"It's about time!" She started to rise from the settee where she'd been ensconced, then winced and pressed a hand to her bandaged head. "I know, I know. You warned me."

"And as usual, ye dinna pay me the least heed."

"It's just that it's been days-"

"Two."

"-since I've seen Hugh."

"He was no' awake. Besides, ye needed the rest yerself. Now ye're both on the mend." Mam gave Triona her arm and they made their way out of the sitting room. Weak-kneed, her head aching, she walked slowly.

"Caitriona?"

Christina, Devon, and Aggie were coming down the stairs.

Triona smiled. "Have you seen your father?"

They nodded.

"He's pale," Christina said. "But other than that, he looks well."

"He's fine," Devon said, smiling shyly at Triona. "Papa asked for you, too."

Christina chuckled. "Actually, he threatened to burn down the house if Grandmama didn't bring you right away."

Triona sent Mam a startled look. When had she become "Grandmama"?

Mam beamed at the girls. "Ye were good sickroom visitors, ye were. Ye didna hang upon him nor wear him down wit' nonsense."

"We took him presents," Aggie said. "Christina embroidered his old slippers so they look new, and Devon sewed him a sachet for the wardrobe, and I drew him a picture."

"I'm sure he loved all of them," Triona said.

Mam told the girls, "I know ye've lots to say to Triona, but she canna stand fer long yet. Let me get her settled wit' yer da' and then ye can come see them both."

Aggie's face lit up. "Now?"

"Soon. Give them a half hour together, first."

The girls smiled and turned to leave, then Devon hesitated. "Grandmama wouldn't let me see you, but...thank you for looking for me."

Triona leaned on Mam and took another step. "I did what any parent would do-you were lost and I went to find you."

Devon's eyes filled. "I'd hug you, but Grandmama would yell."

"So I would," Mam agreed. "There's enough time fer such maudlin going's on later. Now, off wit' ye or I'll change me mind about lettin' ye eat lunch wit' yer parents."

Devon gave a blinding smile and the girls left, talking happily.

Mam helped Triona up the rest of the steps. They reached the landing and, knees shaking, Triona leaned against the wall outside the door. "My hair must be a mess."

"Och, ye look like ye've been in a sickroom, which ye have."

Triona sighed. "I wish I had a comb-"

Mam opened the door and led her in. "Yer husband willna care if ye're a mess or not."

"No, he won't," came a deep voice from the settee by the fireplace.

Triona looked into Hugh's green eyes, drowning in a blaze of familiar warmth.

He grinned and patted the cushion beside him. "My nurse has suggested we are running her ragged by making her keep two sickrooms."

"Aye," Mam said. "'Tis weary I am from traipsin' up and down the stairs over and over." Mam helped her to sit down.

Caitriona was immediately enveloped in Hugh's warm embrace.

"There," Mam said with evident satisfaction. "Now, if ye'll excuse me, I've porridge to make fer lunch."

Hugh groaned. "No more porridge!"

"That's all ye're gettin' till ye've lost tha' last bit o' fever." Mam collected a small gla.s.s from the table. "I'll be back in twenty minutes wit' yer lunch. The bairns will be joinin' ye, I think." She paused by the door. "And try no' to fight, as 'tis bad fer a man wit' a fever to get excited."

With that, she was gone.

Triona looked up at Hugh. He was very pale, and thinner, too. The streak of white at his temple was broader and more silver, and she traced it with her fingers.

He captured her hand and placed a kiss on her palm.

"What was that for?" she asked breathlessly.

"It's for now." His eyes gleamed with a different kind of fever. "I'll show you what I have for later, but we're going to have to wait until our captor has gone to bed."

She chuckled. "You can't be ready for such exertions. Mam said excitement was bad-"

"Caitriona, my love, I adore your grandmother, but there are some things she doesn't know. You are the one we need to take care of." His gaze flickered to the bandage about her head, his eyes darkening with concern. "How is your head?"

"A few st.i.tches and I'm good as new."

"No headache?"

"Just a little dizzy now and then. It's you I'm worried about. Dougal said you collapsed when you reached the house and didn't wake until yesterday. He...he said you made the storm stop, and-" A sob broke from her lips.

"Ah, Caitriona, no!" He pulled her close and kissed her forehead. "I'm fine!"

She fought not to cry, but couldn't seem to help it.

"Here, I'll show you how fine I am." Hugh pressed her hand to his lap.

Triona managed a watery laugh. "You're right; you are fine."

He grinned. "Give me a week and I'll be back to normal. Last time it took me months to recover." His lips curved tenderly. "Your grandmother seems to think it's because of you that I'm healing so quickly."

"Me?"

"Yes. This time, I had a reason to recover."

Triona's heart began to hum. "Oh? And what's that?"

His smile was devastatingly tender. "I love you, Caitriona. I'm sorry I was so blind to it before. I was just afraid of being hurt."

"Hugh, I love you so much. I would never hurt you, or the girls."

"I know that now."

She touched his cheek. "Do you know when I realized I loved you?" When he shook his head, she smiled. "When I met the girls. I knew then that you were the sort of man worth being with forever."

His eyes blazed, and he lifted her into his lap and nuzzled her neck, breathing deeply. "How I've missed this! Your scent, the taste of your skin..."

She shivered and wrapped her arms about his neck, wincing a bit as she did so.

"Your arm?"

She nodded.

He pulled back her sleeve to reveal a bandage.

"It's just bruised."

His arms tightened about her, his voice rough with pa.s.sion. "I almost lost you. I don't know what I would have done without you."

She leaned against him. "I know. I feel the same way."

Downstairs, they heard the rattle of dishes, Mrs. Wallis's lilting brogue, and the girls chattering excitedly to her as lunch was brought up the grand staircase. Elsewhere at Gilmerton, Angus and Liam polished the silver, and outside, golden horses gathered at a fence and waited for Ferguson.

All was as it should be. Smiling contentedly, Triona snuggled deeper into Hugh's lap and whispered, "Hold me. For as soon as Mam arrives, I will be told to behave."

His arms tightened about her and he whispered back, "I'll hold you forever, my love. And nothing will ever take you from my arms again."

Also by Karen Hawkins.

The MacLean Series.

To Catch a Highlander.

To Scotland, With Love.

How to Abduct a Highland Lord.

Contemporary Romance.

Talk of the Town.