Page 98 of Her Reluctant Highlander Husband

“Nay. Never. Your place is here with me. He’s here to help us take Baehaven. He apparently wants the castle and the lands for himself.”

Her bright eyes went wide, this time in surprise rather than worry. “He plans to move to Scotland and live in Baehaven?”

“I canna speak to what he plans for the place. I only know he wants it in exchange for the use of his men, and Lach agreed. Now, are you coming out to greet the man or no?”

“I am. Do I look a mess?”

“You are beautiful in whatever you’re wearing. Or nothing at all.” He bent to kiss that soft spot on her neck just below her ear and got a shiver of interest. A smile spread across his lips at her response. “And, I daresay, you’re even more breathtaking now with some color on your cheeks.”

“Some color?” She rolled her eyes. “I’m probably as red as the evening sun, which is exactly what you planned.”

He couldn’t help but laugh as he led her out to the bailey. When she saw her father, she picked up her pace and left Bryce behind. He didn’t mind. He knew how much she’d missed her new family, even in the short time they’d been back at Dunardry. He would give anything to make her happy. In fact, he’d even considered moving to England for a time so she could visit with them. Although having them come to Scotland was preferred.

As expected, she peppered the man with questions on her siblings and stepmother, asking after their health and happiness. One would think it had been decades since she’d seen them, the way she went on, but Bryce left her to her reunion to go see after the grooms.

There were a lot more horses to be stabled and fed, so some of his men were helping there, while others were at the smithy seeing to the weapons and any repairs needed for battle.

When he paused in the kitchens he noted the organized chaos.

“Do ye ladies need anything?” he offered. After drawing in a few buckets of water and putting a couple of lads on kitchen duty, he moved on to oversee the next thing, and then the next.

He met up with Lach and Cam when he returned to the bailey.

“I think everything is in order,” Lach said. “We’ll want to be underway in a matter of days so as not to use up too much of our reserve.”

Cam nodded and reported on his tasks. “I sent men to hunt. It will give us a few more days at least.”

“There’s no reason to wait,” Bryce said. “The McCurdys do nothing but waste good air by breathing it.”

“I canna disagree, but I want to ensure victory. Having the extra men is a step in the right direction, but we’ll need a successful strategy, too.”

“Riders!” the guard called from his post on the gate.

A moment later the gate opened and a single boy came tearing into the bailey.

“Is it McCurdys?” Lach asked as the lad slid down from his horse to come bow before the laird and offer a missive.

“Nay. Campbells.”

“When it rains, it pours,” Lach said, looking up at the sky.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Dorie was seated with her father as he shared the latest antics of the twins. Rascal had taken his usual spot at her feet and was the first warning when someone approached. She and her father looked up as Bryce came to stand beside her. While his face was unreadable, his body nearly hummed with excitement.

“What is it?” she asked, nervous because the man got excited over the most dangerous of things.

A small smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. “My father has arrived with more men than planned.”

She smiled in relief, knowing what this meant. The more men to aid in the battle, the quicker it would be over, and with the least amount of bloodshed.

“This is good news, indeed.”

“Aye. I’d like to introduce my father to my wife.” He turned to Dorien. “If you’ll excuse the interruption, my lord. It would please me to introduce you as well, since you are also my family.”

“That I am,” her father said and patted him on the shoulder.

It didn’t take Dorie an introduction to know which man was Bryce’s father. A bit shorter and wiry, he had Bryce’s good looks. His hair and eyes were different, but Bryce had once told her he had his mother’s coloring.