Tristan came over and took Merryn’s hand in his. “I understand. You’ve been through quite an ordeal. Take your time. I’m returning so we can finish the tower. The stable is done, and I’m hoping the men have most of the roof on the tower finished. As for the wall? Not yet, but we’ll continue to work on it.”
Broc glanced from Merryn to Tristan. “My lord, I wish to ask your permission to court your sister. And I have every intention of making her my wife when she’s ready.”
“Court?” Tristan grinned.
“I have asked Merryn to marry me, and she said aye, but she said she is not ready yet. We have agreed to wait until things settle down a bit.”
Tristan looked at his sister, then clasped her shoulder. “It has been difficult for you both. Broc, what you went through was more difficult than anything I’ve ever done. Your relationship has grown, but in a chaotic time. I think it’s wise to wait. But when the time comes, I welcome you to Clan MacLean. After speaking with my uncle, I’ve agreed to call the holding Clan MacLean. Our sire would accept that. I won’t even discuss where you would like to live, but I pray that you will be willing toremain on Mull. I don’t mind traveling to Duart to visit you and Shealee, Merryn, but across the water would not please me.”
“I love Mull,” Merryn said. “But everything has happened so quickly.”
“Get to know each other. Broc, I thank you for guarding my sister so well. I think you will make a wonderful couple. I’m going home for a bit, but I’ll be back in a few days to update you.”
“And I’d be happy to come back and help wherever I can.”
Tristan said, “I will accept any help you can give.” Then he hugged Merryn. “I love you and Shealee, Merryn. Take care.”
Merryn’s tears ran down her cheeks, but they were finally the one thing she’d hoped for.
Happy tears.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Simone
Simone climbed out of the ship, then helped Aunt Brenna and her mother, Artan settling Gwyneth on a horse and making sure her leg contraption was set on her mount to go with her. Simone then said to her husband, “We’ll be back in about an hour. Take a swim if you like, Artan.” There were a few horses standing nearby, munching on the grass. “We’ll be a little while, I’m sure.”
“We will,” he replied, pulling off his tunic while the other men did the same. “Take your time, Simone.”
Magni rode with Simone while his parents rode together on another horse. “Lead the way,” his father said.
Brenna pulled abreast of Simone. “This has to be the loveliest place I’ve ever seen, and you know how fond I am of Ramsay land, especially in the summer.”
“You have a lovely loch, but we have the sea all the time. And the Iona chapel is peaceful and lovely.”
“I see it,” Aunt Brenna said. “I’m most anxious to see our girls again. How are they doing?”
“All are doing wonderfully.”
They approached the row of small huts and Simone called out, “Beatris! I have a surprise!”
All of a sudden, the area was filled with bairns. The unwanted ones of the world, Simone thought of them. Most were lassies, but there were some laddies. Anytime someone in the church found themselves caretakers of bairns who’d lost their parents from sickness or other, the bairns were often sent to Ionaland, they called it.
Of course, her father had suggested calling it Loganland, but they all agreed on Ionaland.
Brenna helped Gwyneth down and assisted with attaching her contraption. Geva and Emma came out, calling to them. Geva said, “Mama, it is so good to see you again.”
The four lasses—Simone and Beatris, Geva and Emma—had been adopted long ago. A group of evil men had built a chain nearly three decades ago to sell bairns they’d stolen. But the Grants and Ramsays had fallen upon their scheme and rescued as many as they could. Some were returned to their families, but others had no family to return to.
Simone and Beatris had been sold to a nobleman’s family as servants, but they were beaten for any slight. After Maggie and Will had saved both of them, Logan and Gwyneth adopted the two into their family. Geva and Emma had been rescued and adopted into Quade and Brenna’s family from a similar jaunt.
Brenna hugged both daughters, then her two nieces. “You all look wonderful. And how many bairns have you now?”
“Three and ten at last count. Three of Geva’s and ten adopted.”
Simone had married Artan, but they had no bairns. Geva had married, but Beatris and Emma hadn’t found their persons yet.
Simone took Magni’s mother’s hand and brought her forward. “These two lovely people, Ella and Walter, had their hut burned with all their belongings by some cruel creatures, so they are looking for a safe, quiet place to live. The clans are too busy for them, and when they heard of the work you do here, they wondered if they could live here and help you. They have a son Magni who would love to help you too.”
