Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“Elijah, this is Lydia. As ye ken, she is me sister. Lydia, this is me husband, Laird Elijah McMurphy.” Iris kept her voice firm, stepping slightly between them. “And there’s nay need to frighten her. She was just concerned about me welfare.”
“Was she?” His eyes never left Lydia’s face, dark and assessing. “Because it sounded like she was offerin’ to undo a marriage that’s legally bindin’—which would be problematic to say the least.”
“I dinnae mean any offense, me laird.” Lydia’s voice was barely above a whisper, and Iris could see her hands trembling in her lap. “I just thought... after everythin’ I’d heard about ye... the stories...”
“What stories?” Elijah’s voice was dangerously quiet.
“That ye’re cruel. That yer first wife... that she...” Lydia’s voice faltered completely under his stare.
“That she killed herself rather than live with me?” Elijah finished, his tone flat. “Aye, I’ve heard those stories too. They’re quite popular in certain circles.”
“Elijah,” Iris attempted to caution him, but he wasn’t finished.
“And based on those stories, ye traveled five days to offer to trade places with yer sister? That’s either remarkably brave or remarkably foolish.”
“I just wanted to help Iris. To give her a choice.” Lydia’s voice was shaking now. “She never wanted this marriage. It should have been me.”
“But it wasnae ye.” Elijah’s eyes finally moved to Iris, and she saw something intense burning in their depths.
“It was Iris who stood in that great hall and married me. Iris who became lady of this castle. Iris who became maither to me son. And I’ll nae have ye waltzin’ in here suggestin’ she’d want to undo any of it. ”
“But what if she does want to undo it?” Lydia’s voice rose with desperation. “What if she’s been too afraid to say so? Because of me.”
“Then she can speak for herself.” He cut her off, but his gaze stayed locked on Iris. “Iris, do ye want to leave? Because now would be the time to say so. Yer sister is offerin’ ye an escape. Do ye want it?”
The question hung in the air like a sword suspended over all their heads.
Iris could feel Lydia watching them, could sense her sister’s confusion and fear.
But more than that, she could sense Elijah’s tension, the vulnerability hidden beneath his harsh words.
That he was afraid that she might say yes.
The realization of what she would do settled into her chest, warm and certain.
“Nay,” she said clearly, holding his gaze. “I daenae want to leave. I want to stay here with ye and Codie. This is me home now.”
Something shifted in his expression, and his shoulders relaxed slightly. The hard line of his jaw softened. “Ye’re certain, lass?”
“I’m certain.” She moved closer to him, close enough to reach out and touch his arm. “Me sister came here out of concern and guilt. Nae to cause problems. And once she sees that I’m happy, she’ll go back to her convent, and we’ll all move on with our lives.”
“Happy?” Lydia’s voice was small, disbelieving. “Ye’re truly happy here? With him?”
Iris turned to face her sister, keeping one hand on Elijah’s arm.
“Aye. I am. He’s nae the monster people say he is, Lydia.
He’s just... complicated. And guarded. But he’s good to me, and he’s tryin’ to be a better faither to Codie.
This marriage may nae have started the way either of us wanted, but it’s becomin’ somethin’ real. ”
“But the stories—”
“Are just stories.” Iris cut her off firmly. “Gossip and rumors spread by people who daenae ken the truth. Elijah has never raised a hand to me, never treated me with anythin’ but respect. More than respect, actually.” She felt her cheeks warm slightly. “He’s... a good husband to me.”
Lydia stared at her twin as if seeing her for the first time. “Ye think him a good husband?”
Iris found she couldn’t deny it. “Aye. I suppose I do.”
“Then I... I daenae ken what to say.” Lydia’s voice was small. “I came here expectin’ to rescue ye, and instead, I find ye daenae need rescuin’ at all.”
“Nay, I daenae.” Iris smiled gently. “But I am thankful that ye tried. That ye came all this way, faced all those dangers, just to check on me. That means everythin’, Lydia.”
“I will go now,” Lydia said, standing on unsteady legs. “I’ve caused enough disruption. I should return to the convent before—”
“Ye’ll do nay such thing.” Elijah’s voice was firm but no longer harsh.
