Page 191 of Claimed Highland Brides

Aileen struggled out of bed. “Then I mun’ go to him.”

“Ye cannae! Ye’re too weak!” Sarah tried to get her to return to the bed, but she was determined.

“I wilnae let him face them alone.”

“He isnae alone, ma’am!” Sarah rushed to the door and shouted for help as Aileen began to dress. “Ye cannae just go there, dinnae be silly. Please, ma’am, get back in bed.”

Maisie and Fenella hurried into the room. “What’s to do?”

“She wants to go and join her husband,” Sarah said helplessly.

Maisie grinned. “Too late. We’ve had reports that they’re on the way back.”

Aileen froze, staring at her sisters. “Are ye telling the truth?”

“O’ course!” Maisie tried to look offended. “Ye think we’d lie aboot something like tha’?”

Aileen gave her a look. “Ye love yer little tricks, Maisie.”

Maisie shook her head. “Not aboot this. I promise ye, they are on their way back.”

Aileen nodded, “Alrigh’ then.”

“Now, will ye get back in bed?” Sarah hurried to her, took her arm, and propelled her back to bed. “Yer husband exhorted me to make sure ye were well taken care o’. Don’t make me a liar when I promised I would.”

Aileen couldn’t help smiling. “Did he now?”

“He did indeed.” Maisie came to sit on her other side. “He was so worried aboot ye. It was quite sweet.”

Aileen felt a warmth flooding her insides at the thought of Barclay worrying about her. “Tell me some more.”

* * *

To Barclay’s everlasting surprise, the MacFarland had been willing to hand over his son on the condition that they would take him to a magistrate and have his case dealt with according to the law. Of course, he suspected that the MacFarland meant to subvert the law somehow in his favor. However, he could not see how he could, as the magistrate for the district was Daividh.

“I expect he is trying to save his son’s life,” Daividh whispered to him.

Barclay’s eyes widened.

Of course!

“We will take him with us and lock him in the dungeons of the keep. A public trial will be held by week’s end in which he will be able to defend himself,” Daividh announced.

“Vera weel.” The MacFarland nodded his acquiescence, and Gilroy was grabbed by two of Daividh’s men.

“Father!” he pleaded. “Ye cannae let them take me!”

The MacFarland watched his son sadly before shaking his head and turning away without a word.

“Father!” Gilroy’s voice echoed in the empty courtyard as they bundled him into the wagon and drove away with him, towards Braenaird Castle.

* * *

The door banged open, and Barclay was beside her in a moment, his hand squeezing hers for dear life. “They told me ye were awake.” He swallowed, his eyes misting over. “God ’tis guid to see ye whole.”

Aileen smiled. “’Tis guid to see ye whole as well. I hear ye went off wi’out me.”

His bottom lip trembled, and he looked close to tears. “Never. I just had to retrieve a wayward prisoner.”

Aileen’s brow quirked. “Och, aye? And he came willingly?”

“He had no choice. There was nowhere left to hide.”

Aileen smiled. “Oh, guid.” Her smile disappeared as she thought of Gilroy’s son. “And the boy? Is he safe?”

“What boy?”

“Hamish. Gilroy’s son.”

Barclay raised an eyebrow at the name. “I havenae a clue. I can make inquiries if ye like?”

“Please do. I dinnae like to think what could happen to him the noo.”

He ran a hand down her cheek. “My softhearted wife,” he murmured affectionately before leaning slowly down to kiss her. “I’ve missed ye.”

She pulled his head down to hers. “Then kiss me properly.”