“We are little but tenants here, no better than the Andersons.”
“How can you say that? We do hold our own property.”
“Well, you are Lady MacGinnis.”
“If you’re angry with me for that, Aidan?—”
He exhaled a long, weary sigh. “I’m not angry with you for anything, and in truth, all I begrudge Laird Douglas is America.”
“What?” Shawna said, stunned.
“I want to leave,” he told her. “I want to see the wild American West, I want to see massive herds of buffalo on the plain, I want to be a part of a new world.”
“Dear God, Aidan, I’d had no idea?—”
“No one does.”
“But why don’t you go to America?”
“Because my father is old, and I am all that he has.”
“But Gawain is here, and Alaric and Alistair. And I would look after him, Aidan?—”
“It isn’t the same.”
“But—”
“It isn’t the same, and that’s that. My father is bound to the land, to tradition. Maybe, if I’ve any youth left once he has passed on…”
“You could go with Hawk Douglas when he returns home,” Shawna said firmly.
“Are we so sure that Laird Douglas will return home?”
“Of course. His interests lie with the Sioux people, and there is terrible trouble brewing in America. He—he will go home. And pray God, he will go home with his sister-in-law!”
Aidan squeezed her hand. “She is not in Castle MacGinnis, but we will find her. And Hawk will go home with his wife and his sister-in-law, but will he sell us his property?” Aidan queried.
“I—I don’t know,” Shawna faltered, looking downward. “But if he does,” she said quickly, “you could go to America with him. Just for a visit. Surely, you could trust me with your father so long!”
Aidan smiled, and Shawna was startled to realize the wealth of dreams which had taken root and flourished within him whenshe had thought him so determined and responsible a man, dedicated to his own homeland and property.
“Surely, I could trust Father with you! Though why we are so passionate to create our dynasties, I don’t know. Look how fertile they were in days past, yet now Alaric and I have passed thirty, Alistair will not remain long in his twenties, and even you, dear Shawna, are certainly well into marriageable age—yet not one of us has procreated to keep this great property we fight for in the family!”
“I think all of Craig Rock would have to die out to rid the place of Douglas and MacGinnis blood,” Shawna said.
“Aye, that’s true enough.” He gazed at her curiously. “Tell me, has Cousin Alistair been playing fast and loose with the Anderson clan? The lad you’ve taken in at Castle Rock bears a strong resemblance to the family.”
“Alistair claims innocence. You’ve taken me quite by surprise with your dreaming, Aidan. Perhaps you’re simply more discreet with your affairs?”
“How politely put, cousin! Nay, the lad’s not mine, and though the Anderson lasses be fair enough, their father is a warthog, and I’d have nothing to do with the likes of any related to him.”
Shawna came to her feet, reaching down a hand to Aidan. “We’re forgetting, Sabrina is missing.”
“She’s not here, not at Castle MacGinnis.” He accepted her hand and stood but then stared down at her with serious concern. “Shawna, you’re always defending the ways of others. Highlanders should go kilted when we choose, and in Prince Albert’s more somber and gentlemanly apparel if we so choose as well. Presbyterians should leave Catholics alone, and those who damned well wish it should worship at the Anglican Church. And those who adhere to the Wicca should practice their witchcraft. But perhaps their practices are not so benign as youwant to believe. Perhaps witches became associated with devil worship for good reason. Perhaps Edwina’s own clan of witches has done the lass in, required her for some sacrifice.”
“Aidan! Don’t even suggest such a thing!”
He shrugged unhappily. “We’re about to celebrate the Night of the Moon Maiden. Maybe there’s more to their ancient celebration of the event than we’ve suspected in recent years.”