Page 181 of Claimed Highland Brides

He seemed surprised at the question. “Everyone is leaving.”

“Why?”

The soldier simply lifted an eyebrow but said nothing. Barclay hurried to the middle of the courtyard, clapping his hands together. “I ken that I told my uncle to leave, and certainly all of ye may go wi’ him if ye like. But if’n ye’d like to stay, ye’re welcome to.”

Aileen’s heart soared at Barclay’s generosity. Most landowners would have wanted to bring their own people to populate the castle. The bustle in the courtyard seemed to freeze as residents looked at each other, wondering what to do.

Gilroy emerged from the castle, dragging his son after him, and threw a small bag into the waiting carriage. “Ye’d better do as he says,” he announced. “There isnae place for ye in my father’s hoose,” he said brusquely, without so much as a glance at his former courtiers.

Aileen took a step forward, hand raised as Hamish stumbled and almost fell as his father pulled him up into the carriage. Barclay’s hand tight around her wrist stopped her. She turned to face him, mouth open to protest.

“Don’t. It’s his son.”

She closed her mouth again, face stricken as she watched Gilroy and his son ride out of Inchcree. It was bittersweet to see them go. Aileen felt relieved that they had prevailed without significant bloodshed, but she felt worried for her new friend. She had a feeling that his father did not care for him as a parent should.

“Ye cannae save everyone,” Barclay said, and she slid her eyes to him to find that he was also watching the carriage leave. A feeling of warmth surged through her, and she reached for his hand, squeezing it appreciatively.

Daividh came up to them, smiling triumphantly. “’Tis time to claim yer home, Laird MacFarland.”

* * *

“Barclay wants to have a wedding celebration,” Aileen said to Fiona. They had arrived back at Braenaird Castle in the evening, eager to share the news only to find that Fiona had been confined to her bed by the midwife.

“Her feet are too swollen, and she is starting to get tired easily. Ye musnae allow her to do much around the keep,” the woman said to an anxious Daividh.

The laird glared around at them all. “Ye’ve all heard tha’, have ye no’?”

Maisie sniggered. “If’n Fiona wants to do something, who can really stop her?”

Daividh’s eyes narrowed. “I will.”

Jamesina stepped forward. “Dinnae fash. I shall keep her company in bed during the day, and ye shall watch her at night. We’ll make sure she doesnae move.”

The others laughed and then adjourned for supper. As the men retired for brandy and cigars in the library, Aileen had snuck up to see her sister.

“What do ye want, Aileen?” Fiona held her hand, stroking her knuckles comfortingly. Aileen shook her head, swallowing hard as she tried to give an honest answer.

“I dinnae ken. Everything’s happened so fast, I…” She sighed in confusion. “What should I do? Tell me.”

Fiona laughed. “Aileen, ye’re married the noo. Ye mun’ start to make yer own decisions aboot wha’ ye’re going to do.”

“Do ye think it’ll work? That we’ll be happy? Barclay wants to move to Inchcree on the morrow. To have a ceremony by week’s end. Do ye…what…?”

Fiona squeezed her hand. “Calm yersel’, love.” She inclined her head to the side. “Tell me one thing...do ye love him?”

“I think I do. I think I always did. That’s why I jumped when he offered…” She stopped, sneaking an embarrassed peek at her sister. “I thought it would be a way for me to not end up a spinster. I didnae expect…”

“Ye didnae expect him to take ye to wife so thoroughly?” Fiona grinned as if she knew about their tryst in the garden. Aileen blushed.

“Aye.” she paused. “Have you seen those small yellow flowers that grow on cracks on old walls?”

Fiona nodded in the affirmative. “They are beautiful!”

“Yes. But they do not grow in the garden like other flowers. It feels like they are shy… I feel like that Fiona. I am not like you.”

“Only you could have thought such a clever way to despite it! ” her sister said with a smile.

“I thought this whole situation would go one way, and now it’s going another. I dinnae expect to have to change so much and I dinnae ken how to act. I only know how to be me and I am not… what he wants.”

“Oh, Aileen…ye always were reluctant to believe that good things could happen to ye.” She took Aileen’s hands and squeezed hard. “Savor it. Enjoy it. Enjoy yer husband. I have seen the way he looks at you and he is sincere. Dinnae borrow trouble.”

Aileen’s shoulders dropped. “Aye, I’ll try.”