Page 48 of To Claim His Highland Bride

His gaze connected with hers—a gaze filled with remorse as well as a newfound pride. “It has.” He turned back to Marcus. “Cousin, I know I have no right to ask you this . . . Will you teach me to sail? I have felt more at home on this ship over the last few days than I ever felt in the midst of our clan.”

Marcus nodded. “Aye, Bryce. I will teach you to sail. In fact, I will teach you how to run an entire ship.”

The smile that came to Bryce’s lips transformed his features. Instead of his usual dark, angry countenance, hope and joy shone from his dark eyes. “Thank you, both of you. I’ll leave you in peace now that I’ve had my say. And thank you for not giving up on me. You are the only two people in my life who never did.” He turned away. Then over his shoulder said, “See you both in the morning.”

Rowena stared after Bryce until he disappeared below deck before turning back to Marcus. “Only a few days ago I would have thought such a change in Bryce was impossible.”

“It appears this voyage has changed many a heart, including mine.” He studied her eyes as he gently framed her face with his hands. “Welcome to the start of our new life together, Mrs MacDonald.”

Tears of happiness welled in her eyes at the idea that Marcus had fully accepted her as his wife. She’d almost given up ever feeling such joy again once they’d left Dunvegan. That same emotion tightened her chest and filled her heart to overflowing. She raised her hands and covered his with them. “Shall we retire for the night, Mr MacDonald?”

He led her inside the captain’s quarters and closed the door before leaning closer and kissing her, gently, slowly, as if they had all the time in the world. There in the soft candlelight, they celebrated all they had now, all they’d reclaimed. All the passion, life, and gifts love had to offer. They showed their love for each other with their hands, their lips, their mouths, until that emotion radiated through every part of their souls.

In harmony, they crested the peak of ecstasy, gasping, clinging to each other, celebrating the beginning of their new life together and the fact that they were still both alive after their adventures in Uamh Oir.

They had found treasure in the cave, just not the one they had expected. In their desperation, they’d laid their souls bare and had released their own individual goals into the darkness, allowing them to try to build new goals and dreams together.

Throughout the night love drove them, racked them, enfolded them in its grace. And when morning came, they knew they’d found a new dream for the rest of their lives.

Rowena stirred as morning light streamed through the windows, bathing the man who held her tight against his chest in hues of gold and bronze. It seemed the sun had come out to send them on their journey home. Not wanting to end the bliss of last night, Rowena held the moment and Marcus close, wrapping herself in their joined warmth with a smile on her face.

“What are you smiling about, Wife?”

She felt him shift in the bed so that he was lying back against the pillows, gazing down at her. “I am taking in the moment because once we leave this bed, decisions must be made. That might set us at odds again. I’m not ready for that.”

“What decisions would those be?”

The moment had come long before she wanted it to. She sat up and faced her husband. “I will not let you abandon me at Dunvegan for a year while you make amends to the families of those you lost. I have an idea . . .” A sharp rap on the cabin’s door interrupted the moment.

Marcus moved from the bed and stepped into his breeches while she reached for her shift. The fairy garments she’d worn last night were still damp. Until they dried she’d have to wear one of her gowns.

A second hurried knock sounded before Marcus pulled his shirt over his head. “Captain. The men have something they wish to discuss with you.” Eck’s voice sounded on the opposite side of the door.

Marcus pulled the door open once Rowena had fastened her gown. “What’s wrong?”

Eck’s eyes widened when he took in Marcus’s dishevelled state. “My apologies, I assumed you’d be up by now. Nothing is wrong. The men simply want to have a word with their captain and his lovely wife.” Eck’s gaze strayed to where Rowena sat buckling her slippers. She would have to replace her boots as soon as possible, for delicate slippers had no real value on a ship. When she was through, she came to join Marcus at the door.

A pleased smile touched Marcus’s lips as he slipped his arm about her. “I was in no hurry to leave this cabin after all Rowena and I have endured. I had expected you to handle our departure.”

“You are both strong and have wills of iron. It takes a great deal to rend iron.” A tender smile lit Eck’s face. “Rowena, since coming aboard this ship you have already performed one miracle by healing Marcus’s grief. Together you will heal from your time in the cave, and then you will continue to thrive in each other’s company, I have no doubt.” Eck straightened and the softness left his features. “But enough about how lucky the two of you are to have each other. As I said, the men wish an audience.”

“Give us a moment to pull ourselves together,” Marcus said.

Eck nodded. “The men are gathered on the main deck.”

“Everyone?” Marcus asked with a hint of surprise in his voice.

“Every last man.” Eck turned and left them to finish dressing.

When Marcus and Rowena stepped from the cabin a few moments later all the men were lined up in rows of eight, seven deep. Mack, Rob Roy, Gordon, and Bryce stood at the front of those assembled. With her arm resting on his, Marcus led Rowena up two steps of the quarterdeck so they could see the entire crew.

Bryce stepped forward at the edge of the bottom step. “You’ve expressed your desire to make settlements on the families of the men who died while trying to retrieve the treasure of Sandwood Bay. That task could take you away from not only your wife, but also the men who currently serve you aboard The Cliodna.

“The men and I gathered last night and came up with a proposal we’d like to offer you that would accomplish the task of disbursement much more quickly.”

Marcus arched a brow. “I’m listening.”

“What would you think if we broke ourselves into four teams that would head to north, south, east, and west of Scotland and the Isles, seeking these families. One team would be led by you, one by me, one by Eck, and one by Gordon. We could carry out the task in a matter of months.”