Highlander of My Heart (Mcardle Sisters of Courage 1)

“Be left without an heir and left ripe for someone to claim,” Ruddock said, the realization setting in. “I’ve been looking at this all wrong. I thought it was all about me. It isn’t.”

“I would say it’s about someone who wants to destroy your father.”

Chapter 25

“You’re going to have to speak with your father, and it must be before we leave for my visit with the healer in the woods,” Sorrell said, spearing a small piece of meat with her knife off the platter in front of her and Ruddock.

They sat at a table in his solar enjoying the morning meal in private. She was beginning to understand his preference for privacy, though it was more solitude he sought. He had grown accustomed to it after leaving the barbarians and now saw no other way. It would take time, but that would change. It already had changed some, he having enjoyed meals with her and her sisters.

“And why is that?” Ruddock asked, spearing a larger piece of meat.

“The healer should have left your father’s malodorous brew by now and I’m hoping there’s just enough in it to take to Sage, the healer in the woods, to see if she can tell me what’s in it.”

“You still think someone is trying to poison my father?”

“Or perhaps making him suffer by drinking that horrific stench,” she said wrinkling her nose. “Besides, it’s time you talk with him. Time for you to learn the truth.”

“I thought I knew the truth. Anyone that knew or even saw my mum and da together could easily see they loved each other. “I remember thinking how someday I wanted to find a love as strong as theirs. That’s why none of what happened made any sense.”

“Then confront him,” Sorrell encouraged. “And I’ll be there with you.”

Ruddock scrunched his brow. “I don’t know if that’s good or bad.”

“It’s good, husband,” Sorrell said with a sweet grin. “I’m always good.”

“I could argue that,” he said with a laugh.

She kissed him quick. “You would have me no other way.”

“Naked, wife, I would always have you naked,” he said and grabbed her face in his hands and kissed her, not quick and not gentle.

“That’s not fair, husband,” she complained, “though you satisfied me quite thoroughly upon waking, you stir me again now. And I need to get to your father before he drinks that entire brew.”

Ruddock chuckled. “You are insatiable.”

“No, I’m in love with my husband.”

Ruddock’s smile slowly faded as he brought his face close to hers. “And I am madly in love with my wife. She has my heart and I sometimes wonder if she has my soul as well.”

“She has all of you,” Sorrell whispered and brushed her lips faintly across his twice.

Ruddock leaned in for more than a faint kiss and met nothing but air. He opened his eyes to see that his wife was out of her chair.

“Time to talk with your father.”

“That’s not fair, wife,” he complained.

“No, it isn’t, is it?” she said with a smug grin.

“You’re going to pay for that,” he said, a spark of playful warning in his eyes.

“I can’t wait.” She winked and hurried to the door as he hurried to his feet.

She squealed with laughter when his arms closed around her before she reached the door.

“You can’t get away from me, wife,” he said with a teasing nip at her neck.

She craned her head back to look up at him. “I don’t want to.”

A knock interrupted them just as their lips met.

“My lord, your father wishes to see you,” Erland said.

“It’s time,” she reminded him again in a whisper and stepped out of his arms to take his hand.

“I didn’t ask to see you,” Finn said, pointing a finger at Sorrell as soon as she entered his bedchamber.

“And yet, my wife is here and she is staying here with me,” Ruddock said, leaving no room for debate, and came to a stop at the foot of his bed.

“You need a woman to help you face me?” Finn challenged.

Ruddock returned the challenge. “You needed my mum by your side every time you dealt with something?”

“You’re not here for us to discuss your mum,” Finn snapped and raised his arm up to block the light that shot in the room as Sorrell pulled the window covering back. “Close that!”

“The light will do you good,” Sorrell said and spied a tankard on the small table beside the bed. “You should get out of bed now and again and sit by the window.”

Finn sat up straight, away from the pillows he leaned against, and pointed his finger again at her. “You need to learn to obey.”

Ruddock laughed. “That’s not likely.”

Sorrell turned a soft smile on her husband. “My husband knows me well and loves me anyway.”

“You love her?” Finn asked surprised. “Erland told me you wed her to save her name from being soiled.”