Fooled & Enlightened: The Englishman's Scottish Wife (Love's Second Chance Book 16)

by Bree Wolf

  “I will not let you go again,” Nathan said with utter conviction. “We’re meant to be together, and I will not wait another ten years.”

  “But ‘tis not only our choice!” Maggie snapped, becoming angry with him for forcing her into this position. “I’m not a young girl anymore. I canna simply do as I want. I’m a mother. I need to think of my children. I−”

  “I know!” Nathan interrupted her. “I’ve not forgotten, but I think there might be another way.”

  Maggie frowned, doing her best to ignore that small blossom of hope warming her chest. “What do ye mean? What about yer son? I thought ye wanted to be in his life.”

  Sighing, Nathan smiled at her. “I do. I spoke to him, and…I told him everything.”

  Looking up at him, Maggie paused. “Everything? What do ye mean ‘everything’?”

  Nathan chuckled. “He knows about you and your children. About us. About everything that happened.” He sighed, and there was a deep sense of peace in his eyes. “It felt good to share this with him. He listened, and he felt for us. I could see it in his eyes.”

  Cupping a hand to Nathan’s cheek, Maggie smiled at him. “I’m glad for ye. Ye’ll be a great father. I always thought so.”

  Nathan’s cheeks flushed a light shade of red as though her compliment somehow made him uneasy. “I was invited for supper the other night, and…and we talked. When I told him you had returned to Scotland, he was…surprised. Displeased even.” The right corner of his mouth curled upward. “I think in some way he too wanted us to find our way back to each other.”

  Maggie exhaled a shuddering breath. “He wants ye in his life. I’m happy for ye. But it means ye belong in London whereas I−”

  “Collin told me that friends of his uncle always visit family in Scotland for Christmas. Every year. And in summer their family comes to see them in London.” A wide smile played over his face. “He urged me to go after you. He said if we married,” Maggie’s breath lodged in her throat as hope reared its traitorous head once again, “Niall and Blair would be his family, too.” His right hand settled under her chin as his eyes looked deep into hers. “He gave us his blessing. He wants us all to be a family.”

  Maggie felt her lower lip begin to tremble as images of a shared future played before her eyes. If only it were possible. If only there was a way to see Niall equally happy about bringing their families together.

  “I’ve come to speak to Niall,” Nathan stated then. “Collin made me realise that I’ve never even exchanged a word with him. I want to marry his mother and be a part of his family, and yet, I’ve never even had the decency to speak to him about it.” With his lips clamped shut, he shook his head. “That was wrong, and he is right to be angry with me.” His hand slipped along her cheek and into her hair, cradling the back of her head. “I think I should speak to him. Openly. Honestly. I want to ask for his blessing. I want to ask him to give me a chance to prove myself. He deserves that.”

  Maggie didn’t know what to say when she felt a small hand slip into hers, giving it a gentle tug. Turning to look, she found her daughter standing right beside them. “I think that’s a verra good idea,” Blair remarked, that knowing look in her blue eyes.

  Nathan laughed. “Do you now?” he asked as he knelt down in front of her.

  Blair nodded, a wide grin on her face.

  “And what about you?” Nathan asked, and Maggie could hear a slight tremble in his voice. “Will you give us your blessing?”

  Blair looked at him with a rather indulgent smile on her face. “I gave ye my blessing a long time ago,” she stated. “Before we even came to London.”

  Maggie could see Nathan frown and knew that soon she would have to explain a few things to him about her daughter…if Niall was willing to give them a chance. But what were the odds of that happening?

  “Thank you,” Nathan told Blair earnestly. “I don’t know how you did it, but…thank you.”

  “‘Tis not over yet,” Blair warned. “First, ye have to go get Niall.”

  Maggie tensed. “Get Niall?” she asked, sinking down next to Nathan to look into her daughter’s eyes. “What do ye mean, mo chridhe? Where is he?” A sense of dread settled in Maggie’s chest.

  Blair sighed. “He saw ye,” she told Nathan before her gaze shifted to Maggie. “He saw ye together. It made him sad. He went to the stables and saddled his pony.”

