Page 173 of Claimed Highland Brides

THIS MEANS WAR

Gilroy glared at Barclay. “I wilnae sit. What is it ye want?”

Barclay took a step closer to him as Aileen held her breath. “What did ye mean by trying to abduct my sister-in-law from her bed?” His voice was deceptively mild as if he was only a little curious.

Gilroy blanched his face paling. “I didnae do tha’!”

“Oh, aye? Because the guard at th’ keep apprehended some o’ yer men trying to do just tha’.”

Gilroy turned away, his eyes moving shiftily about. “I do assure ye, I have sent no one to attack ye or yers.”

“Hmm, that is quite interesting. Do ye mean to say they did it wi’out yer command?”

Gilroy opened his mouth, hesitated, and then closed it again. “This is a waste o’ my time. I’m leaving. If ye wilnae deal wi’ me, then there is no need for me to be here.”

“Will ye no gi’ up the land then?” Barclay raised his voice as Gilroy stomped towards the door.

He stopped short but did not turn. “The land is mine. Go back to Spain,” he growled before resuming his walkout. Barclay exhaled sharply.

“Weel. I suppose we can take tha’ as a declaration of war.” He narrowed his eyes bleakly. Daividh stepped forward. “He attacked our home and tried to hurt our family. If ye’re going to war, ye wilnae go alone.”

“’Tis no’ a war!” Fiona exclaimed impatiently. “Closer to a skirmish.”

Barclay turned to her. “Either way, ’tis a fight. One I would ha’ given anything to avoid.”

“Gilroy MacFarland is a stubborn cuss. He wasnae ever going to just hand ye the land. It would always have come to this.” Aifric’s quiet voice cut through the pensiveness of the room.

Daividh turned to face her. “Do ye have any words of advice for us?”

Aifric blinked once, her lips pursed. “Ye’re already doing it. Ye mun’ remain united if ye mean to beat this enemy.” She looked from both ladies to Barclay. “Yer faithers were dear friends and brothers in arms. When he died, yer faither asked Murdo to watch for his son, for his own family wouldnae. Honor that legacy, for it is the one that matters.”

Barclay met Aileen’s eyes, and though he said nothing, his look was eloquent. “I suppose we should go home and prepare for war,” he stated.

“No, ye mun’ prepare to win, for ye wilnae get another chance if ye lose,” Aifric said.

Barclay nodded determinedly. “I shalnae need another.”

* * *

Ùna came running and threw herself into Fiona’s arms as they came to a stop in the courtyard. Fiona held her as close as possible with her pregnant stomach. Aileen stepped forward and plucked their younger sister from the elder and led her gently back towards the keep where the rest waited.

“Are ye alrigh’?” she asked softly, leaning close to Ùna’s ear.

Ùna nodded slowly. “Aye. Diego saved me.”

Aileen looked up to see that Diego’s cousins flanked her sisters, their faces solemn. Delwyn stepped forward and greeted the laird and his wife before turning to bow to Aileen and nod to Barclay. “Did my message find you well?” he asked.

“Aye.” Daividh said, “We came as fast as we could. Is everyone safe? Were there any casualties?”

Delwyn shook his head. “None.” He turned to Barclay, “Your cousin very ably intercepted two of the men who were attempting to carry Ùna away. The other three men were hunted down by Simon’s men. We have them in the dungeons.”

“Good, we shall learn all we can from them before we storm Inchcree.” Daividh nodded approvingly, clapping Delwyn on the shoulder. “Ye did well.”

Delwyn nodded, a small smile adorning his face. “Thank you.” He turned towards the house. “I expect you could use a bath and a meal.”

“Aye, I cannae wait to put my feet up,” Fiona said. The crowd of people at the door parted to let her through before Maisie and Fenella fell in step on either side of her, pulling her hands through theirs so they could support her. Ùna had not let go of Aileen’s hand, and they followed behind. Jamesina took up the rear, waddling slowly as she supported her back with her hand.

They headed to the parlor where Fiona could put her feet up, the housekeeper providing her with a tankard of ale to drink as well as a platter of meat. She looked around at her sisters. “Are ye alrigh’? Tell me what happened.”