Epilogue
Kinsey’s family hadn’t been together all at once since they’d tried to save Faye from their grandfather.
They were all together now, in celebration of Kinsey’s union to William.
It wasn’t grand, which pleased Kinsey, who had always been more pragmatic than ostentatious.
And it wasn’t large, being only their families. Which made it entirely perfect.
Kinsey wore a blue silk kirtle with gold thread twinkling through it like stars in an early dawn sky. Though Faye had tried to fuss with her hair to put it up in some billowy bit of veil and twists of netting, Kinsey had insisted on wearing her curls loose.
The way William’s eyes lit up when she walked down the aisle told her she’d made the right decision. Once, she’d thought the enraptured way that he’d looked at her was just part of his ploy to lure in women, as much a facade as his charming smile. Now, she knew better.
The Great Hall had been adorned with the finest linen and heaps of food. William and Kinsey were given seats of honor at the front of the dais for all to see and congratulate.
“Thank ye for letting us wed at Dunrobin,” Kinsey said to her new husband. “It wouldn’t be the same without my family together.”
“I meant what I said.” He gazed so tenderly at her that she felt a smile stretch over her lips. “I want to be where ye are. That’s where I’m happiest.” He tilted his head. “Though I’m sure the MacLeod clan will require another celebration when we return home.”
Home.
It had a lovely ring to it. They had stayed at Dunscaith Castle only a few days before making the journey to Dunrobin, a feat not easily done in the middle of winter. One that was wholly worth it.
“I look forward to it,” Kinsey said.
William clinked his cup to hers. “As do I, my love.”
My love.
How she melted when he used that endearment.
Laird MacLeod approached them after they had all eaten more than they could possibly stand. “Ye’ve done well in marrying for love, son. ’Tis the greatest path to happiness.” He embraced them both. “I love ye, my lad.”
“Aye, I know.” William smiled at his father in a way that warmed Kinsey’s soul. After years of strife between them, they had finally found peace.
“Reid sends his felicitations.” Laird MacLeod offered a bow to them both and departed for the evening.
The only way the day could have been any better was if William’s oldest friend could have been here with them. Except that Reid was working for the king, who had appropriated Reid’s service for his own use. It was indeed a great honor.
Kinsey’s family approached. Drake and Mum, Ewan and Faye, of course, and Clara with Faye’s wee son, Callum, cradled affectionately in her arms.
Her mother spoke first with tears shimmering in her blue eyes, so like those of her daughters.
“Seeing the two of ye wed reminds me of when yer da and I married.” She gave a wistful sigh and put her hands over her heart.
“I hope ye have the joy we shared for the time we had together, joy like our own Faye found.”
Ewan gazed down lovingly at Faye, who leaned tenderly against her husband with a contented smile. “Have ye thought of children yet?”
Kinsey flushed with heat and slid a glance at William, who was usually smooth with answering unexpected questions.
“The first time I realized I wanted to marry Kinsey, I had an image of her holding our child.” William put his solid arm around her shoulders. “We havena discussed when, but I’m certain we’ll have a bairn or two.”
His admission was the first Kinsey had heard of it, and it brought a warmth inside her to know he’d thought of her as a mother. Her cheeks ached from smiling so much, and yet every time she thought to stop, something else would put the grin right back in place again.
“’Tis no’ what I heard.” Drake crossed his arms over his chest and lifted a brow.
William held up his hands defensively. “I thought ye were going to have her hanged. I was only trying to save my lady love’s life.” William winked at his new brother. “’Tis a good thing ye were there to help, eh?”
Even Drake had to chuckle at that.
“It gives me such joy to see ye so happy.” Clara beamed at them from above a sleeping Callum.
There was something so natural in the way she held the bairn, and how sweetly he nuzzled against her, as if she’d been born for motherhood.
Clara had never expressed an interest in marriage, or anything for herself for that matter, but Kinsey realized she surely must want something out of life.
More than caring for their mother or living in Castleton.
