behind the rows of thatched cottages. Then, with a glance at Brack, he turned on his heels. “My solar. Now.”