Page 139 of Claimed Highland Brides

“There. Is that better?” he asked softly.

She nodded, swallowing the sudden lump in her throat. Suddenly she missed her mother very much. She took in a deep, shaky breath.

“Fiona found something for ye. Ye should go and see wha’ it is,” she said quickly, hoping he would go and leave her alone. No such luck.

“Aye, but I cannae leave ye here alone. Come, let us go and see wha’ she has t’say.”

Aileen sighed but followed as he led the way back inside, his hand still wrapped around her wrist. Aileen wondered if he was even aware of it. Once they were back inside the keep, she led the way to the office.

Knocking softly, she opened the door and pushed her way in. Both Fiona and Daividh turned to her in surprise. “I’ve brought Barclay”—she pointed behind her—“in case ye have something for him.”

Knowing very well that they had indeed found something, she stepped back demurely and allowed Barclay to take her place in front of her sister and her husband.

“Aye, Barclay, I was just thinking of coming to fetch ye. We have yer faither’s last will and statement.” She passed it on to him without another word.

He nodded his thanks before dipping his head and beginning to read. His eyes got wider and wider with every word, and Aileen reached out a hand in comfort.

“Is there anything there that will help ye?”

“Nothing that I can obtain with ease,” he said quietly.

She watched as his face fell, and her mind scrambled urgently for solutions.

“There mun’ be something ye can do!”

His hands fell to his sides, and he sighed deeply. “I have to think. If ye will excuse me.” He turned, without looking at any of them, and left the room.

Fiona sighed, shaking her head. “This is a sad business.”

Aileen felt the need to run after Barclay, to comfort him and assure him that he was not alone. But she did not know if she was wanted and didn’t want to intrude. “I’ll just go to bed.”

“Aye, sleep well then, Sister.” Fiona walked to her and bussed her on the cheek affectionately. Daividh smiled at her while Delwyn waved. Her mouth twitched in response, an attempt at a smile, but she was too distressed to manage a fully-fledged one. She fled as soon as she could, climbing up to the battlements. Somehow she knew he would be there. She leaned against a pillar as she watched him brood for a while, her heart hurting for him.

“Ye may come oot, Aileen,” he said wearily. “I ken ye’re there.”