He rested his palm over her womb and stared up at her for confirmation.

She smiled and nodded. “Aye. ’Tis your bairn I carry.”

He simply couldn’t fathom it. Joy flooded his very soul, until he was dizzy with it. He tried to find the words to adequately convey his happiness, but nothing would come close to describing his elation.

He cupped her face, his fingers shaking against her cheeks. “You have to know that I’ll never want to let you go.”

Her eyes sparkled. “Aye, I know it.”

He sobered. “I want you happy, Genevieve. I’ll not force you to do anything you do not want. If you are content with your family, I would not take you away when they’ve only been reunited with you a month. I’ll not force you into anything when your choices have long been taken from you.”

Tears shone in her eyes and she put her hands to his face in a like manner. “I love you so, Bowen. Why think you I come with my father and the whole of our army? ’Tis not a short stay I plan. If you’ll have me. My mother has grand plans of visiting often, and of coming when ’tis time to give birth to our child. She says the Montgomerys will just have to come to terms with the McInnises being frequent visitors.”

“If I’ll have you?” Bowen asked hoarsely. “Lass, there is no one in this world I’d rather spend my life with. Have you? I’d suffer visits from the Devil himself if it means you’ll be by my side for the rest of my days.”

“My father wishes to speak to you on the matter,” she said in a more serious tone.

“Aye, I’m sure of it. He will want to make certain his only daughter is well cared for, and I cannot blame him. ’Tis certain I will be the same with the daughters you give me.”

Her smile lit up the hillside. “You’re so sure I’ll give you lasses.”

He covered her mouth with his own, savoring the joy of having her back in his arms. “I insist on it.”

Chapter 48

It was difficult to relinquish Genevieve into Rorie’s and Eveline’s care even for a moment, but he settled the lass with his sisters and went in search of Genevieve’s father.

He found him in the great hall enjoying a tankard of ale with Graeme.

Lachlan glanced up when Bowen entered the room, his face twitching with amusement.

“ ’Tis about time you pulled yourself away from my daughter.”

Bowen inclined his head respectfully. “Genevieve says you have much to discuss with me.”

“Aye, I do at that.”

He gestured toward the seat in front of him. Graeme occupied the head of the table.

“Sit, lad. There needs be a serious discussion between us.”

Bowen took a seat, prepared for the fight of his life. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to prove himself worthy of Genevieve. And he’d move heaven and earth to have her as his wife.

“My daughter is carrying your bairn,” Lachlan said bluntly.

Graeme nearly choked on his ale, coughing violently as he stared agape at Bowen.

Bowen nodded. “Genevieve told me.”

“And? What say you to that?”

“ ’Tis most welcome news. I couldn’t be more happy that she carries my child.”

Laird McInnis stared shrewdly at Bowen. “She says you love her.”

“With all my heart.”

The laird looked satisfied with Bowen’s response, his posture relaxing as he continued to stare at Bowen.

“And I take it that you’re open to marrying the lass?”

“If ’tis what she wants, I’d marry her within the hour. However, I’ll not force her to do anything she doesn’t choose. She’s been denied choices for too long.”

Laird McInnis’s eyes glinted with respect. “I like you, lad. I think you’d be a fine husband for my daughter, and don’t think I’d accept just any man for her. She is my only child, and beloved by all her clan.”

“I would love her and care for her all my days,” Bowen said quietly. “There is no other man who will ever love her more.”

“I believe you,” the laird said in a sincere voice. “And ’tis obvious the lass loves you as well. Now, there are other matters—important matters—we must speak on before we settle things between us.”

Bowen nodded. “I am listening.”

“Genevieve is my only child, and my heir. When the lairdship falls to her, she will need a strong husband to stand beside her. Can you be content with that?”

Bowen sat straighter in his seat, his gaze narrowing. “If you’re asking if I would seek to undermine her position or put her behind me so that I may assume leadership of your clan, the answer is no. All I want is Genevieve. She is enough. She’ll always be enough.”

The laird nodded again. “There’s more I’m asking you, lad. Would you be willing to spend spring and summer within our clan instructing the men and training with them, so that when Genevieve does inherit the leadership role you will be an able taskmaster to assist her in her duties?”

Bowen let out his breath. It wasn’t something he’d ever considered. Aye, he’d gone to the McHugh clan on behalf of his brother and he’d assumed leadership there, albeit for a short time. But it had never been on the assumption of anything more permanent.

What Laird McInnis proposed was no small thing, and it would mean leaving his own clan. His brother, to whom he owed his loyalty.

But to have Genevieve? To have her as his wife. To live and love and raise their children. Aye, he’d do anything.

He glanced at Graeme to gauge his reaction, but there was no disapproval on his face.

“If you are asking me my thoughts, I would say ’tis your choice. I’ll support you in whatever you choose,” Graeme said. “You’ll be sorely missed, but ’tis also a great opportunity for you, and you’ll have your heart’s desire. If the positions were reversed and this was the way I could have Eveline, I would not even hesitate a moment.”

“She would remain here until after the birth of the child. Through the winter,” Laird McInnis continued. “But come spring, when she and the babe are able to make the journey, I would like for you both to come … home.”

“Have you spoken on this with Genevieve?” Bowen asked. “Is she in agreement?”

Laird McInnis chuckled. “You truly do have my daughter’s best interest and happiness at heart. A man can ask for no better when choosing a husband for his only child. Aye, I’ve spoken with Genevieve on the matter. She is of much the same mind as you. She is happy and content as long as you are together.”