  A cold chill grabbed Maggie’s heart. “Where is he, Blair?” she heard Nathan ask, his voice tense with concern. “Where’d he go?”

  Her daughter’s eyes turned to her. “To the cliffs. To see Father.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Pushed to the Edge

  Nathan watched Maggie’s face go white as a sheet at Blair’s answer, and he felt a cold chill chase itself up and down his back. “The cliffs?” he asked, certain there was a deeper meaning behind that simple destination. Blair had said Niall had gone to see his father? What did that mean?

  Struggling to her feet, Maggie reached for his hand, and he felt her squeeze it with a strength he would never have expected. A strength that was fuelled by fear. Then her eyes found his. “‘Tis where Ian died,” she whispered, and he could hear utter panic lacing her words.

  Nodding, Nathan held her gaze. “Then we need to go after him. We need to speak to him. Assure him that we never meant to act against his will.” Why did she think Niall was heading there? What would he do? Nathan didn’t dare ask.

  “Aye,” little Blair agreed. “And ye need to hurry.”

  For a moment, Maggie closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath. When she opened them again, something different shone in their depths. Something unyielding that reminded Nathan of tales Lady Tynham had told them, of warriors standing against an overwhelming enemy. Warriors who stood their ground in order to protect their families, knowing they could not fail. No matter what it might cost them.

  “Blair,” Maggie turned to her daughter, her demeanour now one of focused determination, “go to Moira and tell her what happened.” With a sideways glance at Nathan, she said, “She’s the laird’s wife. She’ll know if something can be done. Come.” Then she hurried back up the slope he’d come down from the fortress.

  Nathan rushed to catch up. “My horse is still saddled by the front gate. We can leave immediately.”

  Maggie nodded stoically.

  Once they’d reached his gelding, Nathan quickly unburdened the beast of his saddle bags before he mounted once more, pulling Maggie up behind him. Then they galloped toward the horizon in the direction of the sea.

  “We mightna catch up to him before he reaches the cliffs,” Maggie called over the wind brushing by their ears. “Niall’s a good rider and he’s had a head-start.”

  Nathan nodded, his teeth gritted against the thoughts running through his head. Thoughts he could not allow himself to dwell on. Instead, he focused his mind on the path ahead.

  Swiftly, they crossed far-reaching meadows and lush, green hills. When they reached a wooded area, they were forced to slow their pace. “What happened to Ian?” Nathan asked carefully, afraid to open up old wounds. Still, if he knew nothing of their past, he might take a wrong step, dooming them all.

  Maggie sighed behind him, and he could feel her body tense. “‘Tis a long story,” she whispered, her cheek resting against his back. “The laird’s wife, Moira, she’s a seer of sorts. Some people even believe her to possess otherworldly abilities beyond that.”

  Nathan frowned. “Like…like Blair?”

  Maggie nodded. “Aye, like Blair. She sees things in her dreams.”

  A sharp breath rushed from his lungs. “Do you think she saw me? Us?”

  Again, Maggie nodded. “She didna tell me, but I think she did. She always feels compelled to help. ‘Tis who she is. So did Moira.” A long sigh left her lips, and Nathan knew that they were getting closer to the part of her past that pained Maggie the most. “Somehow Ian came to believe that ‘twas Moira’s doing that I couldna love him. He thoug
ht her a witch. I think ‘twas easier for him to be angry and blame another than to feel nothing but regret.” Her hand rose and pointed past his shoulder. “There, that way.”

  Nathan nodded and guided his gelding around some densely-growing underbrush.

  “One night, he attacked her, tied her to his horse and took her away from Seann Dachaigh Tower.”

  Nathan swallowed hard. “To the cliffs?”

  “Aye,” Maggie confirmed. “I dunno what he intended to do. If he truly meant to…” Her voice trailed off, but her meaning rang loud and clear. “That night, Blair saw something in her dreams and she set out to follow him. She was only five years old at the time.”

  Nathan exhaled a sharp breath at the thought of little Blair out in the woods at night all by herself.

