Page 56 of To Win a Highlander’s Heart

Isolde felt her cheeks heat at the memory of that fiery kiss.

Orrick pulled her closer against his side and smiled, warming all the parts of her that had chilled on their ride back to the encampment. “Isolde has agreed to be my wife.”

Alastair returned his brother’s smile. “Many felicitations. Gwendolyn will be pleased to hear that news. When will you wed?”

“Tonight. As soon as we return to Dunvegan,” Orrick said, his eyes glowing with eagerness.

Instead of objecting, Alastair’s smile grew. “I remember my own haste to marry Gwendolyn. I didn’t want to chance something stopping us for a second time.” He nodded. “There will be a wedding at Dunvegan tonight.”

Alastair’s face became serious once more. “As for where to put the prisoners. I was hoping to discuss this with you at a less urgent time . . . I do have a solution to our overcrowding problem at Dunvegan.”

Orrick’s brow rose with interest. “What is that?”

“Geordie, our solicitor, has been combing through the estate’s papers that were in disorder after Father died. In doing so, he has uncovered several properties Father must have purchased in secret or won through conflicts with other clans. One of those castles is a fortress to the north-west of Dunvegan, near Halistra. I would like you and Isolde to go there with the prisoners and start your new life there.” His voice was suddenly urgent. “You were right to say that Tormod and I always forced you into the shadows. Looking back now, we both see that we made it impossible for you to be your own man.”

Orrick tensed beside her. “You are giving me a castle of my own and the responsibility of overseeing our enemy?”

Alastair nodded. “The castle and a settlement from Father’s estate. You deserve that and so much more.”

Orrick shook his head dazedly. “Isolde and I will gladly take the prisoners there.”

“Not alone. I am sending an additional fifty seasoned warriors, several young men who need training, and many of the villagers we are harbouring at Dunvegan who wish to better their lives while being protected by not one, but two great warriors.”

“I would go with you, if you would have me,” Aria said, joining them.

Alastair turned to Aria. “I had selfishly hoped you would remain at Dunvegan so that we might get to know you, and you your human family. However, if you would rather go with Orrick and Isolde. It sounds like you have been a prisoner to others’ desires for far too long. I will not stand in the way of your wishes.”

Aria’s eyes widened, filled with disbelief and then pleasure. “Then I will remain at Dunvegan, with the majority of my clan.” She turned to Orrick. “However, if you ever have need of me, I will come at any time to aid you.”

Isolde watched as the remaining shadows in Orrick’s eyes cleared. The pain he’d carried with him that had nothing to do with the West Indies vanished. She suddenly realised how desperate Orrick had been to be an equal with his brothers. She knew that feeling well enough. Orrick and the MacLeods had given her everything she’d ever wanted, and now Orrick would have his dreams come true also.

Orrick turned to Isolde, his gaze searching her face. “Do you agree to this plan? Whatever we do, we will do it together.”

“All I have ever wanted was to use my skills and abilities as a warrior to help Scotland and her people. So, aye. This is a duty and an honour we can both share.”

Orrick kissed her, a brief salute that hinted at more to come later. “We accept.” With a more serious look, he stepped away from Isolde and shifted his gaze to Alastair. “For any of this to happen, we must first bury the dead and take down any evidence of this encampment.”

Alastair nodded. “Would you and Isolde help the men in taking down the tents while Aria and I help the men bury the dead?”

“Before I help with the encampment, might I go to my brother? We have a few things that need to be said between us. We’ve waited too long already.”

“Of course,” Alastair said with a look of understanding. He pointed off to the left, behind a row of tents that had yet to be taken down. “John is over there with his men, digging graves.”

It didn’t take Isolde long to spot a familiar head of brown hair threaded with grey amongst the men digging near the trees.

When John saw her, he stopped and threw his shovel aside, rushing to greet her. “Isolde. You have no idea how glad I am to see you alive.” Her brother pulled her into his arms in the first embrace he had ever given her. She was so startled that it took a moment before she returned his show of affection.

“I am glad to see you are unharmed also.” Isolde drew a slow, even breath in an effort to regain her composure before she pulled back and studied her brother. Concern and weariness were written into the very texture of his face.

“Why did you come after me, John? I thought you were the one who set the trap so that Lieutenant Collins could abduct me.”

“He forced me to take you to the chapel. He said he only wanted to talk to you, but I should have known better. The man was frothing with plans for vengeance.” John looked away. “I guess I was looking for a way to get back at you after all that we’ve been through at the castle for the past year.”

Isolde frowned. “Why didn’t you and your men fight him?”

“Because we lost the best warrior we had, and the soul of our defence, when I forced you to leave. No one wanted to take on the English, so we chose to suffer instead.”

John sighed. “That was the first moment I realised not only what I had done to you, but also the ramifications of my actions on everyone at Scorrybreac. I was jealous of your abilities. And I just wanted to be rid of you. Marriage to Ewen MacPhee seemed the easiest way to make that happen.” John shook his head wearily. “If you had been with us, you would have fought your way out, no matter the obstacle. We did look for you. When the hunting parties went out, they tried to locate you, but you were nowhere to be found.”