Chapter Thirteen

Tamsin

Tamsin slowly healed. She'd been at Duart Castle for three days. Finally able to move a bit, she assisted Dyna and Eli in the kitchen with the food since she'd cooked much for Raghnall.

She was more than surprised when the door opened one day and someone yelled just before three bairns and a group of travelers came inside, causing Eli and Dyna to squeal and scream with happiness, something Tamsin hadn't seen in a long time.

A very long time. It brought up memories of a sister she hadn't seen in years, someone she wished to see again, but Raghnall had denied her.

Once she had the pottage all set to cook, she made her way out into the great hall and found a chair to sit in, covering herself with the fur she'd used before. She watched the group in their joyous reunion.

But she couldn't take her eyes off the three wee ones.

Two lasses and a lad spent their time with Dyna Grant, their father behind them with an older lass. She watched the reunion, counting twelve new visitors plus the three bairns.

After a wee bit, one of the lasses wandered over to her, a small bow in her hand. "Who are you?" the white-haired lass asked.

Tamsin warmed up to her immediately because she reminded her of Alana. "My name is Tamsin. What is your name?"

"I'm Towa. I'm almost four winters. That is my sister Sylvi and my bwother Sandor and my auntie Astwa. And our papa. We came on a big ship. I'd never been on one before. Have you?"

"I have. Did you enjoy it?"

She nodded furiously. Her eyes wide. "It was fun."

"Do you know all the others?"

"They are all my fwends," she said with a fierce nod. "I'm happy to be back with Mama. Papa said we are to live here with Mama."

"And who is your mama?"

Tora pointed to Dyna Grant.

"You look just like her."

"My mama is pwetty."

"Who is the man laughing with Eli's husband?"

Tora turned around and watched, then replied, "He's my cousin Bwoc. He's going to be Alawic's second. My mama is the chief with Maitland. And I made new fwends. Hawk is from Black Isle and he bwought the ship. They will go back for more. He bwought some fwends with him, but I do not know them."

"What is your father's name?"

Tora scowled and said, "Papa."

Tamsin chuckled, something she hadn't done in a long time, and it freed her. The smile on her face was a swift reminder that the world could turn right again, if only she could get away from Raghnall.

Tora ran back to her mother and hugged her again, leaping into her arms with a burst of giggles.

There was so much going on in front of her that they paid Tamsin no mind. It gave her the time to study the group, something she enjoyed immensely because the atmosphere was so different from Clan Garvie.

In fact, she began to take note of the many differences:

How Dyna smiled at her husband, kissing him openly on the lips.

How Alaric always moved back to Eli's side, his hand frequently settling on the curve of her back. Raghnall's only touch was with the back of his hand or his fist.

How the three bairns raced across the hall with glee, only being spoken to when they neared the hearth, their mother shouting, "Away from the fire!" They instantly reacted, moving in the other direction. The three played well, only an occasional argument breaking out but quickly solved.

The biggest surprise to her were the smiles. She'd never been in an area where she'd seen so many people smiling. Maitland brought out wine to share while Alaric grabbed a pitcher of ale, setting it on the sideboard. Eli placed a platter of cheese, bread, and berries on the sideboard for people to grab as they chattered and eventually settled at trestle tables.

Tamsin daydreamed of a life without Raghnall, of a time when she could have a husband who smiled at her, bairns tugging on her skirt as they giggled and played while she managed the food and the stores.

Could she ever have such a life?

She doubted it, especially since Raghnall had control of their daughter. If she were ever free of him, had a way of finding her daughter, and found a new place to live and work, she'd never want another husband.

She hated relations and wanted no part of that ever again. The pain and humiliation were more than she could bear.

Nay, if she ever got away from Raghnall, she'd never marry again. She'd search out her sister instead.

She had to reason that she should be able to rid herself of the monster, since he'd already tried to kill her. If only she didn't have to return. If only she had her daughter by her side. If only she were completely healed.

But living with the Grants and Ramsays taught her one thing. It had only been a couple of days, but she witnessed a happiness in them that she hadn't experienced since she'd lost her mother. Life could be worth living. One could live a happy life. But how could she do it as a grown woman married to a man like Raghnall?

If she could figure out how to get her daughter back, her heart could be happy.

Nothing else mattered to her. She had to heal and return for her daughter.

There was no other option.