The next day dawned gray and rainy, but the wind had subsided. Keiran decided to use the break in the weather to return to Iverness. Agnes agreed. She was anxious be back with Clarissa and share all that had happened in the last day.

Due to the mud, it was a difficult journey back with the carriage but they finally arrived near dinnertime. Much of the family was assembled to greet them and after they said their hellos, Keiran pulled Ewan and Clarissa aside to share what had happened.

Ewan had looked skeptical as Keiran laid out his plan to hire the poacher. “Ye want me add the man who shot ye to the staff?”

Agnes couldn’t blame Ewan for feeling this way, though she applauded Keiran’s attempt to help the man.

“He’s desperate, and he didn’t want to hurt me. He was right, I was aiming right for him.”

“He lured you to his home through Agnes to tell ye what he’d done,” Ewan argued back.

Keiran grimaced. “Aye, he’s a hunter, fer sure. Ye might be right. And it’s yer home, so it’s yer decision. I’m just trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. It isn’t something I’ve been very good at since I came home.”

Ewan ran his hands through his hair. “He could work with the current gamekeeper on a trial basis. While the man has slowed down, he is still sharp in the mind and an excellent judge of character.”

Keiran gave a curt nod, but Agnes could see the relief in his shoulders. She reached over and held his hand. She was as relieved as him that Tom and Olivia would have a chance at a real life. And Ewan’s idea was a good one. It gave Tom a chance to prove he was of sound character.

As they said their goodbyes, Agnes and Keiran made to leave the room when a knock sounded at the door.

“Enter,” Ewan called, and the butler stepped into the room.

“My lord, the Lord and Lady Arbuthnott have arrived.”

Clarissa stood with a gasp. “My parents!”

All four of them swept through the halls, racing to the foyer. Relief made Agnes’s feet clumsy, but Keiran held her hand as they reached the landing above the entryway.

Then all four stopped.

Down below, Ainsley and Aunt Rhona stood with Clarissa’s parents, along with two more men Agnes didn’t recognize. The first was a gentlemanly type that Agnes might normally consider quite handsome: tall, broad, with dark hair and handsome features. He was not as handsome as Keiran, of course. The second had long, dark hair, and there was a reckless air about him. But what really gave her pause was the way Ainsley was assessing him. She looked spitting mad and completely riled in the most hectic sort of way.

He, in turn, was smirking, a lazy look of satisfaction marring what might have otherwise been perfect features.

“Oh, dear,” Agnes muttered.

“Indeed,” Clarissa added before they descended the stairs.

Clarissa’s parents rushed toward them, embracing her.

“We’re terribly sorry we missed it,” her mother cried as she hugged her again.

Her father cleared his throat. “Where is my grandchild?”

“Ava is sleeping.” Clarissa gave her father a glare. “What happened that you were so late?”

“Our ship was caught in that storm.” Her mother breathed. “If not for James, we’d have been lost.”

Agnes embraced her aunt too, and her gaze flitted to the man she hoped was not James. His smirk grew. As he brushed his overlong hair back off his shoulder, she knew without a doubt James was the hero. Oh, dear.

Ainsley flushed a deep shade of pink. Dear lord, it was somehow worse that the man was a hero.

“James?” Clarissa asked, turning to one of their new guests.

Her father gestured, toward the long-haired devil—Agnes could think of no other word to describe him. “Laird James McPherson, The Earl of Rotheport.”

The man looked absolutely sinful as his gaze flicked to Ainsley once again. “You forgot captain,” he said as he bowed to assembled guests.

“Quite right, my lord.” Her father nodded. “He’s seen us safely here. His ship also sustained some damage in the storm.”

“McPherson, you are welcome to stay here, of course. We owe you a debt of gratitude.”

“If it’s all the same to you, while I appreciate your offer, I’d be just as content to stay in a nearby village. The repairs will require me to keep long hours.”

Ewan grimaced. “The nearest village is at least an hour’s ride from here.”

“Then I would be honored to accept your offer of hospitality.” Lord Rotheport’s features remained stoic, the rigid lines of his body spoke of annoyance.

Ainsley gasped, and Clarissa pursed her lips.

“It’s the least I can do as you’ve saved my family.” Ewan cleared his throat.

“And this—” her father gestured to the other guest, “—is Lord Callum Tate, Earl of Blackwood.”

“We’ve met,” Ewan cut in as he stepped forward and saluted the man.

Keiran did the same. “It’s good tae see ye again.”

“You as well,” Lord Tate replied. “Glad tae see I’m not the only Scot that made it back from the war.”

“Nae, yer not,” Ewan shook his hand this time. Then he turned back to her uncle. “And what’s more, we’ve another announcement to make.” He gave Keiran a wink. “Keiran has asked for Agnes’s hand, and I’ve accepted on your behalf.”

Her father’s expression turned black as he assessed Keiran up and down. Agnes stepped forward. “Laird McKenna has generously gifted a plot of land to both you and mother to build homes in Scotland if you’d like.”

Her uncle’s features relaxed. “Well, I see there is much to discuss.”

James quirked a brow in her direction. “Agnes, is it? You must be quite the catch.”

Keiran growled behind her, his hand coming possessively to her waist. “That is none of your concern.”

James raised an eyebrow. “I simply mean that it is a generous gift.”

“Well, ye’ve an interesting way of putting it,” Keiran replied, his hand tightening.

James took note of the gesture. Agnes would have rolled her eyes if it wouldn’t have been impolite. It was silly for Keiran to be jealous. He was all she could see.

“Let’s move to a salon where we might be more comfortable.” Ewan cleared his throat. “Clarissa, why don’t you fetch Ava.” He kissed his wife’s forehead. “Once the introductions are made, the ladies can begin the arrangements for the wedding.

Clarissa nodded, heading up the stairs. Agnes sidled up to Ainsley. “Are you all right?”

Ainsley huffed. “What a brainless boar.”

“He’s only said three sentences, and yet I have to agree.” Agnes bit her lip to keep from saying more. This was exactly the sort of man Ainsley might normally find interesting, which means Blackwood must have said something to instantly insult Ainsley.

“Did you see that smirk?” Ainsley rolled her eyes.

Agnes gave Ainsley a wink and then linked arms with her. “The other is quite handsome. Lord Rotheport, was it?”

“Aye, he is. Mayhap not as handsome as Blackwood, but much more agreeable.” Ainsley murmured without commitment. While the comment made Agnes slightly suspicious, it was a relief that Ainsley wasn’t more interested in Blackwood. In the few minutes they’d been acquainted, Agnes was sure he wasn’t a man like Ewan or Keiran. Nothing but trouble would come from getting mixed up with the likes of him.

An hour later, the women sat together, and it had been decided to have the wedding within the month. The guests were already assembled. They only needed find someone to perform the ceremony. Agnes didn’t give a fig what she wore as long as Keiran was hers. She hoped that his conversation with her uncle was going as well.

“It’s going to be strange to not have you at the house.” Clarissa gave her hand a squeeze. “But it’s a dream come true to have you so close by.”

Agnes hugged her cousin. “I agree.”

Her mother beamed at her from across the room. “I’ll stay here, if it’s all right with you, Clarissa. I can help with the baby and give Agnes and Keiran some privacy.

Agnes said a little prayer of thanks. In no time at all, they’d begin their future together.