“Really, I dinnae ken what my father was thinking.” She huffed out an exasperated sigh. “Actually, I do. And I am no’ happy to be part of his plan. He will have to find a way to continue Auchenford without bargaining off is family. Or, sad as ’twill be, Auchenford will fall.”
“I am sorry, Love. I ken that is a hard realization.”
She shrugged. “’Tis as ’tis meant to be. I love my parents, but I cannot continue to be controlled by them. And father will need to learn to depend on himself.”
“Ye are a wise woman. Has anyone e’er told ye so?”
Alana laughed. “Nay, ye are the verra first.”
The road split ahead of them, one way leading to the village that Rory had arrived at to escort Alana to Caer Rannoch, and the other leading to Hartsmoor.
Rory halted the horse, taking a deep breath. He was finally home.Home.He hadn’t really ever felt that way at Hartsmoor. Only when he was hiking or scaling mountains did he feel at home.
But for the first time in years, he felt differently about the place he grew up. He wanted to show Alana Hartsmoor.
“Is something amiss?” Alana asked, looking at him over her shoulder.
Rory shook his head. “Nay. E’erything is as it should be.” He dipped his head to the right. “Hartsmoor is just down that way. Are ye ready?”
She squeezed his forearms, and nodded. “I have ne’er been more ready for aught in my life.” She turned and faced him. “We are in this together. You and I Rory. Together we can handle any situation.”
He bent and kissed the tip of her nose. “I appreciate yer vote of confidence. I wish I could match it. I just want to start the conversations and settle e’erything. Only then, will I be able to feel the relief of kenning that our future together has been established.”
*
Rory got asense of deja vu as he entered the courtyard of Hartsmoor Castle. Waiting for him, just the same as the last time he’d entered the courtyard, was his father, arms crossed, a stern expression knitting his brows together. Only this time, his older brother, Alpin stood beside his father, equally as formidable.
In front of him, Alana stiffened, and he heard her catch her breath.
“Dinnae fash, Bluebell. They are making a point, and ’tis directed at me.”
He slowed the horse to a stop and dismounted. Turning to Alana, he lifted her off and onto the ground, ensuring that she was steady afore letting her go.
“Da, Alpin,” Rory addressed the two men. “This is Alana Duran.”
Immediately, Alana dropped into a low curtsy. “Laird Hart, Master Alpin. I am honored to meet ye.”
Arthur Hart sighed. “Stand tall, Miss Alana. Ye neednae bow to me. Especially since it seems ye will soon be part of the family. I and my sons have much to discuss. I will bring ye to meet my—”
“They are here!” A shrill cry came from the bailey, and his three sisters ran outside, his mother close on their heels.
Rushing over to them, his youngest sister, Morven, arrived first, skidding to a halt, and smiling wide. “Ye are beautiful!” She exclaimed, causing Alana to blush. Rory couldn’t help but notice how fetching she looked with pink tinging her cheeks.
“Morven!” Moira scolded, approaching them with a huge smile on her face. “Remember yer manners. Ye dinnae want to scare the poor girl afore she e’en has a chance to ken us. I am Moira.”
“Och, she is fine,” Alana said politely. “Thank ye for the welcome.”
“And I’m Eilidh, the only level-headed one of the sisters.”
Moira and Morven scoffed simultaneously.
“Alana. ’Tis lovely to meet ye, dear.” His mother wrapped Alana in a warm hug. “Please ignore them. It appears I have raised heathens incapable of manners. I do hope my Rory has treated ye better.”
Alana curtsied. “He was verra kind.”
Lillias Hart gave her a warm smile. “I am glad to hear that.” She lifted on her tiptoes and kissed Rory on the cheek, patting his chest. “She is bonny,” she whispered in his ear. “Go with yer da. Explain yerself. He will understand eventually.” She squeezed his hand and then turned to Alana, holding her hand out. “Come, let us leave the men to discuss matters no’ of concern to us. Ye must be famished and exhausted. We shall get ye a hot meal and then an e’en hotter bath.”
With a glance at Rory, she gave him a smile that made her eyes dance, and then allowed herself to be led away by his mother and sisters.
