Page 85 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

“I’m glad to have ye visit. Or is there something that needs sent off on a ship?” Bryce eyed their horses.

“Nay,” Cam said. “I’ve come to see what a piss poor job you’re doing here. I hear you’ve locked up children in your dungeon. Liam has come to free a wee lass from your evil clutches.”

“Is that so?” Bryce said, ignoring his cousin’s other comments. “Dorie mentioned your daughter had taken a liking to one of the little ones during your last visit. I’m happy to see her find such a wonderful home with ye, Liam.”

Bryce smiled a lot more now than he ever had when he’d lived at Dunardry. Liam suspected it had more to do with his wife than the location. Though being a laird and having his own clan seemed to set well with him.

“I’m happy to say we’ve found homes for a few more since you left. We may be able to turn it back into a dungeon soon. Not that we’ve been in much need of one. I’m happy to say the people who stayed on with us haven’t caused much trouble. They’ve accepted me as laird quite easily.”

“It wouldn’t take much effort on your part to be a far better laird than the McCurdy,” Liam said. “There was more than one McCurdy sword pointed back on their own warriors that day in the hope of freedom from their rule.”

Cam laughed. “Aye, but the threat of being put on a ship with no return passage most likely helps with their loyalties as well.”

“Ye make it sound like we throw them overboard.” Bryce rolled his eyes at Cam’s accusation.

Dorie was waiting to greet them when they rode into the bailey. She had their son Dorien on her hip and a smile on her face. “It’s great to see you again so soon.”

Bryce kissed her and took the boy from her. “You were right when ye thought they might want to take Rose. That’s why Liam has returned.”

“It’s always a joy to hear when I’m right, but even more so when it’s wonderful news.” She looked at Cam. “And what about you?”

“Nay. I’m here to visit.”

They were given a meal and stayed late into the evening with their drinks, talking about past battles like old times.

The next morning, they followed Dorie down into the children’s ward. As Bryce had said, there were fewer children than before. Rose was still there and came running to Liam with her arms up as she had the first time. He happily swept her up and kissed her pudgy cheeks.

He was filled with joy to hear her laugh. His happiness was shadowed slightly when he noticed the four remaining children. Twin boys, probably five years, who had been playing with Rose. And two older boys maybe ten or eleven.

“The two older boys will be happy to join the grooms in the stables. The twins will be harder,” Dorie fretted. “I do hope they can stay together.”

Cameron crouched down to talk with them as Liam played with the newest member of his family. As happy as she was, he was surprised when he started to carry her out and her bottom lip pushed out and she reached behind him.

“Did we forget something?” he asked. When she wailed and squirmed, he put her down. On uneasy legs she tottered over to the twins.

“Where is it?” the boy said with a laugh. He brushed some straw aside. “Here it is. Hold onto it tight,” he encouraged as he held up the little wooden bunny Liam had carved. The one Gwennie had given Rose when they’d visited.

Thinking she was settled now, he picked her up again, only to have the same thing happen, despite her grip on the rabbit.

She ran back to the smaller boys and crawled on the one boy’s lap. It was clear his new daughter was attached to the twins. He rubbed his forehead. “I canna go home with three when my wife sent me for the one,” he whispered to Dorie. She laughed and nodded.

“Boys, Rose has a new home. She needs to leave. Can you walk her out with us?”

The boys were quick to comply, and each held her hand so she could manage the steps herself. “Your new da will be able to make you more bunnies, Rose.”

Liam appreciated their help, but it wasn’t enough for Rose to go quietly when he settled her on his lap once he’d mounted.

“You’re all right, Rose. We will probably be leaving soon, too,” one of the boys reassured her.

Liam could see the boy didn’t believe what he said, and it hurt Liam’s heart to have to leave them.

Just then Bryce laughed loudly and nodded. “Aye. I think we can manage that. Are you sure?”

Cameron let out a breath and nodded. “I may end up having to move here with ye if she doesn’t like it, but I have to. I canna leave them here. Not when I have room in my house as well as my heart. What kind of man would I be?”

Bryce spoke to one of the older boys who ran off toward the stables. A few minutes later he returned with a small horse.

“Up you go, lad. I’m taking ye home with me,” Cam said to the first boy. He eyed the one horse and then gripped his brother’s hand and shook his head. “You’ll both share the horse. Which of ye wants to be in the front?”