The Bachelor's Bride (The Thompsons of Locust Street #1) - Holly Bush Page 0,47
the kidnapper. There were other servants already heading toward me, but Father had told me to not stop until Payden was in Mother’s arms. And that’s what I did. I went through them, Payden in one arm and the knife in the other hand, until I could hand Mother her son while she held up a long sword at the ready.”
“Oh, my dear Lord,” Kirsty said.
“You were just a boy,” Elspeth said.
“I was. But it didn’t matter. The family had to be protected,” James said.
“Mackie was found dead the next morning. His ale had been poisoned,” Aunt said.
Elspeth could hardly take it all in. No wonder Muireall and James and Aunt were so fearful.
“Now you know why Father left. I don’t think he ever intended it to be for more than a few months. Aunt told me he sent letters to the officials in London and Scotland by special messenger and letters to other peers and judges. I think he hoped that Plowman would be caught. That the bad actors at Dunacres would slink away if their leader was gone and that he could keep the family safe away from Scotland until that happened,” Muireall said.
“And you think the men who’ve followed us are connected?” I asked.
“I’m certain they are,” Muireall said. “Do you imagine that we’ve twice had someone randomly follow us?”
Elspeth noticed Kirsty was weeping, and she went to her and knelt in front of her. “You mustn’t cry, dearest. We have to be strong.”
She looked up, tears streaming down her face. “They killed Mother and Father, didn’t they? They killed them on the ship.”
Elspeth sat back on her haunches. It had not occurred to her until that very moment that her parents may have been murdered. It felt as if the earth beneath her feet shook, as if every foundation she had, every truth and reality that she believed, was no longer certain. Nothing was real, it seemed. She stood up slowly and turned to look at Muireall, Aunt Murdoch, and James. Muireall was the only one looking her in the eye. She was calm, rather than the near hysteria she’d seen in her sister earlier.
“Yes. Our parents were murdered. We knew they’d been murdered and hid away for the rest of the journey. What has been done, what has been said and not said, has been done so that the MacTavishes live on, so that Payden can take his rightful place, so that Father and Mother will be honored, that their lives were not in vain. I would do it all again exactly the same way,” Muireall said. “James and Aunt have supported me. I expect you and Kirsty to do the same. There is nothing, nothing more important than guarding Payden and holding up the earldom for his return.”
“It’s been thirteen years, Muireall. We’ve become Americans. Our lives are here.”
Muireall stood and stepped close to Elspeth. “We are MacTavishes. We are the direct line of the chief of the clan. We will never, ever shirk our duties. Not as long as I draw breath.”
Chapter 13
“Pardon me, Mother?” Alexander asked as he picked up his fork and knife.
“I’ve planned a party—more a ball really, considering the number of guests who’ve said yes.”
Alexander was having dinner with his parents and Annabelle, as he did every Sunday evening. He glanced at his father. “This is the first I’m hearing about it, Mother.”
“I didn’t know I needed to ask your permission, darling,” his mother said with raised brows as she sipped her wine from a long-stemmed crystal glass.
“Of course you don’t need my permission. It’s just that there are several . . . things going on that may prove challenging for entertaining.”
“Such as?”
Alexander cut his filet mignon and shrugged, hoping to appear more nonchalant than he felt. “Well, security for one thing. You know that Father has added security to the house and the factory and to the two of you,” he said with a nod to Annabelle. “Large groups are a challenge even for Graham. Am I right, Father?”
“You are absolutely right,” he said sternly. “Your mother and I have had one of our rare disagreements about it, but she and your sister have run roughshod over me. I’ve got three meetings planned with Graham on the subject. You’re welcome to attend. In fact, I wish you would, considering who all is on the guest list.”
Alexander turned his head to his mother. “Not the usual? Uncle Nathan and Aunt Isadora? Your committee ladies? Some of Father’s cronies?”