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“I like the idea,” said Seoras. “I’ll make sure he’s all right, Mhairi.”
Mhairi smiled. “Aye, ye’re right, Uncle. Sìomon is a blessing. A blessing that wouldna have happened without Jennifer.”
Everyone looked at her, and pride for his woman glowed in Aulay’s chest.
“Let it be so,” Aulay said.
While Jenny and Bhatair went to check on Una and Ailis, Aulay went to order the feast for tonight. Mayhap he was mad. Despite not having found the treasure, despite the possible English attack that could happen at any moment, despite the sick and the wounded in the village, Aulay felt like happiness was finally within his reach.
Sìomon had been born. And Jenny…she made everything better.
Later that night, the great hall was lit with many candles and braziers. They illuminated the MacDonald heraldry hanging on the walls. The embroidery that Aulay’s mother had made of a great fleet of birlinns coming to a new shore. On white table covers, silver and gold dishes of roasted game and fish, fruit and breads, cheese, pies, and pastries glistened. The clan musicians were positioned on a small stage and played jolly music, the room full of the sounds of flute and tambourine and bagpipe. Clansmen and women put on their best clothes and sat laughing, eating, drinking, and singing. Aulay didn’t stint on drinks. The most valuable casks of French wine were opened, and the best ale, normally reserved for important guests, was offered to everyone.
Next to Aulay, at his table of honor, sat Jenny. The firelight made her red hair shine like polished copper. Her skin was alabaster and smooth. Her lips, full and delicious, smiled at him. God almighty, how he loved it when she smiled. Mhairi had lent Jenny her best dress for feasts and celebrations, and she looked beautiful in the rich gown the color of the deep ocean on a sunny day.
Seoras sat at his other hand, the bairn in his arms. Colum was by Seoras’s side, uncharacteristically for him, cooing at his new nephew. This was a glimpse of the Colum that Aulay had known before he had been kidnapped. The golden lad who everyone loved. The lad who could befriend a stone and lift a miser’s mood, full of optimism, charm, and confidence.
Mayhap there was hope for him. Aulay knew that once Colum proved his loyalty to the clan, he would no longer be plagued by the doubt and rejection of his people.
Aulay stood up and, even though he didn’t say anything, a hush fell over the great hall.
He raised his goblet. “Today we have a great miracle to celebrate. My first nephew was born, Sìomon MacDonald, the son of Seoras.” The people raised their cups and goblets, too, and gave a roar of approval. “But it may have been very different if nae for Jennifer and for Bhatair. Jennifer showed courage and skill, and Bhatair was open to new methods. Thanks to Jennifer, Sìomon and Mhairi are alive. Ye all ken how I wish someone like Jennifer could have done the same thing for Leitis and my bairns.”
His voice shook as he said the last few words, and the clan was silent. He saw women wipe at their eyes and men stare into their cups with sadness.
“To Sìomon and Mhairi! And to a good woman who saved their lives,” he cheered, and everybody echoed him.
After they all drank, the music resumed, and Aulay turned to Jennifer and offered her his open palm. She raised her eyebrows. “Would ye dance with me, my lady?”
She blinked. “I don’t know how to dance a medieval dance.”
“Ye will be fine. Come.”
She sighed out and placed her hand into his. “I’m afraid I’ll embarrass you, Aulay.”
“Never.”
The music was cheerful and fast. He led her, and soon she caught up with the steps and the jumps and the turning and spinning. A bright smile bloomed on her face from ear to ear. Her eyes glistened with excitement and joy. His chest lightened and delight spread through him like sunlight.
At that moment, that was all he wanted. At that moment, he was happy.
He wanted to never let her go. He wanted her with him forever.
Because he knew in his heart that he loved her. That what he felt for Jennifer wasn’t an infatuation or pure lust. It was something deeper—deeper even than what he had had with Leitis. It was as though Jennifer had been made for him.
And he had been placed on this earth to love her.
He felt his own smile fall as she made the next jump. Unease washed over him like the fin of a shark passing near a swimmer. She was bound to go back. He wanted her to stay, but she still had that egg thing she needed to do. She wanted a bairn of her own.
He needed to talk to her and make sure he knew what she was feeling and if she still wanted to return to her time.
If that was her wish, he’d help her. He’d make sure she got what she wanted and needed in life. Even if it meant giving up his own happiness.
He stopped and pulled her to him. “Come with me, Jenny. I must have a word with ye.”
CHAPTER 23
The sea breeze flapping her skirt and playing with her hair, Jenny felt like she was flying as she walked by Aulay’s side on the cliffs outside the castle. The western sky was ablaze with the setting sun, oranges and pinks and reds spilling into the sea. The rugged cliffs and the shore of Islay that stretched to the west were dark.