“Ye’ve traveled for days from the looks of ye.
Ye’re exhausted and probably half-starved.
Ye’ll stay here as our guest for at least a few days, rest properly, eat proper meals, and then we’ll arrange safe escort back to yer convent. If that is where ye want to go.”
Lydia blinked in surprise. “Ye... ye’d do that? After I ran away from our weddin’?”
“Ye ran away from what ye perceived as a terrible fate. I cannae fault ye for that.” His expression remained neutral, but his voice had softened slightly.
“And ye’re Iris’ sister. That means ye’re under me protection while ye’re here.
I’ll nae have it said that I turned away a lass who came to me castle, even if that journey turned out to be unnecessary. ”
“Thank ye, me laird.” Lydia’s voice was thick with emotion. “That’s... that’s very generous of ye.”
“It’s practical. Ye’ll be nay use to anyone if ye collapse from exhaustion on the road back.” He turned to Iris. “I’ll be in the trainin’ yard if ye need me. Codie wants to watch the men practice, and I promised I’d explain the different weapons to him.”
He left without another word, and Iris let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. When she turned back to Lydia, she found her sister staring at the doorway with wide eyes.
“He’s terrifyin’,” Lydia breathed. “Absolutely terrifyin’. How do ye live with him?”
“He’s nae terrifyin’ once ye get to ken him. Just... protective.” Iris moved back to her chair. “And maybe a little defensive when he thinks someone’s tryin’ to take what’s his.”
“And that’s ye? Ye’re his?”
“Aye.” The admission felt right, felt true in a way that made her chest warm. “I’m his. And he’s mine. That’s how marriage works, and that’s how ours is becomin’.”
The door opened before Lydia could respond, and a maid entered with a tea tray laden with cups, a pot of steaming tea, and an assortment of cakes and sandwiches. The girl set it down with practiced efficiency, curtsying quickly before departing.
As Iris poured tea for both of them, she felt Lydia’s eyes on her, studying her with an intensity that made her slightly uncomfortable.
“What?” Iris asked, handing her sister a cup.
“Ye’ve changed,” Lydia said softly. “The Iris I kent would never have been so confident, so certain of her place. Ye always seemed to be apologizin’. But now...” She gestured vaguely. “Now ye seem comfortable in yer own skin. Like ye finally ken where ye belong.”
“The Iris ye kent was tryin’ to be somethin’ she wasnae to please parents who would never be satisfied.” Iris took a sip of her tea. “This Iris is just tryin’ to be herself. And it turns out, that’s enough. More than enough, actually.”
“He really does care about ye, doesnae he?” Lydia’s voice was thoughtful. “The way he looked at ye when he asked if ye wanted to leave... that wasnae the look of a man who sees his wife as merely an obligation.”
“I hope nae.” Iris felt warmth bloom in her chest at the memory. “We’re still figurin’ things out, still learnin’ how to be married to each other, but there’s somethin’ real between us now. Somethin’ worth protectin’.”
“I’m glad.” Lydia reached across and squeezed her hand. “I’m so, so glad ye found happiness here, even if it came about in the worst possible way. And I’m sorry, truly sorry, for puttin’ ye in this position.”
“Stop apologizin’. Ye did what ye needed to do, and it worked out better for me than either of us could have imagined.” Iris squeezed back. “Though next time ye’re plannin’ to run away from a weddin’, maybe give yer sister more than a cryptic note as warnin’?”
Despite everything, Lydia laughed. “I promise. Though I’m hopin’ there willnae be a next time. I quite like the peace of convent life.”
“Do ye? Truly?” Iris leaned forward, genuinely curious. “Is that where ye want to stay?”
“For now, aye. Maybe forever.” Lydia’s expression grew thoughtful. “There’s somethin’ peaceful about it. Nay one expects me to be anythin’ but meself. Nay pressure to marry well or produce heirs or be the perfect lady. Just... existence. Prayer and work and community. It suits me.”
“Then I’m happy for ye.” Iris meant it. “And I’m happy ye’re safe. That’s all I really wanted, to ken ye were all right.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, sipping tea and nibbling on cakes. Outside the window, Iris could hear the faraway sounds of the training yard. Men were shouting, swords clashing, and beneath it all, a child’s excited voice asking questions.
