Page 138 of Claimed Highland Brides

“Have you never seen twins before?” she ventured to ask. He started a bit before turning to face her with a wry smile.

“Ah, you have caught me. I have indeed seen twins before but not such a bellisima, lively pair.”

Aileen felt her heart sink again. It was true that few could compete with Fenella and Maisie for vivacity. It was not possible that anyone would even notice her when she was in their vicinity. Here she had been worried that she was neglecting her dinner companion, and he probably had not even noticed.

He leaned forward. “I am Diego Jose Guerero. I do not think we have met. You were not at the marketplace.”

Aileen very narrowly stopped her brows from flying upward with surprise. “Uh, yes, I am Aileen. I was left at home.”

Diego nodded. “You welcomed my cousin when he came. I thank you. He has not had an easy time. Always looking for somewhere to belong.”

Aileen felt her heart melt with sympathy. “I can only imagine.”

“Si.” Diego gestured around. “I see that you are a close family. You do not have to worry about belonging. Not so with Barclay.” He sighed, shaking his head as Aileen’s mouth twisted at the irony of that statement. Even in the bosom of a loving family, she did sometimes feel as if she did not fit.

“We tried our best, Antonio and I, to make him welcome,” Diego continued, “But everything was strange.”

Aileen nodded her understanding. “Weel, he is hame now. We shall help him to get his land back.”

* * *

“I’ve found the scripts.” Delwyn looked up as Fiona and Daividh stepped into the office.

“Oh, let me see.” Fiona held out her hand for them, and Delwyn handed them over before heading towards his desk. Daividh and Fiona bent over the pages, Fiona reading aloud.

“It seems to be Hamish MacFarland’s last will and testament duly signed and notarized.”

“Aye. And does it mention the lad?”

Fiona smiled up at him. “Hardly a lad. But aye, he leaves the land to Barclay to be given outright to him on his five and twentieth birthday, or in the event of his marriage.”

Daividh grunted. “And how old is the lad?”

Fiona screwed up her mouth as she thought about it. “He was one and ten when he lost his parents, and it has been…eleven years and so he is two and twenty.”

“Hmmm…” Daividh met her eyes, his own full of the doubts he had about this whole enterprise.

“He could marry,” Fiona said quietly.

“Aye. He could. But he is newly come from Spain. He doesnae have any prospects here.”

Fiona made a sound of agreement before sighing. “All we can do is tell him what we found. He will have to do the rest.”

* * *

Aileen backed away from the door before her either sister, or her brothers-in-law could catch her eavesdropping. She bit her lip as she hurried away, trying to think of some way to help Barclay. His cousin’s words echoed in her mind, and she dearly wanted to give him somewhere to belong.

She rounded the corner, walking fast, and slammed into someone, almost falling to the ground.

“Och. My apologies. I didnae see ye there. Are ye alright?” Hands were pulling her back to her feet. Aileen tried to stop the blush that suffused her cheeks, embarrassed at her fall.

“I’m fine.”

“No, ye’re not. Ye’re bleeding.” He seemed truly upset and looked down to see that she had scraped her hands on the stone, the scratches deep enough to bleed.

“Come wi’ me. Let me help ye clean it up.” He began to lead her gently away, keeping hold of her hand. She went along meekly, unable to break away from him, unable to believe he was holding her in such an intimate manner without any embarrassment.

He led her out to the darkened yard and over to the well, where he scooped out a bucket of water before dipping his very own handkerchief into it and gently cleaning her hand. She stood still and quiet as he wiped at it, getting rid of every trace of dirt or blood.