Dawn could not believe what he was suggesting. She had only one mother and always would. No one could take her place. She thought about her own babe growing safely in her stomach. And the thought of giving him away tore at her heart. She could never do that... never.
“I know that look well,” Kirk said. “Teressa wore it when her thoughts challenged her and I daresay you probably wonder why your true mum would give you away. I imagine it was to protect you.”
Dawn seemed even more confused and it showed.
“The woman you loved was married, wasn’t she?” Cree said. “And if she birthed a voiceless babe her husband would have questions and might even have had the babe done away with.”
Dawn paled at the thought. If that was so then her true mother must have been terribly courageous to do such a thing to save her child. She doubted that she could be that brave.
Kirk nodded. “The rarity of Dawn’s condition is common place in my family and accepted without sorrow or disappointment. It is rare that a woman in my family is born with a voice.”
Dawn felt her stomach roll. She had hoped to spare any of her children the horror of being born voiceless and yet here she learned that if she had a daughter she would most certainly bear the burden of having no voice. If she was Kirk’s daughter and that certainly seemed probable, her own daughter’s destiny was sealed.
“We should speak with Old Mary posthaste and see this matter settled,” Tor said anxiously. “If Dawn is family then we can make ready to take her home with us.”
That had Dawn jumping out of her chair, shaking her hand back and forth vigorously, and shaking her head vehemently.
Cree got right to his feet and went to stand in front of Dawn. “She’s not going anywhere. She belongs to me and I won’t warn you again about this... and if it’s a war you want, I’ll give it to you.”
Dawn couldn’t believe his threat. He’d go to war to keep her?
Torr jumped up. “It isn’t your choice or her choice; it is my father’s choice and if necessary we can always petition the King.”
Dawn had no qualms that she was merely a possession and had no freedom of choice but since being with Cree, she had grown—to a point—independent in thought, word, and lately, in action. So she didn’t hesitate to step around Cree and have her say.
She tapped her chest and her hands flew letting them know she did not like being treated like chattel and that her wishes should at least be considered, but mostly the decision should be hers to make and no one else’s.
“Slow down, we can’t understand you,” Torr said a bit apologetically.
“You riled her,” Cree said with a smile. “There’s no slowing her down when she’s riled.”
Kirk appeared upset. “I never knew what to do when Teressa got like this. How do you deal with her when you can’t understand her?”
“I get her best friend Lila to interpret for me,” Cree said.
“Could we do that now?” Kirk asked. “I would truly like to hear all she has to say.”
“Talk to her directly, not around her,” Cree said.
Dawn turned and smiled at him for being considerate of her, but then he had made that same mistake himself, though not often.
“My apologies,” Kirk said and Dawn stared at him realizing for the first time how truly difficult this must be for him. Here she was thinking how she felt when he too had only found out that she could possibly be his daughter. And Torr was concerned for his sister. They were doing what they thought best... protecting her. This was quite a mess.
Dawn had had enough. She didn’t want to talk to anyone about anything, anymore. She wanted to be left alone. She stepped aside and pointed at the door, looking to each one of them.
“I didn’t mean to upset you,” Kirk said and stood. “You should have some time to yourself to consider what you have learned and what might be. We will talk later.” He motioned for Torr to stand and he did so hesitantly.
Dawn kept her arm straight, her finger pointed at the door, and her expression stern.
Torr shot Cree a look. “She means you too.”
“I don’t take orders from my woman.”
Torr went to lunge at him, but Kirk’s arm shot out stopping him. “Since Dawn may be my daughter, I ask that you respect the possibility.”
“May be your daughter,” Cree said. “Until it can be proven, she is still my woman and even then it doesn’t change the fact that she is my woman and will remain so.”
“You are to wed another—”
Cree cut Torr off. “That doesn’t concern you. Now take your—”
Dawn stepped between the two squabbling men and shook her finger at the door, her face red with anger.
Kirk gave his son a shove to the door. “This will be settled soon,” —he looked to Cree— “and if it becomes necessary, I will petition the King.” He turned to Dawn. “I do not wish you harm; I do what I do to protect my daughter.”
Dawn kept her finger pointed at the door after the two men left and her head turned away from Cree. She wanted him to leave. She didn’t want him to see the tears filling her eyes. She wanted to be alone, not to think this through, but to go see Old Mary and see if she could discover the truth.”
She silently gasped when his arms went around her waist and he turned her to face him, though she kept her head down. He grabbed her chin forcing it up.
“Do you honestly think that I would leave you alone after what you have just learned?”
Her tears began to fall then, for he had stayed to comfort her, and she couldn’t help but think that he would only do that if he truly loved her.
His hands went to cup her face and his thumbs wiped away each tear that fell. “You belong to me and you always will. I will not let anyone take you from me.”
Every time she heard him say those words she imagined it was his way of telling her that he loved her and did not want to live without her. And she felt the same. She did not want to leave him. Her heart would break if she did.
She pressed her hand to her chest, then to his and shook her head.
He smiled and wiped away more tears. “I never thought for a moment that you wanted to leave me. We do well together.”
She smiled and nodded and he kissed her again, a lingering kiss that tempted and teased.
