Extended Epilogues

Scottish Highlands

April 20, 1664

Fiona frowned while pushing the curtains to the side, staring outside the window as she watched the riders come in through the gate. They wore the blue and green tartan of the clan, yet she knew the youngest son of Laird Fraser Campbell was arriving today. He should be amongst the riders. She shoved the curtains closed and strode out of the room, trying to compose herself despite the nervousness running through her.

Malcom, thankfully, had been able to resolve the tax issues with the Campbells, however, Fraser still couldn’t completely trust her husband given past circumstances. So, he had sent his son to see to matters. The letter informing Malcom of Fraser’s decision had sent her husband into a tizzy and she did everything she could to calm his nervous mind.

Fiona sighed, her hand braced against the wall as she took one step at a time down the staircase, which seemed to grow longer and harder to take each day. Her other hand held her swollen belly, stroking it softly as if soothing the child growing inside.

“Fiona, what in heavens are ye doing?” Malcom called from the bottom of the steps, his gaze staring at her in horror. “Ye didn’t have to greet Fraser’s son. I told ye that.”

Fiona huffed, finally making the last step. “Nonsense. It wouldn’t be appropriate if I remained cooped inside my rooms.”

Malcom frowned, grabbing her shoulders and looking her over. “At least have the servants help ye with the stairs.”

Fiona shook her head, batting his hand away. “I’m fine, Malcom. I’m with child. I’m completely capable of seeing to myself.”

Malcom’s frown deepened, but he didn’t say anything more on the matter as he took her arm and placed it on his. He led her through the halls to the entrance of their keep, where they found Dalilah smoothing her hands over her dress nervously. Finnegan swiped his wooden sword at her side, pretending to stab someone before whirling around and swiping again.

“Will ye stop that,” Dalilah scolded, grabbing his sword from his hands and giving it to a servant standing behind them.

“Ye are no fun,” Finnegan muttered while crossing his arms in front of himself.

Fiona stifled her giggles, knowing it would do nothing to help assuage Malcom and Dalilah’s nerves. The two were like two peas in a pod. Fiona sidled up close to Dalilah, taking her hand and giving her a gentle squeeze.

“I don’t know why I’m so nervous,” Dalilah whispered harshly. “It’s not like I know Andrew Campbell all that well.”

Malcom chuckled. “That’s not what I remember. Wasn’t he the one who kept pulling yer hair?”

Dalilah scowled. “He tries that again and I might just put a rat in his bed.”

“Ye will do no such thing,” Malcom said in horror.

Fiona cleared her throat as the doors creaked. Both siblings straightened, watching the doors part and the light from the Spring sky pierce through the keep. Andrew Campbell stood on the other side, holding himself tall as he strode towards the family. He wore a tartan clipped around his brown tunic. The Campbell’s boar insignia was pinned to his side and stared back at Fiona. Fiona forced her gaze away from it, turning her attentions to the young, handsome man standing in front of her.

Andrew Campbell took two steps forward and kneeled in front of Malcom. His red hair glimmered in the sun’s rays. The tendrils curled along his jaw, covered in ginger stubble from traveling the last two days. He lifted his blue eyes, his lips curling into a smirk and Fiona felt Dalilah still at her side.

“Laird Malcom Gunn,” said Andrew while rising. “It’s an honor to meet with ye again.”

Malcom held out a hand. “As is mine,” he said as Andrew took his hand and gave it a firm shake. Fiona didn’t know the full story of Andrew, but she knew he had spent a summer with the Gunns several years ago when Dalilah was still a young girl. Her gaze slid to Dalilah, watching her clench her jaw. Her lips lifted, yet she seemed to grimace at the young man before them.

Andrew turned toward Fiona, his smile turning honest and pure as he took her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles. “This must be yer beautiful wife. Unfortunately, I was unable to make yer wedding day. I apologize for that. My father had given me other duties to attend to.”

Fiona chuckled and shook her head. “No apology needed. It was quite abrupt.”

Andrew’s eyes lowered to her belly and his smile grew. “I see ye have been busy,” he said while clapping Malcom on the shoulder. “Do ye know when she’s due?”

“She’s due soon,” Fiona said while holding her head high. She was not in the slightest bit happy when anyone spoke for her when she was present and she wouldn’t permit it now.

Andrew chuckled while nodding vigorously. “We should have a drink in celebration, Malcom!”

Dalilah cleared her throat and Fiona watched as Andrew’s blue eyes swiveled to her. His lips pursed while he looked her up and down. There was a slight gleam to his eyes Fiona recognized. She looked up at Malcom, wondering if he noticed it, but he was too busy in his head, possibly thinking about work and not about the man gazing at his sister. She shook her head, telling herself that men often didn’t see these things.

“And who might this lass be?”

Dalilah frowned. “I’m Dalilah,” she said curtly. “How is it ye do not remember me?”

Andrew chuckled, crossing his arms. Fiona noticed how his fingers dug into his elbows and the way his body mirrored hers. “Oh, I remember Dalilah,” he said with a sly grin, “but she was a scrawny wee lass.”

