Epilogue
Castle Ballentine, one month later
“Try again,” Isla told Ewan as they walked hand in hand along the sea shore below the looming towers of Castle Ballentine, enjoying a little late afternoon sunshine.
“All right. Isla, Katrina, Maria, Annie ,” Ewan replied, pretending to concentrate hard and giving special emphasis to the final name.
She giggled and batted at his arm. “Nay! There’s nay Annie!”
“But I like Annie. What’s wrong with it? I’m used tae callin’ ye that. Annie Ballentine. Aye, it has a ring tae it,” he teased.
She sighed laughingly. “I can see I’m just gonnae havetae trust ye tae say me name properly when we stand before the priest tae say our vows. If I hear a breath of Annie, I warn ye, I’ll brain ye with one of the candelabra from the altar.”
“Ye mean ye’ll try, but ye’d need a stool tae stand on tae reach me head,” he pointed out.
“Ye havenae seen me dress yet,” she told him with a chuckle. “The skirts are quite big enough tae hide a stool under there.”
He grinned down at her, his eyes dancing. “Really? Now, that’s interestin’. Och, I might creep under there mesel’ durin’ the ceremony. Just think of what I could get up tae. In fact, I’m gettin’ excited just thinkin’ of it. It’ll give the Faither a shock when I pop up from underneath yer petticoats tae say me piece.” He grabbed her playfully around the waist and swung her about before stopping her laughter with a kiss.
“Mmm, I love ye so much, Ewan,” she murmured when their lips parted and they stood on the sand with their arms wrapped around each other, looking out over the sparking ocean. “I dinnae think I’ll sleep a wink tonight, I’m so excited about tomorrow. I cannae wait tae be married tae ye.”
“Likewise, bonny lassie, likewise,” he said into her hair. “I can always sneak intae yer room tonight if ye cannae sleep and keep ye entertained.”
“Och, nay, ye cheeky devil! Ye ken well ’tis bad luck fer the bride and groom tae see each other on the night before the weddin’,” she pretended to scold him.
He shrugged. “Well, that’s easy tae remedy. Douse the fire and dinnae light any lamps. I dinnae need light fer what I want tae dae tae ye.” He nuzzled her neck and pinched her bottom.
“Ewan!” she shrieked, breaking out into fits of giggles, enjoying every second.
“Wheesht, woman. That bum will be officially mine tomorrow, so quit yer complainin’,” he told her before his look of feigned innocence turned to lustful glee.
“And this will be mine,” she told him, pinching him back.
They walked along a little further. “’Tis so nice and peaceful out here,” he said. “The whole castle’s gone mad over the weddin’. Ye cannae move fer the maids turnin’ out the bedrooms and carrying about piles of linen. Yesterday, comin’ out of the great hall, I nearly collided with a servant carrying a load of glasses. We just managed tae save them from smashin’ all over the floor! I’ve never seen the place so busy.”
“Aye, I ken. I think they’re lookin’ forward tae it though. They all seem very excited,” Isla replied. “Almost as excited as we are.”
Ewan nodded. “’Tis been a long while since we’ve hosted a big celebration like this, I suppose. Me weddin’ was bound tae cause a furor. Especially as they have such a beautiful bride tae admire.”
“Och that’s sweet of ye, Ewan,” she told him, touched by the compliment, not that she was short on them with him around. She felt as though her life was really starting in earnest at last. She was going to be Lady Ballentine, and she could not have been happier.
They came to the stone jetty where boats were unloading baskets of fresh fish, oysters, and other tasty delicacies ferried from the mainland, destined to grace the tables of their wedding feast the following day for their guests’ enjoyment. They stood and watched for a while.
“’Tis funny tae think that only a few months ago it seemed like all was lost,” Ewan suddenly remarked. “And now, I feel like the luckiest fella alive. I’ll likely shed a tear or two when I see ye walking up the aisle with me sister as yer bridesmaid… ’Tis like a dream come true.”
“Aye, I ken how much it means tae ye,” Isla replied fondly. “Deidra’s a wonderful girl. She’s made me feel so welcome. I’m so happy tae have her tae help me with all the weddin’ arrangements. And wait until ye see her in her bridesmaid’s dress,” Isla replied sincerely.
“Aye, she’s lovin’ every second of it, and she has some roses in her cheeks at last,” he said, hugging Isla to his side. “Havin’ ye here tae talk tae and the weddin’ tae take her mind off the bad memories has helped he an awful lot, Isla. ’Tis easer fer another woman tae understand what she’s been through.”
