porridge into her mouth.
He assured her they would, even though he wasn’t certain yet exactly what he’d be going home to. Hopefully there hadn’t been any further insurrections in his absence.
As they packed their belongings, he sent a silent prayer heavenward that Jamie and Fergus had been able to keep the peace. The image of them being attacked by the Chisolm clan bounced into his thoughts on more than one occasion.
Keevah hadn’t brought much with her; in truth, she thought she’d only be in Inverness a day or two at most. Poor Brigid had even fewer belongings. Packing took very little time at all.
They walked out of the inn into the bright winter morning. Lachlan’s men had readied the horses that brought them here. They had also purchased a very mild-mannered mare for Keevah to ride. Brigid insisted on riding with Lachlan.
Down the cobblestone streets of Inverness, they rode. ’Twas difficult to tell who was most relieved or excited to be away from the city. In the end, it didn’t matter.
They had ridden for nearly two hours before Brigid asked a most poignant question. “Are there bad men where we are goin’?”
“Nay, lass,” he told her. Could his answer be considered a lie? Honest to God he truly didn’t know what they’d be returning home to.
“Because ye sent them all to hell?”
Lachlan chuckled. “Aye lass.”
“Good,” she smiled up at him. “I dunnae like bad men.”
“Neither do I, lass. Neither do I.”
’Twas after noonin’ time the following day before they reached the gates of their new home. Lachlan was relieved to see it was still standing and that it was MacCullough and MacDougall men manning the walls.
Brigid’s eyes grew wide in amazement, the same expression her mother bore. “It is huge!” Brigid proclaimed. “It is beautiful!”
Lachlan agreed with the former, but not the latter. For now, he’d reserve his opinion on the place until after he received his reports from Jamie and Fergus.
The men on the wall called out their greetings and soon the gates were being opened. Lachlan handed Brigid off to Keevah before leading them through. He kept his hand on the hilt of his sword, just in case.
The courtyard was filled with people. Wholly unlike the first time he had arrived. Children ran and played, women stood in huddled groups chatting away.
As soon as they saw Lachlan approach, they all raced toward him. “Welcome back, Laird!” they began to call out.
For a brief moment, he wasn’t certain if he’d suffered an injury to his head and was now hallucinating.
They followed them into the inner bailey where stable boys rushed out to take their horses. Lachlan dismounted; a look of utter confusion etched on his face. He helped Brigid down first and handed her to one of his men.
After helping Keevah dismount, he kept her protectively close to his side. Sensing his unease, Keevah said, “What is the matter?”
He shook his head. “I am nae certain. They are all bein’ … nice.”
From the look she gave him, she thought him daft. He hadn’t taken the time to warn her about the Chisolms. Of course, there hadn’t been much time these past days, what with a madman killin’ women and all that.
Looking around the bailey, his eyes lit on something highly unusual. A very auld looking man who was missing a leg.
Jamie and Fergus came bounding down the stairs and greeted him with broad smiles and slaps on the back.
“What the bloody hell is goin’ on?” Lachlan exclaimed in a whisper.
“Well, it seems yer stance on sendin’ people away for no good reason, had a profound impact on the clan’s opinion of ye.”
Incredulous, all he could do was stand with mouth agape. “Ye have got to be jestin’.”
A wry grin came to Jamie’s face. “Nay, Laird MacCullough, I dunnae jest.”
“Many of those who had been sent away have returned. There are a few, however, who rather liked livin’ in the forest. Either way, the people are truly happy.”
Lachlan’s attention was pulled away when he saw Murdoch running across the bailey. A very comely woman, with hair graying at her temples was rushing towards him. “Mum!” Murdoch called out as he scooped the woman up and twirled her around.
“I cannae believe my own eyes,” Lachlan said with a shake of his head. “I just cannae believe it.”
Brigid had squirmed her way out of the warrior’s arms and ran to Lachlan’s side. She slipped her hand into his and stared inquisitively at Jamie and Fergus.
“What have we here?” Jamie asked.
“This is my