“What is this nonsense?” asked Lady Drechten. “Ye are confusing me husband. Is it not bad enough that ye get him out of bed when he is deathly ill, but ye have tae remind him that he lost a son tae the war?”
“No!” Juliana committed now, and there was no going back. “The Laird’s first son, the one that you claimed died when he was months old.”
“The one he had with the whore.” Lady Drechten threw the words at Juliana as if they were daggers.
Juliana was defiant. If they were daggers, she would have let them hit her, and then carried on. This was her last stand, and she was either going to win or die trying. She looked over at Laird Drechten, who was looking at Andrew.
Yes, look at him. You must see it as I do.
Juliana looked between the two men. One was older, worn, sick, ill, but she could still see it. They had the same eyes. Both were tall and muscular—even though one of them was stooped and needed help walking—and they both cared about others, really cared.
The Laird walked over to Andrew and tapped the sword placed at his chest. Laird Lochenbrew immediately withdrew the sword and looked at his sister. There was fear in his eyes that was not there in Lady Drechten’s, as she was the better of the two at concealing her true emotions.
“Aye, he does look like me.” The words came out in a dreamlike way, the Laird was not fully conscious of what was happening, and Juliana worried that he was slipping away.
“The likeness is irrelevant!” shouted Lady Drechten. “So, he looks a wee bit like the Laird. Are there not a thousand men who are tall with blue eyes? Aye, I’ll admit that they look a little alike, but what does that prove? I buried his bastard son years ago, and me brother was there with me.”
“Aye.” There was a nod from Laird Lochenbrew.
“The Laird’s boy would have been around the same age if he'd lived, but he didnae. Ye’ve got yerself caught up in somethin’ that ye know nothin’ about. I seen him force his way ontae ye, so he deserves tae be punished. If we are done here, I’d like tae take care of me husband.”
“The secret,” said Juliana. She was pushing through, but the tension was rising, and she could not help but worry. There had to be a way, something that she had not thought of.
“What secret?” asked Lady Drechten.
“I overheard you talking with Laird Lochenbrew about Andrew.”
“Ye were listenin’ tae private conversations?” asked Lady Drechten. “Ye should be ashamed of yerself.”
“I’ll deal with ye when I’m done with him,” said Laird Lochenbrew. He raised the sword again to Andrew’s chest.
“You tried to poison me.” It was all that Juliana could think of saying.
“Poison?” There was a slight chuckle from Lady Drechten’s lips. She strode over, fully confident, to where Juliana stood, herself confident and defiant, though that was slowly slipping away. “I tried tae poison ye? I suppose that ye have proof of that too? Are ye feelin’ sick? Dae ye have some of this poison?”
“Well, no.”
“Ye have nae proof, but ye accuse me of tryin’ tae kill ye. Ye have nae proof of anythin’. Even if the child had lived, Andrew has a father that raised him.”
Andrew could only nod obediently as the sword was pressed into his chest again.
“Ye think that because he looks like me husband, he must be his son? Ye’re mad. I dinnae think that this weddin’ is goin’ tae go ahead, especially with all these accusations. We know all about yer family.” She looked over at her brother, who was at a loss with what to say. “Give me one piece of proof, and I’ll consider it. But, if this is all ye have, then ye’ve put yer fate in yer own hands.”
“The birthmark.”
Everyone turned. It was Laird Drechten who had spoken. He clung on shakily to Arthur.
“I need tae get me husband back tae his bed before he collapses. Arthur, help me with the Laird.”
“What birthmark?” asked Juliana.
“Me son,” said the Laird, almost with his last breath. “He had a birthmark on the back of his neck, it was shaped like a cross. I’ll never forget that mark.”
Andrew broke down in tears. The guard holding him faltered as he witnessed what was going on, and let go of Andrew’s arms. He fell to his knees, the sword still raised, and now at head height. He could only raise his hand to his neck and pull down the back of his shirt.
No one could see what was there, except for the guard, and the look on his face said it all. He stared wide-eyed at the back of Andrew’s neck and could only nod. Laird Drechten was weak, but not so drained that he could not go over and embrace his son. He checked the back of his neck first, and when he saw it, identical to the one his infant son had, the tears streamed down his face.
Andrew lifted the Laird up in his arms, still not understanding what was going on. His eyes filled with tears, too, as he dealt with the emotions. Juliana could see what he was grasping with. His father had died, but it had all been a lie. The man would always be his father, but it was like a phoenix from the ashes. His father had died and been reborn.
Laird Drechten spoke directly to Arthur. “More guards.”
The other guard, Lachlan, understood what was going on. He drew his sword and stood by the Laird and his son. Juliana, Lady Drechten, and Laird Lochenbrew, still with sword, did not move.
“Someone better explain this mess tae me.” The strength was returning to him. The fire had come back to his eyes, but he could not stand unsupported. More guards arrived in an instant, standing with the Laird of the Castle.
Juliana smiled.
