Ian finally noticed his brothers’ traveling companions. They’d been bundled up from head to toe, but now they were handing their mantles to a servant, and Ian could clearly see they were both women.
The beautiful redhead could only be Maggie. Although Grey hadn’t met her, he’d heard about her from their mother. But there was another woman with her. A blonde, like Grey’s wife. His eyes met Reik’s.
Could it be possible? Had all four of them found wives?
“Bring food and wine. Come. All of you.”
That decree came from their grandfather. Had Rhys and Reikart met him yet? Apparently they had, for his grandfather slapped Rhys on the back. “We move this reunion to my solar.”
Just like the day their grandfather and Uncle Dermot had arrived. Only tonight Ian was so wound up he didn’t even remember walking there. Nor did he pay attention to the servant bringing food to them, or anything other than his brothers’ expressions. Like a kid who’d lost his parents in Disney World, Ian stared at them, afraid they might disappear again if he took his eyes off either of them.
“Did Mom really go back?” he asked the second the last serving girl left the chamber.
Ross and Colban pulled benches and wooden chairs from their spots, arranging them in front of the hearth, and everyone took a seat.
“We have a lot to tell you,” Rhys said. Ian wasn’t patient by nature, but he tried like hell.
Reikart cleared his throat and glanced to the petite blonde, who’d sat next to him. “This is Deirdre Irvine McCaim,my wife.”
Rhys and Reikart exchanged a quick look, and Rhys spoke next.
“Deirdre is Maggie’s sister,” Rhys said. “Maggie ismy wife.” The stunning redhead set a hand on his shoulder and smiled tentatively at Grey and Ian.
Ian frowned. “I don’t know much about the situation, but I thought Deirdre was a traitor.”
He flashed an apologetic look at the woman and her sister.
“’Tis understandable,” Deirdre said, “but nay.”
“Dee and I went to the English Court and got Aunt Grace’s second cross back,” Reik said. He frowned. “Did you guys know about the second cross?”
Ian nodded. “Alastair told us.”
“When we arrived back at Lochlavine with the cross, as you must know, Mom was there. The three of us—Mom, Rhys, and I—decided she had to go back immediately to Dad.”
She was really gone.
He understood the logic, but part of him had hoped that Alastair might have gotten it wrong. He’d wanted to see her, goddammit. If Màiri chose to stay, he’d never see her again.
Grey must have had the same thought. He caught his brother’s eye and shook his head. Not yet. They’d discuss it later.
“I guess time travel has been good to all of us.” Grey stood up, heading to the door. “I’ll be back.”
He left, Rhys and Reik staring after him. They were undoubtedly wondering where he’d gone, but Ian didn’t have to ask.
“He’s gone for our wives.”
“Your . . .”
Reik’s look of shock was officially his favorite part of their reunion so far. It wasn’t easy to surprise his brother.
Rhys wasn’t so tactful.
“You’ve got to be shitting me.”
Ian stretched his legs in front of him, crossing his arms. He was rarely in a position of power over his brothers, knowing something they didn’t.
“Don’t you mean shiting? You’ve picked up a bit of a brogue, brother.”
