Page 83 of The Highlander's Pirate Bride

Raven squeezed her hand. “Ye’d make a fine sister fer me, Aileen. I cannae wait fer ye tae meet the rest of Arne’s family.Ourfamily.”

Arne walked over and took her hand. “I trust we will see each other before long,” he said to Aileen, placing an arm around his wife. The loving couple stepped along the gangway to board Laird Haldor’s lofty birlinn.

Arne’s brother Haldor, who had been deep in conversation with Maxwell, looked up in response to his brother’s signal from the ship. He and Maxwell shook hands and Haldor stepped lightly aboard his finest vessel.

This birlinn was the last of the MacLeod fleet that had arrived from the Isle of Skye only hours after Maxwell, Everard, Arne and Aileen had returned from their successful mission to Canna along with Barclay MacAlpin.

Once he’d learned of the Laird Andrew Sutherland’s fate, Haldor had sailed to Canna accompanied by Everard and Maxwell, only to learn that Sutherland’s entire fleet had already sailed and the soldiers’ encampment had been abandoned.

There would be no war with the Sutherlands.

Now, in the company of Arne and Raven, Haldor was taking his ship back to the Isle of Skye.

The ropes were untied and, as the ship turned and headed for the open sea, the crew took to their oars. All those on the jetty waved as the birlinn made its majestic way to the open sea, until they could no longer make out the figures standing in the stern

Maxwell slung his arm across Aileen’s shoulders as they strolled back along the slipway toward the castle. “I wish tae talk alone wi’ ye lass.”

“Hold it.” It was Everard. “I wish tae meet wi’ ye in me study.” He turned to Finn and Seamus who were also heading toward the castle gate. “I’ve something I wish tae say tae ye all together.”

They trooped through the gate and across the courtyard.

“What does the laird wish wi’ us?” Finn held her hands in front of her, nervously twisting her fingers together. “I’m afeared he may have us put tae jail.”

Aileen smiled. “Nae ye two. There’s naught tae fear from him. He’s a good man. But there are matters we all need to discuss.”

Once they were seated around Everard’s big table and tankards of ale had been poured, Finn and Seamus seemed more at ease, although it was clear to Aileen they were both wary of the discussion to come.

Everard spoke first.

“I’ve discussed this matter many times with milady Aileen MacAlpin, and her father Barclay MacAlpin.” He turned to Finn and Seamus. “I ken well that ye’ve all been carrying on the sweet trade of piracy over the years. I also ken that many years ago yer ships caused a great deal of trouble for the seafarers and fishermen in MacNeil waters.”

He turned to Aileen. “I believe yer faither and mine had reached an understanding that their ships would never harry each other.”

“Aye. Me faither had hinted at such a thing. He kent yer faither well.”

“And now that very same old pirate is sheltering under me roof.” Everard gave a brief laugh glancing at Finn and Séamus.

“Yer birlinn is moored at me slipway, and yer sailors are enjoying the hospitality of our villagers, so I believe it is time we turned our thoughts tae what ye intend tae dae next.”

Aileen glanced from Finn to Seamus. “Ye are me dear friends and have been loyal tae me fer many years. It is me wish, now, that ye should stay wi’ the birlinn we’ve sailed together so many times.”

Finn nodded, bouncing her long braid, and Séamus, arms folded, nodded, a half-smile on his lips.

“If ye wish it, I shall sign the papers tae make the birlinn yers.”

Smiles lit their faces.

“Daes this mean ye are nae intending tae sail wi’ us again, Captain?” asked Finn.

“Aye. That is what it means. I have much tae dae. I dinnae wish tae leave me faither and there is family I want tae meet again on the Isle of Canna. Me days of piracy are at an end.”

Everard broke in. “And that is exactly what I wish tae discuss.”

They all looked up, two faces growing anxious while Maxwell and Aileen shared knowing looks.

The door opened and Barclay MacAlpin hobbled in with his walking-stick and a smile on his face. He was much improved after his first few days of a warm bed and a full belly at Kiessimul.

Everard grinned at the old man. “Tis fer ye tae continue the story.”

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