After dressing, Will headed into the connecting room to start getting Fiona and Ewan ready. “Good morning,” he called, wrapping them both in a hug. “Who wants to take an adventure today?”
Ewan babbled in response but Fiona pulled away, her eyes narrowing. “What sort of adventure?” she asked. “Where are we going? Are you leaving us there?” She tightened her little hand on his arm.
He pulled her closer again. “We’re going to see a couple, but I am not leaving you there. Then, we’re going to see my brother and his wife.” He kissed Fiona’s forehead. “Now let’s get dressed. We’re going to wear our sturdiest clothes for the journey.”
Fiona gave a small nod, but she didn’t smile and her gaze was still narrowed, as though she were giving everything a great deal of thought.
They left within the hour, the sun still low in the sky. As he snapped the reins for the two horses that pulled their wagon, he looked back. Gemma held a child on either side.
He loved them. He knew that. He loved all three of them. No wonder he was so worried. He didn’t want to lose any of them, especially not Gemma.
Gemma began to sing and Fiona joined her, their voices filling the morning quiet.
It took them close to two hours to arrive at the croft where the couple lived. As he pulled into the yard, a woman appeared in the doorway. She was older than him or Gemma or perhaps just tired. There were lines on her face, and grey streaking her hair.
He looked back to see Fiona barely peeking over the side of the wagon as though she wanted to see but was trying to hide.
He stepped down. “Mrs. Dunleary?”
“Yes,” she answered. “Are you Laird Sinclair?”
“I am.” He nodded, then walked toward her. A man came out of the door and walked onto the porch. “Mr. Dunleary?”
The other man nodded. “Pleased tae meet ye.”
Will turned back to the wagon. “My nanny, Mrs McLaren, and down in the wagon is Ewan and Fiona.”
“You brought them?” Mrs. Dunleary put her hand over her chest. “Have ye changed yer mind then? Are ye considering allowing us to adopt them?”
He gave the woman a sympathetic smile. “Let’s go inside and talk.” He heard a whimper behind him and turned to see Fiona’s big eyes staring at him. He walked back over to the wagon. “What’s wrong, lass?”
She sunk down a little further as Gemma stroked her back. “Are you giving us to them?”
“How could I give away such perfect children?” He brushed his thumb along her cheek. “Don’t worry, Fiona. I’m going to tell them about the orphanage and see if they can travel there to find other children who need a better home.”
She perked up then, her head coming above the side of the wagon. “That’s a fine idea.” Then she cocked her head sideways. “You’re not going to send us away?”
His heart ached for her. “I ken that I told ye the first day that you could stay until I found ye a home but it turns out, yer home is with me.” He leaned down. “I’m trying to convince Gemma to stay with us too. But if ye could help me with that, I’d appreciate it.”
Gemma coughed next to him. “That’s the first I’m hearing about this plan.”
He gave Fiona a wink. “That’s because I thought you’d do a better job at coercing her to stay. Look how quickly you won me over.”
Fiona popped up, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you,” she murmured. Then she flung her arms about his neck.
* * *
If Gemma had been uncertain before, she knew now. She loved this man. He was strong, hardworking, ethical, and kind. Above all, he knew how to give with his whole heart.
As Fiona unwound her hands from around his neck, Gemma longed to do what the little girl had just done: fling herself into his embrace and beg him to keep her forever and ever. Instead, she touched the back of his hand. “I’ll take the children for a walk while ye talk with the Dunlearys.”
He flipped his hand over and gave hers a squeeze. “Thank ye.”
Then he headed back over to the porch where the three of them disappeared into the small farmhouse.
“Did you hear that, Ewan.” Fiona reached for her brother’s hand. “We’ve been so good that Will is going to keep us. Maybe this time, we won’t have to leave.”
Gemma swallowed down the lump in her throat. Fiona was the best little girl, but Gemma had a feeling that Will would have kept the two children no matter what. “This time?” she asked, climbing down out of the back of the wagon.
