Highlander Most Wanted (41 page)

“Ah lass, I missed you so,” he breathed.

“I missed you as well, Bowen. So very much.”

He pulled her back so he could look upon her face. As she slid down his body and planted her feet back on the ground, he cupped her face and stroked her skin. He couldn’t get enough of her.

“If this is a dream, I never want to wake up,” he said hoarsely.

She smiled. “ ’Tis no dream. I am here.”

Unable to contain himself any longer, and uncaring that her father and hundreds of McInnis warriors now surrounded them, he fused his lips to hers.

He near devoured her mouth, so hungry for her that he ached. Her taste, her scent—just the feel of her, soft and willing in his arms. It was more than he could take in.

“Well, I suppose that answers one question,” Lachlan McInnis said dryly.

Bowen reluctantly tore himself away from Genevieve and looked up to see Laird McInnis looming over them, still astride his horse.

Genevieve’s cheeks were pink, but her eyes shone with happiness. Bowen didn’t even dare consider the reason she was here.

“I must speak with you, Bowen,” Genevieve whispered as she threaded her hand through his. “In private.”

He squeezed her hand and then focused his attention temporarily on her father.

“I bid you welcome to Montgomery Keep,” he said formally. “If you ride within the courtyard, your horses will be cared for and you’ll be offered refreshment in the great hall.”

Amusement crinkled the older man’s eyes, and he shook his head. Then he looked at his daughter.

“Now, don’t be long, lass. I have much to discuss with the lad.”

“I won’t, Papa,” she said, ducking her head shyly.

Bowen waited until the procession of McInnis warriors had filed past toward the keep, and then he turned back to Genevieve, crushing her in his embrace just so he would know she was real, standing here in front of him.

He swept her into his arms and carried her back toward the keep.

“You do not have to carry me, Bowen,” she teased.

“Lass, ’tis not likely I’ll let you go anytime soon, so there’s no sense arguing.”

She smiled and relaxed into his hold, laying her head on his shoulder.

He bore her around the side of the keep and toward the river, where they’d once bid their farewells. When he was a distance from the keep, he lowered himself to the ground, still holding her tightly against him.

“I cannot believe you are here,” he said in wonder. “
Why
are you here?”

’Twas a question he dreaded asking, for he wasn’t certain he wanted to know the answer. But he hoped. God in heaven he hoped, with all his heart, that he knew her answer.

She regarded him solemnly, her gaze earnest. “I have something to tell you, Bowen. ’Tis of great import.”

“Speak, lass. Whatever it is, it will make no difference in my feelings for you.”

Her eyes sparkled with sudden light. “I certainly hope ’tis not true!”

He cocked his head to the side, curious as to her mood. She seemed so … different. Joyous and yet shy. There was a glow about her that radiated to everyone
around her. She looked happy. And was that not what he wanted for her above all else?

She touched his face, and he couldn’t help himself. He slid his hand over hers, trapping it against his jaw so her hand would linger there.

“I’m carrying your babe,” she said softly.

At first he didn’t think he’d heard her right. Then he worried that ’twas not welcome news. He studied her intently, but all he saw was deep contentment and a peace in her eyes he hadn’t seen in all the time he’d known her.

“A babe?” he whispered.

His hands automatically went to her waist, but he could discern no evidence of a pregnancy. Her waist was still flat and narrow.

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.”

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.”