Epilogue
One Month Later…
The Great Hall in Leithmuir Castle was bursting at the seams. It seemed that every Carrick and every MacAdams from all over Scotland was there, and the rift that had existed for decades between the two clans had been bridged by patience, negotiation, and compromise.
There were still a few personal issues to be solved between individuals, of course, but this was a normal situation in any great gathering of people. On the other hand, friendships had been forged between individuals and families, and the overall result was what everyone desired: peace.
The wedding of Alyth and Lachlan had been postponed until all these matters had been resolved, and now it was time for the celebration to take place in an atmosphere of calm and contentment. It would not only be a wedding, but the seal of an alliance that would achieve safety and security for everyone.
Alyth and Lachlan had been very discreet and had exchanged no more than a few passionate kisses during this time. They slept separately too, Alyth in her bedchamber and Lachlan in the Guards’ quarters. He had done this many times, and had earned the respect and trust of his men by living in the same conditions as they did.
For her part, Alyth had visited the maids in the kitchen, expecting to be greeted coldly now that they knew her true identity. However, although there were a few moments of hesitation at first, a little friendly banter and the sharing of some fond memories restored their old relationship.
Alyth had spent the month having a wedding dress made, and to make it perfect, she decided to use Lachlan’s favourite colour. When she asked him what it was, he said without hesitation, “Crimson. It was the colour of my mother’s wedding dress, and I have always loved it.”
Now Shona was putting the finishing touches to Alyth’s hair while Maisie looked on with a proud smile. “Well, I never thought I would see the day when Lachlan would gie his heart tae another woman,” she said happily.
“And I never thought I would give my heart to anyone!” Alyth said in disbelief.
“Well, it’s in good hands, hen,” Maisie remarked, smiling at her fondly.
“I know, Maisie,” Alyth agreed, smiling. “The very best.”
She stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. Her dress was made of crimson satin with a modest round neckline, fitted to the waist and flaring out at the hips. It had an underdress of cream satin visible through a slit in the front, and sleeves that flared into a bell shape from the elbow, and it was neither too elaborate nor too plain. She wore no jewellery except for her mother’s pendant.
“Ye look like a queen, Mistress,” Shona said, wiping a tear from her eye.
“Aye,” Maisie agreed.
Maisie offered Alyth her elbow and they walked downstairs. Alyth’s heart was beating nineteen to the dozen as they approached the entry to the Great Hall, which was where the wedding was to take place. The chapel was simply too small.
They waited for a moment while Alyth collected herself, then she nodded to Maisie and went inside.
Immediately, all eyes turned to her. Although she had thought she was prepared, Alyth was overwhelmed by how many people were in the enormous room.
Presently, her father approached her and took her by the elbow. He had to separate himself gently from Davina, who had adopted him as her grandfather almost as soon as she saw him, just as she had adopted Alyth. He looked so much better, Alyth thought. He had put on weight and his face looked younger, having lost all the lines of strain that had formed during Laird Robertson’s stay.
“I must go now, Davina,” he said, kissing her on the forehead. “You know that your Da and Alyth are getting married? Well, when the wedding is over, I will be your grandfather, officially. So I will see you in a wee while. You can sit beside me at the table.”
Davina almost pushed him out to Alyth’s side. “Hurry up!” she said, grinning.
She was speaking fluently now, and could often be seen chatting to Laird MacAdams while walking around the gardens. They would even go riding together on the same horse, and it warmed both Alyth’s and Lachlan’s hearts to see how much she had progressed in such a short time.
The Laird took Alyth’s arm, and they walked down the aisle that had been made for them between the guests. Now Alyth was living the scene she had visualised when she was moving towards the living hell she had faced with Robertson. She had imagined that her future was with Lachlan, and now it was no longer a fantasy, but a reality.
Lachlan could hardly believe that Alyth—his Alyth, his love, was coming towards him, looking like a rose in full bloom. She was beyond beautiful, and as he gazed at her, his eyes were shining with love.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered,
“So do you,” she replied, making him laugh softly.
They turned to the minister, Reverend Gillespie, and the service began. They repeated the usual vows as the minister instructed them, but as Lachlan slipped the wedding band on her finger, Alyth felt tears pricking her eyes. From this moment on, she was Lachlan’s wife, bound to him by ties of love and loyalty. Her life had changed from the moment she felt the gold ring touching her finger; she would never be the same again.
When they were done with the formal part of the wedding, Reverend Gillespie said, “Now, Lachlan, I believe you an’ Alyth have something tae say tae each other.”
Lachlan took Alyth’s hands and kissed them. “My love,” he began. “I want you to know how much you mean to me. You are my whole life, and I promise to be the best man I can be just for you. You make me feel as though I could do anything. If we are blessed with children—and I hope we are—I will be the best father I can be. I will be strong for them, and protect them with my life, as I will do for you and my beloved Davina. I cannot imagine living without you, my Alyth, my love, my wife.”
