Chapter Nine

Liam felt a stirring of anticipation and pride as he led his family over the next rise. Seeing the castle perched on the hill opposite them, he experienced the warm appreciation of home.

“Do ye see that castle over there, Gwennie?” He pointed.

She nodded.

“That will be your new home.”

“Mama too?”

“Aye, Mama’s home too. ’Tis called Dunardry. And there are many children your age to play with and a few dogs as well.”

“Bunnies.” She held up one of the wooden rabbits. She seemed to favor the one he’d made her first, and he liked that he knew some small thing about her. He’d known her only two weeks and already they were forming a bond. Or so he hoped.

“I’m sure there are a few rabbits about.” He’d not tell the girl they were likely to have a few of them for their supper.

He smiled at a nervous Evelyn. “Don’t worry, wife. There shall be plenty of friends for ye as well.”

She offered a strained smile. “They may send us away when they hear the tale of how I came to be here.”

“I plan to tell them ye begged me to take you with me and I felt sorry for you.”

That got a smile out of her, even if it was a small one. His wife wasn’t free with her smiles, which made them all the more valuable when he happened to earn one.

“Let me take care of things with the laird. It’ll be fine, I’m sure. And if it isn’t, we’ll be on our way to find a place that’ll have us. But I tell ye this, we’ll be together. Always.”

She didn’t respond to his declaration, not even a nod. Whether she didn’t believe in his abilities to take care of them or if she worried about being put out, he wasn’t sure. He decided not to ask.

Everyone was waiting in the bailey when they came through the gates; he’d seen the messenger dispatched by the guard when they’d crossed over into MacKinlay lands.

All eyes were on Evelyn as she offered a warm smile to the gathered MacKinlays. No one noticed Gwennie until he dismounted and pulled her into his arms. The chatter stopped abruptly.

He grinned proudly when Evelyn came to stand next to him. “Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to my wife Evelyn MacKinlay, and my daughter, Gwendolyn.”

At the stares, Gwennie hid her face in his neck and squeezed him so tight he feared she’d cut off his breath.

There were a few blinks of surprise until Lady Kenna came forward and hugged him first before hugging Evelyn. She held out her arms and Gwennie went to her. Kenna kissed the top of her head. “Welcome to Dunardry. I hope you’ll find your home here.” She tickled Gwennie, earning a giggle. “We’ve so many lads, it’s nice to have another lass.”

Mari came closer and brushed a hand over the girl’s hair. “You seem the same age as my Lizzy. I’m sure you’ll be great friends.”

Gwennie held out one of her wooden rabbits at the word friend.

“Let’s find some treats for this little one in the kitchen,” Mari said, taking her from Kenna. If Evelyn had worried their daughter wouldn’t be accepted, it was a waste of her time. The mistress and her sister loved children no matter where they happened to come from.

Their husbands could be a different story when Liam got to telling them the full story.

Kenna wrapped an arm around Evelyn. “And while my sister sees to your daughter, I’ll show you to Liam’s chamber. We’ll let the men discuss things and see them for the evening meal.” Kenna linked her arm through Evelyn’s. “You look so much better than last we saw you. I’ve thought of ye often over the years. It’s so nice to have you here with us.”

Evelyn looked back at him, worry clear in her eyes. Liam swallowed, hoping the memories of this place wouldn’t be too much for his wife.

Large hands slapped him on the back, nearly knocking him over. “Congratulations,” Cameron said.

Lach smiled before pulling Liam into a hearty embrace as well. “I have to admit, I was a bit worried the old bugger wouldna agree this time. I’m glad you convinced him.”

He hated to have to disappoint the man, but he’d never lie, especially not over something as serious as this.

“About that…” He paused, allowing one more moment of happiness to settle upon him. If he was forced out, it’d be better to leave after the meal when they were fed and rested, but he’d not take advantage. “I’m afraid I didn’t earn his approval yet again.”

As expected, Lach looked at him with his brows raised. “Yet ye stand before me a married man.”

“Aye.” He’d not put the blame on Evelyn’s shoulders, but he wanted it to be clear he hadn’t coerced the woman into becoming his wife. “I was in the stables preparing to leave.” He shook his head. “Nay. I was kicking about in anger over bloody Hugh Stewart’s rejection. Evelyn found me there and suggested we marry anyway.”

“Ye eloped with the Stewart laird’s daughter?” Lachlan shouted.

Cam just chuckled. “At least he didn’t do so accidentally.”

“And I did marry the lass ye intended me to marry,” Liam put in unhelpfully.

“I gave ye permission to ask for her hand. I didn’t give you approval to take her off her lands without her father knowing. Do you realize what you’ve done?”

He nodded once. “I do. And I’m prepared to leave with my family if we’re no longer welcome here, but I couldn’t leave her. It was a selfish thing, I know, but once she said she wanted to be my wife I couldn’t do anything else. And I’ll not apologize for it, because I’m not sorry.”

“Your apology will do us no good now anyway.” Lach huffed and shook his head. “You’re not the first man to think with his heart.” He paused. “Or worse parts.”

“Trust that I’m already being punished.” He frowned. “For the marriage hasn’t been a blissful one so far. I realized right away she wed me only to escape her father, who wouldn’t allow her to be with her daughter. I’m but a means to her true desire to be a mother to Gwennie. In fact, I fear it may never be a true marriage.”

“That seems to be how most of us start out. Don’t despair over it,” Cam said. “Things have a way of changing.”

Liam wasn’t so sure of that. It’d been weeks and he’d not so much as kissed his bride.

“I thought it’d be easier.” He’d spent hours imagining how things would be between them when they married, but so far the reality was nothing like he thought it would be.

Lachlan laughed harshly. “Whatever gave you the notion it would be easy? Did you not stand by and watch while Cam and Bryce made a hash over their marriages?”

“I did. But I also knew they didn’t want to marry, while for me it was the only thing I truly desired.”

“Things don’t always work out the way we desire them, Liam. Sometimes, if we’re very lucky, they work out even better.” Cam gave him a nod before turning to Lach. Cam’s voice was teasing when he spoke. “Do we displease the Stewart laird by allowing the outlaw to stay?”

It was a fact Liam had never done one thing against his laird—either of them—in all his days of residing with the MacKinlays. Not since he was a small lad. He’d never risked being cast out.

He thought he’d lose his stomach on his boots for having to stand before Lachlan now knowing he’d earned whatever punishment the man commanded.

“I’ll think on the best way to handle the situation, but this is your home. You and your family will remain here.” Lach patted him on the shoulder. “Come. We have a wedding to celebrate.”

Liam didn’t feel much like celebrating the end of his dreams with a woman who barely tolerated him, but he followed the men toward the hall.