Dalilah gasped. “I beg yer pardon?”

Andrew tilted his head to the side, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “One with a mighty temper if I remember correctly.”

Dalilah stepped towards him, leaning forward while she scowled up at him. Fiona watched as Andrew didn’t back down. He clenched his jaw while laughter played behind his eyes. She didn’t know why, but she liked the way he looked at Dalilah. It was a look of adoration; teasing, and yet loving.

“I only have a temper, because ye are the one who makes it so,” Dalilah said, her voice raised.

Andrew’s eyes widened in mock shock. He pointed a finger at himself. “Me? I would never.”

Dalilah scoffed, her mouth opening as if to shout something at him. Malcom stepped forward, pushing his body in between the two. “Enough, both of ye,” he said, sounding exhausted. “Why don’t we let the servants show Andrew to his rooms. I’m sure he is exhausted from his journey and would enjoy a bath.”

Dalilah forced a smile, yet the fiery glint remained in her eyes. “Of course, Brother,” she said while stepping away from Andrew. She nodded to the servants standing behind her. “Please show Mr. Campbell to his rooms.”

“Thank ye,” Andrew said, the mischievous smile still fastened to his face.

Dalilah watched him go, her smile falling into a deep scowl and as soon as Andrew was up the stairs she whirled around. “I am so putting a rat in his bed,” she whispered harshly before turning on her heel and stalking down the hall.

Fiona giggled, covering her mouth with one hand while Malcom sighed.

“To think I have the both of them under one roof again,” he said while pinching the bridge of his nose. He leaned his head backwards, his gaze staring up at the ceiling in agitation. “How am I ever going to get through these next few months?”

Fiona rubbed her belly. “Oh, I know how,” she said while smiling up at him knowingly.

Malcom’s hands rested on her stomach and he leaned down, pressing an ear against it and sighing. “I just hope everything will be alright,” he whispered.

Fiona stroked his hair. “It will be.” She knew he was worried about the birthing and understood his fear. His last wife had died in childbirth. She couldn’t say anything to rid him of his anxiety. She, too, hoped everything would be fine.

Malcom rose and pressed a kiss against her temple. “Do ye have any herbs or teas I can give those two so they can get along?”

Fiona chuckled and glanced over her shoulder, looking at the stairs Andrew just went up. “I don’t think they need any herbs,” she said, her lips curling into a bright smile. “I think they like each other more than ye think.”

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Three Months Later…

 “‘Tis yer last chance tae change yer mind,” Deidre said.

“And why would I dae that then?”

She shrugged. “Just thought I’d give ye the option.”

“That’s kind of ye,” Ronan replied.

She flashed him a mischievous grin. “If ye’re inclined, ye’d better take it now.”

“And what happens if I daenae take it?”

“Ye’ll nae get another chance.”

“Nay?”

She shook her head. “If ye daenae take it now and try tae leave later, I’ll cut yer legs off.”

Ronan laughed. “Huh. Mebbe I should think about it,” he said, “I dinnae ken I was marryin’ such a madwoman.”

“Oh, ye kent I was mad from the day we met.”

He screwed up his face and pretended to think about it. “Aye. I suppose that’s true. Ye’re nae wrong. Ye’ve been out of yer mind mad since we met.”

She laughed and slapped him playfully on the chest. They stood together in a small copse of trees on the southern grounds of the keep. The trees and bushes all around them were in bloom, filling the air with their aroma, the blossom a riot of color. It was a sunny day, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and it was pleasantly warm. Deidre didn’t believe in omens, but she would have taken this as a good one if she did.

As she looked at him, her heart swelled. Nobody had ever affected her the way Ronan did. He made her heart and soul feel like they were on fire when she was with him, and when they weren’t together, she couldn’t wait to be back by his side. He was intoxicating. Addicting. He seemed to fill those missing pieces in her – parts she never knew were missing until she met him.

Learning that he was Kenneth Barclay’s son had been a shock. It had enraged her that he’d not told her. That he’d omitted that truth from her. Deidre had felt betrayed. She felt like she’d been lied to. But after he’d been thrown into the cells beneath the keep and she went back to the inn alone, she’d had time to think about it. To think about him. To think about what they’d shared.

And she realized that he might have shared a surname with the man who’d slaughtered her family, but he was nothing like him. Ronan was kind. Considerate. He was thoughtful, and he was gentle. Ronan had a good heart, and he was a good man. In other words, he was the complete opposite of his father. All they had in common was their surname.

That was what had turned her around on the road that day. The realization that she was holding his father’s crimes against him. The realization that she was throwing away something beautiful and something that had shaken her soul in the best way possible because of a man who was dead. A man Ronan himself had helped her to kill. If that didn’t prove his loyalty to her and the differences between him and his father, then she knew nothing else would.

“Are ye all right?” he asked.

“What? Oh, yes. I’m fine.”

“Are ye having second thoughts?”

She smiled at him. “Second? I’m on me third or fourth thoughts now.”

Ronan laughed softly. “Aye. I wouldnae blame ye if ye had,” he said, “But if ye try tae leave, mebbe it’ll be me cuttin’ yer legs off.”

