Epilogue
“They are here! They’re finally here!” Isabelle exclaimed as she stood in the high tower of the castle.
She watched the carriage crunch along the snow-dusted shore of the mainland.
Isabelle’s heart leapt as she spotted her sister, Norah, stepping down, holding the hands of two small boys.
“Declan, they are here! I’m going out to meet them!” she shouted.
“Aye, I shall meet ye with the bairns!” he shouted back from down the corridor, but Isabelle didn’t wait.
She had waited far too long to see her sister and nephews, and the day had finally arrived.
Her hands tightened her cloak around her as she descended the stairs, finally making out into the courtyard then out the gate.
The commotion and bustle of the guards alerted others to the boats being loaded on the opposite shore of the mainland.
“Killian, oh, I hope they will be alright,” Isabelle said as she got to the docks.
“Dinnae fash yerself, me Lady . ’Tis a fine day for on the water. Nae a wind nor a cloud. Will be a good crossing,” he assured her.
Isabelle looked around at the clear blue sky. The sun shone brightly bouncing off the blinding snow on the ground. Although the air was cold and crisp, it was still, causing the water to look like glass.
“Ye are right,” she agreed. “I am glad for it.”
She anxiously waited as the boats crossed the loch to the island where Castle McCallum sat ready to receive them.
The boats docked, and Norah and her children were helped onto shore by Killian and a few other guards.
“Norah!” Isabelle cried, rushing forward, arms outstretched.
Her sister dropped her parcels with a laugh, embracing her tightly.
Arran, the quiet one, peeked shyly from behind Norah’s skirts, while Hugh bounced eagerly on his toes, waving at Isabelle with a wide grin.
“Is it really ye, Isabelle?” Norah said, holding her sister at arm’s length to look into her face. “It’s been far too long, lass.”
Isabelle laughed, brushing snow from Norah’s cloak. “And I’ve missed ye every day, Norah. Come in quickly; the fire’s roaring, and the children must warm themselves!”
Arran stepped forward “Arran, me love,” Isabelle said softly, bending to his level. “I’ll not let anything frighten ye here. Come, meet the other children, and we’ll have tea by the hearth.” She hugged him tightly.
Hugh, ever bold, had already grabbed Isabelle’s hand. Isabelle kissed his cheek and squeezed him tightly. “Oh Hugh. I’m so happy to see ye.”
“Come into the courtyard,” Isabelle urged.
“Och, me parcels,” Norah objected.
“Dinnae worry, me Lady . I have them and will bring them in straight away,” Killian said with a grin.
“Thank ye,” Norah said.
Isabelle led the group into the courtyard.
The sound of laughter and little footsteps was joined by Declan’s booming voice as he approached.
“Ah, there ye are, Isabelle. And Lady Norah, I apologize for bein’ late,” he said, bowing with mock solemnity. “As ye can see, I was tied up.”
The triplets had, of course, bound his coat in Yule ribbons, and all five children burst into giggles.
Isabelle folded her arms across her chest, trying not to laugh too loudly while Norah raised an eyebrow and smiled knowingly.
“Declan, let me introduce ye properly,” Isabelle said, holding her sister close and nodding toward the nephews.
“This is me sister Norah, and these are Arran and Hugh, Norah’s bairns.”
“It is me pleasure to meet ye all. Ye are most welcome here at Castle McCallum any time ye like,” Decland said.
“Thank ye, sir. Ye are most kind,” Norah said with a curtsy.
“Boys, these are our children Hallie, Beth, and Penelope,” Isabelle said.
The triplets waved enthusiastically, and Arran’s lips twitched into a tentative smile while Hugh bounced in excitement.
Penelope immediately grabbed Hugh’s hand and squealed, “Come, I’ll show ye how we decorated the great hall for Yule!”
Declan chuckled, shaking his head at the chaos of children and ribbons.
“I’ll take them, then, so the sisters can catch up,” he said, scooping up Arran with one arm while holding Hugh’s hand in the other.
