Page 148 of Claimed Highland Brides

“Aye.”

“Ye’re leaving?” Aileen blurted the words before she could think. Barclay turned back to her, the frown gone from his face.

“Aye. I intend to speak to the governor aboot my case as well as see the solicitor.”

“Someone should go wi’ ye. To help ye wi’ yer bona fides.” Aileen couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of her mouth.

What am I saying?

Barclay turned to her and smiled. “That would be ideal. But there isnae anyone.”

“I could do it,” Aileen blurted.

There was a moment where all conversation was suspended as surprise flew around the room. Barclay looked to Fiona. “Wha’ d’ye think?”

Fiona looked from Barclay to Aileen. “Ye’d need a chaperone.”

Aileen swallowed a gasp. She had not been expecting Fiona to acquiesce.

“Sarah can come with me.”

Fiona nodded. “Simon too.”

Aileen could hardly believe they were discussing this in all seriousness. She glanced at Barclay, who so far had not said a word. She stared at him, waiting for him to say something. He nodded to Fiona. “I appreciate yer assistance in this matter, and I want to assure ye that Miss Douglass will be perfectly safe with me.”

Fiona nodded. “I have no doubt of it. Aileen is an excellent judge of character, and if’n she wishes to do this, then I can only support her.”

Aileen blushed, taken aback by her sister’s words. She seemed to be saying a lot more than what was apparent on the surface. Turning her attention back to her breakfast, she resolved to corner Fiona after the meal and find out what she was on about.

The rest of the meal was spent in planning the trip to Edinburgh. Both Fiona and Barclay were in agreement that they could not trust Gilroy to behave honorably. “If he hears of yer plans, he will probably try to stop ye.”

“What do ye propose?”

“I think that until ye’re out o’ the district, ye should travel during the night hours and take an armed guard wi’ ye.”

Barclay glanced at Aileen. “It’s true that it’ll be dangerous. Ye dinnae have to come wi’ me.”

Aileen straightened up to her full height, her head held high. “I am no’ afraid.”

Barclay gave her a small side smile. “No, o’ course ye arenae. Ye always were a brave wee thing. But I vow that I shall protect ye wi’ my life should it come to it.”

Aileen’s face burned at the fervor in his voice. “T-Thank ‘e. I appreciate it.”

Fiona smiled, clapping her hands together. “Guid. Weel, there is a lot to prepare. We should begin.” She got to her feet, smiling at Barclay. He got to his feet, nodded to the rest of the table, and followed her out, his cousins on his heel.

Immediately Maisie let out a squeal. “What’s come over ye, Aileen?” She looked supremely impressed.

“What d’ye mean?”

“I mean ye’re out here telling Barclay that ye’re going wi’ him, no’ asking permission, just so decisive and resolute. Wha’ happened to our shy and retirin’ Aileen?”

Aileen widened her eyes at the twins. She hadn’t realized how assertive she’d sounded. It was not her usual style. She had simply felt exceptionally strongly that she was needed.

“I…I dinnae ken wha’ came o’er me.”

Maisie and Fenella immediately got to their feet, hurrying around the table to come and sit on either side of Aileen. “No, no, dinnae fash. It was phenomenal. Barclay was looking at ye as if ye hung th’ moon.”

Aileen shook her head. “Ye’re mistaken.”

Maisie raised an eyebrow at her. “Are we?”