His hand slipped down to cup her buttocks and then he pulled her close against him He wanted her to feel how hard he was and how much he wanted her. He already thought about scooping her up, tossing her down on the bed, lifting her skirt and driving into her with fast hard thrusts that...
The rap at the door had him cursing as he unwillingly tore his mouth away from hers. “I’m going to kill whoever that is.”
Dawn nodded adamantly, agreeing with him.
Cree walked over to the door hoping that Torr stood on the other side so that he could do what he’d been aching to do... punch him square in the face. He was disappointed to find Elwin standing there.
“You’re needed at the keep, my lord.”
“It can’t wait?” Cree all but growled.
Elwin took a step back and let Cree judge for himself. “A messenger arrived half frozen. It seems that Roland Gerwan decided to journey here sooner than expected and got caught in the snowstorm. The messenger was sent to get help. It seems he and his entourage are stuck at an empty croft and demanding that you send help immediately.”
Cree shook his head. Didn’t he have enough to contend with? Now he had to deal with Lucerne’s parents? He turned to Dawn. “I will return later. Stay put and stay out of trouble.”
She nodded and smiled and Cree shook his head again as he walked out the door.
Dawn dropped down into one of the chairs at the table and refilled her tankard with hot cider and tore a piece of bread off the flat loaf to munch on. She barely swallowed the piece when there was another rap at the door.
She hesitated to answer preferring to be alone, but another quick rap made her realize that she had no choice but to answer
the persistent person. She opened the door and was surprised to see Bree standing there. And was even more surprised by what she said.
“Old Mary needs to speak with you right away.”
Chapter Thirteen
Dawn didn’t hesitate. She slipped her fur-lined cloak over her shoulders and hurried out of the cottage to be greeted by Elwin. Her guard was back, but then she couldn’t blame Cree. With what they had just learned, he had no way of knowing what the McCluskys might do. So she was relieved rather than perturbed to see Elwin and she greeted him with a smile.
Bree was so polite in her explanation that Elwin couldn’t say no. “We’d like to go to Old Mary’s, if that is permitted?”
“I’ll be right behind you, lassies,” Elwin said and followed.
Once inside the cottage, Old Mary was quick to request that Bree take two tankards of hot cider and a loaf of bread out to Elwin and keep him company while she spoke with Dawn. Bree did her bidding and was soon out the door.
Dawn was grateful for the privacy. There were things she needed to ask Old Mary that were better left between the two of them. And then there were—she hoped—things that Old Mary intended to tell her. Dawn moved a chair from the table to the side of the bed where Old Mary rested. She looked worn-out, her eyes heavy, and her shoulders sagging.
Dawn immediately gestured asking if she was feeling all right.
“Tired, age, the cold, take your pick,” she replied with a wave of her hand as if it didn’t matter. “You found the comb.”
Dawn nodded, confirming what the old women already knew.
“And others know as well.”
This time Dawn didn’t bother to confirm. It amazed and, at times, frightened Dawn how Old Mary knew things. There were those who whispered that she was a witch, others thought her crazy, but Dawn knew she was neither, though she did harbor secrets.
Old Mary sighed and reached for Dawn’s hand and Dawn took hold. “I knew it was time that you had the mate to the comb you already possessed.” She smiled. “Unfortunately, I didn’t count on the snowstorm and I couldn’t wait any longer to get the comb to you. I should have brought it with me when Cree had me moved from my cottage, but I hadn’t wanted to take a chance of someone seeing it, so I left it to return and collect another day. As usual the days slip past faster than we expect and suddenly the time was upon me.” Old Mary gripped Dawn’s hand tighter. “The most important thing for you to remember is that your mother gave you those combs. They belong to you. She wanted you to have something of hers. She wanted you to know how much she loved you.”
Dawn felt a catch in her stomach and she didn’t think it was the babe. It was finally settling in that perhaps what had been implied could very well be true and if that was so, then who was she? She was afraid to ask, but she had to know. She gestured rocking a babe in her arms and pointed to herself.
“Who is your mother?”
Dawn nodded vigorously, eager yet fearful to hear the answer.
Old Mary’s eyes shot to the door and Dawn looked to see what had her worried but no knock came and then suddenly raised voices were heard just beyond the door before it flew open.
Torr strode in shutting the door, though not before Dawn caught a glimpse of Elwin on the ground holding his jaw. She jumped to her feet and pointed to the door letting him know he was not welcome here.
“I’m not going anywhere without answers from the old woman.” He took a step forward and Dawn did the same, her shoulders back, her hands hugging her hips, and her chin tilted up daring him to get past her.
“It’s all right,” Old Mary said and Dawn turned to her. She smiled at Dawn and waved her hand for her to move aside, though she only moved so far. She had no intentions of letting Torr get too close to Old Mary.
Torr advanced only one step. “I mean no disrespect, but I want answers. If Dawn is my sister I will protect her with my life.”
Dawn looked at him perplexed. She had always wished that she had had siblings, though Lila and Paul were like a sister and brother to her. Here, however, was standing a man who could be her true sibling. And she had to admit that when she had first met him, she thought him a good man and she still did.
