Page 106 of Laird of Twilight

Patrick frowned. “You have been gone for three days.”

“Three days?” Elspeth repeated. So the glamourie truly had affected them in that place. The time had not seemed like days at all. She looked at James, who frowned thoughtfully as he took her hand.

“Impossible,” he said. “We, ah, we lost our sense of time. Days?”

“You must tell us later,” Fiona said. “You must be tired now. It is such a blessed relief to see you! I am just grateful you came to no harm, and whatever compromise there might have been—well,” Fiona said, and smiled. “Donal MacArthur hinted that you might have no reason to fear compromise.”

“He told you?” James asked.

Elspeth felt her cheeks heat in a fierce blush. “We—we did make a decision while we were out on the mountain.”

“And we could not be happier, isn’t that so, Patrick?” Fiona smiled. “But we have been searching night and day. Donal MacArthur went back to the cave and said you were not there. He aged years over this, I vow. We must let him know immediately—he went home a little while ago, very dejected. He will be so relieved. Everyone will!”

“We walked the slopes, and shouted for hours,” Patrick said. “Even Eldin came out to help.”

“Eldin?” James asked.

“He said he was only interested in the rumor of fairy gold, but he was worried, I am sure of it,” Fiona said. “Though if you found anything valuable, do keep it quiet. He asked rather closely about this missing treasure chest.”

“No treasure chest,” James said. “We did find an excellent geological cache of crystals and such.” He took his hand from his pocket and opened his palm. “Along with a few beautiful gems perfect for a ring.”

“A ring?” Fiona asked. “You thought of jewelry when you were in danger?”

“We were never in danger. Just a bit lost,” Elspeth said. “We helped each other, and found a way through—the mountain.”

“Aye,” James said. “A labyrinth of caves. But we managed.”

“You must be exhausted and in need of food and rest,” Fiona said, as they all turned back toward the house.

“How did you come all the way here? I do not understand,” Patrick said.

“We found a cave that brought us out through the grotto,” Elspeth said.

“Subterranean passages,” James said. “I doubt we could find our way through again. It would be dangerous to try.” He looked down at Elspeth, who smiled faintly.

“So you settled that, er, earlier matter between you?” Patrick asked.

“We did,” James said, and took Elspeth’s hand. “We each found what we wanted. We were just lost, and now we are back. Naught to fuss over.”

“The others will surely fuss,” Fiona said. “And Donal will be relieved. I will say that he confided to Patrick and me, and made us promise not to tell anyone, that you two handfasted while on the mountain.”

“We did,” Elspeth said, feeling her heart lift with happiness. James took her hand, smiling silently at his twin. Elspeth saw a glance pass between them and felt a new burst of love. The two siblings, close as they were, did not always need words.

“Truly!” Fiona laughed. “I am delighted. But how did you—why did you decide to do that now, rather than wait for a pastor?”

“There are other ways to marry in the Highlands,” Elspeth said.

“Aunt Rankin will have a conniption,” Fiona said. “And Miss Sinclair.”

“Ah well, Miss Sinclair will realize that it was not meant to be,” James said.

“Miss Sinclair will soon find love in a most surprising way,” Elspeth said, knowing suddenly that it was true. But if she had told them the girl would fall in love with Sir Philip, she knew the others might not believe her. She only smiled.

“Handfasting cannot be fully legal, not with a title and estate involved,” Patrick grumbled. “You will need a proper wedding.”

“We will have it, and soon,” James said.

“A quiet wedding at Struan House would be lovely,” Elspeth said.