Even Heather, Ian’s unmated cousin, was in attendance. She wore a Scottish version of a pirate’s costume in plaid.

“Looks like we should be armed as well, or the lasses are sure to steal anything that is not bolted down,” Grant said, wanting to enjoy the goings-on and not waste another minute thinking about Archibald and his attempt to upset Colleen.

She looked like she had forgotten the conversation completely and was enjoying being with the other women already.

Colleen offered him a glorious smile, and he smiled at her in return. The ladies all chuckled, then Julia took Colleen’s hand and Shelley grasped her other, and they hurried her back into the keep.

“I don’t have a costume,” she said.

“We’ll fix you right up,” Heather said.

In a normal situation, Grant would not have cared anything about what the women were up to and would have been pleased to visit with Ian and his brothers. But he was dying to know what the lasses had in mind. As much fun as they looked like they could have, he wanted to join them. He would be the sword-wielding Highland pirate, and the wenches would be his to command. Especially Colleen, as he suspected she would fight him every step of the way, and he loved a challenge.

Ian slapped his back. “Come. We will see them later.”

“Colleen said they would be busy all day and through the night and tomorrow as well,” Grant said.

“Aye, but you wouldn’t let that stop you from raiding their party sometime later when they’re least expecting it, would you?” Ian asked.

“I like the way you think, Ian,” Grant said and joined the brothers in the great hall. He half expected the women to be in there. “Where are they?” he asked when he saw that it was empty.

Cearnach motioned toward the kitchen. “In the garden room outside. They’ve closed all the blinds and it’s their pirates’ hideaway.”

“They’ve never done this before?” Grant asked, wondering what he was in for if Colleen decided to do this with the women at his castle.

“Nay. First time. Apparently Colleen and Julia did this regularly with their girlfriends back home. Do you remember Calla? The wedding and party planner?”

“Aye. She saved Cearnach from drowning when he was a lad. And he saved her from a bad marriage.”

“Well, she’s planned most of the activities. So no telling what they’ll be up to,” Ian said. “Let’s retire to the living room and have something to drink and plan our own adventures.”

Grant noted the evil look of pleasure on his friend’s countenance. His brothers shared the same expression. Guthrie, Ian’s brother, quickly joined them in the direction of the study. “I overheard the lasses say they were going on a boxer raid.”

“As opposed to a panty raid?” Cearnach asked. “What do they propose to do with our shorts?”

“They won’t bother with mine,” Guthrie said, sounding relieved.

“Not mine, either. Too far for them to go to fetch a pair,” Grant said, just as thankful.

“That leaves us,” Ian said to Cearnach and Duncan. “But, Guthrie, I wouldn’t be so sure about your clothes.”

The men all laughed and tried to come up with ideas for catching the women when they attempted to steal from them.

“You didn’t install a spy among the women?” Grant asked. “That would have been my plan.”

“They have been making preparations for this since the day the lass arrived,” Ian said. “Remember how I told you my mother wanted my brothers’ help and wouldn’t let them come with me to spar with you? I believe they had intended to have it a little later, but when Colleen stated she wanted to see Julia today, they moved the date up.”

“Aye.”

“She had them helping with this project. They’ve been decorating for days,” Ian said.

Guthrie folded his arms. “Calla knows how to spend more money than any other woman I know.”

“She’s a party planner. That’s her job,” Ian said. “Now, to this other matter, Grant, how are you and the lass getting on? I take it she’s nothing like her father, and you might manage living with her for a year.”

“I believe I might have been a wee bit hasty,” Grant had to admit.

They heard loud music beating outside.

They all looked in the direction of the gardens and laughed. Grant knew Ian and his family had every intention of crashing the ladies’ pirate party with tricks of their own. He was glad he’d caught up to her on the road and come along for the ride.

Chapter 17

Colleen had needed this—to reconnect with Julia after all this time and to make new friends here with Julia’s new relatives. She couldn’t believe that Julia had actually married, as had Shelley and Elaine, when their wolf kind normally just mated and it was a done deal for life.

Ian had a title, Julia had explained. To pass down to their offspring.

Colleen wore a white peasant’s blouse, a beautifully embroidered red corset, and a navy blue full-length skirt as the music blared and a fire pit glowed with red-orange flames. They danced on the stone floor that had been cleared of the sofas and dining table, having the time of their lives.

Though Colleen had wanted to speak with her friend privately, she figured she’d find the time since she was going to be here all night.

“Did you see the looks on their faces?” Calla asked, taking Colleen’s hand and swinging her around on the floor.