Chapter Twenty-One
Elizabeth returns home safely.
When they arrived outside the gates, she could see her mother standing at the opening waiting for them, Maeve and Kyla next to her. A line of stable lads awaited the horses.
Tears streamed down her mother’s face, but she was smiling. Kyla whooped as loudly as one of the men, and Maeve hooked her arm through Mama’s, both of them crying now.
Once they were close enough, her father lowered her down and she raced to her mother, throwing her arms around her.
“Thank the Lord you are home safe, Elizabeth. You were not harmed?”
“Nay, Mama, I’m fine. I’ve never been happier.” She gave her mother another squeeze, then embraced her two sisters.
Kyla frowned, giving her an odd look. “What happened to your face?”
Maeve forced a smile. “I think she looks fine.”
“Thanks to you, Maeve. It was dark, and I ran into a few tree branches, but it does not matter. Gil is fine and I’m in love with him and I’m safe and all will be well.”