Lady Drechten continued to stand there with her stony and stoic demeanor, not showing any emotion at what was unraveling in front of her, as if she were innocent in all of this. Her brother, however, was a different matter entirely.
Laird Lochenbrew was faltering. His sword trembled in his hand, and he lowered it slowly as the Castle guards arrived. He looked to his sister, but she would not look back at him. There was sweat pooling on his forehead and the look of a cornered animal in his eyes.
“It was her idea.”
“Colban,” sneered Lady Drechten. She looked at her brother and shook her head.
“I couldnae dae it,” continued Laird Lochenbrew.
“Colban, I’m warnin’ ye, keep yer mouth shut.” The anger flared as Lady Drechten tried to keep her brother from talking.
“I’m the one who saved him,” said Laird Lochenbrew.
Lady Drechten scoffed at her brother.
“I’m a man of infinite patience.” Laird Drechten took a second to steady himself, and, this time, Andrew helped to hold his father up. “But, I’m tiring of all of this. Soon, I’ll be dead, but before then, ye'll tell me what happened tae me boy.”
Laird Lochenbrew took another look at his sister, but she looked away. The guards were there, ready, but not quite sure of what was going on. They had hands on hilts, ready to draw their swords should they need to, and most of them were watching Laird Lochenbrew, who still had his sword in his hand.
“I couldnae dae it,” repeated Laird Lochenbrew. Everyone waited for him to continue. “She brought the bairn tae me when he was months old. She couldnae take it anymore, the reminder of an indiscretion. She wanted me tae kill him and get rid of the body.”
“Aye, but ye were too much of a coward tae dae it.” Lady Drechten scowled at her brother.
“Ye couldnae dae it either, that’s why ye brought the bairn tae me.”
Laird Drechten could not believe his ears. “Ye wanted tae kill me child because he wasnae yers?”
“Aye, I did,” admitted Lady Drechten. “Ye slept with that whore for over a year, and I only found out because ye got her pregnant. What was I supposed tae dae?”
“We were goin’ tae raise the child as our own.”
“Aye, a nice sentiment, for ye. But what about me? Every time I looked at the boy, I saw her. I wasnae about tae have the son of a whore grow up tae be the Laird of me castle.”
“Me castle,” corrected Laird Drechten.
“Not for long.” The words were intended to hurt, and they did.
“Aye, not for long, but this boy has come just in time. Now that I ken the truth, he'll be Laird of this castle,” said Laird Drechten.
“Och, ye cannae be serious.” Lady Drechten was becoming agitated, but she knew that he was right. “Ye should have killed him, Colban.”
“Where has he been all these years?” asked Laird Drechten.
“I left him with the blacksmith,” answered Laird Lochenbrew. “I knew that it would be the safest place for him.”
“No ye didnae.” Lady Drechten was becoming more and more annoyed. “Aye, ye couldnae kill him, but that didnae mean ye didnae want him dead. Ye left him down by the river in the hope that the cold would take him. If that blacksmith hadnae been walkin’ along there, he would've died. Ye cannae dae anythin’ right, and that includes rememberin’ what ye actually did.”
“Ye knew about all of this, and ye never told me.” Laird Drechten was incredulous. He could not believe what he was hearing. He looked over at his wife and brother-in-law and opened his mouth. Juliana waited with excitement to hear him unleash on the two of them, but he never did. Instead, he turned to Andrew. “I’m sorry that ye’ve gone through this.”
The two men embraced again, and Juliana saw it. They were a family once more. The calmness swept over Laird Drechten as if he had already passed into the next life. He turned to his wife. “I understand.”
Lady Drechten could not believe it either. After all that had happened, he was so calm and collected about it all. She tried to answer his words, but nothing came out, she was dried up.
“I see yer pain,” said Laird Drechten. Juliana could not have loved the Laird more at that moment. “I was wrong all those years ago, and I placed a heavy burden on ye. What ye did is unforgivable, but I know that ye were in pain. I’m only thankful that me son is here today. He has returned tae be the rightful heir of Drechten Castle when I pass.”
Laird Lochenbrew looked at his sister, waiting for her to say something. The truth was finally out, but something was bothering him still, there was more hidden that Juliana did not know about, and she was sure that she would not get to the bottom of it. There were many secrets buried within this family, but she had uncovered the most important one. Andrew was Laird Drechten’s son.
“I dinnae know what tae say,” admitted Andrew.
Laird Drechten embraced him once more. “I’m just glad that I got tae meet ye before I go.”
“There must be something that we can dae.” Andrew had only just found out that his father was alive, and now he was to be taken from him, just like Adair.
“I’ve made peace with it, son, and ye need tae too,” said Laird Drechten. There was a struggle inside of him, but it was clear that he had accepted what was to happen. “If only I could have more time with ye.”
“I’ll spend every moment with ye.” Andrew pulled his father closer. Juliana had tears in her eyes. The brother and sister did not.
