No more would she suffer the taunts and abuse of others. No more would she be forced to live in a place that held nothing but memories of pain and humiliation.

It was the hour before dawn when she realized that she had not spoken to Taliesan of her departure. Taliesan was the only person she would miss, the only person who’d been friend and ally to her at McHugh Keep.

Genevieve slipped from the bed, leaving Bowen to sleep as she quietly dressed. Then she went next door to Taliesan’s chamber and let herself in. It was dark within the chamber, with only a few dying coals in the hearth to give light.

She went to Taliesan’s bed and touched the girl’s shoulder in an effort to wake her.

“Taliesan. Taliesan,” Genevieve whispered.

Taliesan stirred and turned over. “Genevieve? Is aught amiss?”

Her voice was groggy and heavy with sleep.

“Nay,” Genevieve whispered back. “I came to say goodbye.”

Taliesan sat straight up in bed, pushing the covers aside. Then she started to scramble up and Genevieve put out a hand to halt her.

“What is it you have need of?” Genevieve asked.

“I wanted to light a candle so that I may see your face,” Taliesan said.

“Remain in bed. I’ll light a candle and fetch it back to the bed.”

Genevieve went to the fireplace and added logs so that the flames would begin anew. Once a steady flame licked over the wood, she lit a candle and brought it back to the bed where Taliesan sat, her brow etched with concern.

“What is happening, Genevieve? Tell me you aren’t striking out on your own again. I worry for you so.”

Genevieve smiled and reached to cover Taliesan’s hand with her own. She gave it a gentle squeeze. “Your friendship means much to me, Talie. ’Tis the only bright spot in the year I’ve been imprisoned here. But I am a prisoner no more. Bowen is taking me away. We are traveling to Montgomery Keep. I am free.”

Taliesan reached forward and pulled Genevieve tightly into her arms. Her hug was fierce, and Genevieve could feel the wetness of Taliesan’s tears on her neck.

“I am so glad for you, Genevieve. You deserve happiness.”

“I could not leave without first giving you my thanks and telling you goodbye. I will miss you, Talie. I will not miss anything of this place except for you.”

Taliesan pulled away, her eyes wet with tears. “I will miss you as well, Genevieve, but ’tis glad I am that you are away from here.”

“I wish I did not have to leave you,” Genevieve said unhappily. “ ’Tis not a happy place to be, and ’tis not known what the fate of the McHugh clan will be.”

Taliesan shrugged. “They have made their fate. Now they—we—must face the consequences of all we have sown.”

“God be with you, Talie. And may we one day meet again.”

Taliesan hugged her again. “And God be with you, Genevieve. If we should never meet, I will long carry our friendship and cherish it.”

Genevieve caught her hands and squeezed. “I must go back now. There is much to be done before dawn, and ’tis when we are leaving.”

“I will be down to see you off,” Taliesan promised.

Genevieve smiled warmly at her. “I would like that.”

Genevieve leaned over to kiss Taliesan on the cheek and then hurried toward the door before sadness overwhelmed her. It made no sense to suffer any regret over her departure, but she would miss Taliesan. The lass had been a warm and welcoming face in a sea of hatred and animosity. Genevieve would never forget it, or the kindness that Taliesan had shown her.

When she let herself back into her chamber, Bowen was awake and dressing by the fire. He glanced up, relief lighting his eyes.

“I did not know where you’d gone,” he said gruffly. “You worried me.”

She went to him, hugging him fiercely. He seemed surprised by the spontaneous gesture and hugged her back, holding her to him for a long moment.

“I was but saying my farewell to Taliesan,” she said quietly. “She is the only person I shall miss. She is the only person who has been kind to me during my sojourn here.”

“She is a good lass, with a valiant heart,” Bowen said.

“Aye, ’tis true, that.”

“We have a short time before we depart,” Bowen advised. “Is there anything you wish to take with you?”

“Only the chest at the foot of the bed,” she said in a low voice. “ ’Tis all that survived the attack on my escort. It has the bow my father gave me, and my wedding dress my mother sewed herself. Ian destroyed all else. I would take them if ’tis acceptable. They are all I have left of my parents.”

He touched her cheek. “Of course, lass. ’Tis not too much of a burden for you to take your belongings. I will see that they are packed in a cart to bear back to Montgomery Keep. Pack anything else you wish to take with you inside the chest and I’ll have my men bring it down.”

“Thank you,” she said, touching his cheek in kind. “I’m ever grateful to you, Bowen. No one has ever shown me such kindness. I’m overwhelmed.”

He brought her palm to his lips and pressed a kiss to the soft flesh. “Your happiness means much to me,” he said simply. “Now, let us go and prepare for our journey. Graeme will be anxious to return to Eveline, and I must say my farewells to Teague and Brodie.”

Chapter 38

Genevieve waited nervously by the horse Bowen had selected for her to ride. Bowen was conversing with his two brothers and Brodie Armstrong a short distance away, and she knew once Bowen said his farewells to Teague, Graeme would come over, because Bowen said he wished to be introduced to her.

It was enough to make her break out into a cold sweat.

She knew that Bowen would have told his brother all about her situation, and it sickened her that others would know of her shame. She’d tried to wear her cape and hood, but Bowen had stoutly refused to allow her to hide behind it, stating that she had no reason to hide, no reason to be ashamed.

Still, she bore it in the sack tied to her saddlebag, because she could not bear the thought of facing Bowen’s entire clan without the barrier of her hood.

To her surprise, Teague and Brodie both accompanied Graeme and Bowen over to where she stood. Brodie was the first to offer his farewell. He simply ruffled her hair in a gesture that astonished her. As if she were a beloved little sister that he teased mercilessly. It warmed her and made her feel that she had a place among these people.

