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“You mean this place or the island?”

“The island,” Douglas said while wearing a smile. “It’s yer home, Brenda, and I want it tae be my home tae. I think ye are meant tae be a leader. Emmel is a fine man, aye, but ye hae something else about ye. Ye were the one who fought the Vikings. Ye were the one who was willing tae make the sacrifice. Ye should be the one they listen to.”

“Maybe, but Emmel is doing a fine job anyway. Besides, I think I’m done with worrying about what other people think of me. I don’t need their respect to know that I’m my own woman. One day it would be nice to lead the clan, but I need time to learn how to be a wife first.”

“Ye dinnae need any time at all. Ye are a natural,” he said.

They kissed deeply and then sighed happily as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

“We should probably start to head back. I think people will be wondering where we’ve gotten to,” Brenda said.

“Let them wonder,” Douglas replied with a wicked smirk, and then gathered her up in a passionate embrace once again. Their moans and gasps were locked in the lagoon, and they lost themselves in each other.

When Brenda and Douglas finally emerged from the lagoon, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting red streaks across the sky. The moon was a sliver, and stars twinkled overhead. They walked back across the island arm in arm, utterly besotted with each other, and people cast knowing smiles their way when they returned to the village. They found that the feast was well underway, and people were already drinking and filling their bellies. Brenda and Douglas had ale and meat thrust into their hands, and people came up to congratulate them again and again.

Erik and Lucas were getting on well. Currently, they were drinking together and sharing songs that they had learned in their youth. Dougal and Seamus came up to them and once again welcomed Brenda into their family. She, in turn, thanked them for accepting her.

“I hope ye can put a smile on his face,” Dougal said.

“She can, Da,” Douglas said. “There’s something I wanted tae talk tae ye about, though. I’ve decided that I’m gaeing tae stay here, at least for a while. I’m gaeing tae set up an inn here, I think. The island could use a tavern, and people can come from the Highlands tae visit. I know ye probably would hae liked me tae come home, but I am nae ready tae rejoin the clan yet.”

“Dinnae ye worry about that, Son. Ye need tae gae where the fair weather takes ye,” Dougal said. “If ye ever need a hand, just give Seamus a call. He could always use something else tae dae.” As Dougal said this, he slapped Seamus on the back. Seamus looked aggrieved.

“I already hae enough tae deal with taking care of ye,” Seamus said. The ale had given his tongue a sharp edge. Dougal seemed impressed, though, and cackled with laughter.

Brenda peered out and saw her father standing in front of a fire alone, looking somber. She squeezed Douglas’s arm and took her leave of him for the moment.

While she was gone, Douglas pulled Seamus aside.

“I wanted tae thank ye personally for what ye did. I know I didnae tell ye everything, but ye put everything taegether. I couldnae hae done this without ye, Brother.”

Seamus smiled. “It doesnae take much tae work it out. I knew that something was weighing on yer soul, Douglas. Ye were nae the same when ye came back. When ye told me what happened with Colby, well, I knew it wouldnae be long until troubled followed ye. I’m just glad that ye are back, and ye are happy.”

“Aye,” Douglas said, his gaze following Brenda. “I’m sorry for leaving Da with ye for the last two years. Are ye sure ye are comfortable with me staying here? I wouldnae want tae put the burden on ye.”

Seamus smirked. “I’ve gotten used tae it. Ye live yer life, Douglas. Besides, I like living at home. Da is nae sae bad once ye get used tae him, and I’ve been working closely with Lucas. I’m as close tae the laird as I would hae been haed ye stayed. But I will be making use of this tavern whenever he gets tae much for me,” Seamus said.

Douglas put his arm around Seamus’s shoulders and went off to get a drink.

A little while later, he was taken aside in a quiet moment by a woman he vaguely recognized from his time in the prison, although she had left with Erik. Her name was Sigrid, and she was a striking beauty. Her voice was deep and regal, and she was possessed with such confidence that he didn’t doubt she had been capable of repelling Gorm’s forces.

“I wondered if I might have a word with you, Douglas Bannerman.”

Douglas nodded his head, wondering if she was going to have a harsh rebuke for him for bringing the Vikings onto their shores. His body went tense for a few moments.

“I would like to ask you a question, if I may. Erik was not the only one to leave his friends behind. I…had a sister I had to leave there. Her name was Kari. Do you know of her?”

“I dae,” Douglas said.

Emotion flashed across Sigrid’s face. She pursed her lips. “And is she…well?”

“About as well as can be expected,” Douglas said. “She showed me kindness. She was about the only person who did. But I noticed bruises on her. I wouldnae be surprised if Gorm had his hands on her.”

Sigrid frowned. “Neither would I. It was not a fair bargain Erik and I struck with fate. At least now she is free of her torment, as you are.”

“Aye, and I’m sure she would appreciate a visit from her sister,” Douglas said.

There was still some resentment in his heart toward Erik, but he had to accept that coming and getting him had not been a simple task. Gorm had his territory well defended, and such an invasion would have used up all of Erik’s resources. It wasn’t just he who had suffered, but clearly, it had taken a toll on Sigrid as well to ignore the concerns of those she had left behind. Life was never simple, Douglas reflected, but he just prayed that all his days of torment were behind him.