What does this mean for me?
Juliana was happier than she ever thought possible, but she was still trying to unravel everything in her mind. The truth was finally out. She would not marry Laird Lochenbrew, no matter what happened now, but that left her where she had started. She looked at Andrew and hoped.
Will he really become Laird of the Castle when Laird Drechten passes?
She dared herself to dream. Now that she would not marry Laird Lochenbrew anymore, she was free to be with Andrew. He would be a Laird with money, and could take care of her and family, he had the kindness to do it, but she could not force it or impose herself on him. She would let him decide. He had so much to think about now that she could not add any more stress to his life.
Everything had worked out as she hoped, even if Arthur had been a little late in bringing the Laird down to witness everything, but it had worked, her plan had succeeded. A glance at Lady Drechten showed serenity. She had made her peace with the entire thing. Laird Lochenbrew was different. He kept the sword firmly in his hand and waited to find out what his fate would be.
There were so many questions running around in her mind now. What would happen to Lady Drechten? And her brother? Would Andrew live here now? Would he really be the Laird? Would she have to go back home? Was her life in danger more now than it had been? Could she dream about a life with Andrew?
“It's over,” said Lady Drechten, and that gave Juliana the feeling that it was not. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and her body tensed. Perhaps it was over, but everything was such a mess, that it could never go back to the way that it was.
By now, most of the Castle had stopped what they were doing and were either gathered around the small group at the center of the courtyard or were looking that way. The small murmurs and whispers could be heard moving from person to person as they wondered what was going on.
Juliana let out a small gasp. She had been holding her breath for days now, metaphorically, not physically. She let the triumphant gasp out of her body and felt the weight of everything lift from her.
“I ken that ye can never forgive me, Alaister, and I’m not askin’ ye tae. This is me home, and I want tae live here until the new Laird takes over.” Lady Drechten looked over at Andrew and tried to smile. “I’ll dae whatever I can tae get us through this, I only ask that I can be at yer side until ye pass, make ye as comfortable as possible, and then the new Laird, Andrew, can do with me what he will.”
A sickness ran through Juliana’s stomach. She looked from face to face, the serenity of Lady Drechten, the woman who had accepted it all, the nervous quietness of Laird Lochenbrew, the worn, kind face of Laird Drechten, not long for this world, and Andrew, the man at the center of it all.
Lady Drechten moved to be beside her husband, and Juliana’s mind flashed back to the moment in the room when she had been served tea. The way that she was talking, the actions, her kindness, it was the same as in the room. Juliana firmly believed that Lady Drechten was up to something.
“Let me look after ye while ye cannae,” said Lady Drechten to her husband. “I only want tae spend yer last moments with ye.”
She is acting just like she did in the room, and I know that she is up to something.
The words were kind, just as they had been. She had changed her demeanor, and the anger was gone. Juliana knew that she was planning something, she just had to figure out what.
You do not want Andrew to be Laird, all of this was so that your son could be the Laird. You are not going to let it happen now. You tried to kill him, but everything was tightening in, so you had to try another angle.
“You are poisoning him!” shouted Juliana.
25
A Final Confrontation
“What are ye talkin’ about?” asked Lady Drechten.
“It all makes so much sense now,” said Juliana. She looked over at the Laird and Andrew. It made perfect sense to her. She had tried to have Andrew killed as a child, but she was unable to do it herself. Thankfully, her brother had not been able to go through with it either.
She had tried to kill Juliana, too, even though there was no proof. It was the coward’s way out, to poison someone was different than running a dagger through someone’s heart, and Juliana knew that the Lady was not a murderer. She had held the dagger to Juliana’s throat but had been unable to make the decisive cut.
Andrew was getting closer, so it only made sense that she kept him away from the Laird, and it was easier to do that with the Laird than with Andrew.
She must have thought that she was so clever. Andrew arrived at the Castle, but the Laird was incapacitated. He would never discover the resemblance.
“You are poisoning him,” said Juliana, certain in her accusation. If the Lady had been her true angry and bitter self, Juliana would not have thought it, and perhaps the Laird would have died. Yet, there was compassion and kindness, and it caused Juliana to question the Lady’s
true motives.
You are planning on being by his bedside, that much is true, but it is to poison him, is it not?
“Ye are mad.” Lady Drechten did not look over at Juliana, instead she looked anywhere else. “I’ve told me truth, but ye willnae let it lie, will ye? I’ve atoned for what I’ve done over the years, believe me, so let me just take care of me dying husband, please.”
It was the please that did it for Juliana. She looked directly at Lady Drechten. “You are killing him to hide your secret.”
“Are ye just goin’ tae stand there and take this?” Lady Drechten asked her brother.
Laird Lochenbrew still had the sword in his hand, but it was weighing him down, for it was impossible for him to raise it. “What dae ye expect me tae dae?”
Consumed By The Lost Highlander (Steamy Scottish Historical Romance) Page 23
