Epilogue
Sybella sat at the table on the dais in the great hall surrounded by MacDonells and MacKenzies, and her smile broadened in approval.
Men and women laughed as if they had not a care in the world.
For the first time since she could remember, she was blissfully happy, fully alive.
She no longer felt the burdensome chains of betrayal.
It was good to be home.
She couldn’t believe a sennight had already passed since the death of her father. And this jovial mood was exactly what the clans needed. The dreaded nightmare was over and it was finally time to heal old wounds. A little voice pulled her from her woolgathering.
“Come on, Lachlann, ye can do it,” said Anabel. She held out her arms as Lachlann took unsteady steps into her embrace. “Ye did it!”
Rosalia smiled. “He has taken a fancy to ye, Anabel.”
Anabel stood tall, proud. “I think I get along better with the wee lads than with my brothers.”
Colin rubbed the top of her head. “Your brothers may jest with ye now and again, Anabel, but they will always look after ye and love ye.” He turned to Sybella and they shared a smile.
A warm hand came down on Sybella’s shoulder and she reached up to grab it.
“Aunt Iseabail is in the garden with William. Should I be worried?” asked Alex, sitting down beside Sybella.
“Nay, I have a feeling William would ne’er let anything happen to her.”
“I suppose ye’re right.” Laughter filled the hall and Alex took a drink from his tankard. “My men are glad to be home from Lewis.”
“’Tis quite obvious. And ye really think things with the MacLeod will settle down now?”
“Now that Colin is laird and we have withdrawn our men, we shall see. With His Majesty’s men arriving on the isle, there isnae much the MacLeod could do now anyway.”
“I suppose.”
“Come now, Ella. I told ye that I donna want ye worrying about such things.”
“How can I be worried when I have such a strong and handsome protector?”
Alex lifted his brow, and as he was about to speak, Ennis approached the dais. “Thank ye for inviting us to the celebration. Anabel loves seeing ye, my lady.”
“I wish I could see her more often. Ye know how much I simply adore her. At times, I wished we lived closer to Kintail.”
“That doesnae mean we cannae come to pay ye a visit.” A mischievous look came into Ennis’s eyes and he lowered his voice. “Besides, I donna think ye will have the time, Lady Sybella. Ye will soon have your own bairn to raise.”
Sybella’s mouth dropped and Alex sat forward. “What? What did ye say?”
“Aye, Laird MacDonell, your wife is with child.”
She stammered in confusion. “Are ye for certain? I thought ye couldnae see without the stone.”
A sheepish smile crossed Ennis’s face. “That’s what I told your father, lass.
I was aware of what he did to the MacLeod’s women and children, and knowing that, I could nay longer aid him in his endeavors.
I ne’er wanted blood on my hands. I only tried to help our clan.
” Alex was about to speak when Ennis looked him in the eye.
“Aye, ye have your heir. He is a healthy lad.”
Sybella didn’t even realize Ennis had walked away when Alex pulled her to her feet. He lifted his hand to her cheek and held her close. “Ye have made me the happiest man alive, and nae only because ye carry my son. “Tha gaol agam ort, Ella.” I love you. His eyes were tender, compassionate.
She placed his hand to her stomach and laced her fingers with his.
“Alex, I love ye with all my heart. And I’ll need ye now more than ever.
” She laughed in sheer joy. When he raised his brow, puzzled, she rolled her eyes and added, “Ye heard Ennis. A lad. Just what I need. Another bad boy of the Highlands.”