Saving Grace

"I had already been beaten once for insolence," Clare said. "And I knew it would happen again and again. I never found the MacBain soldiers; and by the time I gave up my search, it was getting dark. I stayed in an abandoned cropper's cottage all night. Dear God, I was afraid. I was terrified of going back to the MacI

"You felt helpless, didn't you?"

"Oh, yes," Clare answered. "I still hadn't thought up the lie though. Three months went by, and then one morning the laird a

Clare's voice was hoarse from strain and weeping. Joha

"My lie wasn't pla

"You have sound reason to despise Robert," Joha

"I'm not so forgiving."

"Clare, I know you aren't in the mood to listen to me, but I still must instruct you not to blame the majority of men for the sins of a few."

"Didn't you hate your first husband?"

Joha

"Once he became aware? Didn't you tell him after the first beating?"

"It's difficult to explain, Clare," Joha

The beatings didn't start right after we were wed. He set about destroying my confidence first. I was naive, and frightened, too, and when you are called ignorant and unworthy over and over again by someone who is supposed to love and protect you, well, in time a part of you will begin to believe some of the nonsense. I didn't tell my brother because I was too ashamed. I kept thinking I would make it better. I never believed I deserved such foul treatment, and eventually I came to realize Raulf was never going to change. That is when I knew I had to find a way to leave. I would have gone to Nicholas, but as it turned out, it wasn't necessary. My husband was killed."

Joha

"I don't hate him," Clare said. "He has been protecting me, and I am appreciative. He does frighten me though. You obviously do not notice what a giant of a man he is, m'lady, or that his ma

"He can be overwhelming, but only if you let him," Joha

"My game is over, isn't it? I'll tell my father the truth. I promise."

"Will he make you go back to MacI

"I don't know," Clare said. "He wants the alliance."

Joha

"Don't tell your father the truth just yet," she said. "I must think about this. I ca

"Why do you care, m'lady? You put yourself in jeopardy by keeping me. Your compassion will get you into trouble. My father…"

Joha

"And what was that, Joha

"You were in an untenable position, and you took the most important first step. I wouldn't have chosen your road to freedom, but that doesn't matter now. You got out. Don't you understand? You ca

"What happens when my father's soldiers war against the MacBains because of my lie?"

Joha

"How?"

"I don't know… not yet, but you and I are clever. We can find a way to straighten out this mess."

"But why would you put your clan in such a position?"

"I don't believe one must be sacrificed for the other," Joha

Joha

"And where do we start? With our sons?"

"We start by helping each other now," Joha

The sound of men coming down the hallway stopped the.

discussion. Clare surprised Joha

The door was just opening when Clare whispered, "Together."

Joha

Chapter 17

Gabriel was the first to enter the chamber. He didn't look happy to see his wife there. He shook his head at her. She pretended she didn't notice.

Father MacKechnie led Laird MacKay into the room. The priest nodded to Joha

"You look a wee bit better today," he a

Laird MacKay moved to the side of the priest so he could see his daughter. He started forward, then came to an abrupt stop. "Dear God," he whispered, loud enough for everyone in the chamber to hear.

The sight of his daughter's bruised face made the laird blanch. Joha

No, she thought to herself. She wasn't going to give him the benefit of the doubt. She didn't care if she was being uncharitable or worse. In her mind he was just as responsible for Clare's near death as Robert MacI