“We’ve had to leave every home we’ve ever lived in.” Fiona took her hand and hopped down too. “First, when my papa died, we went to live with my mum’s sister. Then when mum got sick, we were sent to the orphanage. Then the orphanage sent us here.” Fiona walked slowly as Ewan toddled along with them. “Well not here. I don’t want to live here.” The little girl tugged on her hand. “Are you going to stay with us, Gemma? We could be like a real family.”
Gemma blinked, her breath catching in her chest. It would be so easy to just say yes. More than anything she wanted to stay with Will. That thought made her pause. More than anything? More than she wanted recompense from Sean?
Even if she did want it more, would it be fair to Will? She was broken. And not just her heart. In the eighteen months that she’d been married to Sean she’d not once missed her monthlies. She could blame Sean except that Mary had become pregnant twice. How could they be a family if she couldn’t provide Will with any children? “I already told Will that I’d stay for as long as he needed me.”
“You won’t stay forever?” Fiona squeezed her hand harder.
She stopped and knelt down beside the girl. “Fiona, try to understand. I already have a life in the south.” Her assertion was a complete lie. She had nothing and no one waiting for her in the south. “I’ve already been married and I need to care for my mum if she’ll let me.”
“You have a husband?” Fiona scrunched her brow.
Gemma brushed a piece of hair back from Fiona’s face. “He died like your mom and dad. But my mother lives far away,” she said. “I need to see her before it’s too late.”
Fiona nodded. “We could go together. Just like we’re going to go to see Will’s family.”
Gemma let out a small sigh. She wished it were that simple. “We’ll talk about it when he get home. For now, let’s enjoy our adventure.”
“Fine,” Fiona replied. “I just have one more question.” She slipped her hands out from Gemma’s grasp. “Is your life there really better than this? Because I can’t believe it is.”
Gemma held in a small laugh. Fiona was right. This was the best sort of life. She swallowed down a lump. If only it could be hers.
Chapter Twelve
Will stepped into the Dunleary’s tiny kitchen. Despite its size it was neat and clean, with dishes carefully stacked on open shelves. To one side, sat a shelf with four toys. A wooden doll, a toy cart, a ball and stick connected with a string, and a box with a sliding lid.
“What pretty toys.” Will pointed to them.
Mrs. Dunleary reached up a hand and ran it along the shelf. “They belonged to our children.”
Will’s jaw tightened as he stared at the little mementos. “What happened to them?”
“Disease of the lung. One after the other,” she replied. “The crops were bad that year and food was scarce. I tried—”
Will’s heart beat faster. It was his own fear come to life. “I’m verra sorry.”
A tear slipped down her cheek. “We had a girl and a boy too. A little older than the two ye brought today.” Her husband reached for her hand.
“If ye sincerely want to give other children a home, Fiona and Ewan were delivered to me from St. Mary’s orphanage not three hours’ ride from here.”
“Orphanage?” Mr. Dunleary crinkled his brow. “More children in need of a home?”
Will nodded. “So many, they’re sending them away. And honestly, I’m not sure the conditions are verra good. Fiona won’t discus
s it, but she’s frightened to return. The life ye could provide for such wee ones would be a great deal better than what they have now.”
Mrs. Dunleary let out a little gasp. “Would they allow us to adopt?”
Will lifted one shoulder. “I don’t see why not, but I can have the magistrate write up a letter of reference if ye’d like.”
Mrs. Dunleary covered her mouth and then she lowered them to her lap. “I’d like that very much.”
“Ye came all this way to tell us this?” Mr. Dunleary stuck out his hand. “Thank ye, my lord.”
Will shook it. “I have to confess that I also came here while on my way to visit with my family,” he said. “My brother is Blair Sinclair.”
Mr. Dunleary’s eyes lit with understanding. “Now it all makes sense. A fine man, yer brother. We’re blessed to have him as our lord. I can see that it runs in the family.”
“High praise.” Will shifted his weight, looking to the floor.
“Would ye join us for a bit of tea?” Mrs. Dunleary asked. “I ken the children are leaving with ye, but I’d love to meet them. It’s been terribly quiet here and…” Her voice trailed off.
