“Come.” He sat up with determination. “There’s a water trough to wash in, it’s a mite cold, but it’ll get the job done.”
They washed, dressed in damp clothes, packed up their belongings and mounted their horses, nosing them back to the road.
They rode for some way in silence. The weather was such a contrast to yesterday’s misery, she could almost think herself in a different country. Her thoughts roamed back over everything he had told her, and she said, “I want to see it.”
“See what, love?” He turned his head to look at her; they were riding abreast.
“The Neidan. I want to see what he gave his life for!”
“Aye, love. I’ll take ye to Merlow, then, once we collect the boys. I’d like them to visit their uncle as well. I’d better send a note to Fergus, let him know ye’re well and we will be away a mite longer than anticipated.”
She smiled, very pleased.
Two hours later they reached Teviothead, to be greeted with great enthusiasm by the boys.
“Ye’ll stay with us, Aihan?” asked Rory seriously.
“Aye, I’ve already given ye father my word I’ll nae run again.”
He nodded decisively, as if satisfied.
“I hope ye’ve no objections, lads, but I was planning on marrying her,” said Col, his arm cinched tightly round her waist.
“Really Athair?” said Callum. He grinned. “That’s splendid!”
Col raised an eyebrow at Rory, who flushed and said gruffly, “I’d like that—Mama.”
Aihan hugged both boys and looked at Col over their heads. She mouthed,Thank ye.
“Well, that’s settled, then,” said Col. “We’ll call past Gretna on the way and tie the knot there. Boys, we’re going to visit yer Uncle Merlow, how do ye like that?”
This news also met with their approval, and after lunch they bad farewell to Mrs George and set off for Gretna Green, where Col was handfasted to his second wife over a blacksmith’s anvil, witnessed by his two sons.
Epilogue
They spent the night in Gretna and arrived in the village of Pinner twelve days later. Stopping at the Bull’s Head Tavern, Col entered the taproom, trailed by Aihan and his sons to find a big dark-haired man behind the bar, polishing tankards.
“Good afternoon, d’ye have two rooms we can hire?”
“I do,” the man rumbled. “How long will you be staying?”
“I’m nae sure, at least a week,” said Col. “Can ye tell me where yer Doctor resides?”
“Dr Thornton’s surgery is in the main street, ten doors down from the vicarage. I hope none of your party are ill?”
“Nae. He’s my brother, we’ve come for a visit.”
The publican broke out in a wide grin and held his hand out, “Pleased to meet you, Mr Thornton. Sebastian Rooke at your service, and welcome to Pinner.”
Col shook his hand, and the man turned towards the curtained doorway behind him and poked his head through. “Beth, I’ve got Merlow’s brother and his family here.”
He turned back as a diminutive blonde woman appeared, wiping her hands on her apron. “How wonderful!”
Col offered his hand to Mrs Rooke and introduced Aihan and the boys.
Mrs Rooke promised them food and took them upstairs to show them their rooms.
“I’ll send Betty up with hot water for you to wash the dust off. We are so delighted to meet you. Merlow is somewhat of a local hero, you know,” said Mrs Rooke. “And of course he is married to Seb’s sister Hetty, so he’s family to us, which makes you family too!”
