Greylen’s mother said no more but followed them into the study. She sat on the settee while Greylen and MacFale took their seats, Greylen behind his desk and the elder MacFale in front.

“I have many questions and my hope is that you’ll shed some light on Gavin’s actions.”

“I’ll answer your questions,” the man replied quickly. “I want nothing more than my son’s happiness.”

Lady Madelyn made a sound of disgust. Greylen raised a brow at her interruption.

He had never seen his mother angry before, truly angry. Yet the look on her face was revealing. “Speak, Mother.” ’Twas obvious she needed no further prodding.

“I’ve sat back far too long, Guy,” she said with barely contained fury. “You cast him aside and your wife as well. How could you do such a thing?” she accused.

“I tried to make amends,” he pleaded. “I was foolish, blinded. Had I known the evil in Malcolm, I would have prevented his actions. They were merely boys, Madelyn. How could I know?”

“She tried to tell you. Allison pleaded with you. Yet all you could see was her defiance. You had your heir and you cast her aside.”

Greylen remained quiet, learning far more from their exchange than he’d ever hoped.

“What would you have me do? I can’t change my actions. She was so much younger than I. ’Twas easier to turn her away than accept what she offered.”

“She offered you love. She offered you peace. And in return you betrayed her and let her leave. You should have never begged her to come back.”

“I realized my mistakes, Madelyn. I wanted my wife back. I wanted to get to know my son. I needed help with Malcolm.”

“I warned her never to return. She knew there was something wrong with him. I thank God she and Gavin had ten peaceful years away from you.”

“May I interrupt?” Greylen asked as his mother and Gavin’s father stared in silence.

“Aye.” ’Twas a shout from them both.

“Mother, I never knew you were friendly with the MacFales,” he remarked.

“I was a friend only to Allison. Your father and Guy never got along. You must’ve realized that from the few occasions he’d taken you there, Greylen. But Allison and I shared a friendship. We met along the border each week, and as young boys, you and Gavin played together.”

Greylen’s shock quickly turned to anger. “You’ve known all along who he was?” he accused. “Where he came from?” Good God, he wanted to throttle her.