Page 99 of Deception of a Highlander

The boy narrowed his eyes with a wary expression. “How do you know all of this?”

Kieran looked past Jack’s shoulder to where Mariel sat in dejected silence. “Because I’m the man who loves her.”

Her eyes squeezed shut, and a tear slowly trailed down her wet cheek.

He spoke to Jack but knew he reached Mariel. “Ye knew yer sister a long time ago, but I know her now and can say without a doubt that she isna the woman ye think she is. She is strong and caring, moral and honest.” He met Jack’s gaze. “If ye dinna believe me, look at her. The clothes she wears are those of a warrior.”

Jack glanced at Mariel, and his small lips pursed in apparent confusion. “If what you say is true, why are they letting me go now?”

The lad was quick. “They dinna let ye go. We had to fight for ye. I’ve no’ ever seen a woman more brave or skilled in battle than her.”

Jack cast a hesitant glance back to where Mariel sat upon the dirty floor. Her luminous stare was fixed on them with a quiet intensity. He turned his gaze to Kieran once more and squeezed his arms tighter against his chest as though preparing himself for a blow. “She didn’t leave me?” he whispered.

“No,” Kieran answered in a low voice, meant only for Jack. “She never stopped fighting for ye, never stopped loving ye.”

The boy turned to where his sister sat. “Mariel?” he said, his small voice breaking.

Mariel did not wait for him to call again. She rose to her feet in a graceful movement and caught him in her arms. Her lips pressed against the top of his head, and tears ran freely down her cheeks.

“Jack,” she breathed.

Kieran fought the tug at his chest. Mariel had what she wanted.

He slipped back into the hall and waited for them to emerge.

* * *

Mariel hugged Jack to her one last time. The manor always teemed with people coming and going. They could not stay any longer.

“We need to leave,” Mariel said softly. The shoulder of her black shirt was wet with his sweet tears.

Jack’s hand clutched hers; his eyes fixed on her as though he were afraid if he looked away, she would disappear.

Mariel smiled down at him and squeezed his hand. “Everything is fine,” she assured him. “You will always be safe. I’ve made sure of that.”

Kieran waited outside the door for them, his face solemn as they passed through the doorway. Mariel met his gaze and felt the unspoken understanding between them. There was much that needed to be said, but this was neither the time nor the place.

She led them through the house, purposefully choosing paths seldom used to decrease the chance of stumbling upon a guard or a body. She did not want to frighten Jack any further.

There was so much he would have to adjust to already.

The warmth of his little hand inside of hers made her fingers stiff and her palms sweaty. The sensation was one she wouldn’t trade for all the jewels in London.

Kieran led them outside to the earthy scent of sun-warmed grass, the daylight brilliant. Never had there been a more beautiful day.

They slipped across the lawn and into the cool shade of the forest where they met with his men. Mariel did a quick count and released the breath she’d been holding. Every one of the warriors that entered the house had emerged, albeit peppered with a few cuts and nicks.

Colin grinned down at her brother. “Ye must be Jack.”

Jack nodded. His eyes grew large as he looked from Colin to the other men around them. “Is everyone so tall?”

Mariel gave a carefree laugh, remembering having thought the same thing.

Colin chuckled as he knelt before Jack. “Aye, we are a tall lot. I’ll let ye ride on my shoulders, then ye can be the tallest of all if ye like.”

Jack looked up at Mariel, his gaze questioning. She nodded, and Colin carefully lifted Jack to his shoulders. A slow, tentative smile crept over her brother’s face.

“Shall I run?” Colin teased, jogging in place. The cautious smile erupted in a wave of giggles, and Mariel’s heart lightened at the precious sound. There had been too many days she had thought she might never hear that laughter again.