News Of Thorne

A sh felt like an ugly caterpillar that had emerged from a confining cocoon and become a beautiful butterfly. For a fortnight, he tackled many arduous tasks at the distillery, taking strength from the certainty his nights would be filled with rapturous lovemaking. His suspicion Makenna was a passionate woman had proven to be correct. Her need of him seemed insatiable. It was all he could do not to keep dropping into her tiny office during the long working hours, just to share a kiss. Tavish glowered at him every time his eyes strayed in that direction.

As soon as the evening meal at Lockie House was over, she was fluttering her eyelashes at him and licking her lips. Not that he minded being the object of a beautiful woman's desire, but he worried they were overstaying their welcome in the guest bedroom.

"So, what's involved in building a cottage of our own?" he asked one night after they'd brought each other to rapture .

"Are ye certain ye want to live in the highlands permanently?" she replied. "I worry ye'll miss your old life in London."

"I don't miss anything about it," he lied.

"Not even yer family?"

He might have known she'd sensed the one big hole in this idyllic life. Could he reveal his regrets without upsetting her? "I miss Willow and Niven. I should be doing what a second son is supposed to do and provide moral support as Rowan takes up his new responsibilities as the duke. Thanks to my pigheadedness, we never had a chance to grieve Papa's death together. I'd like my family to meet you, then they'd be assured I am reformed, happy and well married. Also, not knowing what has happened to Thorne eats away at me. I should be searching for him."

"But ye dinna ken where to begin," she pointed out.

"Aye," he sighed.

"I'd be willin' to travel south wi' ye. I'd like to get to know yer family and I'm sure Cat would be glad o' a visit."

It was tempting, but he didn't want to appear overeager. "We'll see," he said as male urges stirred once again at the base of his spine and all the worries pecking at him flew the coop.

Makenna was delighted and surprised when Ash entered her office in mid-afternoon. "Ye'll get a scoldin' from Tavish," she warned, worried by his deep frown .

"Actually, he sent me," he replied. "I've received a letter."

For the first time, she noticed the missive in his hand. "Not bad news I hope."

"No, good in a way, I suppose. It's from Rowan. There's word of Thorne."

"Sit here and read it to me," she said, vacating her tall chair.

He looked so endearing sitting in her chair with his feet touching the floor whereas hers dangled in mid air, but this wasn't a moment to express her admiration for his long legs.

" Ash ," he began. "Niven came to me very excited about news passed on to him by the captain of The Mighty Oak."

He paused to explain. "It's one of our bigger clippers. After my mother's death, my father decided to name his ships after trees in her honor."

"Go on," she replied, nodding her understanding.

"The ship had just returned from Barbados with a cargo of sugar. The captain reports he encountered a young man who'd recently arrived on the island. He was working in a sugar mill. Johnson was master of the ship that carried the Duke of Withenshawe's sons to Flanders during the war. The captain was fairly certain he recognized him as one of the Halstead boys."

"He would certainly remember us," Ash explained sadly. "We'd forced Niven to come along against his will and the captain was appalled by our actions."

Makenna took the letter from her husband's trembling hand and read the rest of the missive. "Niven and I are in a quandary as to what to do about this news. On the one hand, it's good to know our brother is still alive. On the other, we want him to come home, as I'm sure you do. Willow and Daisy are both with child, so this is not a good time for either of us chaps to go haring off to the West Indies. I can't abandon responsibility for the dukedom in any case. Anyway, I hope you are settling into your new surroundings. Thought you should know.

With affection,

Your brother Rowan."

She folded the letter and returned it to him. "He needs you," she said.

Ash put his arms around her waist, gathered her close and rested his head on her breasts. "I know. I'm elated by the news. I just don't want to leave this life we're building. I'm happy here for the first time in a long time."

She sifted her fingers through his long hair. "We can be happy anywhere," she replied. "As long as we are together."

Ash was touched by the send-off hosted by Lady Maureen and Sir Jock. Everyone, including Tavish and Payton, was sorry to see them leave the highlands, but understood the necessity for the departure. He realized it was Makenna they would miss the most, but their well-wishes for Thorne's safe return to England seemed genuine. Ash recognized that the community's affection for the Halstead family stemmed from his father's generous support of the Kingdom Distillery .

Understandably, Makenna, Piper and Alba wept as they embraced before the final farewell. Makenna's closest friends were both heavy with child. She exacted a promise from them to write when the two babes were finally delivered. Their tearful parting conjured hopeful images of Makenna round with his child.

Yes, there were tears aplenty, but Ash admired the astonishing way his wife had thrown herself into week-long preparations for the journey. She seemed more excited than he was to be going to London.

Lady Maureen graciously lent them a carriage and driver to get them to Dundee. Showing signs of wear and tear, the old conveyance wasn't up to Withenshawe standards, but it was a big improvement on the distillery wagon and a tarpaulin.

Ash found it curiously difficult to say goodbye to the King brothers. He'd come to like and respect them. "I thank you both for getting me back on the straight and narrow," he said.

"Nay, 'twas ye and Makenna accomplished that," Tavish replied.

"Godspeed," Payton said. "We'll miss ye."

Ash was humbled by the genuine affection both men seemed to have developed for him.

He and Makenna boarded the carriage and held onto each other as the vehicle pulled away from Lockie House.

"We'll return," he assured her.

"Aye," she sighed without conviction.