Page 183 of Claimed Highland Brides

“I see ye didnae change much while I was gone.”

“He stowed all yer parents’ things in the attic. Once he left, we brought them oot, cleaned them, and used them. We thought ye might appreciate something familiar.”

Barclay felt a lump in his throat. “That was kind o’ ye.”

Mrs. Woodward curtsied. “Shall I send in yer manservant to unpack yer bags?”

He nodded. “Aye, do tha’.”

* * *

Aileen tried on her gown, for once in her life, feeling as if she might just look as pretty as she felt. It was brilliant green lined with gold leaf along the cleavage and at the waist, giving her more body definition than usual. The viridescence of her gown brought out the gold of her skin, making it glow. Her hair fell down her back in a long plait, intertwined with flowers. She wore simple pearl earbobs on her ears and a gold chain around her neck.

She smiled at herself in the looking glass, feeling for the first time that she might be worthy of a husband—of this husband. A knock at the door had her turning in time to face her sister, who was gawking at her.

“A Dhia! Ye’re lovely.” Jamesina grinned. “That gown suits ye. Yer happiness suits ye even more.”

Aileen beamed. “Why, thank ‘e.”

Jamesina stepped closer. “I have a message for ye, from Aifric. She asks that ye go to Drumacree and see her before the wedding.”

Aileen’s eyebrows shot up. “The wedding’s in two days!”

“Aye. So ye’d best get going. Wish I could come wi’ ye.”

Aileen sighed, looking down at herself. “Weel, I guess I am as prepared as I’m going to be. So I’d best go now.”

“Perhaps ye can take Ùna. I’m sure she’d love to accompany ye.”

Aileen shook her head. “No. I want to be as quick as I can. I’ll take my horse and go alone. It’ll be faster.”

“Och, no. Ye cannae go alone! One o’ the men must accompany ye.”

“It’s only Drumacree!”

Jamesina gave her a look. Aileen sighed in resignation. “Fine. One man. And he better keep up wi’ me. If’n Barclay hears that I went off wi’ a man, ye’ll explain it to him.”

Jamesina laughed. “Better than saying ye went alone.”

* * *

Barclay arrived for the wedding the next day and was greeted at the door by Daividh. “Where is Aileen?”

Daividh shook his head. “She hasnae come back yet.”

Barclay’s brows rose. “Come back? Where did she go?”

Daividh took Barclay’s arm, leading him into the house as he explained to him about Aifric’s message. “The seer summoned her, and she felt compelled to obey.”

Just as Daividh reached out to close the door, the sound of hoofbeats had them pausing and turning around. The guard at the gate shouted in alarm before rushing to open the gates. Daividh and Barclay both reached for their swords, standing back to back, waiting.

A horse galloped into the compound, coming to a stop right in front of the front stairs. His passenger was slumped over, only keeping his seat because he was tied to the horse with a rope.

“Murchadh!” Daividh exclaimed before rushing to help the man. Barclay followed more slowly, a feeling of trepidation growing inside of him. Daividh reached for the man, untying him from his horse and helping lower him to the ground.

“Is he deid?” Barclay asked.

Daividh shook his head slowly. “I feel his breath, faintly.”