She stepped closer and planted a gentle kiss upon his lips. “’Tis a good thing I ken ye’re tae gentle tae dae somethin’ like that.”

Deidre held his gaze, knowing she would be more than happy to stare into his eyes every day for the rest of her life. She trailed the tips of her fingers down his cheek, relishing the way his skin felt beneath her touch.

“Our guests will be gettin’ restless by now,” he said softly.

Deidre cut a glance over her shoulder, peeking through the screen of trees and bushes at the crowd gathered in the field to see them wed. Conall had commissioned that a special garden be erected in the southern fields specifically for their wedding. Deidre thought it was an incredibly sweet gesture, and he had built something truly beautiful.

It was special and made Deidre’s heart skip a beat. She’d never thought of herself getting married. Had never envisioned her wedding day like most women her age. She honestly never thought she would get married at all. But if she had been one of those who daydreamed of being married, she would have imagined something just like Conall had provided.

“They can sod off,” she replied with a grin, “This is our bleedin’ day. Nobody else’s but ours.”

“Ye’re so fierce. So fiery.”

“And that’s why ye fell in love with me.”

He shrugged. “’Tis one of the reasons. There were many reasons I fell in love with ye.”

She looked into Ronan’s eyes, knowing she had one final surprise for him. But the thought of it sent a current of fear washing through her. It was something they hadn’t talked about. Something she didn’t know how he felt about. She looked down, gnawing on her bottom lip, trying to master her fear. Ronan slipped his fingers beneath her chin and lifted her head, forcing her to look him in the eye.

“What is it?” he asked.

She opened her mouth to reply but quickly closed it again. Deidre felt her pulse racing and her throat dry. She licked her lips, trying to moisten them as she tried to work up the nerve to speak. To tell him what she needed to say. Because he needed to know. He deserved to know.

“Deidre?”

She swallowed hard and cleared her throat. “There’s somethin’ I need tae tell ye, Ronan.”

“All right. What is it?”

Her vision blurred as tears welled in her eyes. She didn’t know whether they were tears of joy or because she was terrified. Ronan made her feel safe. He made her feel loved. And she had no reason to think this would change anything. But at the moment, she felt weak. She wanted to feel strong and brave, but as she thought about what she had to say, her nerve fled, and she felt herself trembling.

“Talk tae me, love,” he said.

And then, without meaning to, Deidre opened her mouth, and she cringed as the words came pouring out, seemingly of their own volition.

“We’re goin’ tae be havin’ a baby, Ronan,” she said, and laid her hand over her belly protectively.

He looked at her as though he didn’t understand. For a long moment, he said nothing. He just stared at her, his eyes drifting between hers, then down to her belly, and back again. The longer he remained silent, the more fearful she became, the tension building until she felt ready to run away and never look back.

But then his expression changed, and the smile on his face grew as wide as she’d ever seen it before. His cheeks flushed, and his eyes started to shimmer with tears. He laid his hand over hers atop her belly and looked her in the eye.

“Aye? Truly? We’re goin’ tae have a baby?” he asked.

She nodded slowly. “Aye. I had a midwife confirm it for me yesterday.”

Ronan pulled her into a tight embrace, laughing as he was seemingly overwhelmed with excitement. But then he quickly stepped back and put both of his hands on her belly.

“Oi. I need tae be careful with our little one, eh?” he said, still beaming with the widest smile she’d ever seen.

“So, yer nae upset?”

“Upset? Mebbe ye really are mad,” he replied, “How could I be upset? How could I be anythin’ but the happiest man in the world?”

“Truly?”

“Aye. Truly.”

The relief that flooded through her was so powerful that it made her feel weak in the knees. He held her up, helping keep her on her feet. She felt a mix of emotions so thick, they nearly stole her breath. She looked at Ronan, scrutinizing him, and determined that he was sincere. It made her heart swell and start to beat wildly.

“Not only dae I feel like the happiest man, I also feel like the luckiest man in the world as well,” he added.

As Deidre started to recover and stand straight, she felt her strength and bravado return.

“‘Tis because ye are the luckiest man in the world,” she replied with a sly grin, “Now, take me out there and make an honest woman out of me, eh?”

“Gladly.”

The music started as they walked out of the copse of trees together, hand in hand. Everyone took their seats and turned to watch them with affection. Deidre smiled as she passed, not knowing what she’d done to have the good fortune to have a life that started so badly, with so much death, destruction, and grief, become a life filled with so much joy and love. She didn’t know what she’d done to deserve a life that had become so perfect.

But she wasn’t going to question it. She was simply going to enjoy every last moment of it.

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“I do,” Shana said, her hands gripping Logan’s. She was lost in a dream as she stood before the minister who had taken residence in the village many years ago. “With all of me heart,” she added.

The minister stated the same words for Logan, and in his deep voice, he said, “I do. With everythin’ in me.” Shana smiled, wishing they could go home immediately and make love feverishly until they were too spent to continue. However, they would have to celebrate, and for that, she was grateful if not impatient.