“Mayhap ye’ll be next,” Kinsey teased.
“If any more of ye get married, I’ll no’ have any wealth left to give.” The Ross Chieftain edged into the group.
Faye narrowed her eyes at their grandfather.
“Dinna look at me like that,” he groused. “I dinna have anything to do with this one. But I still took responsibility for my granddaughter.”
He reached out and clasped arms with William, his new ally.
Kinsey had dreaded approaching her grandfather, but he’d been surprisingly welcoming to her. Not only had he agreed for the Rosses to become an ally to the MacLeods by virtue of their union, he had also offered her a substantial amount of coin.
It was obvious he was trying to mend the break in their family. Part of her had wanted to trust him, even though a greater part of her still prickled with wariness.
“Ye did,” Kinsey agreed. “Thank ye.”
The Ross Chieftain grinned at her. “I’m glad ye came to me.” He took something from his pocket. “I’m aware no’ all of ye are as pleased with my presence, so I’ll make this quick and take my leave.”
The item in his hand was bound in linen, which he handed to Mum. Drake tensed beside her.
Though her gaze was bright with suspicion, Mum accepted the parcel and slowly began to unroll the linen, revealing what appeared to be a brooch.
It was simple but beautiful, with silver filigree framing a delicate golden rose.
Kinsey’s mother sucked in a sharp breath and snapped her attention to her father.
“What—?” Tears filled her eyes. “How did ye—?”
The Ross Chieftain’s jaw tensed. “It wasna my fault.” The usual flintiness of his gaze softened. He drew himself ramrod straight, nodded once and left the Great Hall.
Kinsey leaned closer to see the brooch better. “What is it?”
Her mother hastily coiled the linen around the jewelry and folded her hand around it. “’Tis no’ anything to concern yerself about.”
“He’s upset ye.” Clara put a hand to their mother’s forearm, her brows furrowed with worry.
“I’m fine.” Her mother shook her head and hastily swiped at her eyes. “’Tis simply the past and it canna be changed.”
But she wasn’t fine. That much was as obvious as the understanding that their mother wouldn’t speak of whatever it was.
“Ye should wed just to spite him, if nothing else.” Faye lifted her brows at Clara with a wicked smirk.
A glint of hurt flashed in Clara’s eyes, but she quickly looked down at Callum. “Nay.” When she looked up once more, whatever had been there was replaced with her usual happy demeanor. “’Tis the path for ye and Kinsey, but I dinna think it will be for me.”
Something in the way she said it twisted hard in Kinsey’s chest. Clara had spent far too much of her life sacrificing for everyone else.
Drake had been the one to earn money and see them fed after their da’s death, but it had been Clara who assumed the responsibility of daily tasks and soothing them all while their mother grieved.
It was a duty she’d taken on with her whole heart. One she’d never given up.
But if her heart were so consumed with her family, how could she ever have room for love?
Kinsey resolved then and there to speak to William and Drake later to have Clara and their Mum come live with them at Dunscaith. It might offer Clara a chance to relinquish the responsibility of caring for everyone and make room in her life for the possibility of a future—one just for her.
Love, though unexpected and previously unwanted, had brought light to Kinsey’s life she hadn’t known possible. One she saw glint in Clara’s eyes as she held Callum.
Aye, it was time for Clara to allow herself to be happy on her own. And Kinsey would do everything in her power to make that happen.
After all, she and William had defeated much to get to where they were. Enemies, family struggles, the threat of death and losing one another forever.
Anything was possible.
“What are ye thinking of with that smile on yer lips?” William asked.
She gazed up into his handsome face. “How grateful I am that everything has ended as it has.”
“Aye, we’ve been through a bit. And all worth it.” He pressed a kiss to her mouth, sweet and soft. “Ye’ve made me the happiest man in all of Christendom.”
It was true. The struggles had all been worthwhile. For what existed between them was greater than any demons who stood in their path, and their love had truly conquered all.