Page 2 of Highlander's Captive Bride
“But what about ye? Will ye be able to manage without me for a wee while?”
“Wheesht, lassie, of course, though I’ll miss ye. Ye ken I’ve been training wee Hannah up, so she’ll come and help me if needed. Now, dinnae ye worry about us. Ye just get back to yer home and do what ye have to do,” Margie reassured her. “Why d’ye nae go and find Clodagh and get her to pack ye a few things? I’ll make sure ye have everything ye need in yer medicine box, eh?”
“Och, thank ye, Margie,” Daisy told her gratefully, a thousand thoughts of what she needed to do before leaving rushing through her mind. “I dinnae need many clothes, for I still have most of them in me chambers back at Castle McGunn, but I’ll need something to change into in case the weather turns, and a warm cloak, too. Though the days are getting warm, these April nights can be chilly,” she said almost to herself.
Dakota nodded. “I’ll go and see William to make the arrangements for the escort for yer journey. I’ll meet ye by the door of the keep as soon as ye’re ready.”
“All right, Sister. I’ll be ready as soon as I can,” Daisy promised.
“I’ll take this lad down for a wash and something to eat. He can follow ye back in the morning,” Dakota added, beckoning to the messenger.
The young fellow offered Daisy a quick bow of farewell before obediently following Lady Rottrich back down the hallway. The pair soon disappeared around the corner, heading for the stairs.
“Right, I’m away to find Clodagh,” Daisy told Margie, intent on finding her faithful lady’s maid for assistance in preparing for the long journey home. She practically ran down the hallway towards her chambers, hoping the maid would be there.
“Aye, and dinnae forget to come and collect yer medicine box before ye leave, and say goodbye,” Margie called after her.
“I willnae!” Daisy’s voice echoed as she hastened, her heart beating fast as she struggled to marshal her thoughts.
Within the hour, Daisy, dressed for traveling, was at the door of the keep, bidding farewell to Dakota and William and her precious nephew and nieces.
“Hurry back, Auntie Daisy. I’ll miss ye while ye’re gone,” five-year-old Abigail said in a quavering voice, her arms squeezing Daisy’s neck.
“Aye, wee one, I’ll be sure to do that,” Daisy promised, kissing Abigail’s plump cheek while also making room for seven-year-old Margaret to join in the hug. She embraced her eldest niece warmly, and the pair exchanged pecks on the cheek.
“Please send me love to Uncle Dominic and tell Auntie Violet that I hope she gets better soon, Aunt Daisy,” Margaret said.
“Aye, I will, me lassie, and I’ll be back as soon as I can, I promise ye,” Daisy reassured her, setting both girls down gently.
She wished she felt as confident as she was trying to sound. She felt a great deal of anxiety about what she would find when she got back to Castle McGunn.
“Aye, and give them me love, too,” her nephew Timothy, a fine young man of thirteen, chimed in, kissing his aunt on the cheek.
Next, William, Laird of Rottrich, embraced Daisy warmly. When he stood back, he told her, “I’ve put Fergus in charge of yer escort, so ye’re in safe hands.”
“Thank ye kindly, William,” Daisy said before turning to her sister.
She and Dakota had always been close, and now they fell into each other’s arms and hugged tightly.
“Safe journey, little sister, and dinnae forget to give Dominic our letters, and write to me as soon as ye arrive. I need to know ye’re safe, and send me news of Violet as soon as ye can manage,” Dakota murmured in Daisy’s ear.
“I promise, Dakota, and thank ye for everything.”
The sisters kissed and parted.
Daisy joined the party of men already mounted and waiting for her, their horses restless and already chomping at the bit. Their leader was William’s formidable sergeant, Fergus O’Finlay, a warrior of repute. Feeling she certainly was in safe hands, she smiled at him as he stowed her bag and medicine box in the saddle bags of her favorite mare and handed her into the saddle.
As she settled herself, Fergus mounted his magnificent gray stallion.
“Make sure ye guard her well,” Willaim commanded him.
Fergus nodded. “Aye, M’laird, I will.”
Fergus raised his arm and made a gesture with his hand, and the escort moved forward, with Daisy at its center. The clamor of jingling harnesses and the clatter of hooves accompanied the party towards the towering archway of the guardhouse, where the portcullis was already up, and the vast wooden gates opened onto the beautiful vista beyond.
Through the gates, in the far distance, Daisy could see the tops of the mountains still glittering with snow despite the warm weather. The glorious landscape, part cultivated and part wild heather-covered moorland, unfurled before them like a richly colored carpet.
Her heart brimming with a mixture of emotions, Daisy looked behind her and waved to the family she was leaving behind. They waved back, calling their farewells after her. She held back her tears as she and her escort passed through the gates and set off on the two-day journey to Castle McGunn, the place where she had been born, the youngest daughter of the now-deceased Laird of the powerful Clan McGunn.