“And so I now pronounce ye man and wife,” the minister droned on in his dull voice, and yet the words made Shana float on air. Her forever partner had been chosen. It began and ended with Logan. She couldn’t imagine loving someone as much as she loved him.

Logan leaned towards her, and she laid her lips on his, not wanting to end. But the cheery cries of their audience stopped them from continuing. Shana pulled back, smiling at her friends and family. The light was such that everything seemed touched by fire. The leaves on the trees seemed aflame, and she looked around, knowing that for so long, she had seen the village as a prison.

Yet, now, it felt like a warm and comfortable home, and when she left the next day for the keep, there would be sorrow in her heart. However, it would be a feeling of sweet sorrow, one that she could hold in the nights when she couldn’t sleep, thinking softly of the life she had thus far led. Home was always there, even when she had a new adventure ahead of her.

Gripping Logan’s arm, they left the ceremony, leading to where the celebrations would begin. It would be a feast with food and dancing. “What do ye think now, Shana? Are ye happy?”

“Each day brings me more happiness, Logan. I never kenned that it could be such. Are ye happy?”

“Ye dinnae even need tae ask. I have been happy from the first when ye were by me side.” The bagpipes began to play, and the crowd started to pair up, moving in rhythm to the music.

“Come and dance with me, Shana. We have never done so.”

“True enough, Logan,” she said with a smile and fell into his arms, laughing as he spun her around. Life is bliss, is it nae? She asked herself, knowing her innocence affected her thoughts and, at the same time, not caring.

***

Logan’s eyes missed nothing. He watched Shana’s smile, the way she laughed, the glint of her lovely blue eyes in the fading sunlight, as well as the gold flecks in her hair.

He loved everything about this woman, and he couldn’t imagine life without her. She was happiness personified, bringing her glorious cheerfulness into his life and pushing all the darkness aside. When Shana was present, there was no darkness, no grief, only light and joy. How could he have known that a woman he’d found in the woods while running from a false accusation would bring him here? He was a husband now, with a future.

And he wanted Shana to be as happy as could be. “Shall I tell ye now, Shana, where we are tae go tomorrow for our weddin’ trip?”

Shana beamed. “Please do. If ye would rather nae wait until we are in the actual location.”

“Nae, nae,” he said. “I dinnae think I could bear the questions on the ride there. We will take a carriage, of course. We will ride tae the Laird’s castle with Logan, and then ye and me will go tae Edinburgh.”

The sight of Shana’s surprised face was enough to reward him. “Truly?” she asked before wrapping her arm around his neck. “Logan MacNair, ye make me very happy. I cannae wait tae see it!”

He hugged her back. “I would do anythin’ tae make ye so, wife. We will enjoy ourselves before our return tae the keep. But,” he pulled back, “Ye must tell me whenever ye wish tae travel again. We will nae stay in that keep forever, rottin’ away. We will move, travel, learn new things. I want ye tae see the world.”

“Ye are me ticket tae the world, Logan MacNair,” she said, grinning. “And yet, I have found the world of love far more excitin’ than the actual physical world.”

“Have ye? Well, then I must show ye more of it, although I fear ye will be disappointed in me, then.”

“Never, dear Logan,” Shana said with a chuckle. “I could never be disappointed. Ye are perfect.”

Logan tapped the side of his head. “I will keep that in mind when ye are cross with me.”

“Do so,” Shana said with a wink. They continued dancing, moving through the other couples, following the beat of the bagpipe. At the end of the song, he pulled her close and hugged her.

“It is ye who have saved me, Shana. Never forget it.”

In his ear, Shana whispered, “Then let us save one another for the rest of our days, Logan MacNair.”

He grinned, tightening his grip on her. “Agreed.”

***

Orla could not believe the handsome man that had been thrown in her path. It was as if fate was listening to her and had simply given him to her. Killian MacNair was the most beautiful man she had ever seen or even imagined. And she’d imagined a lot.

How could one man be so well-put-together? It wasn’t fair, but he reduced his attraction by the way he was so sour, unwilling to smile, reluctant to be pleasant. Why, he had practically thrown her out of her aunt and uncle’s cottage with his rude words. It had been true that she should not have interfered, but after she’d first seen him, she didn’t want to leave his side. His beauty drew her to him, and she knew that she would have him from that first moment.

She didn’t know how she would do it or what it might look like, but she had to be close to him. He would fight her, but she would get him to see her as more than a nuisance. She would get him to see her as a woman. After the wedding, Killian stood on the outskirts of the crowd, partially hidden in shadow, and Orla strode towards him, having taken a large sip of ale to boost her confidence.

“Do ye nae enjoy the festivities?” she asked, her hands outstretched. “Why do ye nae dance or speak tae anyone? People are goin’ tae think that yer unpleasant, and that would be a shame.”

Killian bristled, and his light green eyes made her feel a little weak. She swallowed, trying to keep her strength. She would not let him see her unnerved. Her mother had taught her to be strong and not let men take advantage. Women had the true power anyway, and she put one hand on her hip, looking at him expectantly.