Codie. He too is becomin’ me son in all the ways that matter.
“Ye seem to be growin’ fond of Codie,” Lydia said suddenly.
“Oh aye, Lydia. He’s wonderful.” Iris couldn’t keep the warmth from her voice. “Smart, curious, brave. He got sick shortly after I arrived, and I sat with him, promised to teach him to ride if he took his medicine without fussin’. He did, and now, we’re slowly workin’ through those lessons.”
“Ye sound like his maither already.”
“I feel like I am. Or at least, I’m learnin’ how to be one.
” Iris set down her teacup. “He needed someone, Lydia. His maither died when he was so young, and Elijah has been so focused on keepin’ his distance, on nae gettin’ too attached.
Codie’s been lonely, I think. Cravin’ affection and attention but nae knowin’ how to ask for it. ”
“And now, he has ye.”
“Aye. And I have him. And slowly, carefully, I’m helpin’ Elijah see that he can have him too. That lovin’ his son willnae make him weak or vulnerable, That it’ll just make him a better faither.” Iris smiled. “We’re workin’ on it, all three of us, tryin’ to figure out how to be a family.”
Lydia shook her head slowly, a small smile playing at her lips. “I really dinnae think I could have done it. Been married to someone so intense, so overwhelmin’. I would have been terrified every day.”
“Then it’s good ye ran away. Because he needs someone who’s nae afraid of him, who can stand up to him when necessary.” Iris met her sister’s eyes. “And I think I’m finally startin’ to realize that person is me.”
“Ye really have changed,” Lydia said again, but this time there was admiration in her voice. “I’m proud of ye, Iris. And I’m sorry I ever made ye feel like ye werenae good enough. Like ye needed to be more like me to be worthy of love.”
“Ye never said that.”
“I dinnae have to. Just by bein’ the favored one, the easy one, the one Ma and Da held up as the perfect example... I made ye feel less than. And I’m sorry for that.”
Iris felt tears prick her eyes. “Thank ye. That means more than ye ken. And I hope one day, ye will start to care for Codie as yer nephew.”
“If he’s even half as adorable as ye say, I am sure I will like him as soon as we meet.”
They finished their tea in companionable silence, years of unspoken hurts beginning to heal in the quiet understanding passing between them. Finally, Iris stood, smoothing her skirts.
“Come on. Let me show ye to yer chambers, so ye can rest. Ye look exhausted.”
“I am.” Lydia stood as well, swaying slightly. “I havenae slept properly in days.”
Iris led her through the corridors, pointing out various rooms and explaining the layout of the castle as they went.
Servants they passed curtsied or bowed, their expressions curious but polite.
By tomorrow, everyone would know about Lydia’s arrival, but for now, Iris was just grateful to have her sister safe under her roof.
She showed Lydia to a guest chamber near her own rooms. It was close enough that her sister wouldn’t feel abandoned but far enough to maintain proper distance. The room was comfortable with a large bed, a fireplace, and windows overlooking the garden.
“This is lovely,” Lydia said, moving to the window. “Much nicer than me room at the convent.”
“Rest now. We’ll talk more later after ye’ve slept properly.” Iris moved toward the door. “And Lydia? I’m glad ye came. Even if it wasnae necessary, I’m glad ye cared enough to check on me.”
“I’ll always care about ye, Iris. Ye’re me sister, me twin. That will never change.” Lydia smiled, but it was a sad, tired smile. “Even if our lives have taken very different paths now.”
“Aye. But different doesnae mean distant. Ye’ll always have a place here, always be welcome.” Iris paused at the threshold. “Sleep well, sister.”
As she closed the door and made her way back through the castle, Iris found her thoughts drifting to Elijah, to the look on his face when he’d asked if she wanted to leave. The vulnerability beneath the harsh exterior, the fear that she might actually say yes.
She’d meant what she’d told him. This was her home now. These were her people. And while the journey to get here had been unexpected and often difficult, she wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Not even for the freedom Lydia was offering.
Because freedom without love, without connection, without purpose—that wasn’t freedom at all. It was just another kind of loneliness.
And Iris had been lonely long enough.