Bowen’s shoulders sagged in relief. It was almost too much to contemplate. When he’d said his farewell to Genevieve, he’d truly believed he would never see her again. That she was here, and he was being given an opportunity to marry her and that they were having a child together, was too much for him to take in. He was overcome and could not gather his thoughts enough to respond.

“It would appear we have a wedding to plan,” Laird McInnis announced. “I would send word to my wife, who was not happy that I did not allow her to accompany us on our journey. She woke up ailing on the morning of our departure, and I feared the ride would prove too arduous for her. But she’ll not miss her daughter’s wedding, or I’ll not be allowed back in my own keep. If ’tis agreeable to you, I’ll remain until she’s able to make the journey, and then you and Genevieve will be wed before both our clans. I’ll not have some hasty affair, as though I’m shamed by the fact my daughter is with child. It will be a celebration unrivaled by any. I would give her a wedding worthy of a lass who has no equal in my eyes.”

Graeme nodded. “I agree. Eveline will be delighted to plan such a grand event. It will truly be a joyous occasion. My brother has moped as a man half alive in this time that Genevieve has been away. I would see him happy and celebrate his good fortune.”

Laird McInnis chuckled. “Between the lass ailing with the babe and her missing Bowen, it’s been a dirge within my own keep.”

“Sick?” Bowen asked sharply. “Genevieve has been ill?”

Laird McInnis waved his hand in a dismissive manner. “ ’Tis nothing more than the usual with a woman in her condition. I remember when my own wife was carrying Genevieve, we had to keep a chamber pot in every room. We never knew when the lass would take ill. Worry not. Genevieve is hale and hearty, and now that she is returned to you she’ll improve all the more.”

Bowen took in a breath and leveled a stare at the man who would be his father by marriage.

“I know this is not easy for you, to let go of Genevieve so soon after being reunited with her. I can promise you that I will do everything in my power to make her happy and ensure she never wants for anything I can give her.”

The laird smiled a little sadly. “Do you remember why you let her go?”

Bowen frowned. “I wanted what was best for her. I wanted her to be happy.”

The laird nodded. “ ’Tis the same thing her mother and I want for her. She assures me she will be happy with you, so I am content to let her go. This time I know she’ll be in a situation where she is provided for and not abused. I can be at ease regarding her welfare. ’Tis the not knowing that is agony.”

“There will never be another woman more cherished,” Bowen vowed.

The laird looked satisfied with Bowen’s response. Then he picked up his goblet and toasted the air.

“I’ve kept you from my Genevieve long enough. I know you’re itching to go back to her. There will be plenty of time to talk on matters in the coming days. I must send word to my wife, and we have a wedding to plan.”

Chapter 49

Genevieve tried to concentrate on the excited chatter between Eveline and Rorie, but she kept glancing off to see when Bowen would reappear. After not seeing him for so long, she wanted only to sink into his arms and remain there for the next fortnight.

Eveline and Rorie had dragged her out to the makeshift target so they could show her how much they’d improved their archery skills. Genevieve was appropriately impressed, and she was warmed by their excitement at her return.

Things were so utterly perfect that she feared waking to find that she was back at McHugh Keep, under Ian’s lock and key, and all of this was just a fanciful dream.

“Look, Genevieve, Bowen approaches,” Rorie said as she looked over Genevieve’s shoulder.

Genevieve whirled around and, without a word, took off at a brisk pace. Forgoing any sense of propriety, she broke into a run and flung herself into Bowen’s arms as she’d done when they first greeted each other upon her arrival.

He caught her to him and kissed her soundly, until she was starved for air. Then he set her down and gave her a chiding look.

“You have to stop throwing yourself around thusly, lass. You have a bairn to consider now.”

She smiled, wanting to squeeze him in her delight.

“Did you speak to my father?” she asked.

“I did.”

She waited, and when he didn’t offer anything further, she smacked him on the arm. “Well, tell me! I’m dying here. You cannot keep me in suspense any longer.”

Brodie chuckled and pulled her into his arms, kissing her nose, her eyes, her forehead, and each cheek before finally claiming her lips once more.

“I love you, lass. I fear I’ll never grow tired of saying so.”

Her heart softened and she kissed him back, savoring the hard line of his lips.

“I’ll never grow tired of hearing you say it. Now, tell me all. What did my father say?”

He turned, taking her hand in his as they walked away from where Rorie and Eveline practiced their aim.

“He told me of his desire for us to reside at McInnis Keep for half the year.”

She glanced anxiously up at him. “Do you mind?”

He stopped and turned to face her, gathering her hands in his. “Genevieve, I would agree to six months in hell if it meant being with you.”

Her cheeks warmed and she smiled, joy spreading like wildfire through her soul.

“Well, I hope you don’t think six months at McInnis Keep is akin to hell,” she teased.

“If I’m with you, anywhere is heaven.”

“Oh, Bowen. You cannot keep saying such things. You’ll keep me in tears, and I’m already an emotional mess with the babe. My mother tells me ’tis normal, but some days I feel as if I’m unraveling!”

He chuckled and kissed her on the nose again.

“The wedding will be here as soon as your mother is fit to travel the distance. We’ll spend the winter at Montgomery Keep, and after you’ve delivered the babe, in the spring, when you’re able to travel, we’ll make the journey to McInnis Keep.”

She bit her lip and stared hesitantly up at him. “Do you mind that my father intends me to be laird of our clan, and that he intends you to aid me in the role of leadership?”