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Ruairi’s crew had been surprised that they had been called back to the ship so suddenly. Ruairi had explained it away by them having an opportunity that could not be passed up, and since they trusted him, they took this without expressing any doubt. The Redemption was ready in no time, with two extra passengers, who were the subject of much intrigue by the crew. Kenna had said that her father would pay him handsomely for transporting her back to Scotland, and Ruairi got the sense that Laird Baird would soon come to regret sending his daughter to Manuel del Rio. Frankly, Ruairi was glad that the old man was on death’s door. It would have been such a waste of a beautiful young lass.

But what did he know of beauty, or of marriage for that matter? Long ago, he had given himself to the sea, resigned himself to a nomadic life where the only woman that mattered to him was the Redemption. Over the course of the last decade, he had become a cold man, a hard man, forgetting what it was like to love and dream and hope of something better. He had left the Highlands in a cloud of despair. Over the years, he had learned to embrace it and make it a part of him, but it left him knowing that he could never live in the noble world again. He had turned his back on that, forever.

And now he was returning, but why? Because his father had asked him? Because he thought he had some obligation to ease his father’s conscience? Or was it just because Kenna had demanded it of him? She spoke to him in a way that he was most unused to, as though she expected him to behave in a certain way because of his lineage. Well, she would soon come to see that history and a name did not make a man. Perhaps it was best that he return home. Then he could say goodbye to his father and put all of that behind him once and for all. Yes, he would go home for the final time and then never return.

Kenna was an odd creature. Ruairi watched her walk amongst the crew as though she was a part of it. She volunteered to help with manual labor, much to Cal’s chagrin. At first, the crew was reticent and found her enthusiasm amusing, but when she proved her worth, they were impressed and enjoyed having her around. Sailing was always a male-dominated endeavor, and he thought it wouldn’t hurt to have a female presence on the ship. There had been rumors that such a thing wrecked other ships because of infighting, but he had faith in his crew that they could handle themselves. And if anything did go awry, there was Cal. The man prowled around like a lion, always watching, always ready to protect her.

Late on in the night, after people had eaten and were ready to rest, Ruairi was joined by Kenna on the prow of the ship. The stars twinkled above them, and the sea looked like a long black cloak that was draped along the world. The moon was sensual and full, shining its silver light down upon them. Water lapped against the sides of the boat, while a cool night breeze drifted by.

“Ye’re free of yer shadow,” Ruairi noticed, nodding towards her. Kenna smiled as she leaned against the side of the boat.

“Aye, even he haes tae sleep sometimes.” She chuckled a little. “I wanted tae thank ye for taking us back.”

“Well, I did nae seem tae hae much choice in the matter. Ye haed yer heart set. But I will be charging yer da a high rate.”

“Charge as high as ye like. He owes me,” she said. Ruairi admired her fierceness. Silence passed between them for a few moments. It had been a long time since he had been in the presence of a fair maiden such as her. Old lessons of manners and politeness rushed back in his mind, echoes of a time that had long since passed. “They dinnae know, dae they?” she asked.

Ruairi looked at her and cocked an eyebrow. Kenna continued. “The crew. They dinnae know that ye are a Calbraith. When I was with them, I expected one of them tae mention it, but they act as if ye are the same as them.”

“I am, in all the ways that matter.”

“That’s nae true. Ye are the son of a laird! Ye were made for more than this.”

Ruairi glared at her, trying to warn her to be quiet. “Aye, but that’s nae the life I chose.”

“Why nae? What made ye walk away?” she asked.

There was something appealing about being around someone who was familiar with the world he left. Aside from his brief visits with Maura, he had buried the Calbraith name deep down within himself. “I was never happy there. I couldnae be myself. It’s hard tae explain, but life is better out here. I’m free. I’m my own man, and I dinnae hae tae answer tae anyone else.”

“It sounds awfully lonely.”

“Aye, it can be, but I hae my crew, and the stars.” He looked up and smiled at the twinkling lights.

“Were ye truly nae gaeing tae return tae yer da?” she asked. She certainly wasn’t shy about asking personal questions.

“There’s a lot of history between us. Da never agreed with my choice tae live like this. It’s difficult tae imagine him being ill. He was always sae strong, like a mountain. I never thought anything could hurt him.”

“It was no lie. I could see it in yer sister’s eyes,” Kenna said softly. Ruairi’s head dipped. All the progress he had made in becoming his own man and letting go of the frustration of the past suddenly slipped away. There was nothing left but his heartache.

“I suppose returning home is the least I can dae, but I’ll be back out here soon.”

“Ye wilnae stay?”

“There’s nothing for me here. The sea is my home now. What about yerself? How dae ye think yer da will react tae ye returning without marrying Senor del Rio?”

Kenna let out a scornful laugh and ran her delicate hand through her waves of lustrous brown hair. Her laugh was lilting, and it seemed to bounce upon the sea. “I’m sure he’ll be angry and accuse me of ruining his chances tae make inroads in the Spanish market. He’ll probably say that I’ve let him down and that I should hae done more for the family. Da haes a habit of thinking only about himself. But I’m sure he’ll find another suitable husband for me soon enough. He’s never been one tae miss an opportunity. Hopefully, it’ll be with a husband closer tae home.”

“Ye dinnae like Spain?”

“A taste of it was interesting, and perhaps I would be open tae another visit, but tae live there? I dinnae know about that. There’s something about the Highlands that stirs my soul. It’s a part of me. Dinnae ye feel the same way?”

Ruairi’s eyes glazed over as he thought about the rolling moors, the thick forests in which he and Maura used to play, riding Ash and Scone at breakneck speeds in races. He thought about the fields in which he trained with Uncle Jamie, from dawn until dusk. Even now, when he closed his eyes, he could trace every blade of grass, could smell the food baking in the kitchens and the hearty manure in the stables. He could hear the chatter of the servants and the merchants that came to the estate, and something welled up inside him, something that threatened to prick his composure and make him feel something again.

“No,” he choked out.

Kenna didn’t press the matter, taking his words as the truth. But inside, Ruairi was bristling with emotion.

“And what about yer life in Spain? Are ye married?” she asked.

“Aye, tae the sea,” Ruairi said. Kenna tilted her head. She placed her hand on the hull and stroked the wood as a thoughtful look came upon her face.

“Ye are a most curious man, Ruairi. I hae never known someone tae leave behind a noble life. I hae often thought of what it would be like tae throw caution tae the wind and run away tae live a life of adventure, but I know in my heart that I am a laird’s daughter. What happened tae ye? Why would ye leave yer duties and yer obligations behind? Why would ye come out here tae live among strangers and be a lonely man?”

“Who said I’m lonely?” Ruairi shot back coldly, glaring at her. The force of his words took Kenna by surprise, and she recoiled. She was beginning to ask too many questions for his liking. It had been amusing to talk with her for a short while, but it was quickly becoming a chore and an annoyance. The last thing he wanted to do was relive the past with this girl who had way too many ideas above her station. “I dinnae hae tae explain myself tae ye, lass. We’re nae friends. We’re nae betrothed. We’re just travelers, and once we’re back in the Highlands, we’ll never see each other again.”

He turned away and was swallowed by the darkness of the ship. His heavy boots thudded against the wooden deck, and the pain in his heart stabbed him desperately. There was a lump in his throat, and try as he might, he could not stop thinking about home in all its comfort and beauty. Damn it, he thought. Curse that woman! She had graced his life and somehow stirred anguish in his heart. Now he remembered why he had embraced his life of solitude. But the longer he lived, the harder it became to steel himself against these rising emotions.