*
Meg stood shivering,draped in a blanket Norrie had draped over her, while men worked frantically to free Dougal’s helmet and Evan’s as well. When Dougal’s helm came away at last, she cried out in relief. His pale, ashen face was the most blessed sight she had ever seen.
She waited impatiently while the crew loosened his gauntlets, weighted belt, and boots, and as others worked to free Evan of his gear. Alan, draped in a blanket too, helped.
As Dougal met her gaze, she stifled a sob with a trembling hand. His slow, weary smile told her he was well, he was here. He reached out a hand and she stepped closer.
When the men finally lifted away his brass collar and heavy belt, she sank to her knees beside him. He lifted an arm to draw her closer, his suit of treated canvas stiff and wet, seawater dripping between them, and she slipped her arms around his neck. She did not care a whit who saw or what they thought as she pressed her cheek to his.
“My love,” he said. “When I saw you down there, I thought—my sea fairy has come back to me. I thought I was dreaming—or dying. I thought you were not real. My God, I am glad you are real.” He kissed her wet hair.
“I am here. I am yours, love,” she murmured as he held her close. Overhead, the wind gusted, carrying rain.
“We’d best get into the boats,” Norrie said. “Or we must crowd into the caves on this rock to wait it out.”
“Oh, not that,” Meg said with a laugh.
“Alan, can you take a group in one of the boats?” Dougal asked. “Are you fit for rowing?”
“Very fit,” Alan said, and ran toward the steps and ramp to hurry down to the boats.
Meg stood, waiting as Dougal was divested of his boots and the canvas suit. She tossed a blanket over his shoulders.
“Where’s Sean?” he asked.
“With Fergus—oh!”
She heard a shout at the same time as she saw Fergus running across the plateau of the rock. Seeing why, she screamed in protest and ran there as well.
Sean stood at the edge of the rock, looking down into the water. Meg hurried to him, stockinged feet slapping on wet rock as the wind shoved at her.
“Sean! Come away from there!” The wind tore her words away, and rain began to pour. Waves sloshed and slammed against the rock, each higher than the last.
“I want to see the kelpie!” Sean called. “I want to see him!”
“Come here, please, come here,” she told him as calmly as she could.
He sighed and turned, and she grabbed him into her arms. Dougal appeared at her side, clad in the damp long-limbed woolen underthings, a blanket around his shoulders. He crouched beside them, wrapped his arms around both of them.
“Sean, lad,” he said. “Aye, now you’re safe. Come with your mother away from the edge.”
A blast of wind knocked at them, and Meg closed her eyes for a moment, feeling Sean in her arms, and Dougal’s arms around both of them. The wind tore wildly at them, at clothes and hair, but she felt their spirits snug and warm together.
“Let’s go,” Dougal said, standing, bending to pick Sean up. But the boy stepped away.
“I found a wee rock! I forgot it,” he said, and ran back to the cliff edge, stooping in the wind, which pummeled him as Sean stretched a hand to grab a loose rock.
Meg gasped and Dougal whirled, strode forward. But in that moment, Roderick pushed past them to snatch the child up in his arms, standing at the very edge of the rough precipice. Wild spray from the heavy waves spattered over them, receded.
Meg cried out, running with Dougal, fear filling her throat, her heart.
Roderic turned, wind shoving at him, and walked toward them. He handed Sean to Dougal.
“Your son, sir. Madam,” he said, and moved past them.
“Roderick!” she called, as Dougal held Sean in one arm and gathered her close under the other. “Roderick, thank you,” she said in a hoarse voice.
He turned to stared at them, and nodded. “Of course. Sir,” he said to Dougal. “What I saw today was incredible bravery—from all of you. Margaret, you as well. Incredible devotion. I will not forget it. You need not fear anything from me. I give you my word.” He frowned at them for a moment, then nodded again, turned, and walked away, down the steps toward the boats.
