The MacGalloways: Books #1-3

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

“ I t looks sturdy to me.” Harry placed his hands on the rails of the new bridge leading to the ruins while Muffin ran back and forth across. “After all, it was made of fine English walnut and the beams are two hands thick.”

Charity glanced over the edge of the bluff and shivered. A year ago, Modesty had nearly fallen to her death in that very spot. “I’m still not certain.”

Harry gave her a squeeze and a gentle kiss. “At least a dozen laborers have already crossed over, this is just a formality.”

“Verra well.”

“Allow me to go first.”

After she nodded her approval, Harry strolled across, stopped in the middle and gave a hop, making her stomach drop to her toes. “Be careful!”

He winked before moving to the promontory and opening his arms to his sides. “Safely here.”

Though she knew the bridge was sturdy enough to last for ages, Charity still breathed a sigh of relief while Harry crossed back and joined her on the bluff.

“This time we shall go together,” he said, taking her hand.

“Och, nay. I think I’d rather remain right here, thank you verra much,” she said while Muffin sat at her feet, wagging his tail and grunting as if he were trying to encourage her to be brave.

Harry threaded his fingers through hers. “If you would truly prefer not to cross, I understand. But as a man who has faced many an adversity, my advice is to confront your fears and cross over with me.”

“Can we go quickly?”

“As fast as you like.”

Charity closed her eyes. “Verra well, I trust you. Keep hold of my hand and lead the way.”

“You’re not planning to watch where you’re going?” he asked, urging her to take a step onto the timbers.

“Not until we are across.”

He strengthened his grip and placed her free hand on the rail while he led her over the bridge while she sensed the dog pattering at her side and not dashing back and forth as he’d done when they’d first arrived. “Just a few more steps.”

She steadied her breathing as she handed herself into his care, and it wasn’t but a moment before her slippers met with grass. “What is that?”

Together they stopped moving. “Open your eyes, my love.”

Slowly, her lashes fluttered open and her lips formed an O. “We’re here!”

“Aye, what shall we call this wee island jutting so far up out of the sea?”

She giggled at the first silly idea that popped into her head.

“Hmm?”

“Oh, I’m sure we can think of something better.”

Harry pulled her tightly against his chest while Muffin dashed in a circle around them. “No, you cannot go off laughing and having humorous thoughts without sharing them with me.”

“Verra well. If you recall the first day we met, I was ever so fond of the epitaph Harry the Hedgehog for your boxing name.”

Throwing his head back he laughed aloud. “How could I forget?”

“Well, our wee keep could be Hedgehog Haven.” She glanced over the crumbling stones. “I’m afraid the ruins are in such disrepair, they’re not suitable for much else.”

“Then Hedgehog Haven it is.”

A bell clanged in the distance, and Charity grabbed Harry’s hand. “That must be Modesty. Kitty said she would ring the bell once my sister’s carriage started down the drive.”

“Are you brave enough to cross back, or are we to live out the rest of our days with the hedgehogs?”

“As long as you are holding my hand, I think I can accomplish most anything.”

With Muffin leading the way, they dashed over the bridge and through the copse of trees lining the bluff, both of them excited to see Charity’s youngest sister. Even though Modesty was arriving in a Dunscaby carriage, all three of the Brixham carriages had now been restored and were in superb working order.

Harry had recently purchased the original Brixham lands that had been squandered by his predecessor, and they now had a host of farmers who tilled the land and rented the cottages that dotted the landscape.

Ricky Thompson had assumed control of the butcher shop, yet he’d opted to keep his farm and ran several head of sheep on the property.

Before they left Scotland, the Dunscaby doctor examined Harry’s mother and discovered she was severely allergic to wool. As soon as they removed the woolen rugs from her chamber and her woolen clothing, her coughing improved markedly.

Presently, there was only one boarder at the manor, Miss Ester Satchwell, who had proven herself an excellent horse trainer. Martha Hatch had birthed a healthy girl and moved into one of the Brixham cottages. Two months ago, Miss Sara Jacoby married the vicar, which was no surprise at all, especially after Charity had paid him a visit and he did indeed reveal his good intentions.

Kitty took to being the sister of an earl as if she were born to the role. As soon as they’d arrived at Huntly Manor, Charity had arranged for Harry’s sister to have a governess. And today, Modesty was arriving with Miss Hay. The lassies planned to spend the summer together learning all the latest dances and practicing their curtsies in preparation for their first Seasons.

Charity waved as the carriage rolled past with her sister hanging out the window and fluttering a kerchief as if she were on parade.

“She is full of life, is she not?” asked Harry.

Charity chuckled as she caught Miss Hay’s shadow, tugging the lass back inside. “Some things never change.”