Isabelle clapped her hands, beaming. “Thank ye, Declan! Ye’re a wonder with the bairns.”
He bent to hug Norah briefly, resting a hand on her shoulder. “I’m glad ye could make it, Norah,” he murmured. She smiled warmly, squeezing his arm. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world, Declan.”
With the five children in tow, Declan led them toward the great hall, their laughter echoing through the courtyard. The triplets squealed, tugging at their new cousins’ hands, and Isabelle watched her sister’s eyes twinkle with delight.
Snowflakes drifted down around them, catching in hair and eyelashes, as the castle seemed to hum with warmth, joy, and the promise of a new Yule filled with family. Isabelle’s heart swelled; this was exactly the home she had longed for.
“Come inside to me rooms,” Isabelle said, leading Norah inside.
“Sarah, fetch us tea and some cakes, will ye?” she called with a soft authority. “Bring it into the solar and see to it the children are fed as well. They are in the great hall with Declan and travel weary.”
“Aye, me Lady , at once,” Sarah said as she passed Isabelle in the castle corridor.
Within moments Isabelle led Norah into the warm solar, the fire crackling in the hearth, and settled her sister into a high-backed chair. Isabelle settled beside her, the two sisters leaning close, sharing the quiet intimacy of reunion.
Norah’s eyes glistened with emotion, her hand resting over Isabelle’s. “I missed ye deeply, Isabelle. I’ve thought of ye every day since we parted, wishing I could’ve been here to help and to see ye safe.”
Isabelle’s lips curved, a soft smile of relief and love. “And now, ye are, and we’ll have time to catch up on all the days lost, eh?”
The soft footsteps of Sarah returning with tea and a tray of cakes got their attention.
Isabelle poured the steaming liquid into delicate cups, offering one to her sister.
“To family, Norah,” Isabelle said, lifting her cup, her eyes bright with unshed tears.
Norah mirrored her, a soft laugh escaping her lips. “To family, Isabelle,” she said, clinking her cup gently against her sister’s, the warmth of reunion filling the solar.
“It feels… so good to be here and to see ye,” Norah said, taking a careful sip.
Isabelle nodded, her eyes misty, yet shining with the deep comfort of kinship. “I’ve missed ye too, Norah, more than words can say. Now that ye’re here and with me nephews, the castle feels complete.”
For the first time in weeks, she let herself fully relax, safe in the knowledge that those she loved were beside her.
“Isabelle, I am so very sorry I was nae there for yer weddin’ day. It grieves me,” Norah said.
“As it does I, but neither of us could have kenned how that day would turn out to be me own weddin’ instead of Rosaline,” Isabelle replied.
“It still baffles me, Isabelle,” Norah said, her brows knitting. “I cannae believe Rosaline would go so far, takin’ ye away like that with bandits. The lockin’ in the closet with Declan, I can see her doin’ such a thing, but the rest…”
Isabelle nodded, her fingers drumming lightly on the arm of her chair.
“Aye, I was shocked too. I thought I knew her, but she’s crueler than I imagined.”
“I wrote to Faither , and he said he had no knowledge of what she was up to, only that she had run away. He thought she had run away with a suitor, and to protect her reputation, he dinnae raise alarm over it,” Norah explained.
“Aye, he wrote to me the exact same words,” Isabelle said.
“And do ye believe him?” Norah asked.
“I do. As awful as Faither can be, I saw him shakin’ in his boots when speaking with Declan when he offered me hand in marriage to him. I dinnae think our faither would risk war with clan McCallum to satisfy Rosaline’s vengeance,” Isabelle said.
“Does Declan believe that?” Norah asked.
“Aye. At first he had a temper about it, ready to march on our faither and demand answers, but I calmed that endeavor with reason,” Isabelle said.
“And what did Declan decide for Rosaline’s punishment? Does she still haunt yer dungeon?” Norah asked, leaning forward, her voice low with curiosity.
Isabelle took a slow breath, a wry smile tugging at her lips. “He trusts nae one to truly punish her but himself, so he hired a solicitor and sent his guards to take her off to France with barely any coin. She’ll have to fend for herself, make her own way, and she’ll trouble us no longer.”
