Page 101 of The Lyon and the Unicorn
Clara glanced at the trembling man. “He—he came to tell Duncan about your father, and…”
Murdo closed his eyes, and when he opened them, they were glistening with moisture. The anger drained from his expression and he nodded.
“He found ye with Duncan,” he said. “It seems I’m too late.”
He turned to his brother. “James, there’s much to be done. I’ll await ye at the castle. There’s no need for either of us to be here.”
His shoulders slumped and he exited the cottage. Clara watched as he trudged along the path then disappeared into the trees.
“Och, lass, ye shouldn’t have done that,” the ghillie said.
“I daresay he’ll recover,” Clara said bitterly. “It’s no great loss, and he’ll be fulfilling his father’s deathbed wish.”
“His what?” James said.
“Your father told Murdo to rid himself of me,” Clara said. “‘That whore,’ he called me with his last breath—as I’m sureyou’vecalled me many times.”
“Was I wrong? Ye’ve just broken my brother’s heart.”
“Your brother has no heart for me,” Clara said. “He never did.”
“That’s where ye’re wrong, lass,” the ghillie said. “Did ye never wonder why Master Angus hated ye so much?”
“Because I’m English, and the daughter of the woman he violated.”
“Plenty of Sassenachs have married Highlanders, lass,” Duncan said. “And Master Angus lay with more whores than there are raindrops in a storm. He hated ye because he saw what I’ve seen with my own eyes—that Master Murdo loves ye.”
“Is that whyyouhate me, James?” Clara asked.
James’s eyes filled with shame, and he shook his head slowly. “I don’t hate ye. I just…” He wiped his eyes. “My da, he…” He shook his head. “I didn’t want him to be ashamed of me.”
“Why would anyone be ashamed of you?” Clara asked.
James shuffled from one foot to the other and glanced at Duncan.
“Love is nothing to be ashamed of,” Clara said. “We cannot help whom we love. All we can do is love them, and give thanks if they love us in return.” She glanced at Duncan. “You both have much to be thankful for.”
“Do ye love my brother?” James asked.
Clara opened her mouth to deny it, then closed it again. She blinked and nodded as a tear rolled down her cheek.
“And did my da really tell my brother to rid himself of ye?”
Clara nodded.
“Then,” James said, “my first order as laird will be to the whole clan—to welcome ye as one of our own.”
“And Marsaili?” Clara said.
“What of her?”
“She’s pregnant.”
“Och, poor lass.” Duncan shook his head. “Free of him at last, but burdened with his child. James, ye must reassure Marsaili she’s not to be cast out, that her bairn will be cared for.”
“Aye.” James nodded.
Pride shone in Duncan’s eyes. “Ye’ll be the finest laird Clan McTavish has ever had,” he said. “And yer brother will be there for ye.” He turned to Clara. “Master Murdo will be there for ye also, lass.”
