Highlander of My Heart (Mcardle Sisters of Courage 1)

“My mum’s robe,” Ruddock said, joining her on the bed to sit beside her.

“Would you prefer I didn’t wear it?” Sorrell asked, her hand going to the belt at her waist.

“I prefer you naked to clothed anytime, but I don’t begrudge you wearing my mum’s garments. She would be pleased that you made use of them, though they will be large on you.”

“Blodwen can see to that and thank you. I will enjoy wearing them.”

“My mum was thoughtful to a fault and honest, always honest, which reminds me, I need to confess something to you. Something I should have told you sooner.”

Sorrell leaned closer to him and placed her finger to his mouth for a moment, warning him to hush, then whispered, “I haven’t told you everything about me either.”

“Really? And what is it you hide from me?” he asked curious, thinking there wasn’t much he didn’t know about her.

“You first,” she challenged, settling against him to listen.

He accepted, wanting to be done with it.

“I was stunned when my father claimed I wasn’t his son and ordered me from my home, my clan, never to return. At first, I didn’t know what to think or what to say, then when I realized he’d never see reason, we got into an awful argument, ending with my banishment. I left that day with nothing but the garments I had on. I was so shocked I didn’t know what to do, where to go. I recalled a small cottage in the woods, a bit in disrepair, but shelter nonetheless. I was making my way there when a troop of barbarians seemed to come from out of nowhere. With nothing to defend myself, a wise move on my father’s part, I was taken captive.

“The leader of the tribe I was taken to, let me know that my father sold me to him. I was his property. I believe he expected the news to somehow defeat me and make me more pliable to his commands. It made me the opposite, and I received more punishments and beatings for failing to obey him.”

Sorrell could only imagine the horror of his situation and the courage it had taken to survive it, after what had been lost to him. She slipped her arm around his and gave it a squeeze, so he would know he was not alone anymore. She was there for him now and always.

Ruddock appreciated her comforting and loving touch and silently thanked the heavens for her.

“It wasn’t until the tribe was attacked and I battled along with the barbarians that the leader told me that I could remain a slave or I could ride and raid with them and earn my freedom.”

“Naturally, you chose to join them so you would be free,” Sorrell said.

“Free to kill for them,” Ruddock said bluntly. “That was the price of my freedom. Kill as many of their enemy warriors as I could and, when the leader deemed I killed enough, he’d set me free.” He paused a moment, his hand caressing her arm that coiled around his. “I’ve fought many battles, some more disturbing than others, but nothing compared to the ferocity of the barbarians.”

“You did what you had to do and I’m glad for it or you would have died and I would have never gotten to know and love you,” she said.

“I sometimes thought death would be preferable, since there was no honor in what I did.”

“No honor?” she asked incredulously. “No honor is your father selling you to the barbarians, making you their slave, robbing you of your life. He didn’t count on your courage to survive and I doubt he ever expected you to free yourself.”

Ruddock’s glance went to rest on her lovely face. “I killed many.”

“As any warrior does in battle. You are a courageous man more so for returning to a father that treated you horribly.”

“This is my home, my birthright, and I thought of it every day while away, wondering how I could finally make it home again… until I met you. It was the first time I truly felt I could build a new home for myself with you. Then Erland showed up and told me my father was dying.”

“And you had to return. You had to find out the truth.”

“It has eaten at me since my father banished me. I don’t believe I’m not my father’s son and I can’t understand why anyone would want to bring such harm to me and my clan.”

“Did you ever think that maybe it wasn’t you this person wanted to hurt?” Sorrell asked.

“But I was the one who was made to suffer…” Ruddock gave thought to the realization he had had when speaking with Hugh. “I haven’t been the only one to suffer. My banishment brought suffering and sorrow to the entire clan.”

“Someone wanted more than only you to suffer. Someone wanted to see the clan destroyed.”