Page 63 of The Burden of a Scottish Chieftain
He wrapped his arms around her and whispered, “What part of you doesn’t like the idea of being mine?”
“The part that makes me sound like I’m a possession instead of a person.”
Hell, but this lass was going to push his understanding of everything. She did have a point. “I understand that.”
“Mayhap you’ll be mine,” she said with a grin.
“I’m absolutely happy with that. And someday marriage, I hope.”
She smiled, a twinge in her chest making her happy, but she stepped back and stared at her feet. “I don’t think I’m ready for marriage yet.”
“We’ll talk again after we find Lia.”
She turned back to don her clothing. “After all, I just stopped hating you back at Loch Aline.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Thane
Thane discussed the situation thoroughly with Sloan before he, Artan, and Magni climbed into the boat. They had no way to get their horses across, so they would be on foot. They left the guards behind because the boat was small.
Once they landed on the beach, two fishermen greeted them. “You looking for the MacVey chieftain?”
So surprised, he paused for a moment but then quickly replied, “Aye, if you please. You’ve met him?”
“Aye, they went after Egan. We just returned from burying that bastard’s body for him. We said we’d gladly put him in the ground. MacVey and his missus headed to the small hut down the coast, around the bend that way.”
Magni, who had been hopping from one foot to the other, finally stopped when he could speak. “Did they have a yellow-haired lass with them? Her name is Lia. She would be about this high…”
Thane smiled and set his hand on the lad’s head. Magni’s questioning mannerisms reminded Thane of his dear sister Mora. Magni stopped and adjusted his question. “Have you seen a wee lass?”
“Nay. They were looking for her too.”
“Go that way.” The other man pointed, so Thane nodded to Magni.
“Come. We’ll find Lennox and see what he knows.”
No one mentioned the comment about the chief and his missus, but it surely had caught him. Anxious to meet Meg, Thane couldn’t help but wonder if Meg and Lennox had married along the way. They’d been gone for at least two days, so it was certainly possible, though he’d keep his thoughts to himself withMagni listening. A marriage would shock Tamsin more than anything else he could tell her, if he were to guess.
He hoped to propose to Tamsin soon. In fact, he’d planned on doing it the day the bairns had been stolen, but their abduction surely changed everything. He’d never been as happy as he was with Tamsin in his life. But he also loved having Magni, Lia, and Alana in his life too. The trio had brightened up their keep unlike any other.
Their clan was growing, and in the best ways. Now he had to find Lia and bring her home.
They trudged down the beach, Magni pointing out the wildlife around them—otters, eagles, dolphins, seals, puffins. The area was as beautiful as Mull.
They finally made their way around a bend full of rocks, and Magni let out a squeal. Ahead of them standing in the middle of a sandy portion of the beach was Lia, looking like an angel. The sun peeked out through the clouds, sending rays that surrounded her in such a light show that Thane was frozen.
Artan mumbled, “I’ve naught seen anything like it. What is she, Thane?”
“She’s my sister!” Magni took off toward Lia, giggling with joy as he wrapped his arms around her. Up on the coastline stood Lennox and Meg, both grinning from ear to ear. Thane waved but greeted Lia first.
“Lia, you are hale? You’ve not been harmed?”
“Surely not, Chief. I was hoping you would come along. I have someone I would like you to meet.”
Magni babbled on. “You look exactly the same. Where did you go? Why didn’t you take me with you? Why didn’t you come to Mull first, then leave?”
Lia turned to her brother, hugged him tight, then said, “Magni, I’d be pleased to answer all your questions after I show Thane what he needs to see. Will you wait for me, please?”