“Aye, maybe so. She’s a brave wee lass though. When it comes tae courage, she takes after her braither.”
Ewan kissed her hair. “Thank ye, Isla. Now, talkin’ of braithers, look out tae sea.” He pointed to the horizon, where the white sails of a birlinn could just be seen approaching the shore.
Isla followed where he was pointing, suddenly gripped by excitement. “Is it Gregory, d’ye reckon?” She had not seen her brother for a couple of weeks and could hardly wait for him to arrive, see her new home, and have him give her away at the wedding.
“Aye, I think it very likely is. Shall we go down and be there tae greet him when he docks?”
“Och, yes, please, I’d love that.”
So, arm in arm, they walked further down the beach towards the nearby village, so they could be waiting on the dockside for Gregory to disembark. It meant the world to Isla to have her beloved brother there.
Just before eleven o’clock the following morning, dressed in his finest full kilt and laird’s regalia, complete with ruffled white lace at his throat and cuffs, Ewan took his place before the altar in the castle chapel, feeling as if he might burst with nervous anticipation.
Before him stood the smiling priest, all in black, his bible under his arm. Behind him sat the congregation, a selection of family, friends, and representatives of neighbouring lands, all dressed in their finest attire and bathed in the varicoloured sunlight that filtered through the stained-glass windows. A low buzz of conversation arose from the gathering as, along with the groom, they all awaited the arrival of the bride.
At last, Ewan heard the chapel doors creaking open. His heart racing, he glanced over his shoulder. Like a vision from a dream, Isla appeared in the doorway on Gregory’s arm, smiling radiantly. Gregory also looking splendid, beaming with pride in his kilt, escorting his sister down the aisle at a stately pace.
Ewan’s breath caught in his throat at the sight of her, as she looked more beautiful than ever in her lovely wedding dress of pale cream silk. It showed off her lithe curves to perfection. A lump formed in his throat when he glimpsed Deidra following behind her, holding her train. She did indeed look beautiful in her flowing bridesmaid’s dress, her face wreathed in smiles.
As Isla drew closer, her eyes locked with his. She smiled at him and he smiled back, feeling a silent promise passing between them. When she reached the altar, Gregory grinned at Ewan as he placed her hand in his. The congregation fell silent, and Ewan and Isla exchanged a loving glance as they turned to face the priest. He opened his bible, cleared his throat, and the ceremony began.
The Father’s words washed over them, for Ewan and Isla were lost in their own private world, their hearts beating in perfect harmony as they said their sacred vows to love one another forever. When it was time for the handfasting, it was Colin who handed Ewan the ceremonial dagger. Ewan quickly made a cut in Isla’s palm, then his own before he pressed them together, the mingling of their blood a symbol of their union, as well as that of the two clans.
Colin bound the hands of the bride and groom together with the ribbons each wore around their wrists, the binding that tied them together as man and wife in the ancient Highland tradition. After the solemn words had been spoken in the old way, Colin slowly pulled the bindings so that they formed a perfect knot. That knot, another symbol of their joining, Colin carefully slipped from their hands and carried back to Deidra, who waited by the front row of seats. She would guard it until it could be safely displayed for posterity.
Colin then returned to the altar with the velvet cushion bearing two gold rings. Ewan felt a rush of pride and joy as he slipped the golden band onto Isla slender finger. She was almost his! Isla smiled at him lovingly as she placed the matching band on his finger, completing the most important part of the ceremony. His happiness was almost complete, and he could see joy shining in Isla’s eyes, assuring him that she felt the same way.
When the minister finally pronounced them husband and wife, and said, “ye may now kiss the bride,” Ewan did not hesitate to take Isla in his arms, and their lips met in a tender kiss, sealing their union for all eternity.
The congregation erupted in joyous applause and cheers as the newlyweds turned to face their gathered friends and loved ones, their faces aglow with the radiance of true love.
And then, it was time for the wedding breakfast.
Isla’s heart was full of happiness as she clung to Ewan’s arm, looking out over all the people who had come to watch them celebrate their wedding. Truly, she could not imagine it was possible to be happier than she was at that moment.
As the happy coupled led the procession to the great hall, the atmosphere quickly grew merry, then raucous. Arm in arm, they entered the beautifully decorated hall, which was laid out for a splendid feast, with plenty of room for dancing in the center. Ewan escorted her up the center, to the top of the room and the laird’s table.
