He walked into the bailey and approached the messenger.

“My laird, a message from Laird Ciaran MacGregor of Glenorchy,” the man said, holding out the missive.

Alex read the penned note and smiled. Aunt Iseabail would be pleased. Dismissing the messenger, Alex tapped the letter in his hand and went in search of his aunt. The last place he looked should’ve been the first. As he approached the garden, the sight before him was most definitely not what he had expected to see.

He stopped and watched his lady wife, who was down on all fours. She dug around the bottom of a bush and then rose to her feet, pulling at the dense branches. When the bush didn’t budge, Sybella squatted low to the ground and her legs encircled the unruly shrub. She tugged several additional times, and on the last attempt, she let out a loud moan and fell flat on her arse with the bush splayed in her lap.

Alex couldn’t control the rumble of laughter that escaped him. “I am betting the bush won,” he said as he approached her. He reached out and lifted the shrub, which had her pinned to the ground. He tossed the unruly plant to the side and then extended his hand to pull her up.

Of course when the lass fell to the ground, he couldn’t help but come to her rescue. Her tresses were tousled, and she had a smudge of dirt on her nose, cheeks, and forehead. About the only spots not covered in soil were her rosy lips. When her hazel eyes stared back at him, his heart hammered in his ears. He could’ve just stood there watching her—that was until Aunt Iseabail spotted him.

“Alexander, come and look what happened to my roses.” Aunt Iseabail pointed to the empty spot in the garden.

He carefully guarded his expression as he studied the dirt. “I am sure ye will find something else to plant there, Aunt.”

“I suppose, but I cannae believe my roses were destroyed by an idiot.”

A giggle escaped his wife, and she promptly turned her head away from him when he gazed in her direction. He needed to change the subject, fast.

“A messenger arrived from Glenorchy.”

Aunt Iseabail’s eyes lit up in surprise. “Glenorchy? And how are Rosalia and her bairn?”

“I donna know. Ye can ask her when she arrives within a sennight.”

His aunt clapped her hands and then embraced him. “Nephew, that is wonderful news. We must prepare for a bairn under our roof.”

Praise the saints. He knew it was coming. It should only take a moment.

“Speaking of which…”

And there it was.

To his surprise and gratefulness, his wife interjected. “Who is Rosalia?”

“My apologies. I should have explained,” said Alex. He walked over to Sybella and sat down beside her. “Rosalia is my cousin from Glenorchy. ’Tis a rather long tale. Are ye sure ye wish to hear it?”

“Aye, please continue.”

“A long time ago, Aunt Iseabail’s son left the Highlands and wed an English woman. This woman refused to wed him unless he agreed to live in England. At the time, he thought he truly loved the lass and gave up everything—his clan and wealth—and moved to Liddesdale, which is between the English and Scottish borders.

“They had one daughter, Rosalia. Lady Caroline Armstrong, Rosalia’s mother, had a taste for treasures that were beyond her means. So much, in fact, that the clan coffers were emptied by her lavish spending. In order to replenish the coin, Rosalia’s parents arranged for her to wed an unsavory English lord. My cousin simply refused and they beat her horribly for her insolence.”

Intense astonishment touched Sybella’s pale face. “That is terrible.”

“Rosalia took matters into her own hands and fled Liddesdale. With only her mount, she was trying to reach Aunt Iseabail here in Glengarry.”

“Alone? Through the Highlands?”

“Aye. Laird Ciaran MacGregor of Glenorchy found her and offered her protection. The MacGregor was to escort Rosalia to Glengarry and he did—only to be wed. The two of them were clearly a love match, and my cousin’s bairn is almost a year old now.”

“Alexander, is that all ye’re going to tell the lass? What about your daring rescue?” asked Aunt Iseabail.

Apparently, out of all Aunt Iseabail’s ailments, her hearing was unaffected. “Sybella doesnae need to hear it.”

His wife winked at Aunt Iseabail and smiled. “Come now, Husband. I would love to hear of your daring rescue.” Her eyes twinkled with amusement.

He rolled his eyes. “It wasnae that daring.” Alex turned his head over his shoulder at the sound of approaching footsteps.

“Pardon the intrusion, my laird. There is a MacKenzie at the gates.”

Ten

Sybella followed her husband into the bailey. Her bond with Colin was strong. Perhaps her brother had sensed her initial unease and come to her rescue after all. She would be sure to tell him his concern was unwarranted. But as she approached the man standing in the bailey, her mind spun.

