Page 75 of The Burden of a Scottish Chieftain
“Angels send you pushes too, but some evil forces are too powerful to overcome. So, you will return to Lennox? His heart belongs with yours.”
“Aye, I love him. But will you go back? I don’t want to lose you, Lia. And if you go, Magni will be devastated.”
“No, I am not finished yet. I have another wee one I must protect. He is not here yet, but he’s on his way. And you are correct. Magni still needs me, and I am happy to fulfill that need for a short while longer.”
Still speechless, Meg stared at Lia who sat with her hands folded demurely in her lap. Within seconds, a green aura surrounded her, as if to convince Meg that she was indeed something special.
“Oh my, Lia. The aura is impressive.”
“I have to stop it most times, but I thought you might enjoy it.” She stood, the aura disappearing. “Now, you need to appear out front. You’re needed there but trust me that the angels will take care of everything for you. And you can put the note aside. Lennox is on his way.”
Magni burst in the door. “The baron is here for you, Meg. Don’t go out. Hide. Thane is arguing for you, says he’ll send him away, but you cannot leave us.” He ran over and wrapped his arms around Meg’s waist. “You saved us.”
Lia said, “Calm down, Magni. I’m sure Thane can handle everything, and if he cannot, I’ll tell you a wee secret. But only if you promise not to scream out there. Thane will handle everything until the others arrive.”
“I promise. I promise. What’s the secret?” Wide-eyed, he hopped from one foot to the other and back again. “Lia, tell me, please. The baron has at least a score of men out there coming for Meg. Who are the others? When are they going to get here? Meg can’t leave me. I’ll cry.”
Lia leaned forward. “There are many men coming.”
“More men for the baron? How many more?”
“Nay, not the baron’s men. Lennox and the MacVey guards and your grandfather are all coming with the Grant guards.”
“Grandsire Logan! I love him.” Magni whirled and ran out the door, yelling behind him. “Come on, Meg! You too, Lia.”
Meg looked to Lia, gave the wee lass a hug, then asked, “Lennox is on his way?”
Lia nodded, taking her by the hand and leading her outside.
Meg followed her down the steps and met Tamsin and Rut at the door. Tamsin said, “Meg, please do not go out there. Those men remind me of Raghnall. I can’t lose you again.”
She turned to her sister and said, “I must go. I refuse to go with that man, so fear not. I have faith that this will put an end to the baron’s threats. I will not marry him.” Then she looked to Rut and squeezed her hands. “I have a husband whom I love dearly. I belong with Lennox.” Then she squared her shoulders and headed out the door of the keep toward the gates.
Rut and Tamsin followed, Rut wearing a wide grin. “She’s the one for him, Tamsin. I’m telling you that. She’s lovely in that blue gown. The baron will drool over her.” She grinned and squeezed Tamsin’s arm. “Naught like a wee bit of jealousy to force my son to be decisive.”
Meg stopped in the courtyard, a short distance from the gates, watching as the two men bantered about her life, making decisions for her as if she were but a bairn in her mother’s arms. She strode over to the bridge, but Thane waved her back.
Tamsin tugged on her sleeve. “Meg, don’t go. If you get close enough, he’ll have his men grab you, throw you in the boat. Men can be horrid that way.”
“Nay, Tamsin. This is my life, and he doesn’t have the right to decide for me. I don’t want him and won’t marry him.”
She was not a child. Why did they not understand that? Tears misted her gaze, but she fought them back, thinking of the one person she loved with all her heart.
Lennox MacVey.
Now that she’d stepped away from him, she knew his value. Knew she loved him. Knew he was the only man she’d ever allowin her life. Why had she left him? If he were here, surely he could find a way to get rid of this derelict.
She had to believe that Lia told the truth and Lennox was on his way. Until he arrived to offer her assistance, she would stand tall as a woman who would make her own decisions. Marry whom she wished, live where she chose. No old man was going to order her around.
The baron shouted to her, “Margret, you will come here right now. I paid for you, and you belong to me. I will have my men carry you here if you do not do as I tell you to do immediately.”
Tamsin gasped, whispering to her sister. “I never liked that name Margret. You’re a Meg.”
His men continued to walk across the beach, exiting their boats with their paltry weapons, forming a semicircle behind the baron.
“I’m not going to marry you, my lord,” she said in as loud a voice as she could.
She could almost hear the man grit his teeth. “Your opinion does not matter. You will bear me the heirs I was promised if I have to lock you in a chamber until you’ve given me the three lads pledged to me.”