“Please tell me what you know of the combs,” Torr said.
“The combs belonged to Dawn’s mother.”
“And you know who that woman is?” Torr asked anxiously and Dawn waited just as anxiously.
Old Mary sighed and tears sprang up in her eyes. “You are a man of your word, Torr?”
“That I am,” Torr said proudly.
“Then you will understand and respect what I have to say.” A tear ran down her wrinkled cheek. “I made a promise many years ago, I gave my word, and I will not break it.”
Torr appeared as exasperated as Dawn felt. Old Mary had the answer, she could settle this whole ordeal with a few words and yet... a promise was a promise and Dawn understood why the woman refused to speak on it.
“What I can tell you,” Old Mary said and had Dawn and Torr listening closely, “is that you will have answers soon, but the matter itself will not be so easily resolved.”
“Is there—”
“There is nothing you can do to persuade me to go back on my word,” Old Mary said before Torr could finish. “I am tired and need to rest, though first I will speak to Dawn alone.”
Torr looked to Dawn. “I will wait outside for you.”
Dawn nodded, knowing it mattered not if she wanted him to wait, he intended to.
As soon as the door shut, Old Mary reached out and grabbed Dawn’s hand, tugging her closer.
Dawn bent down to listen.
“You must not yet tell Cree that you carry his babe.”
Dawn’s eyes popped wide, the old woman surprising her again with her knowing. She nodded, though her advice wasn’t necessary. She hadn’t planned on telling Cree about the babe yet. She actually didn’t know when she would tell him, though no doubt a time would present itself.
“It took a strong heart and much love to do what your mother did that night you were born. Remember that.” Old Mary released her hand and closed her eyes, and Dawn knew she would say no more.
When she reached the door, her hand stilled before grabbing the latch and she turned to stare at the old woman who looked to be sleeping peacefully.
That night you were born.
Old Mary had been there at her birth. Had her true mother given her to Old Mary to see that she was kept safe? The old woman knew much and Dawn intended to find out just how much.
Elwin waited outside for her, rubbing his bruising jaw and keeping his distance from Torr. Dawn didn’t see Bree anywhere and assumed that Elwin sent her to tell Cree what had happened, which meant he would be here soon. And there was no telling what would happen then.
Torr offered her his arm but Dawn shook her head. It wouldn’t be wise to have Cree see them walking arm in arm.
“At least let me escort you back to your cottage,” Torr said.
And since Dawn knew he would do so whether she agreed or not, she nodded.
“My father is thrilled with the possibility that you may be his daughter, as am I thrilled with the idea that you may be my sister. I know you may not feel the same way, after all your life has been here in Dowell. I can, however, assure you—”
Dawn waved her hands back and forth in front of her and shook her head, forcing Torr silent. She kept her gestures tempered so that he could understand her, though her heart beat wildly and her stomach roiled at the thought of leaving her home and the people she loved. She could not imagine not sitting and chatting endlessly with Lila or watching as baby Thomas grew and seeing how Flanna faired with Turbett or how Dorrie and Elwin did. But most of all she could never leave Cree. That was one thing she didn’t gesture to Torr.
“I understand you have friends here but you would have something with father and me that is so much more precious... you would have your freedom.”
The thought stunned her and Torr saw that it d
id, so he continued.
“You would be a peasant no more and able to make choices.”
“She’s made her choice.”
Dawn and Torr stopped and turned to see Cree only a few steps behind them, wearing a murderous scowl. And then without thought or provocation, Cree charged forward and landed a blow to Torr’s jaw that sent him flying backwards to land in a snowdrift.
He stood over the fallen man and shook his fist at him. “Next time I’ll drive a sword through your heart if you see Dawn again without my permission. Now get up so I can finish beating the shit out of you.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Kirk said joining them and going directly to his son to extend him a hand. “Torr will abide by your wishes, but again let me warn you that if it is proven that Dawn is my daughter, it will be you who is made to stay away from her.”
Torr got to his feet and didn’t say a word. He and his father walked away leaving their threat hanging heavy in the air.
Cree took hold of Dawn’s arm and all but propelled her to her cottage. She felt as if she skipped along the ground, he had her moving so fast. He slammed the door behind them after they entered the cottage, then he whirled her around in front of him, his grip still firm on her arm.
Before he could say a word her hands started moving, explaining how Old Mary asked to see her and how Torr simply showed up there. She finished with what she hoped would abate his anger that Old Mary was there at Dawn’s birth.
Cree released her arm. “I can’t fault her for having an honorable nature and staying true to her word, though it doesn’t help us. Though this news may very well shed light on why someone is trying to kill you. The most plausible reason would be that someone doesn’t want your true heritage known.”
Dawn had never given that possibility thought. She had been too caught up in the consequences of what it meant to be Kirk’s daughter to think of anything else. But what Cree said made sense.
“This information will help in tracking the culprit.” His hands moved to hug her waist. “There is much going on and now with Kirk Gerwan and his wife showing up...” He let his words drift off, his eyes having settled on her lips that were red from the cold and he decided to warm them.
Forbidden Highlander (Highlander Trilogy 2) Page 11
