The Cameron men led Finnes and his crew onto the beach.

“Hold them here.” Kennan took Divana to the skiff. Damn it all, now that he’d found her, he wasn’t about to let her out of his sight for a second. “’Tis time to board that carrack and unload her cargo. Mr. MacNeil, come with us.”

By the time they boarded the slaver, Lachie Mor had already moved the Lady Heather alongside her and had what was left of her crew under arrest. No surprises, they were a downtrodden lot, most likely men who’d come from the jails and had accepted a pittance for pay.

“Are ye aiming to hang Cap’n Finnes?” asked one.

Kennan ignored him. He headed straight for the hold and threw back the hatches.

“Beg your pardon, sir,” said one of the crew. “The ’old’s empty.”

Thank heavens for small mercies. Though he would have freed any captives, it was a blessing to have none aboard.

Still, he eyed the man. “Then why is she sitting so low in the water?”

The man didn’t answer.

There was treasure hidden below decks for certain. “Mr. MacNeil, select your crew and sail this heap of worthless timber to Scotland.”

“Me, sir?”

“Aye, you. If you’re willing.”

“Absolutely, sir. Straightaway.”

After the plans for MacNeil’s voyage were settled, and they were alone on the deck, Divana took Kennan’s hand. “We mustn’t tarry. I ken where the Highland Reel is, and if my guess is right, Jackson Vane is heading there now.”

Her words were like heavenly music. He drew the lassie’s fingers to his lips, closed his eyes, and kissed her knuckles. “You found my ship, mo leannan?”

“I did.”

“I’ve always thought you were astounding, but now there is no doubt. You are the most incredible woman I’ve ever met.”

“Truly?”

“Aye, you amaze me at every turn. You’re smart and saucy, and you make me feel as if the sun is always shining in my heart. I love you, Divana. I’ve been in love with you from the moment I saw you digging for clams on the shores of Hyskeir.”

With a catch in her breath, her eyes twinkled. “Ye love me?”

“More than anything.”

She grinned, making his heart swell. “I love ye as well, Kennan. More than ye ken.”

He kissed her, savoring the moment, running his fingers along silky fabric.

Silky?

“What the blazes is this?” he asked, pinching her sleeve.

She scowled. “Vane’s attempt at preparing me for the auction block.”

Kennan’s gut clenched. He wanted to wrap his fingers around that varlet’s neck so badly, bile burned his throat. “I must go after him. He cannot demean my woman and slip away like a snake.”

“Are ye certain about that?” A bit of mischief sparkled in her eyes. “I reckon ye may change your mind.”

“Oh?”

She stepped very near and raised her lips to his ear. “When he told me to don this dress, he left me in the captain’s cabin. ’Tis a good thing ye taught me to read some, ’cause I pored over his charts. Not only is there a fortune on the Silver Mermaid, Vane has treasures hidden up the ‘strand of pearls’ that make up this chain of isles.”