Page 29 of The Return of the Heir

Alastair gave a reply which she was too far away to hear, but at the redhead’s squeal of delight, Gwendolyn could only assume that he’d promised no further interaction with “his ward.”

Callum caught up with her in the great hall, matching his steps to hers as she moved out of the chamber then down the hallway and to the stairs that would take her back to Arabella and Samuel. “I’m sorry, Gwendolyn.”

“You have nothing to apologise for.”

Callum frowned. “It wasn’t kind of Alastair to break the news to you in that way.”

“He owes me nothing.”

“I’m not so certain of that.”

Gwendolyn slowed her pace and turned to the man beside her. “He has moved on with his life. I cannot blame him for that. I was missing for five years.”

“True, but his betrothal to you might still be valid.”

Gwendolyn shook her head. “I do not wish to fight him on this. I must accept what has happened and start my own life anew.”

Callum came to a stop, forcing her to do the same. “Where will you go? What will you do to support yourself and your siblings? You have very few options, especially with no clan to return to.”

“I don’t know. I’ll think of something.”

“You are entitled to some settlement. In order to determine what that might be, I sent for a friend of mine who is a solicitor. Despite the passage of time, the contract between you and Alastair is still valid in the eyes of the law, if not the church.”

“Alastair agreed to this?” Gwendolyn asked.

Callum looked away. “He will see the idea has merit in time.”

“Oh, Callum. Please do not put yourself in the middle of all this. I remember in the past, your relationship with your brother was always a little strained.”

He turned back to face her. “It still is because he refuses to see Rowena and I are no longer children and are able to make our own decisions.”

“He is laird.”

“He is my brother, above all. I can go against him and still remain his brother no matter what, so let me do this for you.”

She couldn’t really stop what he’d already set into motion, but she could force him to interfere no more. “Promise me this will be all you do.”

He nodded. “I promise.”

“Good, now let us go see how Arabella and Samuel fare.”

They continued up the stairs and to the bedchamber where her siblings resided. Gwendolyn opened the door and stepped inside. Instead of the stale air she expected, the air was fresh and sweet-smelling. The shutter had been opened and a soft breeze circulated about the chamber. The temperature was much warmer than it had ever been in the tower, yet Gwendolyn worried. “Will the air worsen Arabella’s condition?”

“Nay,” Lottie replied. “The fresh air will help her. Look.” The healer tilted her head towards her patient. “Some colour has returned to her cheeks and she’s breathing easier now.”

Moving to the bed, Gwendolyn stood beside her sister and took her hand in her own. Arabella stirred but fell right back into a deep slumber. Lottie was right. Pink tinged her sister’s cheeks, and the sound of her breathing was no longer so labored and rattling. “Thank you,” Gwendolyn whispered. “I was so worried.”

“Arabella is headed in the right direction; however, she still has a long way to go before she is fully recovered.”

Meaning they would not be leaving Dunvegan anytime soon. Gwendolyn turned to her brother. He slept soundly on a pallet near the fire. In that moment, the weight of all that had happened to her, to all of them, hit her. Too weak and too humiliated to keep standing, she sank to the floor. She and her siblings were unwanted guests with nowhere to go and no means to support themselves.

Callum came to her side and knelt on the floor beside her. “Are you well, Gwendolyn? What can I do? How can I help?”

Hunger and exhaustion, combined with a growing sense of despair, brought a hitch to her breath and tears to her eyes. Terrified that the tears burning the backs of her eyes were going to fall, humiliating her even more, Gwendolyn tipped her head back and stared at the ceiling. “I think I simply need to rest. I’ll be better in the morning.”

Callum stood and offered her his hand. “Then let me help you up and show you to your chamber.”

She stared at his hand but did not take it. “I should stay here with Arabella and Samuel.”