Highland Love Song (DeWinter's Song 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

had heard of this, but continue."
    "I was informed that my sister deliberately threw herself down the stairs to her death. Knowing how faithful Gwendolyn was to the Church, I realized she would never have taken her own life. She always had a horror of being buried in unconsecrated ground."
    "I fear the truth of what happened that night will remain a mystery, since your sister and her husband are both deceased," Lord Thorndike stated.
    "Then ponder this, my lord," Warrick continued. "Our land was never returned to us, nor was the body of my sister. For countless years we have petitioned your king—three of your kings, to be exact—but our charge has gone unheard and our claim ignored."
    "That's why I'm here today, to listen to all charges, weigh the evidence, and draw my own conclusions to present to His Majesty."
    "I wonder if you will be fair."
    "After this is finished, I'll allow you to judge that for yourself," Lord Thorndike answered.
    Warrick leaned forward, his eyes blazing with distrust. "How would you deal with a man who would forcibly abduct an innocent maid just before her wedding, spirit her away, and force her to marry her abductor? How would you rule in this instance?"
    Lord Thorndike had known he would face insurmountable problems in the meeting between the two hostile houses, but he had not come prepared to judge on such an unthinkable infraction. "If your charges are true, Lord Warrick, then the matter will be dealt with as I see fit."
    Warrick pointed at Jamie. "Then deal with him, for the charge is indeed true. Jamie Maclvors is the abductor, and the woman he took was to be my bride. Judge him if you want me to believe in your justice."
    Lord Thorndike turned on Jamie. "Tell me, is this charge true?"
    Jamie stood up quickly and rushed to the back of the room. Taking a reluctant Helena by the hand, he pulled her forward. "May I present my wife, Lord Thorndike. You can hear from her own lips if she was taken away by force or if she willingly became my wife."
    Jamie pushed Lady Helena forward, and she lowered her head, unable to meet the Englishman's eyes.
    "Speak, my lady, and have no fear of reprisal. I only want the truth," Lord Thorndike said kindly.
    Warrick's eyes burned with fury when he saw the woman who had been meant to be his bride, her belly swollen with the seed of a hated Maclvors.
    "I . . ." she licked her dry lips. "I . . . came to love my husband." She still could not raise her eyes.
    Warrick had to know if Helena was being held captive. "Are you certain that you remain at Davinsham Castle of your own free will, my lady?"
    At last she looked at him. "I am content, Lord Warrick. And I have come to realize that you and I would never have . . . dealt well together. I think you frighten me a little. 'Twas not love that was to bind our union. Y—you know this."
    Warrick felt rage brewing within him. It did not matter that he did not love Lady Helena. She should have been his wife—it should be his child she was now carrying. "I am well rid of you, madam," he told her coldly. "A fickle heart is not what I look for in a woman who would bear the next earl of Glencarin."
    Warrick paused and looked at the king's emissary. "You can report what you will to your king, Lord Thorndike. I will no longer stay in the same room with a Maclvors."
    As Warrick walked to the door, Mactavish followed at his side. When the door slammed behind them, a satisfied smile curved Ian's lips. "You see how it is, Lord Thorndike. You can't talk reason to a Drummond. It is my grandfather's hope that you order Lord Warrick to open the road and award us uncontested deed to Kilmouris. Perhaps you would also recommend attaching a monetary penalty on Lord Warrick for his actions here today, and even post troops between the properties to make certain that we are not harassed when we go there."
    Lord Thorndike crammed papers in his satchel, his eyes snapping with anger. "Do not presume to dictate policy to me or his majesty. As I see