All the time that the two women had been speaking, Gowan had been the focus of attention from some of the maids, some of whom remembered him. Feeling himself being stared at, he looked around and met the eyes of Annie, one of the servants who had worked at the castle when he was no more than a boy. He still recognized her, and she knew him too, even though both of them were much older.
“Annie, how are you?” he asked, smiling at her. “You look well.”
Annie’s gray eyes filled with tears. “Oh, young master,” she said, using the title she had called him when he was a boy. “I thought I would never see ye again. We a’ thought ye were dead.”
He laughed. “No, Annie. It takes a lot more than a few Darrochs to kill me.”
“I am that glad tae see ye!” She took the great liberty of cupping his face in her work-worn hands and smiled at him. “Ye have grown intae a fine man, an’ what ye did for Milady just now was very brave.”
Gowan saw Annie looking at his scar and ducked his head down, but she chucked him under the chin and laughed. “Are ye worried about that wee mark on your face, son?” she asked kindly. “Ye can hardly see it, an’ ye are still a fine handsome man. Where have ye been a’ this time?”
“It is a very long story, Annie,” he replied. “I can tell you only that I have been in hiding.”
“But ye are back now!” She was delighted. “Are ye goin’ tae be our new Laird?”
He had opened his mouth to answer, but just then, Minna intervened. She looked up at him with open admiration before kissing his cheek tenderly. “You have saved my life twice,” she told him. “And nothing is going to happen to you as long as I am here to stop it.”
20
Just then, Jamie came up to them, his face flushed with rage, but he was not alone. At his side was the tall figure of Andy Darroch, who was holding him by his sleeve.
“Gowan Hepburn, I believe?” he asked.
“I am,” Gowan replied warily. “Your name, sir?”
“I am Andrew Darroch, cousin of Jamie and Minna Darroch, and one of the elders of the clan,” he replied. “I had come back to see Jamie about a matter which concerns you too, Mister Hepburn, and it seems that I came at exactly the right time.”
Gowan looked around himself suspiciously. Was this a trap? However, just then, Minna appeared at his elbow. She was smiling widely. “I can vouch for this man, Gowan.” Her voice was firm and sure. “I trust him.”
“Really?” Jamie drawled. “More fool you.”
“I think I already told you to be silent, Jamie. You are not in any position to be insolent!” Andrew growled. Then he addressed Gowan. “If you can show me that you really are a senior member of the Hepburn Clan, then I believe we can talk. Do you have any way of proving it?”
Jamie held up his sword for Andrew to examine.
“‘Keep Tryst.’” he read, then examined the weapon more closely. “The Hepburn motto, and this is not an ordinary infantry soldier’s sword. It seems that you are who you say you are.” He looked up at the man who was supposedly his enemy, but he could feel no animosity towards him. For the moment at least, all he could feel was gratitude.
Another figure appeared at Andrew Darroch’s elbow. This time it was a handsome dark-haired woman in her middle years, who smiled at Gowan. “Flora Darroch,” she announced. Her dark eyes looked keenly at Gowan.
“Andy, you do not need a sword to prove this man is a Hepburn. No-one else in Scotland has such unusual coloring. His golden hair and dark eyes speak for themselves.” she said.
“Hmm…You are right, Flora,” he agreed, smiling at her. “They are all very striking.”
“I always am, dear,” she said smugly.
“He attacked me!” Jamie protested, pointing at Gowan. “Take him to the dungeons!”
“He was protecting your sister!” Andrew yelled. “And if he had not done it, I would have! You are a disgrace to your family and this clan!”
Jamie’s eyes widened and he took a step back, then looked at the floor, the picture of shame.
Minna was secretly giggling inside, but she was perfectly calm when she asked.
“What happens now?”
“I will send a message to the chief in Dundee,” Andrew replied. “He has never been happy about the invasion of this castle and the way the estate has been treated. This is your rightful property, M’Laird.” He was looking at Gowan as he spoke.
“Now, you.” he grabbed Jamie by the elbow and steered him towards the bedrooms. “You may relax in your chamber while I have a discussion with your sister and Mr Hepburn.”