There, Isla and Ewan were surrounded by family and well-wishers from all sides as they laughingly drank the traditional dram of whisky each from the ceremonial quaich, the two-handed cup that signified the bonding of their two clans. When bride and groom had drunk their fill, the quaich was passed around for all to take a drink. Then Ewan paid the piper his traditional dram, upon which the man began to play, and the party began in earnest.
“Ye look amazing, wife,” Ewan whispered in Isla’s ear, holding her tightly in his arms as, fueled by copious amounts of ale and whisky, he whirled her once again up the column of whooping, clapping couples in a traditional country reel.
“How many times have ye said that tae me since we were wed?” she asked in a teasing voice as they danced along.
“I was nae counting, but whatever it is, it’ll nae be enough,” he told her in a low, husky voice, his hands squeezing her waist and making her quiver with excitement. “’Tis a grand party, to be sure, but I have to admit I can hardly wait to get ye alone.” They reached the top of the column, parting at the top to run down to the start and meet again.
“I have to admit I feel the same, husband,” she whispered back, panting with exertion as she planted a kiss on his lips. It was simply impossible to look at him and not want him. “When can we decently take our leave, d’ye think,” she added with a mischievous giggle.
“Well, I think because everyone’s gone to such trouble tae make this a happy day fer us, we owe it to them stay at least another five minutes,” he said with a suggestive quirk of an eyebrow.
“Wisht, husband!” she cried, bursting with happiness at his eagerness but nevertheless thinking of propriety. “Ye ken very well it would be rude nae to stay a wee while longer.”
“Ten minutes it is, then,” he shot back, flinging them back into the fray, his laughter vibrating against her cheek as she clung to him giggling. She looked at the other dancers and caught Ella’s eye.
“Is it nae wonderful how everybody seems tae be getting’ on so well and enjoying our weddin’ celebration so much?” she said in his ear as they spun about in time to the music.
“Have ye seen Colin and Deidra over there? Ach, she looks so happy, and I’ve never seen him grin so much. And look at Gregory. He’s found himself a beauty in red.” She pointed with her eyes.
Ewan looked and laughed. “He’s certainly enthusiastic, the way he’s throwing the lassie about like that,” he said.
“That’s the pot callin’ the kettle black, Ewan Ballentine,” she teased, out of breath as they once more tripped up the center aisle of the noisy column of dancers. She glanced around as they skipped past, feeling part of one great big happy family, a feeling she had always craved. Ella was dancing with Kelvin and Domnhall and Connor, Gregory’s secretary, had teamed up with a pair of red-headed twins, who seemed to be leading them in a merry dance. Both men looked extremely happy about it. Isla could not help but smile.
Night had fallen when they finally announced their departure and were serenaded to their chambers with a raucous and vulgar roistering from the company, most of whom were now deep in their cups.
“Finally, I thought the buggers would never leave,” Ewan exclaimed with relief as he shut the door firmly on the rowdy crowd. “Are ye happy, bonny lass?” he asked, grabbing Isla around the waist and dancing her unsteadily around the room to a tuneless hum.
Also quite tipsy, she giggled at his antics, throwing her arms around his neck. “Aye, I’m very happy, me darlin’ husband. Are ye?”
“Aye, I couldnae be any happier than I am at this moment.” He twirled her about, grinning at her hungrily before giving her a smacking, whisky-flavored kiss.
Isla returned his kiss with enthusiasm, the heat of desire slowly igniting in her belly at the lascivious intensity of his look. “So, ye could nae be any happier, ye say?”
“Nay, I am perfectly content,” Ewan assured her. “Should we dance some more?” he asked.
“Aye, that would be nice,” Isla hummed dreamily and let him spin her around the carpet, occasionally knocking into the furniture and setting them off into fits of laughter. “But there’s one thing that would make me even happier,” she said after a while.
Ewan hummed in response as he rested his cheek on the crown of her head. “What’s that, me angel, just say the word and whatever it is, I’ll get it fer ye.”
“Why, tae consummate our weddin’ night, of course,” she purred with a smile, pressing her body against his teasingly and batting her lashes up at him.
He grinned at her, his eyes dancing. “Aye, ye look good enough tae eat, and I’m right famished after lookin’ at ye in that dress all night. Let’s dae that right away,” he replied, dancing her unsteadily over to great four-poster bed. “Why, wifey, yer smile is lightin’ a veritable fire in me loins.”
