Entrusted to a Highlander (Highland Promise Trilogy 2)

It was only then they learned what happened to him. Abbott Thomas had told them that he had been suspicious of Freen after catching him in a few lies, but not enough to accuse him of anything. After all, a few lies were common among most so at first he had thought nothing of it. His suspicions grew and unfortunately so did Freen’s. He hadn’t gone far that day he left for the monastery when Freen attacked him. He fought him but Freen had managed to wound him badly, and thinking him dead, he left his body for the animals to feast on. He managed to find a modicum of shelter while he healed enough to be able to make it back to the keep. When he was finally well enough to return, or so he thought, he arrived late, the village quiet and to his surprise the keep locked. He knew something was seriously wrong. With his wound still making things difficult for him, it took a while for him to find a way into the keep. He finally managed to make it through a window in the solar. He was about to leave the solar when he heard the tremendous crash in the Great Hall. The rest was known to all.

It was a tale that impressed and won the hearts of many.

In the last couple of days, Abbott Thomas had ventured out of bed under strict orders from Wren. And while he thought it best for him to return to the monastery, Wren made it clear that wasn’t a wise choice. He wasn’t healed sufficiently enough for such a journey, even if it wasn’t a long one. Thankfully, he listened to her sage advice.

Purity had sat with him often after the initial incident, talking to him when he couldn’t talk himself and reassuring him that he would be fine. She had thought he hadn’t heard her until one day she had seen a tear roll down his cheek.

She joined the Abbott at the table, refilling his tankard and one for herself with hot cider. “What truth does my husband refer to?”

Abbott Thomas looked away for a moment, gathering his thoughts or perhaps his courage. When he turned to face her, his eyes shined with tears.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, concerned he wasn’t feeling well.

“Your husband is a much wiser man than I realized,” he said. “And your healer far superior to the one at the monastery. I am grateful to both, though concerned with what I must tell you.”

Something churned in the pit of her stomach and she tried to convince herself it was the bairn she had realized only recently that she carried. It did no good. She knew the bairn had nothing to do with her unease.

“Tell me, Abbott Thomas,” she urged.

Instead of responding, Abbott Thomas began to unravel the cloth that covered his hand and Purity was stunned when he revealed it.

It looked exactly like her deformed one, missing its thumb and pinky.

She shook her head. “I don’t understand.

“I never did either,” he said. “I only knew it was a mark my family bore with pride. It was said that anyone born this way was superior to others. I achieved far greater things than anyone in my family and I see that you have done the same.”

Purity shook her head again. “What are you saying?”

He held his tongue for a moment, then rushed the words out. “I’m your father, Purity.”

She was too shocked to respond and she wished with all her heart her husband was there with her. And she got her wish.

A strong arm wrapped around her, tucking her against him, keeping her close as Arran joined her at the table. He pressed a kiss to her temple and whispered, “I couldn’t let you face this alone.”

Purity let herself relax against him, to let his strength seep into her, and let his love wrap around her. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Always, wife, always,” he whispered and kissed her temple again.

“I don’t wish the news to upset you, but I thought it was time you knew the truth,” Abbott Thomas said and continued to explain, pleased Arran was there comforting Purity. “I loved your mother beyond reason and she loved me. We planned to wed when I returned from battle. Unfortunately, I was taken captive and didn’t return until several years later. By then, her father had wed her to Galvin and she was with child. I stayed away until I could stay away no more. When she realized she was with child—my child—we made plans to leave. Somehow your father got wind of it. It was made clear what would happen to the unborn child if your mother left him. So to keep you safe, I left. I didn’t stay in touch, fearful of what might happen if I did. It wasn’t until years later and by sheer accident that I learned your mother had died when you were very young. By then I had committed myself to God, knowing I could love no other woman as I loved your mother. What I didn’t know was how badly Galvin had treated you and for that I am eternally sorry.”