Bound to the Highlander(90)

Hearing the news again from his brother’s lips made James want to hit something. Gwen moved toward him with tears in her eyes and embraced him.

“She has been found and that’s all that matters. Do you hear me? She has been found!”

He heard her and returned the embrace, though he couldn’t speak and his eyes stung.

Gwen released James and forced him to look into her eyes. “This is why you brought me here, remember? I can help with this. We can all face this together.”

James nodded and Gwen faced MacDougal again. Her voice trembled. “You say she cannot remember anything from before her time with Gawain. What has she told you about her time with him? It would be good of you to tell us.” Gwen pointed her thumb towards James. “Don’t you think it best if he hears it here before she arrives? Believe me, if Gawain has harmed Aileana it will be better if she doesn’t see her husband’s reaction.”

MacDougal swallowed.

“It appears, apart from whatever injury befell her initially, he’s not laid a hand on her. She appears in good health. She said this Gawain told her they were married and running from her uncle who was going to marry her off to some barbarian. I can’t imagine who he meant.”

James grunted.

“We’ve a physician here in town, but I’m certain this is not his specialty. You may want to consider some of the surgeons in Edinburgh, however, I shall summon him straight away, in any case. Shall I retrieve her?”

James looked to Gwen and nodded his approval. He still could not speak.

“Aye,” Gwen said for him.

Malcolm MacDougal heaved a sigh of relief before he left the inn. James paced, Calum wrapped his arms around Gwen and they waited.

“I think we should all at least sit down so we don’t frighten the wits out of the poor woman when she arrives,” Fergus said. Calum raised his eyebrows.

“What?” Fergus raised his hands in the air.

Gwen smiled. “I have a better idea. We should let James have the first few moments alone with Aileana before we all descend upon her.”

James smiled at her in thanks. Calum, Gwen and Fergus left the room. The silence allowed him to absorb the information he’d received. In all his imaginings, he never considered she would not know him and had great difficulty understanding what it would mean. Even without the memories, would their attraction to each other still exist?

* * *

Aileana opened the door and stepped inside, followed by Iain, Shauna, and MacDougal. She looked all around as she moved into the dark tavern. Her eyes took a few moments to accustom to the difference in lighting.

Then she saw him.

She recognized him and gasped when she locked eyes with this stranger she must call husband. Her first impression sent sharp tingles down her spine as she realized it was the same handsome man from her dreams. She was drawn to him. He didn’t move, allowing her to take all the steps.

As she drew closer, she could see the physical signs of fatigue. He looked much older than in her dreams. Before she could help herself, she reached her hand up to touch his face and viewed the lines and scratchy beard. She searched every last inch of it before looking into his eyes. She couldn’t blink or move and her breath caught in her throat. An image floated up of them dancing together. She raised her hand. He did the same and pressed his palm against hers.

They stood like that for long moments. They belonged together. He was her husband.

“My name is Aileana. I believe I am your wife.”

Aileana’s whispered declaration caused James’s breath to rush out through his teeth. He scooped her up into his arms and swung her around in a crushing embrace. They laughed together at his outburst.

He put her back down and smiled. His eyes held neither cruelty nor deceit. All would be well. She remembered enough to be with him and if they had to start all over, well she would be satisfied. She watched his eyes mist until light tears trickled down his face.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” he whispered. “I don’t care if you don’t remember everything. We can start from the beginning if you like. I’ll even court you again if you wish.”

His smile was infectious prompting her to laugh out loud at his suggestion. This man could charm any woman.

“May I ask you a question?” She was a little wary about asking, but if she was going to trust him, how he answered would be helpful. “Were we, I mean, are we in love?”

His answer was simple and prompt. “Yes. Very much so.”

She smiled and he embraced her again and held her tight. Here, she was safe.

In the other room an impatient voice called out. “Can we come in?”

James laughed again. “Aileana, there are others here anxious to see you. Are you well enough?”