Epilogue
They were late for the birth of Callum and Penelope’s child. The roads had been impassable in some places, and the coach had broken down once or twice, but they were here at last. Bonnyrigg Castle. Home.
It was Cat who ran to meet them as soon as they entered the great hall. “You’re too late!” she declared, even while she was hugging her brother. “Penelope has had her baby and ’tis a bonnie wee lass! I thought Father would be disappointed, but he was so pleased.”
“There is nothing wrong with girls,” Rory assured her. “I have three of them, so I should know.”
Cat laughed as Grace squeezed his arm with a smile. “It’s true,” she said. “My two sisters are living with us. They are staying with Jennie while we are away.”
“Introduce me to your wife, Rory,” Cat demanded.
Rory obliged. “This is Grace, and this is my high-handed sister, Catriona.”
“Everyone calls me Cat,” she said, tossing back her auburn hair. “I am so glad to meet you, Grace. I never thought Rory would find a woman who would put up with him, but here you are.”
“I think you underestimate Rory,” Grace said firmly. “He is the best of men, and the best of husbands.”
Cat’s blue eyes widened. “Oh my, you are in love!” she declared. “Mama said you were, but I didn’t believe her. Now I can see it is true. You have tamed Rory!”
Rory cleared his throat. “I am standing here, you know,” he muttered. Then, looking about, “Where is Callum? I want to congratulate him on his bonnie lassie.”
“Upstairs,” Cat said. “They’re all up there apart from Donal. He is off being miserable somewhere. Did you know his sweetheart has gone away? Now his heart is broken.”
Rory grimaced and explained to Grace. “My brother Donal has loved the one woman all of his life and expected to marry her and live here with her forever. But my mother said she has gone south to London and left him behind.”
“I am very sorry for him then,” Grace said, and he could see that she was. His wife had a soft heart.
That was when Callum appeared at the head of the grand staircase, peering down at them below into the great hall. “Rory!” he shouted, the name echoing about them. “You are here!”
He came down the stairs at a run and the two men embraced. Grace caught Cat’s eye and the two women smiled. She could see how alike the brothers were, both tall and handsome men, apart from their hair and eye coloring.
“Come and see my wee daughter,” Callum was saying, flushed with joy. “I tell you, I am a fortunate man, Rory.”
Rory smiled and clapped him heartily on the back. “We are both fortunate, brother,” he said.
Callum eyed him fondly. “Is that so, Rory?”
“Aye. I never thought I would say it, but I am a happily married man and I would no’ have it any other way!”