Highlander of My Heart (Mcardle Sisters of Courage 1)

“Do as your husband says, Lana,” Ruddock said and gave a nod to one of the warriors who walked over to help the woman up.

Hugh took a step forward. “I will apologize for calling your wife a harlot, but I won’t apologize for calling you the devil.”

Ruddock looked to the two warriors. “Both of you escort, Lana, to the Great Hall and see that she is provided with a hot brew and food while she waits for her husband.”

Lana felt hopeful. He would not have her wait for Hugh if he intended to place him in the stocks or worse, at least she hoped not.

Ruddock filled a goblet with wine and added more to his own goblet and walked over and handed Hugh one.

He took it without hesitation and took a quick swallow.

Ruddock had endless questions to ask him, but first he needed to know one thing. “You think me the devil?”

“Only a devil can rain destruction down on his friend that was like a brother to him,” Hugh accused, casting a quick glance at his useless arm.

Ruddock looked from Hugh’s arm to him. “I know not what you mean.”

“You lie,” he spat. “You did this and more. Lander and I were the only ones to survive the attack, the rest of the troop was slaughtered. And Lander’s lost his tongue. They cut it right out of his mouth.”

“Who?” Ruddock snapped.

“The barbarian troop you sent to attack the Northwick troop.”

Ruddock shook his head, his brow wrinkling. “You’re making no sense. What are you talking about? I never sent any barbarians to attack a Northwick troop.”

“You’re going to stand there and deny joining with the barbarians after you were banished from here,” Hugh accused, his tone growing angrier with each word, “riding with them, raiding with them, slaughtering with them?”

Shock turned Ruddock silent for a moment. Lies. More lies. He was forever surrounded by them. It was time for the truth. “I didn’t join the barbarians, my father sold me to them. I was their captive, their slave. I had no power to command any raid and I certainly wouldn’t have ordered a raid on my own people. I would have died first. You above anyone should have known that and never questioned it.”

“The barbarian claimed it was you as he cut Lander’s tongue from his mouth.”

“You believed the word of a barbarian opposed to that of a friend you knew since you were a wee bairn?”

“He pointed to a man on a horse up on a hill. He wore the Northwick plaid and I thought it was you.”

“You actually thought I would not come to your defense? That I would let harm befall you? We made a pact when were lads and gave our word to always defend each other. I would never dishonor my word and I believed the same of you, since you defended me against my father to the very end.”

Hugh shook his head. “I have struggled with this since it happened. I refused to believe it when your father announced you joined with the barbarians… until the attack.”

“My father announced to the clan that I had joined the barbarians?”

“He did. Not long after the troop was viciously attacked. Anyone who had once believed you falsely accused did so no longer. And that I saw you—thought I saw you—there in your plaid on a horse watching it all and doing nothing, turned the entire clan against you.”

“My plaid was taken from me shortly after they captured me and they made it clear that my father had sold me to them. I didn’t want to believe them, but then I never thought my father would disavow me.”

“What happened, Ruddock?” Hugh asked bewildered. “One day all was fine and the next our lives were torn apart and hell descended down on us.”

“I don’t know what happened. I don’t know who caused this or for what reason, but I intend to find out.”

Anger left Hugh’s words and sorrow filled his eyes. “You are right. I was a fool to even think you would have stood by and let any harm befall me. The barbarians proved victorious not only in battle that day but also in making your best friend doubt you and cause you even more damage. I am truly sorry and I hope you can forgive me and let me help find out who is responsible for the lies and deceit that has nearly ruined this clan.”

“I could use the help and I could use a true friend.”

“I will give you all the help you need. And it is more than a true friend you have,” —Hugh placed his goblet on the desk and held out his hand— “I miss the brother I once had and I welcome him home.”

Ruddock took it and pulled him into a tight hug, giving him a friendly slap on the back, feeling for the first time since arriving that he’d been welcomed home.