Alyth wanted to throw herself into Lachlan’s arms at that moment and kiss him hungrily, but it was not the time or the place. She satisfied herself by standing on tiptoe and giving him a soft kiss on the lips, then said, “Lachlan, you are my love, my heart, my shelter, and my home. I cannot imagine what would have happened to me had you not rescued me from a fate worse than death. I want to be the best wife I can, and the best mother to Davina and all our other children because there will be many of them, I promise.”
Lachlan put his arms around Alyth and hugged her tenderly, then gave her a look that held the promise of great things later when they were alone. Her body shivered in anticipation. They turned and walked out of the hall, which had to be made ready for the feast.
As they reached the door, Davina came out of the throng of guests and made her way straight to Alyth. Looking up at her with a smile, she asked, “Are you my Mammy now?”
Alyth was stunned. This was the last thing she had expected, but she felt a wave of happiness wash over her. “If you want me to be,” she replied.
Davina’s face broke into a wide grin. “I do,” she said happily. “Can I call you Mammy?”
“Of course,” Alyth answered. She was a little too young to act as Davina’s mother, but if it made her happy, Alyth was content.
Lachlan was watching them, thinking how much his life had changed for the better since he met Alyth. After Sandie’s death he had thought he would never be happy again, but now he was—gloriously happy, and so was Davina. His life was complete.
Alyth had never seen so much food as she did that evening. It was, of course, a feast for a few hundred people, and Alyth had insisted that all the servants and guards should be catered for too. She and Lachlan circulated amongst their guests being as polite as the occasion required, but both of them wanted nothing more than to be alone in their room. There they could truly express their love for each other without interruption.
However, there was still one thing weighing on Alyth’s mind—her father. She felt that she had been unduly harsh on him and it was time to put things right.
As the bridal couple, Alyth and Lachlan were obliged to dance the first dance together. After that, however, Alyth sought out her father, who was sitting talking to his steward.
“Would you like to dance with me, Da?” she asked. The Laird looked delighted. “Of course I would, my lovely daughter!” he answered, and they made their way onto the floor. Alyth had wanted to have a discussion with her father, but the music made it impossible. However, afterwards, when it stopped, she said: “Da, I have something I need to say to you, Something I should have said earlier.”
Laird MacAdams looked at his daughter quizzically. “What is that, Alyth?” he asked.
“I need to ask for your forgiveness,” she answered. “I have said some very cruel things to you. I told you that you were not my father, that you were dead to me, that you were a coward. I am truly sorry.”
Laird MacAdams took her hands in his. “I deserved every one of those words,” he said sadly. “To think I was going to let you marry a fiend like Robertson! There is no need to be sorry, Alyth. You have married a very good man and I predict that you will be very happy indeed.”
He stood up, then pulled Alyth to her feet, smiled at her fondly and hugged her tightly. “Now go and be with him.”
Alyth kissed her father’s cheek. “Thank you, Da,” she said, then with one last smile she disappeared into the great hall again.
Laird MacAdams stood looking after his daughter for a moment, feeling happier than he had for a long time.
“I think we should go,” Alyth whispered a few hours later.
Lachlan nodded and gave her a mischievous smile. “Have you eaten enough?” he asked. “You will need all your strength. I think it will be a long night!”
Alyth gave him a playful punch on the shoulder and giggled. “I hope so!” she said.
Lachlan looked down at her, and then—because he simply could not help himself—he said softly, “You are adorable,” and kissed her tenderly.
A cheer went up from the guests around them, then Maisie came up to them and said, “Your room is ready if you are.” She gave them both a fond smile, but there were tears in her eyes.
“Are you all right, Maisie?” Alyth asked anxiously.
“Aye,” she replied. “I am just so happy for ye.”
“I am ready,” Lachlan said, looking inquiringly at Alyth. She smiled and squeezed his hand, which was an answer enough.
They turned towards their guests to say farewell, and Alyth was overjoyed to see Davina holding her Granda’s hand. Both were smiling at them, and Davina blew them a kiss, which they returned, before Lachlan announced, “Thank you all for coming to celebrate our wedding with us. My wife and I appreciate it very much. Now, enjoy your evening!”
They made their way upstairs to the sound of applause and cheering behind them, and Alyth sighed with relief. She was desperate to be alone with her husband.
When they arrived at their bedchamber, Lachlan swept Alyth into his arms and opened the door with his shoulder before crossing the room and setting her down beside the bed and looking deeply into her eyes.
“How are you feeling, Lady Carrick?” he asked her, smiling.
“I feel as if I could fly,” she answered, as she ran her hands over his chestnut hair, revelling in its silkiness. “Alyth Carrick. I love my new name. Thank you for giving it to me, Lachlan.”