  “She’s always had a strong will,” Maggie answered his silent question. “She does what she deems right and there’s no changing her mind.”

  “Did she find them?”

  “Aye, she did. ‘Twas then that the wolf attacked.”

  “There are wolves in these parts?” Nathan asked, carefully scanning their surroundings.

  “I think ‘twas one of the last of his kind,” Maggie assured him. “‘Tis been years since the last sighting of one. Their numbers are dwindling fast.”

  “What happened then?”

  Maggie swallowed hard, and he could feel her body curl into his searching for something to hold onto. “Moira defended Blair. She didna run. She stayed and fought the wolf to protect Blair, and I think ‘twas that moment that Ian realised that he’d been wrong.” Fear still rang in Maggie’s voice at the thought of how close her daughter had come to harm that day. “While Moira was holding the wolf at bay, he put Blair on a horse and sent her off. Then he turned back and helped her. He fought the wolf and they tumbled off the cliff together.” Deep sadness clung to her words. “We never found him.”

  Nathan could not help but feel an odd responsibility for the unfortunate turn Ian’s life had taken. He’d never known the man, but it had indeed been the love Maggie had always had for him, Nathan, that had always overshadowed Ian’s life.

  Now, it was too late to right that wrong. All Nathan could do for Ian now was to ensure that his son would not come to harm.

  For much of the afternoon, they travelled onward, their eyes on the far horizon, hoping they would spot a lone rider. But Niall was nowhere to be seen, and Nathan hoped that the boy had not decided on an alternative destination.

  Still, Blair had sounded certain, and Nathan realised that he did not hesitate to put his trust in her.

  A seagull screeched overhead when a small grove came into view and Maggie’s arm shot past his shoulder. “There! That’s the place.”

  Urging his tiring mount onward, Nathan reached back to squeeze her hand as it rested on his shoulder. “We’ll find him,” he told her as much as himself. “He’ll be fine. You’ll see.”

  The ground sloped upward a bit, rocks jutting out here and there around the trees, and they could hear waves crashing nearby. Then they came around the last tree and found themselves on the edge of a small plateau overlooking the water far down below. A pony was tied to the tree on the other side and, at the edge of the cliff, with his feet dangling in the air, sat Niall.

  “Niall!” Maggie screamed immediately and made to scramble off the horse.

  At the sound of her voice, the boy flinched and spun around. His narrowed gaze moved over the tree line until he spotted his mother hurrying toward him. Then he shot to his feet.

  For a heart-stopping moment, he swayed precariously on his feet, his arms spread out to regain his balance as he teetered on the edge. The wind whipped his hair about. All colour drained from his face as he looked down at the steep drop into the sea.

  A drop that had cost his father his life.

  “Niall!” Maggie screamed once more, panic giving her voice a different ring.

  Following behind Maggie, Nathan watched as Niall regained his footing, his feet apart and his eyes shining with determination. “Stay back! I dunna want ye here! Stay away from me!” He inched farther back, his right heel all but hanging over the edge of the cliff, as his mother was still hurrying toward him.

  “Wait!” Nathan hissed, grabbing Maggie by the arm and spinning her around.

  “I need to go to him!” Her eyes were wide with fear. “He’s my son.”

  “I know,” Nathan said gently. “I know. But you cannot help him right now.” He held her gaze imploringly. “If you rush him, he might fall.” Her gaze widened at the thought. “Let me try.”

  Her hands gripped his arms tighter. “He’ll not want to speak to ye, either. We shouldna have come alone. We shoulda brought some−”

  “We did!” Nathan exclaimed as he remembered the letter tucked into his jacket. Releasing Maggie, he fished it from his pocket and pulled it out, holding it up for her to see. “Trust me, and let me speak to him. Please.”

  Swallowing, Maggie looked at him, indecision resting in her eyes.

  “Please,” Nathan repeated. “I know a way to make him listen.”

  Closing her eyes, Maggie nodded before she lifted her arms to wrap them around herself. Her jaw was trembling, and Nathan could see that every muscle in her body was tense to the point of breaking.