“I think ye make it yer goal tae irritate me, lass. Why nae just leave me be and dance with any of the other lads here who would gladly take a lass like ye in hand?”

“I dinnae want anyone else,” Orla said. “I have kenned these boys for all of me life. I dinnae want tae dance with them. I want tae dance with ye.” She moved forward, keeping her breath steady, hoping it would give her confidence, and put a hand on his chest.

Good God, this man is walking muscle.

Killian lifted a brow, but he did not smile nor react in any way. His eyes watched her intensely, but she had a feeling he looked at everything that way. She wasn’t special to him, but she would be. She would make it her goal.

“I want tae dance with a man, nae a boy. Will ye oblige me?”

“Nae,” he said, stiffening a little.

“Fine,” Orla said, enjoying the closeness with him. Her hand was still on her chest, for she hadn’t removed it. The darkness hid them partially, and for that, she was grateful, although she’d stopped caring about what her village thought. If Shana could bash boundaries, so could she. “Then, I will wait.”

“Wait for what, lass? I leave tomorrow with Logan and Shana.”

“And I am comin’ with ye.”

He froze, his eyes piercing her with something like anger, but she wasn’t sure. “What do ye mean? Why should ye come?”

Orla smiled her prettiest smile, still trying to convey the confidence that was slowly fading. “I was invited. I will follow them tae the keep when they are returned from their trip. I will stay in the keep until they return, preparin’ things tae be easy for them.” She had only just decided that and wasn’t even sure if Shana would approve, but at least she was leaving the village accompanied. Accompanied by a gorgeous Highlander who made her insides clench with longing.

Killian stepped back away from her grasp. “Well, then. I will return tae the castle and will nae see ye again, most likely. Keep yer distance, lass. Ye ken nae what ye do.”

He walked away and disappeared into the shadows. Slowly, Orla let her hand down to return to her side. She wasn’t sure why, but there was still a smile on her face. She was no stranger to angry heated men. Her father was always mad about somethin’, but her mother knew how to handle it. Her mother could turn her father into a lamb. She would do the same to this angry, prideful Laird who appeared as if he would rather be anywhere than in her presence.

She wanted him, and deep down, she felt like it was right. She would fight for it and do whatever was necessary. Orla Wilson was not one to give up on a fight. She didn’t understand Killian’s last words, but she felt the thrill of the chase.

Ye can try, Killian MacNair, but ye will love me in the end.

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This is the story of Gale, an adventurous English lady who runs away to escape her murderous mother and finds herself in the company of an alluring Highlander. There she is called to change her ways, and he helps her see the world from a different point of view. But her past is catching up with her. How will she elude her mother? And will this be the only obstacle in their relationship?

Read the book

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Two Years Later…

He sat up in bed, watching Aileas stand out on the balcony that sat off their bedchamber. The early morning sun shone down on her, wreathing her in a golden aura that made her look even more ethereal and angelic than she usually did. He was amazed that two years after they had declared their love for one another and wed when he looked at her, he felt the same flutter in his heart he did when he’d first met her. Aileas was a special, unique woman, and Luke thanked God every day for putting her in his path.

Luke looked over at the black leather cuirass that stood on the rack in the corner. It bore an embossed silver wolf’s head in the center, the baron’s personal guard’s emblem. After healing and being initiated into the guard, he had risen through the ranks quickly, earning the respect of his sword brothers along the way. The shoulders of the cuirass bore a red stripe, marking his position, which was Captain Headen’s second.

Although he took great pride in his achievements, he often thought of Robert. The spymaster had not been seen in Sowkirk since the battle at Pringle’s keep. As Luke rose through the ranks and achieved more in his life－bettering, his position－he often thought back to the brief conversation they’d had in Pringle’s exchange. What Robert did was evil. Luke had no doubt. But the spymaster was simply trying to do what Luke was－better his life.

And Luke indeed had bettered his position. There had been enough of the foundation and framework of Aileas’ family keep left that they’d been able to rebuild it. It was hard, arduous work, but they had finished it. It was larger than her ancestral home had been, though still smaller than Cherrythorn Manor, but Luke believed it was no less grand than the baron’s residence. They had hired some of the best craftsmen in Sowkirk to add the touches and flourishes Aileas wanted. The things she remembered from her childhood.

Though, she was careful to avoid duplicating her home completely, adding things unique to them and put their stamp on their new home… the home they were soon to be raising their family in. The idea of being a father still made Luke shudder, though not in a bad way. Aileas insisted that he would be a good father, but the mere idea of it scared him.

He slipped out of bed and pulled a tunic on over himself. Though the sun was shining and the sky was cloudless, there was a crispness and a chill in the air still. Spring was still a ways off yet, and though things had been unseasonably warm, it was far from actually being warm.

Luke stepped through the arched doorway and onto the balcony, sidling up behind her. He wrapped his arms around Aileas, sliding his hands across her very swollen belly. She turned her head and smiled at him, so he gave her a peck on the lips as she melted into him, intertwining her fingers with his. He looked down at her belly, knowing he didn’t have long to get over his fears. Scared or not, he was going to be a father, and he was going to be a father very soon.