“Let me collect them,” he answered. “We’d love to stay fer tea.”
He stepped outside and scanned the area for Gemma and the children. He easily spotted them on the road they had driven down to the farm. Gemma was crouched down, talking to Fiona, their red hair glistening in the sun. How had he not noticed that the color was nearly the same shade?
He started toward them but Gemma caught sight of him and stood. Then, taking Fiona’s hand, they began making their way back to the house, Ewan toddling next to them.
“Da,” Ewan called, pointing. “Da.”
Will quickened the pace sweeping the boy into his arms and planting a kiss on his rosy cheek. “I suppose I am,” he said, his voice vibrating on the boy’s skin. “I’ll try my best to be a good one.”
“You’ll be the best,” Gemma said next to him.
He didn’t answer as they returned inside. Their visit with the Dunlearys was good enough and Fiona even managed to talk a little, but only from the safety of Will’s lap. That perplexed him a bit. She’d hardly ceased talking with him from the first.
Every time Mrs. Dunleary asked her a question, she’d squeeze his leg and answer with a simple yes or no.
When it was time to leave she nearly sprinted back into the wagon and Gemma raised an eyebrow as her helped her up as well.
“Are ye excited to meet Blair and Elle?” Will asked.
Fiona looked back at him. “I am excited to leave.”
“Don’t be rude, Fiona,” Gemma answered gently.
“I don’t mean to be.” Tears formed in the girl’s eyes. “But I want to go. Being here reminds me that you were going to send us away.”
Will held out his arms to her and she ran back to him, collapsing against his chest. “Why don’t ye help me drive?” Then he carried her to the front of the wagon. “I don’t see anything for it,” he said as he set her on the street.
“Anything for what?” Fiona asked.
“We’re going to have to sign a contract. A legal document that states ye’ll have to live with me.”
“Do ye mean it?” Fiona started but Will reached for her chin, holding it in his hand.
“Every word,” he answered.
“I’ll be so good ye’ll never want me to go.” Fiona stared up at him her eyes crinkled about the corners.
“Don’t ye worry yerself over that.” Then he pulled her against his side for a hug. “Now, help me crack the reins and away we’ll go.”
* * *
Gemma swayed with the wagon watching Will and Fiona. That poor little girl had a broken heart. Gemma recognized the symptoms. And Will was putting it back together one piece at a time.
A large house came into view, but even from this distance, Gemma could see the scaffolding all about it. It was still being built.
As if Will had read her thoughts, he turned back to her. “They’ve got one wing of the house complete. Enough room for us to stay but much of the residence is under construction.”
“I’m sure it will be lovely.” She didn’t care what the place looked like, provided it kept them warm and dry. Especially because she was with Will and the children.
As the wagon approached the house, the front door swung open and a couple stepped out.
Gemma blinked in surprise. She’d known that Blair Sinclair was Will’s brother, but from this distance the man standing in front of the door could be Will. The way they held their shoulders, shifted their weight. And just like Will, Blair emanated strength.
“How did Blair and his wife meet?” she asked as they rumbled along.
“Blair saved Elle from drowning.” Will turned back to her. “He attempted to employ her but ended up marrying her.”
Gemma blinked in surprise. “He employed her? As what?”
“Housekeeper, mostly I guess. Cook maybe.” Will shrugged.
She leaned up to whisper in his ear. “Do the Sinclair men make a habit of getting involved with the women they employ?” She’d meant it as a joke. Will was so forthright and honest, she knew this had to be the one and only time he’d ever gotten involved with a staff member.
But he turned to her, his face set in deep lines. “Don’t compare what Blair and I did. First of all, Blair saved Elle rather than being duped by her. Then he stepped up to help her instead of using blackmail. What Blair did was noble. What I’ve done...”
Gemma blinked. This was not the first time she’d heard him compare himself to an older brother and she began to see a trend. “What you did was save me in your own way. And these children too.” She touched his shoulder, loving the feel of his muscles under her hand. “Don’t forget that.”