“I will give you anything you want, forever, Alyth,” he answered. “Everything I have is yours. I love you with all my heart and soul.”
“As I love you,” Alyth replied, smiling at him tenderly as she stroked his face.
“Would you like some wine?” Lachlan asked, his eyes twinkling. He knew the answer to his question already.
Alyth smiled wickedly. “I would rather taste something else first,” she replied, her eyes full of mischief.
“I am so glad you said that,” Lachlan said, laughing and breathing a sigh of relief.
He kissed her hungrily until they both fell backwards onto the bed in a tangle of limbs, then reached underneath the skirt of her dress. He caressed the inside of Alyth’s thigh until he came to the barrier of her underwear, and growled softly in frustration.
“I thought you might have done without these,” he grumbled.
“Blame Maisie.” Alyth sighed. “She insisted.”
“I insist you take them off,” he said in mock anger.
“I will leave that duty to you, husband,” Alyth replied, then she pulled him down to lie on her and kissed him fiercely. “And while you are about it, take off my dress too.”
“With pleasure.”
Before Alyth could stop him, he took hold of the front of her dress and ripped it completely down the middle. It tore with a fierce rending sound. When Alyth made a squeal of protest, he said carelessly, “I will have another one made, sweetheart, don’t worry. Now, let me see you properly.”
Alyth let Lachlan divest her of what was left of her dress, her drawers, and her stockings, and then he knelt back on the bed and let his gaze wander greedily all over her.
“Mine,” he whispered. “All mine.” He cupped her breasts in his hands, shaking his head slowly in wonder. “I have dreamt of touching again like this. It is like no time has passed at all. So beautiful.”
“But you’ve touched me before,” she replied.
“Yes, but every time feels like the first time.” He was gazing at her as if she were a delicious meal he wanted to enjoy.
Alyth smiled at him through eyes that were glazed with desire. “Then what are you waiting for?” she asked huskily. “As you said, I am all yours now.”
Lachlan bent over and took one of her nipples in his mouth, suckling and licking it, then gently scraping it with his teeth, all the time playing with the other between his thumb and forefinger, before he switched sides.
“I think I’m in heaven,” Lachlan whispered, as he kissed his way down to her navel, where he stopped to tease her for a few seconds by running his tongue around and inside it, making Alyth giggle. Tickling was both pleasure and torture, but she knew that Lachlan would never do anything that she found less than wonderful.
Lachlan worked his way down between Alyth’s legs, then looked up and gave her a wicked smile. “Do you want me to stop?” he asked.
“No, I want you to do whatever you like, husband,” she replied suggestively. “Whatever you like!”
“Husband. I like that word,” Lachlan said huskily, before he bent his head to the sweetest spot on her body and began to tease and pleasure it as he had done with her breasts.
He inserted his first two fingers into her entrance, as he would do later with another part of himself, and began to ease them in and out, in and out.
“You are so wet, so ready for me,” he murmured, before he bent to inflict more heavenly torture on her.
Alyth wanted to hold back, afraid that if she let go her climax would be over and done with before Lachlan was inside her, but when he began to kiss her nub she cried out as it overwhelmed her.
Yet even as a tide of pleasure washed over her, she knew it was not the end. Somehow, she knew that Lachlan would bring her back to completion again, and she arched her hips up to him as he kissed his way back to her lips again. He stopped, his face inches from Alyth’s, and gazed at her in wonder.
“I never thought this would ever happen, Alyth. I am so happy.” His eyes were darker than she had ever seen them before, almost black with passion and need.
Alyth’s body was throbbing with desire, and she made no answer, but pulled his head down so that they could share another kiss. Then she felt him gently easing inside her; however, Alyth wanted more. She did not need gentleness now; she wanted passion, raw and rough.
She raised her legs and wrapped them tightly around Lachlan’s waist, pulling him further inside her and forcing him to push harder. Then once again she was climbing up to her climax, and she cried out as it exploded in a shower of rapturous sensation.
Lachlan, however, had not completed his journey yet, and she watched his face as he climbed ever nearer to his moment of fulfilment. Just as he reached it, he called out her name in a hoarse shout. “Alyth!” However, Alyth silenced him with a passionate kiss while he shuddered against her in the throes of his climax.
She lay back on the bed, and Lachlan lay beside her, smiling. “Are you happy now, Milady Carrick?” he asked.
“I have never been so full of joy,” Alyth answered, then shuddered a little as the last of the tremors of her climax shook her. “Maybe we can have that glass of wine now, and later I can have another taste of Chateau de Lachlan. I like that vintage very much.” Her eyes were shining with love.
“Milady Carrick,” Lachlan replied. “There is an endless supply of it. You may have as much as you wish.”
Thank you for reading my story!