The Promise (Highland Lairds of the Crest #4)

Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

Blessed with clear skies, a brisk wind, and friendly waters Aidan spent the first two days of the journey to Abersoch just as he’d suspected—working alongside Gavin and Isabelle to instruct the twins and their younger brother about sailing. It was a boon, reminiscent of his younger days when Allister and Fergus had done the same for him and his brethren. Even Captain John, the MacGreggors’ eldest and most seasoned commander, recounted a few tales to the boys, including the times Isabelle snuck aboard.

So absorbed in their duties, the time passed quickly, and on the third morning of their journey, they made port in Ayr—their one and only planned stop. With a short list of supplies to gather, it was originally slated as a brief excursion, but they hadn’t taken into account that they’d be visiting at the same time as the annual fair, so they’d extended their stay through the afternoon. While Aidan and Gavin followed along behind Isabelle and the children, providing occasional counsel to the twins as they bartered for goods, Isabelle took the opportunity to collect what amounted to a trove of fabrics. With her arms filled with silks as well as the baby, she exited the booth she’d been in for quite some time.

“I seem to have run out of coin,” she said, handing a pile of fabric to Gavin.

Aidan chuckled, smitten as he watched their clear love for one another. When Isabelle turned to him and thrust something his way, Aidan was quick to respond, surprised to find baby Emmalyn suddenly in his arms.

“I need two hands,” Isabelle said with a shrug and smile, before returning to gather her purchases.

While Gavin helped the twins, Aidan settled Emmalyn against his chest—the youngest of four, the baby was used to being passed about—and waved Isabelle off to finish her purchase. Looking through the crowd as he waited, he nodded to his men, as always mere paces behind, and saw many of their crew enjoying their extended respite on land. Aidan smiled when Emmalyn cooed and snuggled deeper against him. He was patting her back when something odd caught his attention—just up ahead, the throngs of fairgoers seamlessly parted and a familiar, though unexpected figure appeared. “Esmerelda,” he breathed as if Emmalyn could understand.

Although he was focused on the mysterious woman who’d played a part in all their lives, he was still able to catch Isabelle with his free hand, who, gasping as she exited the booth, had stumbled, and nearly fell headfirst to the ground at the sight of Esmerelda.

Sensing a change in the air, all vestiges of ease vanished, and Aidan stood straighter. He transferred the baby to Isabelle, then moved to stand in front of her, signaling to Gavin across the path with the boys, to stay put as he did so. Reading his silent command, their men surrounded Gavin, much to his displeasure.

For all their posturing, Esmeralda didn’t slow, showing absolutely no emotion as she strode right up to him and stopped a hair’s breadth away. Wishing to get whatever this was behind him, Aidan waited rather uncomfortably as her head tilted back and her iridescent, swirling blue eyes locked on his. Give him any other task, any , and he was steps ahead, but in this , magic, there were no guarantees. All he was sure of was that a promised fate always bore a cost.

After a moment, Esmerelda spoke. “You’ve accomplished much, and more than proved your mettle, Aidan Sinclair, but your task is far from over. Tread with caution, the path ahead is not a smooth one.”

Aidan knew better than to ask any questions, he just held her gaze and gave the nod that he knew she was waiting for.

Satisfied, Esmerelda turned to leave and Aidan felt his muscles slack but a second until Isabelle managed to step around him and called after the departing woman.

“Wait!” she said, raising one arm, the other still on Emmalyn.

Esmeralda stopped and turned. “Isabelle. ”

Isabelle froze, and Aidan put a protective hand on her shoulder. “You know my name?” she asked.

“Of course. I know all of you, as well as your parents.”

“Why did you lie to Maggie and Callum?” Isabelle asked quickly, as if she knew she’d soon lose her nerve.

Aidan pulled Isabelle behind him again, worried the enchantress would take insult, but Esmeralda bristled more at the gesture than Isabelle’s words and wasted no time in taking him to task.

“I wasn’t insulted by her question, Aidan Sinclair,” she said, getting ever closer to him. “Your lack of faith in my character, however, gives me great pause. Now, move.”

The last thing Aidan had intended to do was anger Esmeralda, yet he’d done just that. A sorry accomplishment of which he believed within their circle he was the first. Glancing at Gavin, Aidan waited for his nod before he moved slightly to the side. When Esmeralda stepped into the space he just vacated, he felt a change in her.

“Fiona was with child—a girl—and died. I told Callum he would welcome a boy so he wouldn’t be reminded of Fiona and the girl she carried.”

Esmerelda’s blunt words were a complete departure from her usual veiled musings. It was obvious she cared, and deeply. Aidan watched as Isabelle bowed her head, all trace of bravado gone.

A moment later, Esmerelda turned to him. “You waste a precious commodity, Aidan Sinclair. The wheels of fate are already in motion.”

And with that, she turned to leave.

Aidan gladly watched her go, more than ready to put the entire exchange behind him. He vaguely felt Gavin give him a solid push to get to his wife, and stumbled to the side in response, his eyes locked on Esmeralda until she disappeared into the throng of festivalgoers.

“Round the crew,” he told them, knowing without a doubt, their time here was done.

What he didn’t mention was the sudden urgency he felt to heed the mystic’s warning and be on his way.