Ailis had beencaring for the widow and her son for more than a week when she approached Doirin with a heavy question. “Ye have been a McAfee for barely a year, and yer roots lie with the Campbells. Would ye choose to stay here or return to the bosom of yer kin?” Ailis knew if she were to lose a husband when she had only been a member of his clan for a short time, she would want to go back to her clan. If the decision was made soon, Ailis could accompany Doirin to her family. It seemed the right thing to do, though she was more than willing to embrace the other woman and keep her with the McAfees forever.
Doirin turned past Ailis to the window, determination in her eyes. “Me heart yearns for home, among those who share me blood. I wish to return to the Campbells.” She sighed. “I was happy enough here before me Daniel passed on, but without him here, it’s hard to stay with people who I’ve known for a short time. Me parents would be thrilled to have me returned to them. Though, I understand it’s a great deal to ask.”
Ailis nodded, her decision made. “Then ye shall have yer heart’s desire.” She stepped outside and whispered to Lachlan what was needed. “She willnae be ready to travel for at least a few more days, but when she is, we need to see her home to the Campbell clan.”
Lachlan nodded. “I’ll see to it.” He stopped a passing soldier and assigned him to his post and hurried off toward the keep where he could speak with her father about taking some men with them on their journey.
He was back an hour later, alerting her that men would be ready as soon as Doirin was able to travel.
Four days later, Ailis told Lachlan that it was time. Afterward, he ventured forth to gather the men they would need.
Lachlan met Ailis’s gaze. “We’ll guard ye well on the journey,” he assured her.
With preparations underway, Ailis and Doirin watched as warriors readied their mounts. Ailis felt the pull of venturing beyond the familiar but remained steadfast to her duty. She would accompany Doirin to her homeland.
Soon, they were on their way, with Doirin riding double with one of the older McAfee men who was ready to guard her, and the babe rode with Ailis until he needed to be fed.
As the group journeyed across the McAfee boundary and into Sinclair land, Ailis’s gaze wandered over the heather-speckled moors under the overcast sky. The crisp air carried a sense of impending change.
Ailis rode near Lachlan, observing his stormy sea-blue eyes as he scanned the horizon with vigilance. His posture conveyed duty and responsibility as their company’s protector.
The Sinclairs were allies in name, but they were not trusted by Ailis or her father. Nay, they had proven dangerous. No matter how many times Arran claimed the kidnapping of Fiona had been Malcolm’s plan alone, she believed that the laird’s family had all been involved.
Ailis kept scanning the land, watching for anyone who could try to fight them.
Upon reaching a gentle rise, Ailis noticed two figures engaged in a heated exchange. Recognizing Cameron and Ian, she gasped at Cameron’s appearance in Sinclair land. He even wore a Sinclair plaid! How had he fooled her?
She wasn’t sure she could ever trust her judgment again because she had trusted Cameron completely. And now, she knew him to be a liar and a fraud.
She maintained her composed exterior and chose not to confront him there, surrounded by prying eyes.
Ailis offered the arguing Sinclairs a courteous nod as they passed. Lachlan, sensing her inner turmoil, asked if all was well. She held her peace for the moment. There would be a time for questions and confrontations later.
“Aye,” Ailis replied, resolve in her voice. “We shall speak later, Lachlan.”
Lachlan nodded, and they rode on, leaving the Sinclair lands behind.
Upon reaching Campbell land, Doirin was greeted by soldiers who knew her. Her father embraced the girl and smiled down at his grandson. “She will be safe with us,” he called out to the group who had accompanied her. “I thank ye for making sure she came home to us.”
As the sun set, the McClain entourage made camp upon their ancestral lands. Ailis secured a tent while glancing toward Lachlan, who directed the men with natural authority.
At twilight, she approached Lachlan. “May I have a word?” Her voice was steady but betrayed her inner struggle. She must apologize for believing Cameron, even for a moment. He had been a liar through and through.
“Of course.” He led her to a quiet spot by ancient oaks.
She spoke of what she’d seen on Sinclair land: Cameron wearing their plaid and arguing with Ian. “I did not wish to believe ye… but now, I see I was mistaken.”
Unable to meet his gaze, Ailis apologized for her earlier disbelief.
Lachlan’s expression softened in the dim firelight as the revelation established a fragile trust between them. “I wish ye could have trusted me without proof, but I am pleased ye trust me now,” he replied, his voice gentle. “Admitting when we are wrong takes courage.”
“Thank ye for understanding,” Ailis replied.
Ailis observed Lachlan pacing before her, and she could sense his growing frustration. “Ye say ye are sorry now.” He shook his head. “But it took seeing Cameron with yer own eyes to sway yer heart.”
“I have acknowledged me mistake, Lachlan,” she replied steadily. “Surely ye see that I am trying to make amends.”
“Trust is built upon actions, not just words.” He faced her directly.
