Eli wrapped her arms around this woman who had taught her so much in life. “Grandmama …”
“I’m not finished yet. I hope that my reputation will continue to make men fear our daughters and granddaughters. I wish to maintain the reputation of shooting a man in the bollocks to make any man fear my granddaughters. I can no longer protect you, but my reputation could.” The tears rolled down her face freely, something Eli had never seen before.
Her grandfather said, “Elisant, it was a difficult surgery, extremely painful, as has been the healing process. She wishes you to only have memories of how strong she is. She’s the strongest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, and I respect her wishes in this.”
Eli rested her head on her grandmother’s shoulder. “But you are so much more than your reputation, Grandmama. You are much more than Gwyneth Ramsay to me. You are my strength, and I need you. Especially in this new life. Please do not hide from me. I’ll keep your secret, but can I not visit with you both? I need you, especially on the Isle of Mull.”
She kissed her dear grandmother’s wet cheek and then looked at her grandfather. “Do you know how much my heart ached after you left me?”
“We left everyone, not just you, lass,” her grandfather said. “And our hearts ached for all of you.”
“But it felt like you left me on my wedding. Duart Castle is huge and well made. Maitland and Derric just returned with supplies. We have extra bedchambers so you can stay with us. You can stay in a comfortable bed, Grandmama.”
Grandmama patted her arm. “We have a nice bed. I am healing well. Every day is better.”
“Will you two promise not to hide from me? I am the only Ramsay here, so no one else is going to be searching for you.”
Eli stood and glanced from one grandparent to the other, the two peeking at each other, the subtle nod finally coming from her grandmother.
Grandsire said, “We promise to visit with you once a sennight. Will that suit you? We do have work to do. And we will come when the guards are away.”
“Where are you staying?”
“That is for our knowledge only at this point. When we have discovered what our king needs to know, then we will gladly stay with you for a while.”
“Promise? Both of you?”
“Promise,” Grandsire said, Grandmama repeating the same.
Her grandmother beckoned her back, so Eli sat down, and Grandmama kissed her forehead and said, “So proud of you and what you are building here on the Isle of Mull.”
“Many thanks to you. I learned from the best.”
Her grandfather said, “You are not going to find many boar here, lass, just pheasant, duck, goose, rabbit, and deer. And aye, she was shooting to miss you. Hoped to scare you off, but my granddaughter does not scare easily, does she?”
“Nay, I’d know her fletchings anywhere.”
“Let’s go back, Logan,” Grandmother said, pushing herself to the edge of the boulder.
Eli looked at Alaric and pointed to her grandmother. He moved over to lift her, but Grandsire was there first.
“Logan Ramsay, do not touch me. Let the young one do it for a change. I’ll break your back soon enough.”
“Gwynie, you weigh as much as a twig now.” But Eli noticed the man didn’t argue, instead climbing onto his horse.
Alaric lifted her onto their mount in front of her husband, her arm wrapped around his, and they were off.
Eli called out after them, “One sennight. You promised!”
Chapter Thirty-One
Tamsin
Tamsin stood in front of the loch, taking in the beautiful view. She’d been here for four days, and her ankle was much improved. Eli had said it wasn’t broken but sprained. She wouldn’t be running anywhere, but she got around without too much pain, though she’d learned long ago how to function, with or without pain. Her entire being bubbled with something unfamiliar, happiness and hope. Others might think it was the blue sky or the shimmering water, but that wasn’t the part she believed was the best.
It was the bairns.
Derric and Dyna were in the water with their three bairns, the wee ones kicking and squealing with delight, splashing water and jumping about as if they’d never been wet before.
