Page 90 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

The Old Woman stood so fast the bench she sat on toppled back. She stood straight, her height impressive, no hunch to her shoulders, and a flare of anger in her eyes.

“Here is something you should know, Chieftain Ryland of Clan MacLeish… you and Torrance are twins.”

The silence cracked like thunder.

Esme stared bewildered. “Twins?”

Ryland shook his head, stunned by her remark. “That’s not possible.”

“Isn’t it?” the Old Woman asked, not that she expected a response. “You have never wondered why you and Torrance looked so much alike. Never gave thought to him being your brother.”

“I can’t say the thought hadn’t crossed my mind a time or two that the rumors about my mum and Torrance’s father could be true. But that would make us half-brothers, not twins.” He shook his head again. “It makes no sense. That would mean my mum and da were not my true parents.”

“Therein lies the secret that must be revealed if you and Esme are ever to know peace.

“Could there be another to claim the title?” Esme asked, recalling what Ryland had told her about Lord Randall’s deathbed remark.

“Pretenders, liars, fools,” the Old Woman said dismissively. The true heir to Clan Glencairn is the firstborn twin. With your brother dead, it truly doesn’t matter whether you are the firstborn twin or not. The problem is… proving you are Torrance’s twin and rightful heir to succeed him as leader of Clan Glencairn.”

CHAPTER 25

“How are we to find the answer to a secret so long buried?” Ryland asked, still trying to comprehend the shocking news. “And why was Torrance and I separated?”

The Old Woman glanced at Esme. “Where do you think you could find such answers?”

Ryland turned his attention on Esme as if she had the answer.

It came to Esme without much thought. “I would start with the healer who delivered the twins.”

The Old Woman smiled, though it soured when she shifted her attention to Ryland. “Pay heed to Esme, for she is wiser than most.”

“It is why I don’t hesitate to seek her counsel,” Ryland said proudly, “and one of the reasons I love her so much.”

That he believed she was wise stunned her and it showed in her expression, her eyes turning wide. She never thought herself wise. Her mum often reminded her to hold her tongue around men and pay them no mind. But when alone with her grandmother, she would tell her that her mum only got part of that right. She cautioned Esme to hold her tongue around menand pay heed to everything they said and learn from it. Perhaps she had gained more wisdom than she believed.

“You don’t know who the healer was who attended the birth, do you?” Esme asked.

“It pains me to admit I do not know,” the Old Woman said with a touch of annoyance. “All healers seek my help, not so this particular healer. But she may have been sworn to secrecy and healers do hold on to their secrets.”

“If you can’t find her, how can we?” Ryland asked.

“We start with Torrance’s mum’s family,” Esme said, the slight scrunch of her brow and the brightness in her eyes a sign that her thoughts were churning rapidly. “We find out if she had any siblings and if so where we can find them. Then we find out where your mum gave birth.”

“Torrance spoke about a room in the keep where all heirs to Clan Glencairn are birthed. I assume that was were Torrance and I would have been born, but Patrick informed me that Torrance was born at Purdom Keep due to a snowstorm that stranded her there.” Ryland shook his head, still finding the news that Torrance was his twin brother difficult to digest.

“Then he could know more than he says, and other elders might know something.” Esme said. “We need to speak to elders in your mum’s clan who were around when you were born and see what they remember. Did Torrance ever mention his mum’s clan? If not, maybe one of the elders would—” She stopped abruptly and looked to the Old Woman. “You know.”

The Old Woman smiled but said nothing.

“Of course,” Esme said with a wide smile.

“What am I missing?” Ryland asked then shook his head. “Purdom. She was from Clan Purdom, which is why you wanted to meet here, where it all began.” He nodded this time. “Patrick is older, he might know something. He waits for me?—”

“He returned home,” “the Old Woman said, “before the snow stranded him here.”

Ryland left Esme’s side and went to the door and opened it. The snow was falling heavily. It would be foolish to travel in it. He shut the door and turned ready to demand to know why she didn’t warn them.

The Old Woman didn’t give him a chance to speak. “You two need time to talk, time to be alone without worry. The snowstorm has provided that for you. There is a small cottage just beyond this one. It is there for those in need. You are in need. I have told you all I know. The rest is up to you. If I learn more, I will let you know. Now go and find the secret of the twins’ birth that will free you both.”

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