Gavin had turned again. “I would never bring dishonor to this family,” he had vowed, looking into her eyes.

Lady Madelyn had taken his face in her hands. His pain had been so clear in his eyes. “Gavin, you could never dishonor this family,” she assured him. “You’ve been a part of it much too long. You must lay to rest what scares you so.”

“I’ve no fear, lady.” Obviously undone by her words, his statement was little more than a rasp.

“Don’t you?”

“I’ll see to Gw—Lady Gwendolyn,” he’d corrected.

“Aye, she is more Gwendolyn to you, is she not?” The formality didn’t seem right between them.

“Aye, lady, she is. I’m blessed to have a friend such as her, just as I am blessed to have you all.” He had kissed her cheek, and only doing so because they were alone.

“We’re equally blessed, Gavin,” she’d replied, kissing him back.

As Lady Madelyn watched him leave, she pushed aside her concern for the man whom she thought of as a son. She had no choice. There was much to be done. She’d awoken Isabelle a short while later and they worked throughout the rest of the night, with Anna by their side.

“Gavin, is something bothering you?” Gwendolyn asked between breaths as they paced each other. “You’re not your usual temperamental self.”

“Nay, I have much on my mind is all.”

“Isabelle, maybe?”

“Isabelle’s a part of it, my lady,” he finally answered, realizing this was the time to broach the subject of Greylen’s return. Their run was almost finished and by the time she knew, she’d not notice anything. ’Twas the reason they’d delayed her run in the first place.

Gwendolyn stopped immediately. As if thrilled that he might be open to discussing the topic she was so anxious to get to the bottom of. She placed her hands on her knees, catching her breath before she spoke again. “I’m all ears, Gavin. Out with it.” She smiled from ear to ear. He returned it in kind. “Gavin,” she exclaimed, “I’ve never seen you like this. Tell me already.”

“Isabelle will be very pleased this eve,” he teased, smiling even more.

Gwendolyn hit his arm. “Damn it, Gavin, don’t make me beg. What have you planned?”

Gavin laughed aloud. Then he looked at her with an expression so serious that he could see she held her breath. “Greylen comes home, Gwendolyn. He’s on MacGreggor land already.” Her smile fell. Then she did too.

“I’m gonna be sick, Gavin.” She was on her knees, clutching her stomach as she rocked back and forth.

Gavin knelt by her side instantly. “You should be happy, not sick, Gwendolyn.” Had he been wrong to wait?

“I just need a minute.”