She walked hurriedly to the MacKenzie man’s side and reached out her hand in a comforting gesture. “Dé th’ann? Ennis?” What is it? “What has happened?”

Alex lifted his brow, puzzled, but Sybella was more troubled by what Ennis was doing there.

“Gu meal sibh ur naidheachd. A h-uile latha sona dhuibh.” Congratulations to both of you. May all your days be happy. “I didnae mean to worry ye, lass. We were unable to attend the celebration because my wife was ill and couldnae make the journey. Howbeit there was a wee lass that wouldnae let her papa rest until she could give ye a proper farewell.” Ennis turned toward the stables and whistled. “Anabel, mach a seo!”Get out here!

The young girl’s fiery red tresses bounced around the corner, and her eyes widened when she spotted Sybella. She ran and threw her tiny body into Sybella’s arms. “Sybella!”

Ennis cleared his throat. “Anabel, Lady MacDonell.”

Sybella smiled. “’Tis all right.” She dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around the wee lass, her heart filled with warmth and love. “Anabel, I cannae believe ye came all this way to see me. I am verra honored.”

Anabel looked at Alex, and he winked when he caught the little girl’s eye. She pulled out of Sybella’s embrace and then encircled her mouth with her hand to whisper in Sybella’s ear. “Cuir an aithne ’cheile sinn.” Introduce us.

Sybella stood and brushed off her skirts. “Laird Alexander MacDonell, pray allow me to introduce ye to—”

Alex bent over and gently took Anabel’s hand. “Lady Anabel.” He brushed a brief kiss on the top of her hand.

Anabel gave him a small curtsy and then her voice softened. “I am nay lady, Laird MacDonell.”

Alex spoke in a compassionate tone. “Now that simply is nae true. Any lass as bonny as ye would surely be born of noble birth. Of course ye are a lady.”

Ennis gave Alex a slight bow. “Laird MacDonell.”

“Any man of my wife’s clan is welcome at Glengarry.”

“We will nae be any trouble, and I will try to keep Anabel out from underfoot. We will take our leave on the morrow.”

“And who is this bonny creature?” asked Aunt Iseabail, strolling into the bailey.

Sybella turned, and before she had a chance to speak, Anabel curtseyed. “’Tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance, m’lady. Is mise Anabel.” My name is Anabel. The little girl lowered her voice and whispered, “Is that right, Sybella?”

“Aye, ye are doing verra well.” Sybella rubbed her hand over Anabel’s curly locks.

“’Tis my great honor to meet such a well-mannered lass,” said Aunt Iseabail, beaming with approval.

“Ennis and Lady Anabel will be our guests for the eve, Aunt.”

Aunt Iseabail clapped her hands in excitement. “That is positively delightful. I will have the maids ready your chambers. If ye follow me, I will show ye to your rooms.”

“My lady, please donna trouble yourself. Anabel and I can sleep in the stable. We donna have to sleep in the cas—”

Aunt Iseabail shook her head in disapproval. “Donna be ridiculous. Come.”

While Anabel and Ennis followed Aunt Iseabail, Sybella studied her husband. With his hands clasped behind his back, he stood tall, domineering. She wished she could become proficient at reading his mind. “Alex, I hope ye arenae angry that Ennis and Anabel would pay a visit.”

He reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder. She was shocked at the impact of his gentle grip. “Ella, it would take much, much more to fire my ire than to have a wee bonny lass under my roof for an eve. How could I be angry now that I am gifted with two such beauties? Anabel is from your village?”

Relief passed over Sybella’s face. “Aye, I would often take walks with Mary to spend time with Anabel. The poor lass has two older brothers who sometimes arenae too kind to her.”

Alex stood to his full height. “Do ye want me to have words with them? Some men say I am a verra fierce laird.”

“Aye, I can see how fierce ye are with Aunt Iseabail and it truly frightens me,” she said with a more relaxed tone.

His voice was low, alluring. “Now Ella, ye know ye cannae yet speak openly of my prowess, except perhaps in our bed.”

* * *

Alex watched Sybella’s cheeks turn crimson. Although she was now his wife, he loved to see that he could still get a reaction from her. The woman held up better than Alex had expected. Granted, their marriage did not have the best of beginnings—between Aunt Iseabail’s jaunt into the woods and someone taking aim at Sybella’s head. But at least the lass was not cowering in the corner somewhere in tears. She was strong, and he actually found that quite refreshing.