Chapter Thirty

Eli

Eli had been shocked to see the stub on her grandmother, her legging tied above where her knee would have been on one leg. That explained why she sat on a boulder shooting instead of firing from a tree. She'd had part of her leg amputated.

She hugged her dear grandmother, then climbed off the rock and lunged at her dear grandfather, still sobbing. "Why didn't you tell me? And why the hell were you shooting at us? You know our plaid."

Gwyneth Ramsay said, "Not his fault, Eli. I was confused. You know I don't see well. I thought it was a Rankin plaid."

"You are full of the shite of the biggest bull in all the land with that comment, Grandmama," she said, standing and placing her hands on her hips. "Why are you lying so?"

Alaric came up behind her, his hands settling on her shoulders, then he leaned over and said, "Remember the one thing you've wished for more than anything? You have it. Do not lose it."

And she leaned back into his heat, his arms wrapping around her and holding her tight. She whispered, "Must you always be right, husband?"

Then Alaric asked, "Why the secrecy, Logan?"

"Come over here."

Her grandmother patted the spot next to her on the boulder, so Eli sat down. "I don't understand."

Her grandfather sat on a log and said, "We were hired to come here and see who is causing all the issues. Cattle-stealing shouldn't take place on an island where there are so few cattle. King Robert wants to know if there are MacDougalls still causing trouble or what. With Gwynie's problem, it was a good time to take our leave. It was to be done in secret, and you are not to share this with anyone but Maitland and Dyna."

"So why didn't you tell me? Why not stay with us? You could visit and spy without telling us."

Her grandfather looked to her grandmother, but she lifted her chin higher, the stubborn nature more than evident at the moment. "Grandmama, why?"

The pause was longer than the shadows in a forest at twilight, but she would wait for her answer. "All right. Have you not seen my leg? It was lose my leg or die, so I had no choice, but I wish for my reputation to stand tall. I want my legacy as the best archer in all the land to remain. If anyone sees me like this, I will look like a cripple and my reputation will crumble. I want …" Then the tears started.

Eli wrapped her arms around this woman who had taught her so much in life. "Grandmama …"

"I'm not finished yet. I hope that my reputation will continue to make men fear our daughters and granddaughters. I wish to maintain the reputation of shooting a man in the bollocks to make any man fear my granddaughters. I can no longer protect you, but my reputation could." The tears rolled down her face freely, something Eli had never seen before.

Her grandfather said, "Elisant, it was a difficult surgery, extremely painful, as has been the healing process. She wishes you to only have memories of how strong she is. She's the strongest, most beautiful woman I've ever met, and I respect her wishes in this."

Eli rested her head on her grandmother's shoulder. "But you are so much more than your reputation, Grandmama. You are much more than Gwyneth Ramsay to me. You are my strength, and I need you. Especially in this new life. Please do not hide from me. I'll keep your secret, but can I not visit with you both? I need you, especially on the Isle of Mull."

She kissed her dear grandmother's wet cheek and then looked at her grandfather. "Do you know how much my heart ached after you left me?"

"We left everyone, not just you, lass," her grandfather said. "And our hearts ached for all of you."

"But it felt like you left me on my wedding. Duart Castle is huge and well made. Maitland and Derric just returned with supplies. We have extra bedchambers so you can stay with us. You can stay in a comfortable bed, Grandmama."

Grandmama patted her arm. "We have a nice bed. I am healing well. Every day is better."

"Will you two promise not to hide from me? I am the only Ramsay here, so no one else is going to be searching for you."

Eli stood and glanced from one grandparent to the other, the two peeking at each other, the subtle nod finally coming from her grandmother.

Grandsire said, "We promise to visit with you once a sennight. Will that suit you? We do have work to do. And we will come when the guards are away."

"Where are you staying?"

"That is for our knowledge only at this point. When we have discovered what our king needs to know, then we will gladly stay with you for a while."

"Promise? Both of you?"

"Promise," Grandsire said, Grandmama repeating the same.

Her grandmother beckoned her back, so Eli sat down, and Grandmama kissed her forehead and said, "So proud of you and what you are building here on the Isle of Mull."

"Many thanks to you. I learned from the best."

Her grandfather said, "You are not going to find many boar here, lass, just pheasant, duck, goose, rabbit, and deer. And aye, she was shooting to miss you. Hoped to scare you off, but my granddaughter does not scare easily, does she?"

"Nay, I'd know her fletchings anywhere."

"Let's go back, Logan," Grandmother said, pushing herself to the edge of the boulder.

Eli looked at Alaric and pointed to her grandmother. He moved over to lift her, but Grandsire was there first.

"Logan Ramsay, do not touch me. Let the young one do it for a change. I'll break your back soon enough."

"Gwynie, you weigh as much as a twig now." But Eli noticed the man didn't argue, instead climbing onto his horse.

Alaric lifted her onto their mount in front of her husband, her arm wrapped around his, and they were off.

Eli called out after them, "One sennight. You promised!"