Reunions
The joy was apparent on Delft’s face when he caught sight of them striding along the dock. He scrambled up the ladder and embraced his laird. “I kent ye’d survive, laddie. Ye’ve always been a braw swimmer. ’Tisna the first time ye’ve challenged the bore.”
A cheer rose up from the oarsmen who’d watched him drown.
Broderick slapped his captain on the back. “There were moments I feared I’d nay live to see ye again.”
Sniffling, Delft backed away and swiped a sleeve across his eyes. “Mistress MacKeegan, and Lady Lily, thank God ye’re safe.”
“This is Laird Darroch MacKeegan,” Kyla explained, gesturing to her father.
Delft shook his hand vigorously. “’Tis an unexpected honor to meet the famous MacKeegan.”
“And his daughter has agreed to be my wife,” Broderick declared with a broad smile.
It was gratifying that Delft’s pleasure upon hearing the news was genuine. For Kyla it augured well. She would need the support of Clan Maxwell.
Broderick descended the ladder to the deck and reached up to assist her. “Allow me just this once, Captain Kyla,” he jested, “since ye’re wearing a frock.”
Her father took her by the elbow. “Ye ken ’twas a challenge for Isabel when she first came to Dun Scaith,” he whispered, “but ye’ll fit in right well at Caerlochnaven. His people will love ye.”
She smiled. “As usual, ye’ve seen what’s in my heart.”
But she hoped he couldn’t discern her thoughts when the warmth of Broderick’s big hands circled her waist and lifted her to the deck. He held on, even when she was safe, pressing her hips to his, his gaze locked with hers. She opened her mouth as he closed his eyes and his lips drifted closer.
A loud ahem from her father broke them apart.
Broderick smiled and pecked a kiss on her nose. “Soon,” he rasped.
“Aye,” she whispered.
*
“My galley isna as grand as yer Banamhara,” Broderick conceded to Darroch, “but ’twould be an honor if ye’d take over as master.”
He was relieved when Kyla’s father agreed readily after an enthusiastic nod from Delft. Their journey across the Solway to retrieve the birlinn from Bowness would be short, but Broderick acknowledged he was in the presence of a superior mariner. Darroch would be much happier taking charge of the vessel.
Happily, ceding responsibility provided an opportunity to stand amidships with Kyla and Lily. Though he knew it wasn’t necessary, he put an arm around Kyla’s waist to steady her, gratified when she leaned into him, accepting his support. There was enough breeze to fill the sail and carry the scent of her windblown hair into his senses. “Ye intoxicate me,” he confessed as they swayed together with the movement of the boat.
“What does intoxicate mean?” Lily asked, tucking her body under his free arm so she too could lean against his side.
Kyla grinned up at him. “’Tis when a person can think of naught else but another person,” she explained.
“Like I do with Adrian?” Lily replied. “He’s my hero.”
Broderick bristled. The valet had saved the day, but the youth was far below Lily’s station. Indeed, Delft had conscripted him into the ranks of the oarsmen for this voyage.
Kyla came to his rescue. “’Tis good ye are a friend to Adrian. If he stays at Caerlochnaven, life will be difficult for him at first, far from his clan. But ye have to remember he’s a servant.”
Lily sighed. “I ken. He’s older than me in any case, and he’ll soon make other friends.”
Broderick’s hopes for the future had never been higher. He’d been blessed with a wise woman for a wife. Kyla would provide good guidance and counsel for his sister. He was beginning to see Lily had more common sense than he gave her credit for but, in the long run, she’d be more likely to listen to Kyla than to his advice.
A shout from Nicolson at the prow interrupted his reverie. “Bowness sighted.”
*
Conflicting emotions warred within Kyla when she espied the Banamhara moored to the dock in Bowness. It was a boat she’d sailed on many times, a symbol of the Hebrides, of her home on Skye—and of all she would leave behind if she stayed in the Lowlands with Broderick.
Her father’s grin betrayed his relief that his boat was where he’d left it, but he frowned when he saw her face. “’Tis only a boat,” he said. “This gunboat of Maxwell’s is a fine vessel.” He winked at Broderick. “I’m sure yer husband will let ye sail it from time to time.”
“Hmmm, let me think,” Broderick quipped, feigning hurt when she elbowed him in the ribs.
Lily laughed heartily, then pointed to shore. “Aiglon’s excited to see us.”
Kyla shaded her eyes. Tied to a makeshift perch in the stern of the birlinn, the giant predator had spread its wings and was making indignant noises, trying to break free. “She kens ’tis ye,” she said to Broderick.
“Aye,” he rasped, the wistfulness in his eyes telling of the love he had for the bird.
Her thoughts went back to her beloved Boo. For years, she and the hound had been inseparable companions. She understood what it was to love and trust a pet. Of course, an eagle was a far cry from a dog. However, while it might be unconventional for a man to have such fondness for a bird of prey, she resolved to accept the relationship.
Her determination not to be afraid of Aiglon was tested when Broderick unfurled his cloak, wrapped it around his arm, then shouted an order for the jesses to be untied. She cringed involuntarily when the giant creature flew straight at him and landed on his outstretched arm. A pulse thudded in her ears when Aiglon folded her wings then turned an all-seeing eye on her.
“Dinna be afraid,” Broderick said softly, stroking the bird’s breast. “She’s just wondering who ye are. Put yer finger under mine and stroke her like this.”
In some strange way, Kyla knew without a doubt this was a point of no return. If she refused, Broderick wouldn’t love her any less—he was too much of a gentleman for that.
Nay, she’d think less of herself if she shied away from the first challenge of her new life. Inhaling deeply, she touched her finger to Broderick’s and stroked the silky feathers, relieved when the bird turned its gaze elsewhere.
“She likes ye,” Lily said.
“Will she find us a fish for supper?” Darroch asked.
Broderick grinned. “Enough for all of us,” he shouted to Aiglon as she soared into the sky then swooped to glide inches from the surface of the firth.