Page 85 of Surrendering to her Highland Captor
She would stand and fight for her people. Together, they would go after Laura and Sorcha, rescuing them from the Baron’s grip and put an end to his reign of terror once and for all. And when all was said and done, she would marry the man she loved and live out her days in a haze of happiness. It would be worth it in the end. All it would take was courage.
“Then what is next?”
An hour later, Taryn was back on the saddle with James sitting behind her. It felt entirely normal and comfortable for him to be there. Laird McKenzie had been kind enough to offer them rooms for the night, but they were all ready to return to the Kincaid Keep. A hot meal and a warmer cloak later, Taryn was set for their journey home.
Armed with plans to reconvene soon so they could continue to strategize for the battle ahead, Lachlan and Aila led them out of the courtyard and back into the Highland forest. This time, however, Arran and Christopher were saddled on their own horse. And that was nothing to say of the dozens of McGregor warriors who trailed after them.
“We will send any others who turn up to yer Keep,” Finn promised Lachlan. “Ye will have a proper army before long.”
“And then we will go after the Baron.”
It was a declaration that kept Taryn, James, and all the others warm as they rode home.
The sky had turneddark by the time the Kincaid Castle came into view. Snow continued to fall, coating everything in its path, but Taryn wasn’t cold. She was a bundle of nervous energy, fidgeting in her seat more and more with every step.
“Home at last,” Aila announced with a sigh.
“I am sure Elsie will be itching to see all of us. Edith and Mary, too.”
“Who are they?” James asked, the names Lachlan listed unfamiliar to him.
“Ye will find out soon enough,” Taryn answered.
As suspected, the three ladies of varying ages were pacing in the foyer, concern etched into their faces. Elsie, with her young eyes, saw the group of riders first and had plastered herself to the window to watch their return.
“Ye are back!” she shouted, having flung the door open in greeting.
“Hello, my wee lass,” Lachlan said with a laugh, swinging her into his arms as soon as he had dismounted. “Did ye miss us?”
She snuggled into his arms, the distance and time having rid her of any remaining shyness she might have felt towards Lachlan. As soon as Aila slid down from Knight, Elsie reached for her too. Happily, Aila took the girl and carried her inside. Lachlan helped the boys down and then ushered them inside after her. Taryn and James followed suit, leaving their horse to the groomsman.
“Elsie and Christopher are siblings,” Taryn explained as they walked in on the pair reuniting with a warm hug.
“All right, all right,” Christopher called, pushing Elsie off him after her arms grew too tight around his neck. “Get off me.”
She stepped back but didn’t go very far. Instead, she leveled her hands onto her hips and stared her brother down.
“Dinnae ever leave me behind again.”
Every word of her demand was punctuated with a poke to the center of his chest. Christopher rubbed at the spot for a moment before throwing his hands up.
“Okay, okay. I will nae leave ye behind.”
“Swear?” Elsie pushed, clearly more than a little miffed about her lack of adventure.
“I swear.”
The adults burst into laughter at the seriousness on her face, but it was that same sentiment that had gotten them all into the situation they were now in.
“Hello, Elsie,” Taryn called softly, crouching down to the girl’s level.
Too caught up in brandishing her brother, Elsie hadn’t noticed Taryn’s arrival. She spun now, overjoyed and squealing, and ran into Taryn’s arms. The force of her jump knocked Taryn off her feet, but she didn’t mind. She wrapped her arms around Elsie and held on tight, saying a silent prayer of thanks that she had been able to make it back home to such a precious girl.
“I missed ye,” Taryn whispered, determined not to be the first one to let go.
“Ye are nae going to leave again, are ye?”
The softly uttered question broke Taryn’s heart all over again. She could hear just how frightened Elsie had been by the whole thing.
