“Truly. I promise ye, lad. I’m comin’ back, and I’m bringin’ yer stepmaither with me.”
“But what if she doesnae want to come back? What if she hates us now?”
“She doesnae hate us. She could never hate ye.” Elijah brushed tears from Codie’s cheeks. “She’s just hurt because I said some terrible things. Things I dinnae mean. And I need to apologize and make it right. And tell her to come home.”
“What if she says nay?”
“Then I’ll keep askin’. I’ll beg if I have to. I’ll do whatever it takes.” He set Codie down carefully. “Because she belongs here with us, and I’m nae givin’ up until she realizes that.”
Codie was quiet for a moment then his small chin lifted. “Promise me ye’ll bring her back. Promise me ye’re nae just sayin’ that to make me feel better.”
“I promise.” Elijah crouched down again, holding his son’s gaze. “On me honor as yer faither and as laird of this clan, I promise I’m comin’ back with Lady Iris.”
He pulled his son into one more embrace. “Can ye be brave for me while I’m gone? Can ye trust that I’ll come back?”
“Aye.” Codie’s voice was muffled against his chest. “But hurry, Faither. Please hurry.”
“I will.” Elijah stood, ruffling his son’s hair. “Henry will watch over ye. And I’ll be back before ye ken it.”
He remounted Thunder, acutely aware of Codie’s small figure watching him from the yard. The boy looked so vulnerable standing there in his nightshirt, his face still wet with tears.
I’m doing this for both of us. For all of us.
“Faither?” Codie’s voice stopped him one more time.
“Aye?”
“I love Lady Iris. Tell her that. Tell her I want her to come home.”
The simple words made Elijah’s throat tight. “I will, lad. I promise.”
Then he was riding, Thunder’s powerful strides eating up the ground as they headed toward the gates. Behind him, he could hear Henry speaking quietly to Codie, leading the boy back inside.
And ahead of him lay the journey to the Douglas clan, to Iris, to whatever chance he had of making this right.
Please let me nae be too late. Please let her still be willin’ to listen.
The morning sun climbed higher as he rode, but Elijah barely noticed. His mind was already racing ahead, planning what he’dsay, how he’d apologize, what words he could possibly use to undo the damage he’d done.
That, and the determination to ride through hell itself if it meant bringing his wife home.
“We’re here.”
Mairie’s voice pulled Iris from her thoughts as the carriage rolled to a stop in front of Castle Douglas. The familiar stone walls should have felt welcoming, but instead, they just made her stomach clench with dread.
This is nae home anymore. It hasnae been home for a long time.
“Oh, thank God.” Lydia practically threw herself from the carriage the moment it stopped. “Solid ground. Beautiful, blessed, non-moving solid ground.”
Despite everything, Iris felt her mouth twitch. Her sister had been miserable the entire journey, insisting they stop at every village, every inn, every remotely comfortable-looking patch of grass. What should have been a day and a half journey had stretched much longer.
“Come on.” Iris climbed down more sedately. “Let’s get this over with.”
The castle doors burst open before they’d even reached them, and their mother came rushing out, her face a mixture of relief and fury.
“Lydia! Oh, me darlin’ girl! Ye’re home!” Catherine Douglas pulled her younger daughter into a fierce embrace. “We’ve been so worried! Where have ye been? Are ye hurt? Did anyone harm ye?”
“I’m fine, Maither. I’ve been at a convent near Inverness.” Lydia’s voice was muffled against their mother’s shoulder. “The sisters took care of me.”
