Devin looked up as Marcus walked through the door with Fergus and Byron. "Marcus!" she squealed. She ran and jumped into his arms covering his face with kisses. "Thank God your alright." She said. All the men smiled at her exuberance. "Did you miss me little one?" Marcus asked smiling. "Don't you dare tease me, I was worried sick about you." She scolded wrapping her arms around him. "Yes I was worried too when I heard you were traipsing across half of Scotland with Byron." He said setting her down. "Well I'm sorry if your mad at me, but I would do it all over again." She said giving him a stubborn look. "We will discuss this later." He said. He walked over to Douglas and introduced his self. The men settled down drinking brandy and talking. Devin became sleepy and leaned her head over on Marcus. "Gentlemen it seems my wife is asleep on her feet." Marcus said. "We bid you good night." Marcus said. Devin said her goodnights sleepily. She went over to Douglas and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Good night Child." He said. She said goodnight to Byron and Fergus and took Marcus's arm to go upstairs.
Marcus had a hot bath brought up for her. He bathed her and put her in the bed in a large night shirt. He then got in and bathed himself. He sat back in the water and watched her. She was so reckless never thinking about the danger in the things she done. She had cared enough about him to put her personal safety aside. He adored her for it, but that still didn't excuse it. Just the thought of the danger she was in and what could have happened made him cringe. He got out and dried off. He got in the bed and pulled her to his side. He kissed her on top of her head. "Marcus, are you angry at me?" she asked sleepily. He sighed. "Devin I'm angry at the reckless way you act sometimes but only because I worry about you and care about you." He said. "I had to come find you Marcus, I just had too." She said. She could not explain it better than that. "Devin we will discuss this in the morning, but I wish to speak to you of something else now. Fergus wants me to stay here and become Chieftain some day." He said. "Marcus whatever you want to do is fine with me. I will go where you go. I know this must be confusing for you." She said. "Yes it is. I find out I'm not even English. I'm not even a Lord. The title is not rightfully mine." He said. "Do you like it here?" he asked. "Truthfully yes. I would love to get to know my Grandfather better. It is a truly beautiful land here. I like your father too, he reminds me of you." She said. "But there is one thing. I would miss Maggie terribly and Patricia too." She said. "Well if we decide to stay we could send a message by Byron and asked if they wanted to come here with you?" he said. "Oh Marcus that would be wonderful." She said kissing him. He grinned. "Now get some sleep little one. We have many decisions to make tomorrow." He said.
Fergus and Douglas sat in the study talking long after everyone else had gone to bed. "Do ye think he will stay here?" Douglas asked. "I don't know, he has a lot of decisions to make. I will not push him. This is not easy for him." Fergus said. "I think Devin would like to stay I was talking to her earlier. She said she liked it here, but she would be happy with whatever Marcus decided. Douglas said. "Plain to see the lass loves him." Fergus said smiling. "Yes she does. She is a spirited little thing. I imagine she leads him on a merry chase." Douglas said smiling. "She is a fine match for him; imagine the children they will have." Fergus said. "It would be wonderful to have little ones under foot again." Douglas said. "Aye that it would." Fergus said. Hopefully he and Douglas would get there wish.
Marcus awoke early. He got up and got dressed. "Devin." he said awaking her. "I have made a decision; I hope it is agreeable with you. I want to stay here. I think I owe it to our children that they know there true heritage." He said. Devin sat up and hugged him. "I think you have made the right decision Marcus." She said. He kissed her gently on the lips. "I must go talk to Fergus. I will tell him of my decision. We will discuss your reckless actions when I return." He said. Devin frowned. She was hoping he had forgotten about that. "Yes Marcus." she said. She lay back in the bed after he left. She had the feeling she was in for it.
Marcus found Fergus at the stables. "Devin will love it here. That's where she spends most of her time." Marcus said. "She's an unusual lass." Fergus said. "She is special." Marcus said. Fergus grinned. The lad was in love. Wonder if he knows it yet he thought. "I have made my decision. We will be saying here." Marcus said. Fergus threw his arms around Marcus. "Ye have made two old men happy." Fergus said. Marcus returned the hug. It was new for him to have people around that showed affection, except for Devin. He had the feeling things were going to work out fine.
Marcus went to talk to Byron. "Byron I have decided to stay here." He said. Byron nodded. He had figured he would. "I'm going to miss you my friend." Byron said. "Well you are welcome here anytime, so you don't have to miss us to bad." He said and grinned. Byron smiled knowing he would make the trip often to see his friend and Devin. "I have a favor to ask of you? I would like you to stop in Hereford on your way home to see if Maggie and Patricia would like to come here with Devin." Marcus asked. "Of Course." Said Byron. "I will escort them here myself if they wish to come. Byron said. "Thank you." Marcus said. "Now I have some unfinished business with my wife to take care of." Marcus said. Byron raised his brows. Poor Devin he thought. "I will leave at nightfall tonight. I will see the two of you before I leave." Byron said. Marcus nodded and headed off to talk to his wife.