Page 156 of Claimed Highland Brides

The meal was surprisingly joyful for only having five celebrants, four of whom were male. They all seemed to put themselves out to amuse her.

So this is how it feels to be the center of attention.

Aileen sighed with happiness, her face hurting from all the smiling she was doing. Suddenly Euan got serious and clapped his hands, calling the meeting to order. He got to his feet, picking up his tankard of ale.

“First of all, I’d like to offer a toast to the bride and groom—my hearty congratulations to ye both. Second, I propose that we write to the chieftain at once and inform him of yer new status. Perhaps he will consent to help us with Mr. Gilroy.”

Barclay looked to Aileen and shrugged. “We can but try.”

* * *

Before they could set about writing to the chieftain, an invitation was delivered for Barclay to have dinner with him at his Edinburgh townhouse.

“What do you suppose he wants?” Antonio fingered the invitation suspiciously.

“The same thing we do, I would conjecture,” Barclay replied. “To talk.”

“Well, then. If you are to apprise him of your new status tonight, then you can use this afternoon to consummate your union,” Diego said.

Barclay flushed, his eyes flicking to Aileen, who looked embarrassed. “We have the marriage contract. We dinnae need to⁠—”

“Do not be foolish, Barclay,” Diego interrupted. “This man will use any excuse to deny your claim. Do not give him one.”

Barclay was still looking at Aileen, who avoided everyone’s eyes.

“I suppose my wife and I shall discuss it.”

“Aye. I have taken the liberty of preparing a marriage chamber for ye. My housekeeper will take ye to it the noo,” Euan said, toasting them once again.

Barclay held out his arm. “Shall we, my lady?”

Aileen got to her feet and took his arm. She nodded but did not say a word. Barclay turned to lead her away, following the housekeeper—not upstairs as he had supposed, but outside. The lawyer had quite a large property, being as it was his primary home. The housekeeper led them across the lawn to a small cottage at the bottom of the property.

She opened the door for them and stepped back with a smile. “Yer luggage has already been brought here. Someone will bring ye food later.”

Barclay thanked her before ushering Aileen in and closing the door behind them. He took a deep breath before turning to face her.

“We should talk.”

She lifted her chin and then dropped it. “Aye.”

He led her to the parlor, looking around at the wooden benches, before gesturing to a cushion-covered chair for her to sit on. He lowered himself onto the bench beside her with a sigh.

“Weel, here we are,” he said.

“I didnae see this trip ending in a marriage. It is difficult to fathom that I am someone’s wife.” Aileen shook her head in astonishment.

“My wife.” Barclay felt a warmth spreading from the pit of his belly to every part of his body at the words. Finally, he had a family again. He looked up at her, biting his lip. “D’ye wish to…consummate?”

Aileen sighed. “I dinnae ken. If’n we do tha’, we cannae go back.”

Barclay frowned. “D’ye want to go back?”

“No. Aye. I dinnae ken.” She covered her face with her hands. “Everything has just happened so fast.”

He nodded and swallowed down his disappointment. “I understand.”

She looked dubious. “Do ye indeed?”