The Wellspring (Kaitlyn and the Highlander #12) - Diana Knightley Page 0,3

Now, how about Fraoch explains to you about the vessel? I want to preface though — Fraoch told me this story, and I didn’t mean to keep it from you, I just didn’t know what it meant. I knew you had vessels, I didn’t know if people all over the world had them. Were they common in Scotland? I didn’t know. I didn’t even know exactly what having a vessel meant. So I decided you didn’t need to know. Now I see that of course you needed to know, it was very silly to—”

“Hayley, your point?”

“Just remember, this is a part where I’m imperfect.”

“We all make mistakes.” I rolled my hand for her to get on with it.

She said, “You don’t know the half of it.”

I said, “Uh oh.”

She nudged Fraoch. “Tell him.”

“When I was verra young, after m’mother had passed, I found m’father sitting with a box on his lap. There was a bright blue light emanatin’ from inside. I dinna understand what m’eyes were tellin’ me. I could nae describe it because twas somethin’ I had never seen afore. My father hid it from me and I never saw it again.” He plucked at the napkin beside his plate. “Later when I saw the vessels I recognized the same machine as I had seen in my father’s hands.”

My eyes went wide. “So your father was holding a vessel?”

“I am sure of it.”

Magnus said, “And ye hail from Glen Coe?”

“Aye.” Fraoch looked uncomfortable and shifted in his seat.

“Dost ye ken where he might hae hidden it?”

“I daena, I never saw it again.”

Magnus looked contemplative. “It might be hidden there, in yer village.”

Fraoch’s shoulders hunched, he ran a hand through his beard, shaking his head. “Lady Mairead says m’father is Donnan — I was speaking on it with Hayley, I am sure the vessel must hae belonged tae m’mother.”

I said, “Donnan gave Lady Mairead a vessel or two, it would make sense.”

Magnus said, “Ye said yer mother passed away, perhaps afore she could shew it tae ye, or tell ye of yer true history?”

“Aye, she never mentioned I was nae m’father’s son.”

I asked, “Did you ever suspect?”

“Nae, he was always m’own, m’brother was my own.”

Magnus shrugged. “Ye ken, in the history of the world, this is a story that will happen. There is nae way tae ken, truly, that a son is yer own or another’s. Perhaps yer father kent ye were from another man or maybe he dinna, but either way, was he a good father tae ye?”

“Aye, he treated me well.”

“Tis all that truly matters. He treated ye well, and ye are a man who treats others well, so I think ye should nae worry on the rest of it, because I tell ye, Fraoch, ye are fortunate tae hae nae crossed paths with Donnan.”

Hayley dramatically laid her head on the table. “Phew, so I take it there isn’t going to be a big fistfight or a duel or almost killing each other with dirks?”

Magnus chuckled. “I wanted tae kill Fraoch or at least beat him for the trouble he caused by bein’ m’brother, but the year away has calmed m’storm. Ye are m’brother, I hae had enough of fightin’ with brothers.”

Hayley said, “Fraoch that’s good, right?”

“Aye, I am of the same mind. I wanted tae beat ye for holdin’ the gun tae me, but I hae been here with yer bairn, with Hayley, waiting for yer return. I daena think I could gather the anger about me. And I would win, ye ken, I would, but twould nae be fun tae do it, m’heart inna in it.”

Magnus chuckled. “We should go fishin’ instead.”

“I will take ye and the boys tomorrow.”

Magnus said, “Tis a deal. And then I will learn tae drive,” he ran his hand through his hair and said under his breath to me. “I hae tae learn tae drive.”

Beaty came to the room with Isla fast asleep in her arms. “I was tae put her down in her crib, Queen Kaitlyn, but thought tae ask if ye wanted tae hold her?”

“I do, I really, really do.” I held out my arms and the comforting weight of Isla was placed into them. She was sweaty and sleeping deeply. I cuddled her close and swallowed down my grief, excitement, and nervousness — “What if she wakes up and is scared?”

Beaty said, “She winna be. She grows fretful when I put her down in the crib. She will be happy anyone is holdin’…” She frowned. “My apologies, I