Epilogue
Fennella stood next to her husband proudly, tears in her eyes, as she watched Moira take their da’s sword in her hands, her expression solemn. The entire great hall was quiet, not even a sound to be heard as they watched the same ceremony unfold before them, many with tears in their eyes.
After a year of Clan McPherson not having a laird, today they would have their leader.
A leader in her sister, Moira.
Aleck squeezed her hand and Fennella drew in a breath, knowing that this was the right decision.
She and Aleck had discussed it at length, even heatedly at times.
Fennella had argued that her sister was not ready, but Aleck had countered with the fact that Lachlan had taken the Campbell clan over as laird younger than she was.
Besides, he had said, it didn’t mean she had to take it all on right now, and that he would provide whatever advice she needed until she was ready.
Fennella couldn’t argue with that and now they were standing in her childhood home, watching her sister grow up before her eyes.
It was a bittersweet moment.
The clan elder finished his words and the entire hall murmured in response, accepting Moira as their lady in the final rites. Fennella watched as her sister went from a young girl to a woman in the span of a few words, the determined expression surprising her.
For weeks she had listened to Aleck attempt to prepare Moira for what she was about to take on, as well as helping choose those that would be her advisors until she came of age to run the clan by herself.
Will stood proudly off to the side, one of the few chosen men that would lead Moira in the right decisions for the good of the clan.
Fennella’s anxiety had diminished only slightly when he had agreed to take on the role, knowing that her sister was in good hands with her former second-in-command.
The elder turned and spread his arms to the group, a smile on his weathered face. “Welcome Lady Moira!”
A chorus of ayes and boot stomping followed, the group breaking up to consume the ale that was waiting outside the keep.
Tonight there would be celebrations and well-wishing for the new lady, before the true work would begin in the morning.
Fennella released her husband’s hand before walking over to her sister, wrapping her in an embrace. “Lady Moira of Clan McPherson.”
“Lady Fennella of Clan Campbell,” her sister murmured, holding her tight. “What have I agreed to Fennella? Do you think I am ready?”
“Of course,” Fennella said quickly, feeling her sister’s panic. “You will make a fine ruler, and both Aleck and I will be here to help you.”
Moira stepped back, smoothing her emerald green skirts with her hands. “I guess I should move outdoors.”
“We all should,” Aleck stated as he came up behind Fennella. “I wish tae dance with mah wife.”
Fennella turned toward him, arching a brow. “I do believe the last time we danced under the stars, our twins were conceived.”
His roguish smile stole her breath as he leaned close, brushing his lips over her temple. “Aye, a night I will never forget.”
Fennella leaned into his body, sighing happily.
Now that her sister was settled, she and Aleck would return home, back to their keep and their boys.
While she would have liked for them to make the journey, Duncan and Aileene had offered to watch them instead, giving their parents a respite from raising nearly one-year-olds.
While it had been nice to sleep next to her husband soundly, Fennella was anxious to see her sons.
“Ye are thinkin about the boys.”
Fennella smiled as she met Aleck’s eyes. “Aye. I miss them.”
“Me tae,” he admitted, tugging on her hand. “Come. Let’s have our dance.”
Fennella allowed her husband to lead her outside the keep and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her face against his fine linen shirt.
The music wound its way around their bodies as he held her close, making Fennella wonder how she had ever lived without him in her life before now.
Aleck was the man for whom her soul lived.
And she loved him a little more each day for all the happiness he had brought in her life.
“Och Fennella,” he whispered. “Is there a place we can go? I desperately need ye.”
Fennella pulled back and tugged on his hand this time, drawing him away from the crowd and to the other side of the keep. They did not have a warm hot spring, but the rocky outcropping would provide all the privacy that they needed for now.
Once they were a safe distance from the keep, she turned on him, pressing his large body against the cold rock. “Och lass, I like it when ye are like this,” he murmured as she deftly opened his breeks, pulling at them to slide them over his hips.
“You said you wanted me,” she stated with a saucy smile. “Show me Scot.”
He growled and grabbed her hips, spinning them around until she was pressed up against the rock, the cold seeping through her thin gown.
His hands slid up her legs and Fennella let them fall open, welcoming his touch.
Her breath hitched higher as he pushed her skirts to her waist, his eyes widening. “Ye dinnae wear any underthings.”
“No,” she laughed, urging him closer. “Is that a problem?”
“Bloody hell,” he muttered, grabbing her hips and lifting her up. “Ye will be mah death woman.”
“I hope not for a long time,” she whispered as he slid inside her. His gaze met hers and she smiled at the tenderness there, a sight she never tired of. “I love you Aleck.”
He held her there. “I love ye lass, more than ye will ever know.”
Fennella sniffed at his words, their bodies moving in sync with each other, taking each other to the place that only love could exist.
A place where their hearts lived for each other.