although with great pain. Aidan was about to argue over the surgeon again, but Deacon no longer listened to him. Instead, his gaze shifted to focus on Cora. He forced his lips to twist into a smile and was rewarded by Cora’s sob of relief and Marie’s shouting his name.
“Do you think she’ll have me?” he asked.
Aidan didn’t need to ask whom he meant. “I think she’d be a fool to let a stubborn rogue like you trail after her.” He met Deacon’s startled look and added, “But she loves you. You’re a lucky man, Deacon Gunn, and you’d better value her love.”
Funny, but he would not have said those words as little as two weeks ago. Back then, the quality of love held little value to him.
Now, it signified the world.
Deacon glanced around at the men who were his friends. “But will she love me if I can’t walk?”
“You’ll have to ask her,” Aidan answered.
Deacon drew a deep breath. “Well, come, lads. Take me to her.”
Hugh and Thomas made a seat of their hands. It wasn’t the best way to transport Deacon, but it was all they had at the moment. They’d only taken a few steps when Cora began running toward them, Marie in her arms.
“I think she’ll take you any way she can have you,” Aidan told Deacon softly, the moment Cora arrived in front of them.
Deacon and Cora’s eyes met. Something passed between them. Even Aidan could feel the power of their attraction. Then she said, “That was the stupidest thing you have ever done, Deacon Gunn.”
“I won’t be doing it again,” he promised.
She came to him then, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face and Marie’s in his chest. Deacon winced, but he didn’t tell her to let go. Instead, he put his arms around her and Marie and held them tight.
The thought struck Aidan that his friend may have lost his birthright, but now he had something else of greater value.
He shifted his attention to Anne. She stood apart from everyone else. She watched the reunion misty-eyed but brave, always brave.
No woman was lovelier in his eyes. She alone held his heart—and suddenly Aidan realized he was a very rich man.
He held out his arms and she came running to him.
A day later, Colonel Witherspoon himself accompanied the party of men who came for Major Lambert’s body. Aidan met them dressed in his customary shirtsleeves and black leather breeches, although he did add a starched neck cloth because Anne thought it attractive. He received the colonel in the great hall.
“I regret the actions of my officer,” Colonel Witherspoon apologized sincerely but stiffly.
“His decisions are no reflection upon your command,” Aidan answered with equal formality.
“Still, I appreciate your understanding, my lord.” The officer chose his words carefully, “It is difficult up here. They don’t like us.” He referred to the highlanders.
“We don’t trust you,” Aidan corrected. “You are considered little more than henchmen when you support policies used unscrupulously. But that will change.”
Colonel Witherspoon stretched his neck as if the collar of his uniform had grown tight. “What do you mean, my lord?”
“My wife and I are going to London.”
He was visibly relieved by what he sensed was a change of topic. “To London? For what is left of the Season?”
“No, not for the Season. I’ve decided to take a more active role in politics. I’m going to fight the Clearances, Colonel. I’m going to abolish them.”
His certainty took Colonel Witherspoon back. He shook his head, smiling apologetically. “I don’t like them any more than you do. My men are soldiers. We take no pleasure in turning people out of their homes. However, the feudal system in Scotland is very strong, as you yourself know. In order to eradicate a practice like the Clearances, you would have to give up some of your own landowner rights, my lord. Are you ready to do so?”
“I abhor the practice, Colonel Witherspoon, and already refuse to exercise my rights in such a manner.”
“Yes, my lord, but the world is made up of those who think differently than you. Your neighbors do not share your view. Please, don’t mistake my meaning. I am a widow’s son from a genteel but poor family. I understand what it is like to dependent upon the whims of my betters. I wish you luck with your battle.”
“But you don’t believe I will succeed?”
Colonel Witherspoon’s smile turned rueful. “No, my lord. But I hope you do.” With those words, he bowed