Page 58

Nine years later

Loch Duich, near Eilean Donan Castle

M ama was going to be so surprised.

Rowena smiled as she clutched the crumpled spray of flowers tightly in her small fist, watching where she put her feet as she clambered up the slope heading back toward home.

Bridgid shook her head and called from the top of the bank for her to come along, but Rowena needed no further encouragement.

She was too excited; aye, she might be three years younger than snooty Fia, but it didn’t mean she hadn’t done a fine job in seeking out a present for Mama anyway.

In fact, she’d found two presents to celebrate their new baby sister’s birth.

Scrambling the last few paces up the slope leading to Eilean Donan’s causeway, Rowena slid to a halt.

She panted with her exertions, disappointment spilling through her at the sight that greeted her.

Fia was dancing around Da and Bridgid, her arms filled to bursting with flowers from the wood beyond the glen.

Because she was eight, Fia could go to the edge of the wood now by herself, while Rowena was only allowed to walk the rocky edge of Loch Duich within sight of Bridgid or whoever else had been placed in charge of her at the time. They treated her like a baby.

Her eyes stung as she looked at the wilted stalks in her hand before catching a last glimpse of Fia skipping up the causeway with her bountiful present for Mama clutched to her chest; Bridgid followed close behind.

Walking slowly forward, Rowena met Da, feeling a little less sour when she saw his smile and the twinkle in his eye.

She couldn’t help smiling back, certain in her heart of hearts that he was the most handsome, wonderful Da in the whole wide world.

He impressed other people, she knew, by the very fact that he was Duncan MacRae, laird of the mighty clan MacRae.

But to her he was finer than the sun and the moon together, and he always made everything better when she was feeling worst.

“And how’s my wee sprite, this morn—did you find some pretty flowers for Mama, then?” he asked with a grin, reaching down to swing her onto his shoulders.

Rowena giggled, wobbling precariously as she clung to his head, which made her drop her handful of wilted blooms.

Da laughed and righted her, preparing to lower her again to retrieve them, but she patted him to stop him, calling, “Nay, Da, go on. I’ve another present in my pocket for Mama.

I found it next to the loch. Now gallop me to the castle yard, please?

I want to give it to her right now. Oh, let’s gallop! ”

He twisted his neck to look up at her, making such a funny face that Rowena giggled again. “You found a pretty pebble for Mama, did you, lass?”

“Aye, it is very pretty,” she murmured, nodding and patting the necklace in her pocket.

She felt excited again, thinking of the cool, milky stone with those sparks of color shining from it.

That it was circled in gold only added to its magical beauty, she thought.

It was going to be great fun to give Mama such a fine gift.

“It’s not as pretty as Mama, though,” she said, finishing her thoughts aloud.

“Right you are in that, lassie.” Da chuckled and faced forward again as he prepared to gallop her to the yard.

“There’s nothing in this world as beautiful as your mother—except you and your sisters, perhaps.

” He gave her a little jounce and set her to laughing again.

“Are you ready for your ride now, milady?”

“Aye, Da—giddy up!” And as he galloped forward Rowena squealed with delight, one arm wrapped around his head and the other hand pressed tight to her pocket…keeping safe the precious, opalescent gem resting inside.