Page 76 of Once upon a Summer Night

“I’ll meet you up there,” Brianagh said firmly, regaining her composure as Laird MacWilliam called to her from the doorway. She signaled to a guardsman, who moved to follow the three women back upstairs.

Gwen swallowed hard, then wordlessly followed Claire back up the stairs.

Brianagh offered a quick, sad smile to Ellie. “I’ll be along momentarily.” She turned and hurried back towards her husband, who was still directing the men unloading the cart.

Ellie watched Gwen go, but she heard other shouts from the courtyard, so she hung back against the wall to see who else would walk through the door.

Colin didn’t botherto wait for the stable master; instead, he tossed his reins to the nearest stable boy and charged up the castle steps after Reilly, James on his heels. Brianagh andNick were just crossing from the great hall and paused as the men came charging in.

“I had a feeling I’d see you here,” Brianagh exclaimed, stepping towards Reilly for a hug.

He hugged her and asked quickly, “Where’s Claire?”

Bri pulled back and patted his arm. “Safe and sound. I just saw her not a moment ago, taking two very lovely young women to my solar.”

Reilly frowned. “Are you certain? I’m here because Claire’s in trouble.”

Nioclas exchanged a glance with his wife. “Quite certain. What is the purpose of your visit, if not to collect Lady Eleanor and Lady Gwendolyn? The line is safe.”

Colin let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. The women were here, and they were safe. His heart lightened, and James slapped him once, quickly, on the back.

Reilly, however, looked troubled. “I had news that Claire was taken by another clan.”

Bri shook her head quickly, her face darkening momentarily. “We’ve put twice as many guards on her since the battle broke out.”

“What battle?” Colin asked.

“The O’Connells and O’Rourkes,” Nick replied grimly. “Bloody business.”

“Let’s talk more in my solar,” Bri suggested. “But first—can I just say how happy I am to see all of you? James, it’s been years!”

James grinned and swept her into an encompassing hug. “You look gorgeous, as always.”

“Oh, stop. I still don’t understand how so many years pass here, yet when you boys do show up, you’re still in your thirties. It’s simply not fair.”

Colin kissed both her cheeks, his eyes searching hers for any sign of unhappiness. He had no problems takingMacWilliam to the lists for any trace of sadness in his cousin’s eyes, but luckily for Nick, he saw only joy.

“Come through the side, lads. The men are unloading my wife’s things, and we’ll crowd them overmuch,” Nioclas directed, leading them away from the center courtyard. They rounded the corner and stepped up to a smaller door, Brianagh and Reilly bickering over what he’d brought Claire back from the future.

They were almost in the great hall when Colin froze.

“Oof! Colin, keep moving, you big…” James trailed off. “Hey, bro, you okay?”

Colin didn’t reply. Across the great hall, standing on the stairs in a medieval gown, her deep chestnut hair gracefully flowing about her shoulders and back, was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on.

For the first time in his life, Colin was rendered truly, completely speechless. The relief that coursed through him was so overwhelming, his knees weakened.

“Oh,” James murmured. “I see.”

Brianagh glanced first at Colin, then at Ellie, and her eyes went wide. “Oh my God…Colin? She’s the one?”

Quickly, he shook his head, but his eyes remained on Ellie, who steadily returned his gaze.

“Breathe,” Reilly said curtly, smacking him on the back of his head and shaking him from his stare. “She’s just a lass. Or so you keep telling us.”

“Right,” Colin agreed weakly, rubbing his cranium. “Right.”

“Play it cool,” James advised sagely. “She’s looking at you.”

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