Part 75 (2/2)
”I heard her words,” Brenna said softly.
”But when she is stronger...”
”When she is stronger,” Brice said firmly, ”she will unite her people and rebuild that which Gareth MacKenzie sought to destroy. And I,” he said, strapping on his sword and tossing a cape over his shoulder, '
'have a clan depending upon me as well. I have left them leaderless long enough.”
”Meredith will wish to thank you, Brice.”
He took Brenna's hands in his and kissed her cheek.
II.
”Thanks are not necessary. It is my fault that she has been j denied her home for so long now. Tell her only that I...”
He stopped abruptly as Angus and Megan walked into the room. With a wry smile he said,
”Tell Meredith that I wish her every happiness.”
In a low voice the others could not hear Brenna asked, ”Do you love her, Brice?”
”Aye. With all my heart. And for that reason I must leave her. She has a duty. As do I.”
”You once said that you would even risk losing her if it meant her happiness.”
He said nothing.
Brenna and Megan watched as Brice strode quickly from the room without a backward glance. Within minutes he and Angus could be seen urging their mounts into a gallop toward the river Tweed.
With a heavy heart Brenna draped an arm about her sister's shoulder.
The two sisters stood at the balcony window and watched until both figures disappeared into the Highland mists.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Brice leaned a hip against the window of his balcony and watched as a falcon slowly circled, searching for prey.
From below stairs came the sad, sorrowful sounds of Jamie's lute. For days now the lad's music seemed to mirror Brice's feelings.
What had he once told Meredith? That he had never felt lonely in his Highland fortress. He gave a bitter laugh and lifted his face to the sky, seeing the falcon's mate suddenly appear. The two birds soared together, looking as though they could touch the sun. Then they suddenly swooped, skimming low to the ground before once more lifting, soaring, until they were lost from view.
He felt a terrible, aching sense of loss.
Ever since he had returned to Kinloch House he had felt restless and irritable. In his absence the great hall had been restored. The women had completed the new tapestries, relating the proud history of the Campbells. Tradesmen in the villages had made new chairs, tables, and settles. Weavers had provided fresh linens. The castle sparkled under the loving care of Mistress Snow and the servants, who filled it with the fresh scents of mint and evergreen.
It was so empty.
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