At Mercy's Will

Part 15

Lisa looked out the window as they passed through and out of the town and into the lush green valleys. she couldn't hide her sadness of not seeing Cinaed run to try and stop her, and her father gave her a sad smile. he was a true and kind man that only wanted the best of her but it seemed like the best had not wanted her. 

"Lisa, you will find someone better." her father said. 

she nodded and looked to her hands in her lap. she really didn't want to have this type of conversation, not now not here. the simple but very dirty town, passed by and she sighed remembering all the adventures she had, had here.  she still wondered where her mother had gone or why her mother had gone to such extreme measures but Lady McLean was gone.

Lisa looked back out the window, she was heading back to Scotland, her true home. the place where the lush valleys could strip her away from all the wrong in the world. now that her father was home he had promised her to stay with her, and become the true Laird of their small little land. the people on the land were good, and very kind to her. to many she had been considered the Laird, for she always brought things for them from the small castle. she smiled thinking of what the others were doing. 

Eileen and Edward were happily married and Lisa expected that she would be hearing news that a child was to be born, where she would go as soon as possible to greet them. she didn't know about Cinaed or what he would be doing but she knew that he would be happy, even with out her there. Stephan had already headed back to Wales to his home where they would hold a funeral for Lady Neil. Lisa had been invited but everyone knew that Stephan just wanted to be alone so she kindly declined. 

the day quickly passed and they stopped at two inns to change horses and get something to eat. Her father usually always knew someone and would converse with that person leaving Lisa to look out the window at the scenery. she sipped on a cup of hot cider and sighed.

"Lisa my dear, are you ready to leave?" her father asked behind her.

she set her cup down and got up following him back to the coach. they rode for hours, and night quickly fell. her father snored peacefully in front of her and she watched the stars silently wanting Cinaed. she sighed and soon fell asleep. 

she woke by her father shaking her gently.

"Lisa, we have arrived in our land!" he said happily. 

Lisa blinked the sleep away and smiled looking out the window. the lush green valleys had come in sight, the village was just ahead. she stuck her head out the window, grinning at the castle coming into view. it wasn't as big as King Angus, actually it was only half one third the size but it was still pretty big. 

the villigers who were already out working looked up and waved back at Lisa who waved back. the carriage rode quickly to the castle where her older brothers waited, standing outside. Ian the youngest of the four brothers stood next to Camden. Jason and Nicolas stood next to each other their kind wives and children at their sides. 

Nicolas's only daughter Samantha waved while her younger brother slobbered on his mother's shoulder. Jason's sons Gavin and Simon wrestled with each other, their mother slapping their arms. Her father got out first laughing as the young children ran to him, calling out to him. Lisa followed and Samantha came running up to her. 

"Dear little Samantha, not a word to your Granddad?" Calum said. 

"Lisa! you won't believe it Simon and i found a puppy! but then Mama said we couldn't keep it." Samantha said sending a glare to her mother. 

"Samantha! we hope you wont mind, my father is having a birthday party and Nicholas, i and the children planed on going." their mother said sweetly. 

"Of course Joan, go ahead i understand. when do you travel?" Calum asked.

"Right now actually, so if you excuse us." the woman said taking Samantha's arm and dragging her off to a carriage that just came in. 

"Sorry, da, we will be back soon." Nicholas said hugging his father before following his wife. 

Ian followed behind them, smiling to her. Jason sighed and threw his arm around her shoulder. her eldest brother grinned and ruffled her hair. he had the same mod of brown curls and same olive skin, no one could mistake them from siblings. his wife, Isabel, smiled and walked over. Lisa liked Isabel unlike Joan, she didn't know what her brother saw in her. 

Isabel grinned and hugged her. 

"It is so good to see you again Lisa. come in come in, the village people have missed you greatly." Isabel said .

"I am glad to be back." Lisa said. 

she crouched down and her two nephews ran up to her. they looked like their mother, with fire red straight hair freckles and violet eyes. the two were twins and the only way you could tell them apart was that Simon carried a cut scar on his lip. they grinned at her and she pinched their cheeks.

"Have you two been good to your ma like you promised?" Lisa said happily. 

"Aye, men never go back on their promises to Lasses." Simon said puffing his chest out and standing prouder. 

"Aye!" Gavin exclaimed winning him a laugh. 

Simon shot him a glare. Lisa stood and ruffled the boys hair, she badly wanted a shower before she visited the town. she had promised many of the women that she would drop in once she got home. Isabel pulled the two boys away and Lisa walked to her room. 

"Lady Lisa!" the head maid Nan exclaimed running to her and hugging her. 

Nan pulled away giving her a beautiful smile, Lisa grinned and walked off down the hall greeting all the other servants who were enthusiastic to see her. with the help of a few other servant girls, they drew a bath for her. she soaked in it watching the bubbles come into clumps, she thought of Cinaed and the way he had held her the day her father came and her mother screamed at her. his arms tightly around her as if nothing could go wrong, or nothing could hurt her. 

with a sigh she got out and dried herself putting on her nightgown. she brushed out her hair, it dried quickly and she winced pulling out a knot. she hummed walking to her bed and throwing the covers off and slipping in. she felt comfortable in her bed and sighed happily as sleep carried her away. 

the days that passed were silent and calm like every normal day until the third week.