In the distance, the sun was just creeping over the horizon, sending out golden rays that reflected dazzlingly off the surface of the ocean. He watched the ships moored in the harbor and wondered what was going through her mind.

“Ye’re up early,” he said.

“Aye. Tis bein’ pregnant. It doesn’t let me sleep well sometimes.”

He nodded out to the ships in the harbor. “Dae ye miss it? Bein’ out on thae Selkie with yer crew?”

A faint smile curled her lips upward. “Of course, I miss it. I miss it almost every day. But do I regret it? Nae for a minute. Me life here, me life with you,” she started, resting her hands on her belly meaningfully, “Me life with our family is better than even thae best day at sea. I love what we’ve built here, and I love that we’re goin’ tae fill these halls with a family.”

He kissed the top of her head again, unable to keep the smile from stretching across his face. His heart swelled with his love for her and his burgeoning family to the point he thought it might burst. Aileas looked up at him again, holding his gaze firmly, an earnest expression on her face.

“I need ye tae ken that I daenae regret givin’ up me ship. There’s no place I’d rather be than here with ye and our wee one,” she said, rubbing her stomach. “And Dougal is a fine captain. I ken he’ll uphold thae lofty traditions and reputation of thae Red Selkie.”

Luke smiled at her and held her a little tighter. Though he believed Aileas, hearing it from her lips never failed to settle any sense of unease that lingered within him. He knew well what she had given up to be with him. She had given up her ship. She’d named her former first mate, Dougal, the new captain, and had gifted him with her ship. He remembered vividly the day they stood on the docks and watched the Selkie sail away without her. She’d had tears in her eyes and had been nearly inconsolable for a couple of days.

Luke knew that she’d given up her freedom and her life on the sea. For him. And because of that, because he remembered how hard she’d cried when Dougal sailed away, no matter how hard he tried to banish it, there was always an ember of fear that burned within him that she would come to regret her decision. But she seemed to sense that and always took care to reassure him, and he appreciated that.

He looked to the east and saw Pringle’s keep standing on the bluff, silhouetted in the early morning light. After the battle and everything had been settled, Baron Begbie gifted the keep to Dand… as a wedding present. Shortly after he and Aileas had wed, Dand had married Mira. They amazingly had two children already－twin girls－so. It was good they were given the keep since they needed more room than Dand’s home offered.

Luke had grown close to Dand and counted him among his closest and most trusted friends. It was surprising to him, given the start they’d gotten off to, but Luke was grateful for his friendship. At first, Luke had thought the pairing odd. Mira was a beautiful and refined woman. Cultured and well-spoken. She was educated. Dand was a fighter, grizzled and worn in some ways, and he wasn’t necessarily as educated or cultured as his wife.

And yet, somehow, the pairing worked. Dand adored Mira, and she adored him as well. They were happy together, and they were very obviously deeply in love. Luke was happy for the big man.

“What are ye thinkin’?” she asked.

“I was just thinkin’ about how happy I am.”

“Aye. I never thought I could be this happy,” she said.

“That makes two of us, me love,” he replied. “And I daenae ken what I did tae deserve it. Or tae deserve ye.”

She quirked a small grin at him. “I ask that meself all thae time.”

Luke laughed and shook his head. He loved the quick wit and smart mouth that Aileas had. He loved their banter and conversations together. She brought out a different side of him. He thought she made him a better man. Or at least, she made him want to be a better man for her and their child.

“Ye ken ye’re goin’ tae be a wonderful da, eh?” she said as if reading his mind.

“I sometimes wonder. What dae I ken about bein’ somebody’s da?”

She shrugged. “What did ye ken about bein’ somebody’s husband? But I think ye’re doin’ a pretty good job of it.”

He smiled at her. “Ye think so, eh?”

“Most of thae time, aye.”

“Most of thae time?”

“Aye. Ye dae snore like a beast.”

“Not nearly as bad as ye. Trust me.”

Aileas laughed as if it was the funniest thing she’d ever heard, then turned around in his arms and looked up at him. He loved the way she looked into his eyes. He never failed to see the depth and breadth of her love for him, and it filled him with that bright light of joy every single time.

“I feel like thae luckiest man in thae world,” he said.

“As ye should,” she replied with a smile.

“I love ye, Aileas. I love ye with thae whole of me heart.”

“Then that makes me thae luckiest woman in thae world.”

He leaned down and kissed her, pulling her to him tightly. As he pulled back, they kept their arms around one another as they looked out to the horizon, letting the sunshine rain down on them. And as he marveled at how amazing his life was turning out to be, he smiled.

It was a beautiful day indeed.

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10 years later

“Thomas!” “Celine!” Elizabeth called for her two children as they rushed out of the carriage on the shore of the Sound of Mull, chasing after each other in the woods. It had been a strange experience to have given birth to twins, but she was glad that the two children loved each other dearly, even though they were a boy and a girl.

“Yes, Mama! We are coming!” Thomas ran up to her breathless, his eyes shining with delight. “But you know that we must explore the woods before we are taken over to the Isle. It is our tradition!”

