Page 18 of The Plight of a Scottish Lass
“His name is Thane MacQuarie, chieftain of Clan MacQuarie. He lives on the western side of the isle, which is how he was able to see your husband’s ship from the cliff near his home. He watched as your husband deposited you on the rock, striking you first.”
Unable to look the healer in the eye, Tamsin took a bite of her porridge, then asked, “May I see him, please?”
“Thane returned to his clan. He told us everything he knew about you and your circumstances, but he is chieftain. He has obligations to tend to.”
“What did he say?”
“That your husband intended to kill you.” Eli was quite blunt, though her words did not surprise Tamsin.
There was no reason to keep the truth from her. “He did intend so. He failed because of Thane. He swam to me and kept me above water until a boat picked us up. Raghnall knew I couldn’t swim, so he thought when the tide came in, I would die on the rocks.”
“Was he angry with you for some reason? I know we discussed this last night, but I wish to hear your answers again. I fear you may have been delirious last eve. I wish to make sure I understand exactly what happened.”
Tamsin had little memory of last eve other than knowing she survived because of a kind man. A handsome man, if she were asked. She didn’t mind answering the gentle woman’s questions. “Aye. I burned his dinner. The last straw, he called it. Dragged me down to the water and tossed me into the boat.”
Eli chewed on her lip, so Tamsin took the opportunity to eat more porridge, amazed at how delicious the simple dish tasted. Somehow, she knew Eli was considering how to phrase her next inquiry.
After a few moments, Eli walked over to the hearth and leaned against the end of it, crossing her arms. “And I haveanother question for you. Were you carrying a bairn? Because you were bleeding when you came in.”
Tamsin nodded, tears blurring her vision. “Aye. Raghnall was angry that I did not give him a son with our first bairn, so his fist went to my belly twice. I lost the bairn I was carrying. In fact, I didn’t even know I was carrying yet. Then in the boat, he said it was my fault I didn’t carry the babe until the end. Said his mother pronounced it a weak boy. So, his decision was that since I couldn’t give him a strong son, I didn’t deserve to live.” She couldn’t stop the tears this time, and she covered her face with her hands.
Eli moved over and hugged Tamsin. “Your husband is a nasty brute who doesn’t deserve you. And his mother is a witchin’ bitch. First of all, I doubt she could tell if it was a boy at that time. If he were my son, I’d cut off his bollocks.”
Tamsin couldn’t believe her ears, pushing back from Eli to stare at her. “What did you say?”
“I said he doesn’t deserve you.”
“Nay, after that.” Had she talked about her husband’s manhood?
“His mother is a bitch. But I’d cut off his bollocks. Or hit him there with an arrow. I’ve done it before, and it is oddly satisfying when the bastard deserved it.”
“Your husband?”
Eli’s eyes widened. “My husband? Nay, I adore my husband. He would never raise a hand to me or speak to me like that. You lost the bairn because Raghnall punched you in your belly. It is his fault the bairn died, not yours.”
Tamsin heard so many odd concepts that she swiped at her tears to stare at her hostess. Did she speak truly? She again covered her face, shaking her head at all this information. But the most shocking part wasn’t about her husband’s manhood. She dropped her hands and asked, “You love your husband?”
“I do. I chose him. Did you not choose your husband?”
She shook her head, the odd words caught in her throat. When had she ever had a say in anything? “Nay. My father gave a large payment for me. He chose Raghnall. I never met him until our wedding day. You chose your husband? Your sire allowed you to have a say in your marriage?”
“Oh, lass. You have lived a terrible life. We live differently. Perhaps you should stay with us, not go back. Men respect women in our clan and treat them so. Beating is not allowed.”
Tamsin had to admit that she had an odd pain in her head, and the thoughts spinning about were things she wished to save and contemplate. So odd compared to the life she knew, she had to give thoughtful consideration to everything Eli had just told her. Respect? Love? “I think I need to lie down. Many thanks for the porridge and the goat’s milk, but I am overtired. Do you mind helping me back?” She couldn’t listen to anything more Eli said.
Everything she’d heard upset her too much—so contrary to life as she knew it.
Could she live in such a way? It was too late to change some things about her existence. Her husband was Raghnall. His mother hated her. She’d lost her second bairn. Her husband had tried to kill her. And then there was the one good part that gave meaning to her soul—her daughter.
Now she just had to figure out how to change her life. But dear Alana was a part of her, and she needed her nearby. She’d have it no other way.
What the hell was she to do?
Chapter Twelve
Thane
Thane made his way across the bridge to his castle, past the gates, waving to the guards on the wall. He glanced back at the moat, noticing the water was getting higher. That was a good thing.