  “Go! Take care of the horse,” Nathan told her. “It’ll help you to have something to do.” When she hesitated, he said, “I promise I’ll look after him as if he were my own.”

  Her throat worked. “Verra well.” Casting a last glance over her shoulder at her child standing on the edge of the cliff where his father had died, Maggie then walked away.

  Nathan knew without a doubt that it was the hardest thing she’d ever done.

  Inhaling a deep breath, Nathan determinedly put Maggie out of his mind and turned to face his greatest challenge. “I need to speak to you,” he called to Niall.

  But the boy shook his head. “Go with her. ‘Tis why ye’ve come,” he snapped, his eyes filled with utter sadness. “Do as ye wish. I’ll not stand in yer way. But I’m not leaving.”

  “You’re wrong,” Nathan replied, taking a careful step closer. “I came to see you…and to give you this letter.” He lifted the item in question for Niall to see.

  A frown came to the boy’s face. “Are ye trying to fool me? Why would ye write me a letter? I dunna believe ye.”

  “I didn’t write it,” Nathan rushed to explain. “I’m only the messenger, but the message is not mine.”

  Niall paused, and Nathan thought to see a hint of intrigue in his green eyes. “Who’s it from then?”

  “It’s from my son. It’s from Collin. Do you remember him?”

  “Aye.”

  Nathan took another step forward. “I was invited to a supper with him and his family a few days ago. We talked and I told him about your mother and sister and you. He asked me to give you this.”

  Shifting forward ever so slightly, Niall crossed his arms over his chest. “What’s it say?”

  Nathan shrugged. “I don’t know.” He turned the letter to reveal the wax seal Collin had fashioned for himself. “It’s meant for you.” Nathan leaned forward. “May I give it to you?”

  For a long moment, Niall watched him. Then he heaved a deep sigh and sat back down, one leg hanging over the edge, his back to the rock face bordering one side of the plateau. “Verra well,” he said and held out his hand.

  Swallowing, Nathan moved toward the edge, one step at a time, until his gaze spotted the rolling waves below. Then he lowered himself down next to Niall and put the letter in the boy’s hand.

  For a moment, Niall looked at him, his green eyes curious above all else before a deep, exhausted sigh whistled past his lips. Then he dropped his gaze to the letter in his hands, gently skimming the pad of his thumb over Collin’s fashioned wax seal. A slight curl came to Niall’s lips, and Nathan thought that the boys would probably get along well.

  If only they got the chance!

  “Go ahead
,” Nathan said gently as he gazed down at the rolling waves below. “Read it.” He didn’t wish for Niall to feel pressured, but he also wanted to remain a part of this.

  Slipping his forefinger under the seal, Niall broke it and then unfolded the parchment. He held it up to his eyes, his lips moving slightly as he began to read. Then he paused, squinted and moved the parchment closer to his eyes before once more holding it farther away. “I canna read this,” he mumbled after a while.

  With his head bowed, he looked down at the lowered letter in his hands, a hint of indecision creasing his forehead. Then he looked up and held the letter out to Nathan. “Can ye read this?”

  “I can try,” Nathan replied with a quick smile as he took the letter from Niall’s hands, then bent his head to gaze upon his son’s scrawled words. “Let’s see.”

  Dear Niall, he began to read.

  When we met at the park, I did not know who you were. Now, I hear that we might be brothers (Nathan swallowed) and I think I’d like that.

  Beside him, Nathan felt Niall tense, his hands clamped together tightly.

  You know how angry and confused I was when I learnt that there was another man who was my father. I know you’re angry and confused, too. I saw it the day at the park.

  I’m still confused sometimes, but I’m not angry anymore. I talked to all my parents and it helped. I think all of us will be all right. It still feels strange, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. I know they love me even though they lied. Blair was right. They made a mistake, but they meant well. I think they were confused, too. I think that’s how mistakes happen.

  I wanted to write to you because you and Blair helped me and, now, it’s my turn to help you. I want you to know that you love your father as I love mine and that that will never change no matter who else we might also love. I already have a brother, but I could do with one more. That wouldn’t make me love my brother Clifford any less.