“My mama is pwetty.”
“Who is the man laughing with Eli’s husband?”
Tora turned around and watched, then replied, “He’s my cousin Bwoc. He’s going to be Alawic’s second. My mama is the chief with Maitland. And I made new fwends. Hawk is from Black Isle and he bwought the ship. They will go back for more. He bwought some fwends with him, but I do not know them.”
“What is your father’s name?”
Tora scowled and said, “Papa.”
Tamsin chuckled, something she hadn’t done in a long time, and it freed her. The smile on her face was a swift reminder that the world could turn right again, if only she could get away from Raghnall.
Tora ran back to her mother and hugged her again, leaping into her arms with a burst of giggles.
There was so much going on in front of her that they paid Tamsin no mind. It gave her the time to study the group, something she enjoyed immensely because the atmosphere was so different from Clan Garvie.
In fact, she began to take note of the many differences:
How Dyna smiled at her husband, kissing him openly on the lips.
How Alaric always moved back to Eli’s side, his hand frequently settling on the curve of her back. Raghnall’s only touch was with the back of his hand or his fist.
How the three bairns raced across the hall with glee, only being spoken to when they neared the hearth, their mother shouting, “Away from the fire!” They instantly reacted, moving in the other direction. The three played well, only an occasional argument breaking out but quickly solved.
The biggest surprise to her were the smiles. She’d never been in an area where she’d seen so many people smiling. Maitland brought out wine to share while Alaric grabbed a pitcher of ale, setting it on the sideboard. Eli placed a platter of cheese, bread, and berries on the sideboard for people to grab as they chattered and eventually settled at trestle tables.
Tamsin daydreamed of a life without Raghnall, of a time when she could have a husband who smiled at her, bairns tugging on her skirt as they giggled and played while she managed the food and the stores.
Could she ever have such a life?
She doubted it, especially since Raghnall had control of their daughter. If she were ever free of him, had a way of finding her daughter, and found a new place to live and work, she’d never want another husband.
She hated relations and wanted no part of that ever again. The pain and humiliation were more than she could bear.
Nay, if she ever got away from Raghnall, she’d never marry again. She’d search out her sister instead.
She had to reason that she should be able to rid herself of the monster, since he’d already tried to kill her. If only she didn’t have to return. If only she had her daughter by her side. If onlyshe were completely healed.
But living with the Grants and Ramsays taught her one thing. It had only been a couple of days, but she witnessed a happiness in them that she hadn’t experienced since she’d lost her mother. Life could be worth living. One could live a happylife. But how could she do it as a grown woman married to a man like Raghnall?
If she could figure out how to get her daughter back, her heart could be happy.
Nothing else mattered to her. She had to heal and return for her daughter.
There was no other option.
Chapter Fourteen
Eli
Eli and Dyna sat in front of the hearth later that night. Many had taken to their beds and the three men were outside checking on the horses. They’d brought two more stallions and three mares, bringing their total to eight. The stables could hold more, but Eli was pleased with the new additions.
Dyna sat back in her chair and sighed. “I’m so excited to have everyone here. And I’m thrilled to have my sister here too. I was not expecting to see Astra in the group. I’m surprised my mother allowed it.” Astra was her only sister who was not married. She looked like her opposite because she had the dark hair of her father, but she had the same blue eyes as her mother and sister.
“You need someone to help watch your three wild ones. I love their enthusiasm for life. Don’t change them. Astra will make sure they are just like you. Derric’s skills can be used elsewhere. Any of the men they find to be guards from the isle will need to be trained. Derric is a good swordsman. He’ll be wonderful with them.” Eli wasn’t ready to have any bairns yet, but when she was, she would ask Dyna for advice.
“At least with Astra here, I’m certain my parents will visit.” She gave Eli one of her lopsided grins. “Getting a chieftain to leave their clan is difficult, but now that they are passing it on, Papa may come along someday.”
“Probably not for a bit. I love visitors, but everyone knows we must get settled first. We’ve much to do, but it was too quiet with Maitland and Derric gone. This is better. We are nearly twenty now. It is an exciting development.” Eli took another swig of wine. “I have a question I forgot to ask earlier with all the excitement, Dyna. Did you chat much with the traveling merchant? The one who brought the bread?”
