The Legend of a Rogue - Darcy Burke Page 0,43
her his lopsided smile before turning his attention to the other guests. “I see you all have everything well in hand.”
The young guest who’d sprung into action inclined his head toward the sword in Tavish’s hand. “Is that what they wanted?”
Tavish nodded. “Yes. As I’m sure you could all see, it’s a rather special weapon. Because of that, I would beg just one thing of you—and I know I don’t have a right to ask anything at all. However, there are many people who would like to get their hands on this sword for nefarious purposes. Men like Grover and his band. It would be best for everyone if this sword and its…abilities remained a whispered story, a myth.” He glanced at Elspeth.
She’d already agreed she wouldn’t write about it, and she never would.
“No one but those here tonight would believe it anyway,” the married man said, clutching his wife to his side.
Balthazar burst into the common room at that moment, his arm around Carrie. “She’s all right!”
Elspeth felt Tavish relax beside her. In fact, it was as if all the tension left his body. He began to slump against her so that she had to prop him up. “Help me,” she said to no one in particular.
Aunt Leah moved to Tavish’s other side, and together, she and Elspeth guided him to the nearest chair.
Elspeth knelt before him, then glanced up at Aunt Leah. “His feet…”
“I’ll fetch water and cloth.”
“And medicine,” Carrie said.
Elspeth looked to the serving maid. “You’re truly all right?”
Carrie smiled. “Yes.”
“That was a brilliant plan,” Elspeth said.
“Thank you.” Carrie notched her chin up with pride, then looked to Tavish. “Have you any idea how these brigands knew to come here in search of the sword?”
“I don’t, but I wonder if Dougal might be able to tell us when he awakens.”
Carrie nodded, then left the common room, presumably to fetch medicine.
Tavish let out a groan. “Are all the villains accounted for?”
“The grooms?” Balthazar asked worriedly.
“Unconscious,” Tavish said.
The sound of loud barking drew everyone to turn their heads. The front door opened, and the dogs rushed inside, followed by the grooms. Balthazar rushed to the animals, who swarmed around him.
“There is one villain missing,” Tavish said to Elspeth. “One of them ran off after the man outside caught fire.”
Elspeth picked up one of his feet and winced at the damage. Several jagged cuts tore his flesh. “Is there glass stuck in there?”
“I don’t think so. I pulled out a few pieces after I left the kitchen.”
She wrapped her hand around his ankle and looked up at him. “I’ll take care of you.”
He smiled. “My feet appreciate that.”
“Not just your feet, but all of you. That’s what wives do.”
“Wives?” Aunt Leah had arrived with a basin of water. She set it down next to Elspeth and stared at her. Another guest set down a small stack of cloths.
“Mr. MacLean has asked me to marry him, and I said yes.”
Aunt Leah put her hand on her mouth. “Oh my, well, that’s wonderful. I just hope it’s not a hasty decision after everything…” She shook her head. “On second thought, it seems as though he should propose.” She gave Elspeth a pointed look. Aunt Leah had seen his clothing littered about Elspeth’s room as well as her state of undress, and she was no fool.
“He asked earlier, before any of this happened.” Elspeth smiled up at him as she wetted a cloth.
Tavish turned his head toward Aunt Leah. “Truth be known, I started to fall in love with your niece two years ago. Seeing her again ensured I fell the rest of the way.” He moved his warm gaze to Elspeth. “I’m only sorry I didn’t make that happen sooner.”
Elspeth dabbed at his foot, and he flinched. “Sorry!”
“It’s quite all right,” he said. “Necessary, in fact. Do your worst.”
“I will do my best—with love.”
He grinned at her. “That is all I can hope for.”
Epilogue
December 29
Elspeth could scarcely believe it had just been over a week since the terrifying events at Balthazar’s Inn. Everyone that had endured that evening had promised to gather at the inn in the summer to make a new, better memory. And Elspeth and Tavish would do it as the Lord and Lady Strathclyde.
They’d stopped in Dunkeld to collect her father, who’d been shocked to hear of what had occurred, especially that his daughter was to be wed, and continued to Dumbarton. They’d arrived just two days ago and had been married the day before, much to the tearful