The Border Lord

I’ll remain beside you, I promise. ’ ‘And U-Uncle…? ’ ‘Is talking with the King to invite in case you might remain right here on the nunnery. ’ ‘For ever and ever. ’ Grace couldn't even reflect on the very size of it as she closed her eyes and dreamed. They have been within the cave, a shadow cave. Neither Belridden. Nor Grantley. no longer the smooth mist of the north nor the damp of this decrease mendacity urban. Lighter. hotter. ‘Je t’aime toujours. ’ French. i'm going to love you, continuously. French as fluent as one raised there, his hand throughout hers… No, that was once now not correct. not anything left. A moth in amber in her arms guffawing, an argus moth and double banded. For good fortune, Donald had acknowledged. only for good fortune. sturdy? undesirable? She had no longer requested. ‘Grace. Grace. ’ Her uncle’s voice. The heaviness of her eyelids after which his face over her and anxious. ‘We are right here with you. there has been a conflict and also you have been hurt…’ Killed. useless. Lachlan’s face became away with the spittle of blood. In that one terrible moment every little thing that had occurred got here again. She couldn't trap breath with the grief of it. ‘I have spoken with Edward of britain. He desires to meet you and discover what your needs are. ’ ‘My w-wishes? ’ ‘For your destiny. ’ A destiny. Grace might slightly take into consideration getting throughout the subsequent hour, not to mention a complete destiny. She shook her head and backbone firmed. ‘I desire to st-stay at G-Grantley. whether it is marriage to M-Malcolm Kerr he's pondering of…’ The guilt that lined her uncle’s cheeks used to be telling. ‘If there's any manner Ginny will be spared…’ Grace held her hand up and he stopped. Her existence was once ruined already and Ginny’s was once simply starting. yet to marry Malcolm Kerr…No, she couldn't do it. wouldn't do it. Even for Ginny. ‘I can p-pay Kerr off. The dowry is all he sought after within the f-first position and whether it is provided freed from any conditions…’ Her uncle nodded. ‘We can test. ’ The headache that were threatening throbbed now. Lachlan’s face smeared in blood and stains from the sphere directly to which he had fallen. the place was once his physique now? ‘Were p-prisoners held as ransom? ’ ‘Yes, by way of the English. they're at Watchlaw citadel, looking ahead to payments from their vassals. ’ For the 1st time a quiver of anything comparable to wish surged in Grace’s breast. Watchlaw. A fortress now not faraway from Eddington. ‘Could you set up f-for me to determine them? i have to f-find out what happened—’ She stopped. ‘I may possibly try out, even though i've got visible the checklist and Lachlan Kerr isn't numbered among them. ’ Grace squeezed her uncle’s hand while he held it out and prayed to God for a miracle. Lachlan pulled on the ropes on his leg and cursed the English bastards who had despatched him right here. Connor’s had worsened, and one of many Elliot squaddies introduced in with their workforce had a gaping wound on his thigh that used to be untended and weeping. Lachlan shouted out for the hundredth time that day, ‘Bring drugs, you English canines, for there are these right here who're ailing. ’ His personal shoulder ached. He had attempted to examine it, yet had given up, the trouble required now not definitely worth the soreness, and brackish water all that used to be left to have a tendency it.