His shoulder rose under her hand but he didn’t respond as they pulled up to the front of the house.
“William Sinclair, ye’ve got a wagon full,” Blair bellowed as they pulled up. “Always trying to outdo me.”
Will gave a little chuckle. “Trying and failing.” He looked back at them. “This is Gemma McLaren and the little ones are Fiona and Ewan.”
Blair cocked an eyebrow as he looked at Fiona. “Let me guess, yer Ewan?”
The little girl giggled as she stood. “No silly,” she said. “I’m Fiona.”
Blair cocked his head to one side as he rubbed his chin. “Fiona, huh?” Then he reached for her and swung her down from the carriage. “How did ye end up in a wagon with my brother?”
Fiona cocked her head to one side. “I’m only six. I go wherever people tell me to go.”
Blair burst out laughing, as he looked up at his brother. “Well now. That explains everything.”
Fiona turned to Will. “I like him.”
Will winked. “Everyone does.” Then he pointed to a very lovely, rather pregnant woman next to Blair. Gemma winced inwardly as she looked at Elle. “This my sister-in-law, Elle.”
Fiona gave a wave as Elle leaned down to give the girl a soft smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Fiona. This morning I made some cakes for us. Do you think you could help me decorate them?”
Fiona’s smile spoke volumes as she reached for Elle’s hand. Gemma climbed down with Ewan, but she silently mouthed “thank you” To Elle.
Elle gave a tiny nod and then turned to Gemma. “Would you care to join us?”
“I’d like that,” she replied.
Elle led them into the foyer, which was still under construction, and down a set of stairs to the kitchen.
On one side a cooling rack held several little cakes and the ingredients with which to mix up a frosting.
They all washed their hands and, while Elle dumped ingredients into a bowl, Gemma lifted Fiona to begin mixing.
“I’m so glad ye’ve come.” Elle gave Gemma a warm smile, her eyes crinkling. “I can’t wait to hear about how you became acquainted with Will.”
Gemma gave her head a tiny shake. “I’m
too embarrassed to tell you, truth be told. It’s not a tale that makes either of us look very good.”
Elle raised an eyebrow. “Did Will tell you that he forced Blair to marry me?”
Gemma started, her mouth falling open. “No, he didn’t.”
Elle leaned in. “There is nothing you can say that would surprise me.”
Gemma closed her mouth, realizing it was hanging open. She already liked Elle a great deal. “Well, it all began when I tried to steal his horse.”
Chapter Thirteen
Blair chortled with laughter as they sat in what Blair said would be the library but had neither a shelf nor a book. “So ye walked home stark-naked only to find two wee bairns had been dropped on yer door. This is just too good.”
“Ye could take a little less joy in my humiliation.” Will gave his brother a sour look, his mouth turning down.
“Oh please, ye got to see me and Elle at our worst. I’m glad to ken it wasn’t all smooth sailin’ fer ye.”
“Smooth sailing?” Will looked at his brother. “Have ye been listening to a word I said?”
Blair laughed again. “So, does this Gemma make a habit of stealing horses?”
“No.” Will explained how her husband had left her and she’d gotten the letter about the inheritance. How she’d left her cottage and her business behind and used every penny to get to the Highlands.
When he got to the part where the inheritance was a pocket watch and a lease that was about to run out, Blair dropped his head into his hands. “I’ve never understood how some men could be so cruel.”
“Me either,” Will said. “She’s a hardworking woman. Strong and fierce, but her heart is hurting.”
“Elle’s was too. So was Eliza’s.” Blair’s voice was quiet as leaned closer to Will.
Will thought about his other sister-in-law, Eliza, Stone’s wife. He’d been a teenager when they’d married, having just lost their parents, and he’d forgotten many of the details of the couple’s courtship. “Eliza and Stone seem like pillars of strength that hold up our family,” he said. “I can’t picture Eliza being anything other than capable.”
Kilted Sin: Brethren of Stone Page 7