Page 47

Arran took her hand. “We must return tae the castle. If ye’re gone fer long Bairre will send his guard tae seek ye out.”

She looked around, her eyes suddenly wide and frightened. “They mustnae find this place. I would hate fer Bairre’s wrath tae descend on them after the care the villagers have given us.”

“I would give anything fer us tae bide here longer, but ye’re correct. We cannae risk harm coming to these good folk.”

“Bairre left ye in the old bothy tae burn. By now he must believe ye’re dead. Cannae we run away together? We could make it back tae my braithers and we’d be safe at Castle MacLeod.”

Arran gave a long, slow sigh. “I wish nothing more than fer us tae be together forever. If ye will have me as yer lawful husband I will wed ye.”

Dahlia threw her arms around his neck. “There is nothing more I could wish fer either, Arran. I have faith that we will come through all this stronger than ever. Ye will prevail over Bairre and we will be together.”

He gave a wistful smile. “Ye are me lass now, fer as long as we live. But I cannae abandon me maither. If Bairre believes me dead he has nae need of me maither tae maintain his hold over me.” He looked at her gravely. “He will kill her.”

“Then we must find Emilia. We must make sure she is safe. Once we have her out of Bairre’s clutches, then we can leave Castle Mackinnon fer good.”

He took her hand and pressed it to his lips. “That can never be, me Lady Dahlia. For I am tied tae the castle and I cannae leave it any more than yer braither Haldor could leave Castle MacLeod. It is me birthright.”

Dahlia looked up at him arching one eyebrow. “Och, Arran. I ken ye are one of Clan Mackinnon’s own, fer ye bear the clan name, but the castle is a cruel place, ‘twas where I was held four years ago by James Mackinnon. It is where ye almost lost yer life helping me escape. Surely ye would wish to put great distance between the castle and yerself. I swear ye’d be happier at Castle MacLeod.”

He shook his head slowly. “’Tis nae so simple. I’ve never told me story tae ye lass, and it’s time ye kent everything. It’s time ye understood why Bairre Mackinnon hates me and wishes me death and why I cannae leave Castle Mackinnon.”

Dahlia sat up, her hand folded in his. “’Tis something I’ve wondered about but didnae dare tae ask. Why is it so important tae him tae have power over ye and use yer sweet maither tae wield it?”

Arran took a deep breath. “The story starts before I was born. It commences when James and Bairre were weans. Their maither, Ailsa, died after a long and lingering illness and their father, Gregory, was absent fighting in the war with the English. The boys grew up wild and willful, especially James. Nay one dared refuse them anything, and they did as they pleased. They were cruel lads even then. The castle servants already feared them.

Their faither, Laird Gregory, spent time at Ruthven Castle recovering from his battle wounds, and he fell in love with me maither, Emilia. They married and it was not long before me maither found she was with child. Shortly after that me faither was killed in battle.”

Dahlia drew in a breath and clapped her hands together. “That child was ye!”

He nodded. “Aye. I never kent me faither at all but Emilia has told me of him. He was a fine man.”

She thought this over. “So… this means ye are half-brother tae James and Bairre?”

“Aye. James inherited the lairdship when he was a mere lad of thirteen. He indulged himself in everything his heart desired and grew a fearsome reputation. When me maither came taethe castle, bringing me tae meet me braithers and tae take me rightful place in the clan, James and Bairre were furious. They ignored me maither’s marriage papers and declared I was a bastard, unable tae inherit.”

Dahlia gasped. “And without the marriage papers ye cannae prove otherwise.”

He scowled. “Aye. The papers mayhap are lost, but there are witnesses tae the marriage and the priest who performed the ceremony. They will be found and my rights will be restored.

They tolerated our presence until I was fifteen. At that point they became convinced I was a threat tae their power and me maither and I were banished tae a tiny village on the west coast where we spent the next years. I was forbidden, on pain of death, tae ever return tae Castle Mackinnon.”

“How brave Emilia was tae bring ye tae the castle and how sad fer her, tae lose her husband after such a short marriage. Did it break her heart when ye were banished?”

“Me maither is a brave woman who has always found a way tae make the best of wherever she finds herself.”

“But ye were at the castle years ago when James Mackinnon was holding me prisoner.”

He gave a sharp laugh. “Och, aye. Once I grew tae manhood I came and went as I pleased. I had many friends in the clan andthe castle who wished tae see me take me rightful place. James and Bairre had nye idea that I was under their very noses many times.”

“I understand now how it was that ye kent the castle and its secret passageways so well.”

“In the years I spent in the castle as a lad I explored every nook and cranny. I ken the castle better than anyone.”

“When James was killed and Bairre disappeared, the Council declared me laird. But they lacked the papers tae make me me faither’s legitimate heir and presented me tae the clan as a cousin.”

She sighed and got wearily to her feet. “I understand now why ye are reluctant tae leave the castle. ‘Tis yer rightful home.”

Arran stood, placing his arm around her waist. “I ken ye dinnae wish tae return and I’ll accept if ye decide tae make a dash fer home now. I’ll even help ye. But I must go back.”