She burst out laughing. “Loins?
“Aye, what’s so funny?” he asked, pretending to be offended. Then he grabbed her hand and pressed it to the front of his kilt. “Take a hold of that.”
“Och, I think that’s a ragin’ inferno goin’ on under there,” she cried in delight, squeezing a handful and enjoying his groan of pleasure. “And there’s only one way tae put it out.” She looked up into his eyes and nibbled on her bottom lip provocatively.
Ewan’s eyes darkened, and he tightened his grip on her waist. “Aye, there’s only one way tae cool me ardor, and only one lassie tae dae it,” he told her as he tumbled them into the coverlet.
Isla’s giggles turned to sighs of pleasure as his hands ran down her legs and slipped beneath her skirts, pushing them up around her waist. “Och, ye’re a sight fer sore eyes, Isla Ballentine. I’ll never get enough of lookin’ at ye. By God, I’m the luckiest man on earth,” he told her, gazing at her stockinged legs and exposed sex hungrily.
“Are ye nae supposed tae take me garters off with yer teeth?” she asked, holding one leg high and pointing her toes, looking at him coquettishly.
“With pleasure,” he told her, and proceeded to do exactly that, trailing ever hotter kisses up and down each leg as he did so, reducing her to a helplessly giggling wreck as he bit softly into her flesh and tore off each of her garters, growling and shaking his head like a dog with a bone before tossing them aside.
She could feel herself growing hot, mostly between her legs, craving the feel of his mouth on her, but instead he moved up her body to unlaced the front of her bodice and let her breasts tumble free, squeezing them together and rubbing his face against them. He groaned appreciatively as he set about sucking and nibbling on them, toying with her nipples until they grew hard, eliciting blissful moans from Isla as she arched her back and entwined her fingers in his hair in near ecstasy.
She wriggled and squirmed beneath him, her breath catching in her throat when he slid one hand down between her legs and began tantalizing her there too, his thick fingers delving between her folds and then inside her, his thumb strumming her rosebud until she could no longer hold back the climax that shook her whole body.
Then, he lifted his kilt, revealing his huge erection. “Look at me, Isla. I wantae see ye,” he told her, looking deeply into her eyes as he slid his entire length slowly into her.
“Oh, God, Ewan,” she gasped, smiling up at him ecstatically, “ye fill me right up tae the brim! I’ll never have enough of ye.”
“That’s right, ye willnae, and that’s a promise. Ach, ye’re so tight!” he groaned, gripping her hips tightly and lifting her onto him so he could go deeper. “’Tis like heaven on earth when I’m inside ye, Isla, like ye were made fer me,” he sighed happily, smiling down at her, his eyes dazed with a lusty pleasure she found utterly thrilling.
“We were made for each other,” she breathed, twining her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck as he shuddered and took a steadying breath before he started thrusting into her slowly.
“Och, Ewan…” she mewled, pushing against him.
“Aye, lass, it’s me all right,” he grunted, planting hot, open-mouthed kisses on her neck and lips with each thrust.
“Omigod, have mercy!” Isla cried out and threw her head back in almost total ecstasy.
Ewan slowed down to growl in her ear, “Dae ye want me tae go faster, lass?”
Isla’s eyes flashed open and met his. “Aye, faster, please!”
“Ach! Lass,” he groaned and rammed into her fiercely, wringing cries of pleasure from her lips and threatening to push her over the edge.
“Ewan,” she moaned and gripped his arms tightly.
“Ready, lass?” he asked as he drove into her again and again.
“Och, I’m ready!” she moaned, bucking as her inner walls tightened, and she climaxed around him.
“Isla, me love,” he grunted into her hair as he found his release inside her.
They collapsed against each other, panting, spent and happy, skins slippery with the sweat of their lovemaking.
“We’ll dae that again in a minute, but without the dress,” he murmured, his breathing ragged as he peppered kisses lazily all over her face and throat.
“And the kilt,” she said.
He chuckled. “Aye, and the kilt. I just need a wee nap tae get me second wind. Och, I love ye so much, Isla Ballentine, me beautiful wife.”
“And I love ye, Ewan Ballentine, me darlin’ husband,” Isla returned with a smile and kissed him lightly on the forehead when he finally settled into her embrace. At that moment, she truly could not have been happier.