Page 116 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

The others there, Hakon, Una, Brack, and Brenna were just as eager to hear. The Monk was not there. He had left at daybreak, anxious to return home to his wife, Shade, though not to an angry Nug who he had ordered to remain behind to see Clan MacLeish kept safe.

“It is thanks to his mum that he did,” Patrick said, “though it broke her heart to separate the lads. But she feared that once Randall learned he had twin sons, he would pit the lads against each other to see who would emerge the strongest to rule Clan Glencairn. She didn’t want that for either of them, so she gave one to the healer who delivered the twins and told her to find a good home for him.”

“Do you know which one, first or second born and why did the healer give the bairn to a family who lived so close to his brother?” Esme asked, her hand locked with Ryland’s where it rested on the table.

“That was by sheer accident,” Patrick said. “And it greatly upset Claire. She feared for Ryland’s safety. As far as who was firstborn, that was Ryland.”

“How do you know?” Ryland asked.

“The firstborn was born with a mark on the back of his neck at his hairline. I spotted it on you in the meeting room when you leaned over near the flames to rid your hair of the snow.”

“And the accident that caused me to live near my brother?” Ryland asked, the fact that he was firstborn held no significance to him with Torrance gone, though it confirmed him rightful heir to Clan Glencairn.

“From what I learned, the healer delivered a stillborn bairn, a week later, when she stopped at a clan for the night—Clan MacLeish—and she gave you to that woman. She did not tell her who you were, only that you were an orphan and needed a home. The woman and her husband were only too glad to accept you as their own. I imagine your parents realized the truth whenthey saw how you were identical to your brother. The parents who raised you must have loved you very much to withstand the gossip that your mum had an affair with Lord Randall. I do know Lord Randall tormented Claire about it, accused her of giving away his son, but she remained firm, insisting she delivered only one bairn that day.”

“How terribly heartbreaking all of that must have been for her, giving one of her newborn sons away,” Esme said.

Patrick remained silent for a moment, then spoke. “It wasn’t the first time.”

“What do you mean?” Ryland asked.

“I am the father of Claire’s firstborn child. Claire and I gave our daughter to the healer who delivered her to keep her safe. Claire feared what might happen to her if Randall ever suspected she wasn’t his daughter or what he would do when she came of age to wed.”

“I have a half-sister besides a half-brother?” Dru piped up excited. “Do you know where is?”

“Claire’s mum knew that many healers are asked to take unwanted bairns and ones who could face danger and find homes for them for their safety. The healer we gave our daughter to kept her as her own. I kept watch from afar until… she was taken from her clan after a battle loss. I planned to rescue her.”

“We’ll help you,” Ryland offered.

“Aye, we’ll get our sister back,” Dru chimed in.

“Not necessary. She’s safe now,” Patrick said and, with tears misting his eyes, he turned and looked at Brenna. “You have your mum’s beautiful eyes.”

Brack caught the tankard that Brenna held, as it dropped from her hand.

“You’re my da?” Brenna asked as if she didn’t quite understand.

“I am and Lady Claire was your mum, though I will say that Sarah, the woman who raised you, was an excellent mum to you, and Claire and I are grateful to her for keeping you safe.”

“You should talk with your daughter privately, in my solar,” Ryland said, and Esme smiled, pleased with her husband’s thoughtfulness.

“I get a chance to talk with her as well,” Dru hurried to say.

“You’ll get your chance, Dru,” Ryland said, “but one question before you go. How did you get past my sentinels and Roland’s men and reach the keep without being seen?”

Patrick’s eyes got more than misty. “I found a way into Clan Glencairn without being noticed, unable to stay away from Claire until she begged me not to return. She not only feared for my life, but she told me she couldn’t take the heartbreak she suffered each time I left.” A tear rolled down his cheek. “Nothing stopped me from going to her when I learned she took ill and was close to death. I was grateful Lord Randall and Torrance were away conquering some poor clan. Verna kept all servants away and I held Claire in my arms until she took her last breath.”

Ryland hadn’t cried since he was a child, but he felt tears choking him, though he wouldn’t let them fall. Not so, Esme, she cried freely as did Dru who sobbed against her husband’s chest, and Brenna openly wept for the heartbreak her parents suffered, Brack holding her close to him. Tears ran down Una’s cheeks and Hakon stepped closer to her, but she turned a warning look on him not to come any closer and he didn’t, though he stayed where he was.

“Go and have time with your daughter,” Ryland said. “You are just in time for her wedding.”

“Wedding?” Patrick asked anxiously.

Brack reluctantly left Brenna’s side to stand. “Aye, I wish to wed your daughter, with your permission, sir.”

“You were Torrance’s man,” Patrick said with a sneer.

“Not for some time now. I am loyal to Lord Ryland,” Brack said.

---