“Be well and happy,” Brodie offered.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice heavy with emotion.

Teague pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead in an affectionate manner.

She clung fiercely to him, hugging him in return. “Thank you for your aid,” she whispered.

“I was glad to give it,” he said sincerely. “Safe journey to you.”

And then Teague and Brodie walked away, deep in conversation, and she was left alone with Bowen and his older brother, Graeme, the laird.

She licked her lips nervously and peeked up at Graeme. He was not as fierce as she’d imagined. He had a kind, thoughtful look that gave her hope. He was rumored to be a fair man, though he was fiercely loyal and protective of those he loved.

And ’twas well known he adored his wife.

“ ’Tis good to make your acquaintance, Genevieve,” Graeme said in a gentle tone. “I’ve heard much about you and the trials you have suffered. I want to offer my assurance that no such thing will occur on Montgomery land. You will be afforded protection and respect during your stay with our clan.”

She had to bite her lip to prevent the flow of tears. She blinked rapidly and performed a deep curtsy in front of Graeme, chiding herself not to become a weepy mess in front of him.

“I’m ever grateful, Laird,” she said sincerely.

Graeme nodded, then turned to Bowen. “If your business here is complete, let us be on our way. I’d see my wife as soon as possible. I do not like being parted from her.”

“We are ready,” Bowen said in a voice that told her he was as ready to be done with McHugh Keep as she was.

He held out his hand to assist Genevieve onto her mount. He lifted her high, and she slid into place on the saddle, excitement and nervousness assailing her.

She was truly leaving this place.

She could barely contain herself as she waited for the men to mount and give the call to move out.

Such a beautiful day. Symbolic. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. No fog. The morning sun cast a glow over a pink-and-lavender sky. If ever there were a more perfect day to set out and put her past behind her, this was it.

Bowen rode up beside her and reached over to clasp her hand. He squeezed and gave her a smile that warmed her to her toes.

Ahead, Graeme gave the call to move ahead. The gate to the courtyard creaked open and the Montgomery warriors began to file out one by one. Graeme fell into line just ahead of Bowen and Genevieve, and Bowen motioned her forward so that she was between him and Graeme.

From the corner of her eye she saw Taliesan trying to hurry toward the gate, but she was hampered by her heavy limp. Genevieve gave a cry of alarm when Taliesan stumbled, but Brodie was suddenly there to steady her. Then, to Genevieve’s surprise, Brodie scooped her up and strode at a fast clip toward the gate so that Taliesan would be there when Genevieve rode past.

Taliesan’s cheeks were stained with color, but she held her head high and waved bravely despite the tears of grief in her eyes as Genevieve rode past.

Genevieve kissed her fingers and extended them in Taliesan’s direction. Her one true friend—her only friend.

“Safe journey to you,” Taliesan called. “Be happy, Genevieve. Be happy.”

“Farewell,” Genevieve called. Then to Brodie she said in a fierce voice, “Take care of her, Brodie. Look after her well.”

Brodie gave Genevieve a salute and then she was past the gate, following behind the line of Montgomery warriors that extended to the nearby hillside.

When she reached the top of the hill, temptation was too great and she swiveled in the saddle, looking back at the keep in the distance.

For a place she knew to be filled with darkness and pain, it looked much like any other keep. Seemingly harmless. Not a place of such evilness.

“Do not look back, Genevieve,” Bowen said in a quiet voice next to her. “There is nothing for you there.”

“Nay,” she agreed, taking one last glance at the symbol of her imprisonment. “There is naught for me there. I’ll not look back ever again.”

She turned as her horse rode on and she notched her chin up, determined not to give way to the overwhelming sadness eating at her soul.

She knew not what her future held. But she was free of her past. From here onward, her future was what she made it. Bowen had given her something long denied her. A choice. And she was determined not to make foolish choices.

She glanced sideways at Bowen, wondering how much of a role he would play in her future. He acted as though he cared for her, but she knew not if his feelings were driven by pity or something much deeper. He hadn’t spoken of his feelings—or the future—other than to tell her that he was taking her away.

He’d once promised her a place within his clan, as a Montgomery. But what did that mean? Was she to be his leman, as she’d once offered? Or was she to be treated merely as a cousin or sister or clansman and once they were home the passion between them would cool and become a distant memory?

She tried not to dwell on all the what-ifs and unknowns because it would do naught but drive her to madness.

She had to focus on the fact that she was being given a chance to start anew. She was free of the horrifying abuse that Ian had subjected her to for an entire year. He was dead. Patrick was dead. No one could hurt her anymore. Bowen had sworn that he would protect her from any threat. He was an honorable man, and she took him at his word.

Somehow, someway, she’d find her place in a new clan. And she’d find a way to make it up to Eveline, Graeme’s beloved wife, for the horror she’d put her through. And pray that Eveline could find it in her heart to forgive her.

“How far is it to your lands?” Genevieve asked Bowen.

“ ’Tis a half day’s ride if we go hard. ’Tis more likely we’ll arrive in the late afternoon. I don’t want to overtax you, and there’s no urgency to our return other than Graeme’s wanting to ride to Armstrong Keep to collect his wife.”

“He must love her a lot,” Genevieve said softly.

Bowen smiled, his eyes warming at the mention of his sister by marriage. “Aye, he does. He’s a fool for her and does not mind it one bit. Eveline has him completely wrapped, but to her credit she loves him just as fiercely as he loves her.”

“And she does not hear?”

Bowen shook his head. “Nay, she is deaf. She has the ability to read lips, though, so have a care when speaking around her. She didn’t speak for three long years, but she’s broken her silence and her speech improves the more she practices.”