Was there a part that bored or that you didn't really like in the book? *

Even a character, a scene, or anything. You could say no if nothing bothered you.

Which was the part you liked most in the book? *

Even a character, a scene, or anything that you enjoyed.

What type of series do you prefer? *

• Series that follow people in the same family
• Series that follow people in the same clan or group
• Series with people united by an event

Are there tropes of Scottish romances you think are underexplored and want to read more about? *

• Stories involving ordinary people instead of nobility
• Stories where the female character is foreign, not English or Scottish
• Stories where the female protagonist is Scottish and the male protagonist is not

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Two months later…

Isabeau and Bonnie had both fussed over Lucia for the past several hours, and in that entire time, Lucia couldn’t help but feel like a doll with which the two of them were playing, trying to decide what she would wear and how she would do her hair.

She would never admit it, but it was far more enjoyable than she would have thought.

“She must wear green!” Isabeau insisted for what seemed to Lucia like the dozenth time. “It will bring out the color o’ her eyes.”

“Purple is far more royal,” Bonnie insisted, and Lucia had to suppress the urge to remind her there was nothing royal about her. She was nothing but a peasant girl, who had spent her whole life in plain, drab clothes and now whatever Isabeau and Bonnie could give her to wear would surely be far better than anything she had worn before.

The color of her dress didn’t matter to her, neither did the style of her hair. She didn’t care what jewels would be placed around her neck and wrists. She didn’t even really care if she would look royal enough, though she supposed she now had an image to uphold. Everyone expected her to act like a lady, like someone who had spent her whole life in castles instead of safe houses and taverns. In the past two months, ever since the council had agreed to allow her and Alaric to wed, Bonnie and Isabeau had taken it upon themselves to make a lady out of her. Lucia had quickly found out there were rules about everything, from how she should eat and how she should speak, to how she should walk. She could only assume it meant nobleborns had far too much free time their hands if that was how they chose to spend it—learning all those rules of etiquette that seemed entirely useless to her.

She still had trouble with many things; most of all, she could not hold her tongue. No matter how many times she was reminded she should speak gently, it seemed to her that she simply didn’t have such gentleness within her.

“What dae ye think, Lucia?” Isabeau asked, turning to look at her reflection in the looking-glass. “Green or purple?”

“Which one dae ye think Alaric will like the most?” Lucia asked.

It had seemed like a logical question to her. She was marrying the man, after all, and she wanted Alaric to think she looked her best at the ceremony and the feast that would follow. Isabeau’s and Bonnie’s response startled her, though. They both oohed and aahed at her, fawning over her as though she had said the most romantic thing in the world.

“Well, I’m sure he’ll think ye look bonnie nae matter what ye wear,” Isabeau said. “Besides, ye should never ask a lad what he thinks about what ye’re wearin’. They’re never right.”

“Especially Alaric,” Bonnie added, drawing a laugh from Isabeau.

“Can I nae wear somethin’… simpler?” Lucia asked as the two women held up the choices for her. Both gowns seemed too extravagant for her; rich colors, golden embroidery, beautiful designs. She feared all eyes would be on her if she showed up like this, but then again, she supposed she had little choice on the matter.

It was her wedding day after all; of course, all eyes would be on her.

“Ye must make an impression on everyone!” Isabeau said. “The entire clan will be there an’ many, many more guests!”

“Och , how great,” said Lucia and if either Isabeau or Bonnie realized she was only being sarcastic, they didn’t mention it.

In the end, she went for the green gown, and Bonnie had two maids untangle the mess that was her hair, pinning it up in an intricate updo. The women proceeded to drape jewelry over her, and by the time they were done, Lucia could hardly recognize her own reflection.

“Ach! Ye look so bonnie,” Isabeau said as she pulled her into an embrace. “Alaric will be so happy tae see ye.”

Lucia would be happy to see him, too. The two of them had been kept apart since the previous day as they prepared for the wedding and she already felt unmoored without him by her side.

It willnae be fer long, though. It is almost over.

All she had to do now was meet Alaric in the chapel, where many—too many—people would watch them wed, and then she would simply have to survive the feast.

Somehow, it seemed much harder than heading to battle.

“Come,” said Bonnie, taking her hand. “Let us head tae the chapel. Alaric must already be waitin’.”

Lucia followed the two women, the three of them making their way out to the courtyard and then towards the chapel that stood at the edge of the castle grounds. It was a small building, but no expense had been spared at its creation. It was just as opulent as the rest of the castle, and sometimes Lucia was still amazed at how much wealth was gathered in one place.

When they made it there, she paused by the entrance, heart leaping to her throat. It wasn’t uncertainty in the face of a lifetime by Alaric’s side; she was certain about that. She wanted to marry him, to be his forever, but there was still something holding her back.

Am I good enough fer him?

As much as Isabeau and Bonnie had worked to help her become a lady fit to wed a man like Alaric, Lucia still felt like a fraud. She was no lady. She was nothing but a simple girl and she couldn’t help but feel like an impostor, never quite able to blend in. There was no doubt in her mind that Alaric was telling her the truth when he claimed to love her, but was that truly enough to bind them for the rest of their lives?

Would it be better, she wondered, if he married someone more like him? Someone who knew how to eat and talk and walk, someone who didn’t constantly make a fool of herself?

Perhaps sensing her agitation, Bonnie grasped her hand tightly and pulled her aside, her voice dropping to a low whisper.

“Whatever it is ye’re thinkin’, forget it,” she said, and though her tone was firm, it was neither cold nor scolding. “Alaric adores ye. Naethin’ else matters tae him, so why should it matter tae ye?”

It was precisely what Lucia needed to hear to be able to breathe again. She felt as though she was drawing breath for the first time in days, a weight lifting off her shoulders, and she smiled at Bonnie, thankful to have someone like her as a friend.

Behind her, Isabeau beckoned her closer and Lucia approached her, now ready to face whatever she would find in the chapel.

“Are ye ready?” Isabeau asked, gentle as always.

“Aye,” said Lucia and knew it to be the truth.

As she stepped foot into the chapel, she saw several familiar faces staring back at her. The entire council was there, of course, to witness their union, as well as several members of the clan. One face she hadn’t expected to see was Tiernan, though it was a pleasant surprise. Perhaps it shouldn’t have been as surprising, though, she thought, as he had been the man to save them from more torment from Callum. Had it not been for him, Lucia was certain he would still be chasing her and Alaric, refusing to let them have a moment of peace. He was now a blacksmith at the castle and had left his days as brigand behind.

Dragging her gaze to the far end of the chapel, Lucia saw Evan next to the priest, smiling brightly. And there, next to him, stood Alaric, his dark hair for once combed neatly, his beard trimmed, and his clothes befitting of such an occasion, looking more handsome than Lucia had ever seen him.

And it was then, and only then, seeing the man who had captured her heart, that she knew everything was alright.

The End

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