Elizabeth smiled down at her young son and daughter. “Is that so? Celine? When did you make this agreement?”

Celine said, “Well, since we cannot come as often as we used to, we must make the most of our time here when we can visit! It is the best place on earth.” Elizabeth took a deep breath and stared out to the waters of the Sound, its blue just as brilliant as ever.

“Dear daughter, I quite agree. I am sorry that your father’s employment has kept us away for so long.”

“Father!” The two of them cried and rushed forward to clasp Liam as he heaved them up easily into his arms despite their eight years of age.

“What is it, ye two? I was preparing us for transport.”

“Father, we have so much to tell you!” Thomas said. “You know there are ghosts in the woods. I saw them myself, just now!”

Celine frowned. “It is daytime, Thomas! You cannot see ghosts in daytime. But I did see fairies!”

Thomas and Celine had begun to argue, and Liam laughed, putting them down. “I shall come back tae ye two once ye have made yer decision about what ye wish to share with me.” They ran off, and Liam kissed Elizabeth lightly.

“We are home, me dear. Do ye wish tae stay longer this time?”

“Oh, could we? I would very much like to, although I know you are enjoying your profession in London. A shipping businessman. Quite distinguished.” She kissed him again, wrapping her arms about his neck.

“Och, so I do. But I enjoy seeing me homeland with me family just a bit more than business logs and accounting books.”

“I should hope so. And I hope that Charlotte will be very excited to see us!”

“Let us go then. I have sorted our transport, and the boatman should be here soon.”

In an hour or so, the small family arrived at the shores of Mull. It seemed an army of children and adults rushed towards them with arms open.

“Elizabeth! Liam!” Charlotte ran to them and crushed them into an embrace. “We had no idea you were coming! What a lovely surprise!”

“We hope it is not an inconvenience.”

“Of course not! Your house is always ready for you to return.” Charlotte smiled, and Elizabeth greeted Julia, Angus, and Calum warmly and the rest of their brood of little boys and girls.

“I see I must congratulate you again, Julia!” Elizabeth kissed Julia’s blooming cheek, for she was heavily pregnant with her third child.

“Thank you, my dear! You are most welcome!” Angus, Calum, and Liam were laughing together as they strode up to the castle. The large group of children had run off to the woods on the shoreline, and Elizabeth waved to them.

“It appears we are quite an army now,” she said to Charlotte.

“So we are. A delightful one.”

“And how is your father? Please, may we ask him to join us?”

Charlotte grinned and looked at Julia. “My father is now the happiest of men, thanks to dear Mildred. Did you not write to her that you were coming?”

“No, I wanted it to be a complete and utter surprise, and so we must ask them to sail over for dinner.”

“A celebration more like!” Calum said. “I know that we have spoken of it before, Elizabeth, but I am amazed at the union between your aunt and the General. Why, even after a few years of marriage, they look like young newlyweds, always smiling and happy. They have come to visit you often in London?”

“Yes, very often. We are most grateful for them. They dote upon the children, you see.”

They all filed into the hall, and Julia sent a servant to alert the cook to make a fine meal.

Mrs. MacLean entered the room to greet the guests, and Elizabeth pulled her into an embrace. “Mrs. MacLean, so good to see you again.” The woman was now much older and slightly stooped with age, but she was still sharp and smiled brightly.

“I cannae wait tae see yer little young ones, my Lady, once they return from all that playing in the woods. Liam, my boy!” She saw Liam, and he rushed to her to wrap his arms about her.

“Mrs. MacLean. I have missed ye so.”

“And I ye,” she whispered.

“Lady MacLean, donnae worry yerself. We shall have a fine celebration tae enjoy the return of Liam and Elizabeth. It will be a fine thing, indeed.”

“Thank you, Mrs. MacLean!” Julia called as the woman left to complete her duties in preparation.

Fergus then appeared in the doorway and hugged both Liam and Elizabeth in turn. “I see that ye still havenae left the man, lass.”

“Certainly not. How else would I be able to return to such a beautiful castle.”

Fergus winked. “Och, but ye’ve got yer wits about ye.”

The group of happy reunited friends spoke for hours of what had happened in the many months of their celebration, but soon after, Elizabeth and Liam begged leave to prepare for the evening in their home.

As soon as they were first married, the clan built them a home, just as they had done for Angus and Charlotte, so they could use it whenever they wish to come to Mull and stay for as long as they wished to stay. Liam’s old family home had not been large enough to occupy them all with their hopes for a growing family. It had been Elizabeth’s delight, for her times on Mull were always the happiest in her life.

Once they were dressed and ready, Liam and Elizabeth held hands as they walked back towards the castle, the breeze rushing past them. “Are ye happy, me love?”

“Very. You know that I am always happy to return to Mull. When we can all be together. You are all my family now.”

Liam’s face was lined with concern. “I am sorry that I have kept us so long away.”

“Not at all!” Elizabeth paused and kissed him on the cheek. “You have done just what you have set out to do. You have become a learned and very skilled man. I am proud of you.”

