Page 97 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

“How did you lose your son?” Lach asked.

The man’s face turned grim. “My dear wife Anna died when Alexander was born. I assigned a nursemaid to look over him and had no intention of ever marrying again. I had my heir and just wanted to settle into my grief.”

“Seems a reasonable request,” Bryce mumbled.

“I certainly hadn’t planned to remarry only a year after my wife died, but I was seduced by a witch of a woman who bore my second son.” He glanced toward David.

David shook his head. “Father, this is ridiculous. Alexander couldn’t have come this far at such a young age on his own.”

“I wasn’t alone at first. Someone was with me,” Liam said, not sure if he believed this tale.

“Alexander was my life. He was my piece of the woman I loved. And Janet became jealous when I didn’t pay enough attention to David when he was born. It wasn’t that I didn’t love David, it was just he was a babe, and Alexander was three and a half. He liked to play.”

“Did you carry him on your shoulders?” Liam whispered.

“Aye. All the time. He—”

“Held onto your hair as tight as I could. It was fun, but scary being so high.” Liam swallowed, noticing he was taller than the man who may or may not be his father.

“This proves nothing. All lads are carried about on their father’s shoulders,” David said with wide eyes.

“Janet hated that her son was not the heir, and hated me for loving Alex. In a fit of anger, she sent Alexander away with her maid. The woman had a few days lead, since I was away to collect rents. When I returned, Alexander and the woman were long gone. I went into a rage, demanding to know where the woman had taken my son, but she swore she didn’t know. She told the maid not to say where she was heading so she couldn’t be forced into telling.”

“But you forced her anyway,” David said with a sneer.

“I would have if it had been you as well. I know you’ve never believed it.”

David looked away and nodded without further argument.

“I wouldn’t have killed her. She was the only link to my son.” He let out a breath. “But I was angry when I approached her. I yelled and threatened. When she ran from me, she tripped on the stairs and fell, and any clue as to where Alexander could have been taken died with her a few days later.”

Liam glanced over at David, who had set his gaze on a distant spot, his jaw tight.

The laird continued the tale. “I sent trackers in all directions looking for the maid who took my son, but we never found her.” He shook his head. “Bloody Moira.”

Liam’s head snapped up and Lach, Cam, and Bryce nodded. “We’ve all heard you yelling her name in your sleep,” Cam said.

It seemed to be the last piece of the puzzle. The final fact that proved he was this man’s son. He was Alexander Morgan.

“Moira said she needed to lie down. We were hiding in the woods. She went to sleep. I’m not sure how long I waited for her to wake up—time is different when we’re young—but she never woke. I grew hungry.”

Cam laughed and patted his shoulder. “You’re always hungry.”

Lach hugged him. “You told me once you thought you were bad and that was why your parents sent you away,” he said, resting his arms on Liam’s shoulders. “I told you then it wasn’t true. I’m pleased to tell ye I was right.”

Liam laughed and turned to his father. “I do remember something else. A wooden horse, I think.”

Tears filled the man’s eyes as he reached into his sporran and pulled out the horse. Liam took it and allowed the man to pull him into his arms. They hugged and laughed and cried for a few moments.

Liam noticed David was still staring off. He understood why he might not want to celebrate, but he was Liam’s brother and would be part of Liam’s life now whether David wished it or not.

“I’m sorry about your mother. You must not remember her,” Liam said.

“You can’t miss something you never knew,” he answered stiffly.

“I would argue with you there. I’ve long wished to have a family of my own. Which is why I’m pleased to call you brother.” Liam turned to his father and father by marriage.

“And it is why I’ll not agree to give my wife to ye. I do not wish to fight you, but I’ll not sign away the woman I love.”