Page 51 of To Claim His Highland Bride

“The privateer has returned,” Tormod greeted with a welcoming smile. “Were you successful in your treasure hunting?”

“We recovered four chests of gold.”

“That is significant.” Graeme raised his brows. “What will you do with all that bounty? Or has Bryce already taken it for his own?”

“Bryce, it seems, simply needed a few hard lessons about life to alter his thinking. He’s changed since we left Dunvegan a week ago.”

Both men shared a glance, just as Aria appeared in the doorway of the castle with her hands on her hips, setting Tormod and Graeme in motion around the courtyard again. “Come, join us.” Tormod gestured for Marcus to fall in step with them.

“Why are you doing this?” Marcus asked, falling into step with the other men.

“Lottie says the men of the castle walking backwards during Gwendolyn’s labour will ease her pains,” Graeme replied.

Tormod chuckled. “I am certain ’tis simply a way for the womenfolk to keep the men out of the way while the baby is born.”

Marcus’s lips pulled up in a grin. “Where’s Alastair?”

“He refused to leave Gwendolyn’s side.” Tormod clapped Marcus on the shoulder. “So tell us, Brother, how fares our sister? Is she changed as well?” Tormod’s amusement was suddenly replaced with a seriousness.

Marcus averted his gaze. Should he tell them the truth? He didn’t want any secrets between him and his new family no matter how they might react. Marcus stopped walking. “She is well now, but we had a few difficulties while trying to recover the treasure from the Cave of Gold.”

Tormod froze. A deep frown darkened his features. “Explain yourself.”

Marcus recounted all their troubles, from the saboteur aboard the ship to the tide trapping them and the earthquake trapping Rowena. When he had finished with his tale, both men stared at him with befuddled expressions on their faces. “The seals helped Rowena make it through the tunnel?”

“Rowena believes they were the same seals who inhabit the small isles near Dunvegan. Several appeared to follow us on our journey.”

“Seals or selkie fowk?” Graeme’s expression became thoughtful.

Marcus shrugged. “It matters not to me. Only that Rowena is safe.”

“Now that you’ve returned to dry land, let us hope that is the last time Rowena will have any connection to the fairy realm.” Tormod drew a deep breath and released it. “This clan has had more encounters with fairies and otherworldly fowk than any members of our clan before Ian Cair, our ancestor who brought us the Fairy Flag.”

Graeme’s gaze drifted to the path leading to the fairy bridge. “This clan’s interactions with the fairies are far from over, Tormod. Alastair intends to go in search of your missing brother.”

Tormod grimaced. “Back to Fairyland? Is that even possible?”

Graeme’s jaw firmed. “Aria came to us from such a place. Perhaps she can help us return and bring Keiran home after all these years. Then we will all be together once more as a family. Perhaps that is the last piece of helping your mother finally move from this plane of existence and into the great beyond.”

“Not all of us will be together,” Marcus interjected. “Rowena and I are not done with the sea just yet. For I still must settle a portion of the treasure on each of the families of the men I’ve lost during our treasure hunting.”

“Rowena was to remain here while you accomplished that task.” Tormod’s spine was suddenly stiff. “The sea is a dangerous place for a woman, as you’ve already explained from your earlier troubles.”

Marcus shook his head. “I cannot be parted from her for a moment longer than necessary. Besides, your sister is stronger than any of you realise.”

Tormod suddenly smiled. “I believe the MacLeod women are more resilient and tougher than any of us men.”

As if proving his point, the healthy cry of a baby resounded, making its way to them through the open castle doors. “The baby is here.” A few moments later the sound of another cry came to the men.

A moment later Aria appeared, framed by the doorway and wreathed in a smile. “Gwendolyn has given birth to not one, but two sons.”

*

The entire household gathered along the shores of Loch Dunvegan to send Rowena and Marcus on their way, along with twelve MacLeod warriors selected by Tormod to help them safely deliver treasure to the families that she and Marcus would visit over the next several weeks.

Pain knifed through Rowena when memories swelled as she took in the golden-brown stones of Dunvegan in the distance. Reuniting with Gwendolyn after five long years, Fiona and the fairy armour, her brothers’ protectiveness, Aria fighting alongside the other women of the clan, her mother’s ghostly appearance that grew more fully human as each of her children found happiness, Mrs Morgan’s unconditional love, Mrs Honey’s tasty treats, being held prisoner by the MacDonalds, but being freed by Marcus’s parents, Bryce kidnapping her, yet now he was a part of their family too. The MacDonalds and the MacLeods had a new reason to set aside their disputes because of the child she now carried that belonged to both clans.

It might be optimistic to hope her and Marcus’s child could bring an end to warring between the two clans. Her hand strayed to her abdomen, covering the new life that fluttered there. Rowena would never give up on that possibility. She’d seen too many miracles happen in her family as of late not to believe in one that would change all their lives forever.