Norah exhaled, a mixture of relief and admiration crossing her features.
“That’s… decisive, but fair,” Norah murmured, shaking her head. “Aye, he’s a laird, he’s clever, and he protects those he loves fiercely.”
Isabelle reached across the table and squeezed her sister’s hand, warmth spreading through her chest.
“It warms me heart to see ye here, Norah. I feared so long we might never share such a quiet moment again.”
“And I ye,” Isabelle said.
“Ye are welcome in this castle for as long as ye like and any time ye like. I hope that ye will take me up on that offer,” Isabelle said.
“Aye, indeed, I will. As often as I can,” Norah agreed.
After finishing tea and cakes, the two sisters made their way to the great hall to join the others. There would not be a grand Yule affair, but the small amount of decoration and family was enough for Isabelle.
The hall was alive with warmth and laughter as the family gathered before the massive hearth, the Yule log set in place upon the iron grate.
Isabelle clutched Declan’s hand, her cheeks flushed with excitement and the heat from the fire.
“Ready, me Laird ?” she asked, her eyes sparkling as the children chattered around them.
Declan nodded, his hand firm over hers, his voice low and steady, “Aye, lass. Tonight, we burn away the old and welcome the joy of the season.”
The log was large and gnarled, draped in ribbons and evergreens, and Declan knelt to set it alight.
“By me oath, ’tis a fine blaze we’ll have,” he said, striking flint against steel until sparks caught.
Isabelle leaned close, the scent of pine and smoke mingling with the rich aroma of roasted meats that drifted from the kitchen into the hall.
“Aye, and may it bring peace and laughter to the castle this Yule,” she replied, her voice soft, filled with both relief and hope.
Around the long oak table, a small dinner was laid in full splendor: roast fish glazed with honey, golden potatoes, steaming bowls of cabbage and turnips, and platters of fresh bread.
Puddings, plum cakes, and spiced apples adorned the dessert table, their sweet fragrance wafting through the hall. Declan raised his cup of mulled wine to Isabelle, his eyes locking with hers.
“Tonight, we dine and cherish family,” he murmured.
Isabelle laughed softly, her hand finding his, “Aye, and may the laughter of bairns and kith fill these halls every Yule to come.”
The triplets, Penelope, Hallie, and Beth, scurried about, carrying plates of pudding and cakes to Isabelle’s nephews, Arran and Hugh.
“Try this, Arran! ’Tis pudding, just for ye!” Hallie chirped, handing a small bowl to the quiet boy, who blinked in delight.
Penelope offered a slice of plum cake to the energetic Hugh, who grinned widely, crumbs already at his chin. Laughter and chatter filled the space as the children mingled, their little hands entwining in generosity and joy.
Isabelle watched them, her heart swelling with warmth, and a quiet contentment settled over her. She leaned back against Declan, his arm draped around her shoulders, the flickering firelight dancing across his strong features.
“I never imagined,” she murmured, “that after all the chaos, the fear, the anger… we’d have a night like this.”
Declan kissed her temple softly and replied, his voice low and full of promise, “Ye are mine, Isabelle, and we’ve made our own family here, against all odds.”
She rested her head against him, thinking of Rosaline, the bandits, and every obstacle they had faced since their wedding. Now, all of it seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the warmth of love, laughter, and home.
“I love ye,” she whispered, turning to meet his eyes, the fire casting a golden glow over their faces.
Declan pressed his lips to hers, murmuring back, “And I, ye, lass. We shall face every Yule together as one.”
The Yule log crackled, sending sparks into the air as the children’s laughter rang in the hall.
Isabelle and Declan held each other close, the warmth of family surrounding them, and in that quiet, golden moment, she knew that she had finally found a true home.
The dinner went on, the children’s voices rising in joy, and Isabelle let out a deep, happy sigh.
Wrapped in Declan’s arms, she whispered once more, “This… this is perfect.”
The End?