Epilogue
Marin closed her eyes and tilted her face to the heat of the sun. The air was cold with the last of the winter chill, but it was a lovely contrast.
“Ye look bonny.” Bran's voice sounded beside her.
She opened her eyes to find him smiling down at her. A breeze blew in through the open window and ruffled his dark hair.
“This castle suits ye, as does the land here.” He drew her into his arms where his skin was warm despite the coolness in the air.
“This was my mother's favorite castle. We have many fond memories of visiting here.” Marin glanced to the dormant gardens below and could almost see her mother's golden head bent over a bush filled with massive roses. Leila had inherited her way with plants, a skill Marin had always envied.
“Why dinna yer da bring ye here instead?”
She tore her gaze from the garden and let her stare fix out on the glittering sea in the distance instead.
“Werrick Castle was too important. With Father being Warden, he had to remain there, and Mother could not stand for us to be separated. Their love was greater than any ever known.” She smiled at Bran. “At least for their time.”
He gave a deep chuckle against her ear and snuggled her closer.
A baby squalled in the distance. Ena’s new son, who was ready to eat nearly every hour. The poor woman had finally conceded to hire a wet nurse just to get a moment’s rest.
The boy brought great joy to the castle, as well as renewed hope for Marin that she and Bran might soon have their own child.
“It would be a wonderful place to raise children.” She ran her palm over her flat stomach. “Someday.”
He swept her hair away from her shoulder and kissed her exposed neck. “Someday if God wills it. Until then, we will continue to pursue our efforts in conceiving.” There was a playful, sensual undertone to his voice.
Mayhap with another man, Marin might have been more discouraged by her inability to bear a child in three years’ time.
But with Bran, with his unwavering love and the beautiful, peaceful life they lived together, the issue had not been one of great import.
How could it be, when her life was so perfectly happy?
A sharp knock came from the door. “Stay here,” Bran said in her ear. “I’ll send them away.”
And send them away he did, but when he returned to her, he held a missive in his hand. Anice’s neat writing spelled out Marin’s name.
He held the note aloft with a wicked grin. “A kiss for a letter, my love.”
Marin laughed and gave him a kiss as she pulled the folded parchment from his fingers. She unfolded the note to find Anice’s neat writing had gone sloppy.
“She says she does not know if we will receive this,” Marin said as she read the note. “She wants me to know they have been under siege from the Grahams, but that all will be well, for she has a plan.”
Bran leaned closer, the playfulness gone from his expression. “Does she say what she intends to do?”
Marin read on and shook her head. “Only that this is to warn us not to come until she tells us it is safe to do so.”
Bran ran his hands down Marin’s arms. “I fear for the Grahams being at the mercy of yer sisters.”
“This is serious,” Marin chided.
“Aye.” Bran held her face in his hands and met her gaze. “The curtain wall is strong, and yer family is resourceful. Dinna forget Drake is there and still has connections on the Scottish side, aye?”
It was true: Drake had remained at Werrick Castle. Sir Richard had deemed himself too old to ride into battle and Drake had been eager to fill the role when Marin’s father had offered him the position of Captain of the Guard. The Earl of Werrick had always been one to recognize skilled warriors.
“We will find out more details,” Bran said. “All will be well, my love. I’ll send a runner today.”
Marin nodded.
“All will be well,” Bran said once more. This time the reassurance sank into Marin’s heart.
She nodded again with more conviction.
“And if ye need someone to need, I’m here for ye, lass.” He winked at her.
She couldn’t help but smile at such an offer. Because he had always been there for her, his strong arms open to ease away her fears, his smile there to lift her spirits.
Everything would be well with Bran at her side. Even this.
He was her husband, her love and the best promise she ever kept.
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