Liam hugged her. Thomas and Celine were skipping along in front of them. “And I ye, lass. Ye have been through much trouble, and yet ye carry strength. Ye have given it tae me, and ye have given it tae them.” He nodded to the children.

Elizabeth smiled, her eyes filling with tears. “Oh, come now, we must not have tears before a party to celebrate our return.” She clasped his hand again, and they kept walking. “I am glad you have worn your kilt, Liam. It suits you for dancing.”

“Aye, ye will try and have tae keep up with the Scottish steps. I have had far too many English dances now over the past years.”

Laughing, they continued on their way.

***

At the gathering, it was much busier than expected. Nearly all of Mull had been invited, and so the room was filled nearly to the brim with laughter, drinking, and food. Elizabeth smiled to see a happy, younger-looking Aunt Mildred pull her step-grandchildren and her grand-niece and nephew to her, kissing them each soundly. “I can never get enough of you, my sweets.”

Elizabeth walked up to her, kissing her on the cheek. “Dear Aunt, I hope you are not cross that we did not warn you of our arrival.”

“Not at all! We do love a good surprise to we not, General?”

An older, yet more distinguished General came into view, smiling next to his wife. “Why, yes, we do, Mildred.” Clasping Elizabeth’s hand, he said, “Welcome back, dear girl. I thank you for coming, for we have been searching for weeks for a good excuse to have a party.”

Angus laughed, “And so we have a good one now. I say we drink heartily for the occasion.”

Charlotte smiled. “I could not agree more and music, of course!” At her instruction, the bagpipers began to play, and soon the hall was filled with warm merriment, the children scuttling about, having their own adventures, and the adults clasping hands, kissing cheeks, and laughing over old times.

After a few hours, Elizabeth found herself on the edge of the room, savoring the scene as she sipped her wine. Julia and Charlotte sidled next to her. “I see we have all left our lives behind and come to this merry place. Do you have any regrets, my friends?” Julia asked.

“Not at all.”

“Not one.”

“Then, we have done better than many of our friends stuck back in London, I should think. Stuck married to old men, dull men, or evil men.”

“Or ugly men,” Charlotte snickered.

Julia rolled her eyes, and Elizabeth laughed, looking back at the three, strong Scottish men each of them had chosen. “Yes, Charlotte, I do believe you are right. An ugly man would have been a great trial, indeed.”

Elizabeth strung her arm through Charlotte’s, and Charlotte did the same with Julia. “So here we are, three Sassenachs, having charmed three Highlanders into matrimony who are not ugly, old, evil, or dull. What luck we have struck, ladies.”

Tears filled Elizabeth’s eyes, and Charlotte turned to her. “My dear, what makes you cry? Is this not a happy occasion?”

“No, of course it is.” Elizabeth dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief. “It is just that even after all this time, I can still say I am the happiest I have ever been. Each new day brings more happiness. I could never have imagined it.”

Charlotte grinned. “Well, imagine it. We have been given a fortunate life. I think there must be something magical about Scotland or the Isle of Mull in particular.”

The three men, seeing their wives in quiet conversation, approached them. Calum said to Julia, “My love, I would ask ye tae dance, but perhaps ye donnae wish tae?” He was smiling widely, and Julia said, “On my life, I will not be assumed to be without physical capabilities simply because I am with child. Besides, I have felt much better than the last two!”

She grasped onto his hand, and in tune with the music, they pulled out onto the dance floor. Angus lifted his brows to Charlotte, who leaped forward into his arms, kissing him on the cheek. “You know, Angus MacLean, that even though we have had four children together, and it has been many years, I see you as I did that first night alone together, here in the hall.”

“Is that so? When ye backed me up against a wall and forced me intae a kiss?” Angus was grinning, and Charlotte rolled her eyes back at Elizabeth. “Forced. What a terrible time for you.”

“Come, lass,” Angus said, laughing and pulled her away into his arms. Liam turned to Elizabeth with a smile. They could hear the children laughing and playing in the corner and moving through the dancing couples. Elizabeth could see Fergus taking a young maid in his arms around the hall.

“Now, I have been threatened with dancing this evening by ye. Will ye dance, bonny lass?”

She slid her hand into his. “So I will, handsome lad.”

“Good.” He wrapped his arms around her waist, and they twirled and swayed to the sound of the bagpipes. Elizabeth was amazed at how handsome Liam MacLean still was to her. And over the years, he had grown in confidence and strength, and she was still surprised at how good and kind he was.

“I see I am to tutor you, Sir. I think your Scottish steps are slacking.”

“Me? What about you with your tutored dance? I was about to say that Sassenachs have more rhythm than I expected.” He winked, and Elizabeth laughed, drawing his mouth to hers.

“I think you should know that well enough by now, and I do not mean rhythm on the dance floor.”

Watching his surprised, pleased face, Liam pulled her closer. “Mrs. MacLean, I do believe you are verging on becoming quite a vixen after all these years of marriage. I am looking even more forward to the years to come.”

“As am I, Liam. As am I.”

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