Chapter Nine
Sela meets a woman who holds more power than any she’d ever met…Maddie Grant.
The next time Sela awoke, she was alone in bed. Thoughts of Connor holding her while she fell asleep warmed her. She couldn’t remember when she’d last felt precious to someone besides Claray. Pushing herself up on her elbows, she groaned at the pain and the itching, but it had definitely improved.
A sound told her that she was not alone after all.
Glancing up, she noticed the woman seated across from her.
Though her hair was as light as Connor’s was dark, she could only be his mother.
The striking beauty sat as though there were an arrow behind her straightening her back, and she wore a deep blue gown so striking that it appeared to have been designed just for her.
Her blue eyes were filled with warmth and compassion.
Of course they were. She was in awe of someone who would raise a son who was so fierce yet gentle.
“Good morn to you, Sela. I am Connor’s mother. Once we finish our discussion, I’ll send a maid with food and she can also help you clean up. May I have a few moments of your time?”
Sela didn’t know how to react. Was she about to be lectured? Told to stay far away from her son? Accused of being a whore since she was an unmarried mother?
Out of respect for Connor, she nodded.
“My name is Madeline, but please call me Maddie. Connor has informed his father and me of the torture you were subjected to, and for this, you have my utmost sympathy. We were also told that your daughter of three summers was subjected to the same horrid treatment. Is this true?”
“Aye, my lady,” Sela said, her eyes downcast.
“You need not refer to me as ‘my lady.’ I am no longer the mistress of the clan, but I do consider myself to be the mistress of the bairns. That your poor daughter was subjected to such treatment has upset me terribly. I have taken on the mission of retrieving her from the men who ran your life.”
“But they’ll not listen to you. They’re cruel, evil monsters.”
Raw fury filled Madeline Grant’s kind eyes.
“I will get that child away from them. You can count on it. My husband has nearly a thousand warriors at his disposal, and we have five other allies who will give us at least a hundred each. I think we can handle whatever men your monsters have hired to fight for them. They will go to battle,
and the Scots will triumph, but before that happens, I will get your daughter away. Do not doubt my word.”
Connor’s mother spoke with such a passion that she could only admire her.
She had no doubt that she meant what she said.
Thinking about all the numbers she had offered, Sela became hopeful.
Perhaps Connor and his family did have the might to crush out the Channel once and for all. If so, she could only help them.
“Many thanks to you, mistress. I fear Claray may not leave with you, so it will be best if I go with you.”
“You are welcome, but I will warn you of two things.”
Sela had never seen such a powerful woman, yet one who no one would suspect of such strength. Awe encompassed her. How would this woman feel about her son holding or kissing Sela? She suspected she knew the answer to that question. She was an unmarried woman with a young daughter.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Madeline said, her eyes warm again, “so allow me to tell you this before I give you my warnings. I judge people by what’s in their heart and not their circumstances. You were forced into your life of servitude, and I understand how such a thing can happen.
If my son chooses you, I will support him. But this brings me back to my two warnings for you.”
“And they are?” She swallowed, a gulp much larger than she’d intended, but she couldn’t help herself.
“First of all, please don’t hurt my son. If he loves you, I hope you return his love, but if not, do not tease him with empty promises.”
Sela nodded. “Agreed. I don’t know what will happen after all of this, but I respect your son.”
Her heart was in turmoil, but Connor had awakened something inside her. She could not think past the task that lay before her, yet she knew she wished to know him better.
“Second, I know you want to go to your daughter as soon as we get near Berwick Castle. You may feel driven to act without thinking, but I give you my word that I will do what is best for your daughter and I will see this done.”
“That doesn’t feel like a warning.”
“’Tis not a warning...but this is. When we are in the position to gain your daughter back, do not get in my way.”
Sela didn’t say a word, her mouth agape and her eyes fixed on this wonderful, fearsome woman.