Page 76 of An Enchanted Spring

Aidan whistled low. “How the mighty have fallen, Nick.”

Nioclas didn’t even glance up. “I’ve a feeling you’re headed down the same path, brother.”

“I like your Emma, Aidan.” Brianagh glanced at him thoughtfully. “She’s got some fire in her. She’s been through a lot in her life.”

Reilly nodded. “She’s a sweet soul. I wasn’t pleased when I had to leave her alone with him” —he jerked a finger in Aidan’s direction— “for a few weeks, but she managed to survive well enough. She’ll do well while we’re here. Did you see how she barely bat an eye when she realized she was here and not in the future?”

“I admit to being surprised how well she handled it,” Aidan noted. “I truly thought she’d have more questions for me.”

Brianagh pressed her lips together for a moment. “I don’t think you’re out of the woods quite yet, Aidan.”

“I don’t think I’ve heard you use that phrase before,” Nioclas interrupted.

“It means she has questions. A lot of them, which only Aidan will be able to answer well enough for her satisfaction.” She paused and glanced at Reilly. “Though you’re right, she’s definitely handling this a lot better than I did. She had her temporary freak out, but I think she’ll be fine going forward.”

“Freak out?” Nioclas echoed.

Bri patted his cheek. “It means a temporary lapse in composure.”

“Is she well? Does she need me?” Aidan asked quickly, rising.

Nioclas threw him a speculative glance. “You’re quick to her rescue, brother.”

“Don’t be daft,” Aidan scoffed. “I merely worry for her. I did bring this upon her, you know.”

Reilly folded his arms. “Nay, you did not. She’s the one with the crazed man after her. You had naught to do with that.”

“She’s under my protection,” Aidan shot back.

“Your protection? As in…her laird?” Nioclas asked, raising his eyebrow.

“Aye,” Reilly informed him. “Gave her shelter, clothing, food, safety. A laird’s protection.”

Nioclas whistled low. “So it’s like that, aye?”

Aidan leveled a look at his brother. “Aye. It’s like that.”

Brianagh sighed happily. “Oh, this is so unexpected. I’m so happy.”

Nick’s eyes drifted to his wife’s, and he smiled slowly at her. “If you’ll excuse us, we’ve much to do in preparation for this week. I’ll send for you this afternoon.”

Brianagh’s shy smile and Nioclas’s increasingly heated expression made both Reilly and Aidan stand quickly.

“I’m to the lists for some light exercise.” Reilly said.

Aidan nodded. “Aye. Lists. Solid plan.”

They heard the bolt slide home a scant second after they closed the solar door, and Aidan let out a laugh. Reilly rolled his eyes in disgust.

Chapter 14

“So what you’re saying is that most clans don’t allow for an heir succession?” Emma asked.

She and Brianagh strolled the grounds, a bevy of guards behind them, as Bri explained some of what made the MacWilliams different from many other clans in Ireland. The day was almost warm, and people from all over the island were arriving for the upcoming tournament, which, Brianagh divulged, would have a grand dinner and dance to start the two-day matchmaking festivities.

Emma vowed to enjoy every moment of it. She didn’t know what life had in store for her when she returned to her time, whenever that was, but she took Brianagh’s words from yesterday to heart. She was going to enjoy the simpler things, and be grateful for them.

“Not all clans allow for the heir succession, no,” Brianagh replied. She sidestepped a mud puddle and steered Emma toward one of the inner bailey walls, where it opened into another area. “This is where the tournament magic will happen.”

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