Epilogue
It was a gorgeous summer day, greenery everywhere and plenty of flowers in full bloom. Rosalind had never seen anything like it. She loved the Highlands at this time of year.
“You look stunning,” Bea breathed as she brushed out Rosalind’s skirts. “And this color is perfect for you.”
“Thank you.” Rosalind looked down at her green gown. “Although you’ve been saying that all morning.”
“I didn’t think green would work as a wedding dress, but you’re proving me wrong.”
Rosalind smiled. “I just felt like doing something different. Something that would make this day stand out even more to me.”
Bea laughed. “I don’t think you need to do that. You stand out to everyone, anyway. You’re like a beacon whenever you walk into a room.”
“Bea, stop it. You’re sounding like someone who would bow at my feet and lick my toes.”
“No!” Bea shuddered. “I would never do that. That’s disgusting.”
Rosalind giggled. She did agree with that. She turned her gaze back to the window. Her room had a balcony, and she stepped out onto it, looking down at the garden before it dropped away to the valley. This was her favorite room in the house, and she was going to miss it when she married Cormac.
But it would be worth it—she would be with the man she loved, and who would treasure her for the rest of her life. Cormac had promised her that, and Rosalind believed him.
There was something soothing about the scene before her.
When she’d first arrived a year ago, she’d wanted to be isolated and unseen, not wanting anyone to look upon her.
Now she stood with her face uncovered, the sun on her skin as she embraced her new home.
It was one of the most stunning places she’d ever seen.
And it was all hers. There was no need to go anywhere else if she didn’t want to. Of course, she would have to travel to the cities like Inverness, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen, but Cormac said they had everything they needed close by, from good friends to exciting spots to explore.
Theo was certainly excited about that. He wanted to comb over the entire Highlands, much to everyone’s amusement.
Even if it was a little too enthusiastic.
Cormac and Hamish had been telling him stories about their childhood, and Theo wanted to emulate them.
He had embraced life in the Highlands far quicker than anyone else, and he even started to speak with a soft Scottish accent. That made Rosalind smile.
“It’s nearly time to go to the church,” Bea said, looking at the clock on the mantel. “You don’t want to be late, do you?”
“At least it’s not that far to walk.” Rosalind stepped back into the room. “And it’s not raining, unlike last week.”
“That would make it horrible. I thought we were going to be flooded out.” Bea gathered her shawl and slung it around her shoulders. “It looks like there hasn’t been any rain for a while.”
“That’s the joy of this place. You never know what’s going to happen.
Including with the weather.” Rosalind checked her dress again in the mirror before heading toward the door.
“I hope Theo’s not bothering Cormac and Hamish too much.
I don’t want them covered in grass stains and dirt because Theo wanted to play games. ”
Bea giggled. “I have a feeling that has happened, and neither of them will care about it.”
“They can do that afterward. I want to see my future husband looking his best.” Rosalind headed toward the stairs. “That’s only fair, isn’t it?”
“I won’t argue with that. I wanted Hamish to look his best when we got married. Thankfully, he did exactly that.”
Rosalind saw a wave of wistfulness across her friend’s face. She’d gotten married to Hamish at Christmas, getting married at the church with deep snow drifts outside. Hamish had looked splendid with his family tartan, and Rosalind had wondered what Cormac would look like.
At least, if he wore a kilt like Hamish, he wouldn’t be as cold. She had no idea how any man could do that. She’d been freezing, and she’d been wearing furs.
But the day had been gorgeous. After the wedding, they’d gone to Ravensmuir to have their wedding breakfast, which ended up being Christmas dinner. Then Theo had gotten everyone outside to have a snowball fight. Rosalind’s fingers had been stiff and cold when she stopped, but it had been worth it.
Her son certainly knew how to make things interesting.
“You’re going to be all right during the ceremony, aren’t you?” she asked as they reached the bottom of the stairs. “You’re not going to be in trouble?”
Bea laughed, rubbing her hand over her belly, which was starting to swell.
“I’m only five months along. I’m not going to be giving birth anytime soon.”
“I’m just checking. I know Hamish has been hovering around you ever since he found out as if he thinks something’s going to happen to you.”
“He needn’t worry. He should know me by now.”
“That’s probably why he’s so worried.”
Rosalind laughed as Bea pushed her shoulder, and then caught sight of Mrs. Rivers as she left the drawing room. The housekeeper’s smile warmed when she saw them.
“You two look beautiful, Lady Ellingham,” she said.
“Thank you, Mrs. Rivers. Are you coming over later for the breakfast?”
“Of course. We wouldn’t miss it, not when we’ve been formally invited.” Mrs. Rivers nodded and turned away. “Enjoy your wedding, my lady. And congratulations again.”
Rosalind’s heart swelled with pleasure. She had wanted to invite the servants to the wedding, but she also wanted a small wedding at the same time.
Cormac had compromised with her that they would have a few people who mattered witnessing their wedding, and then everyone, including the servants, would join them for the wedding breakfast at Ravensmuir. There was plenty of space there.
It seemed like yesterday when she agreed to marry him. Rosalind felt like time had flown by, and she wondered if she was going to be able to catch up. She was just floating on air.
After William’s death, she hadn’t even thought that she could find love again. That she would be able to move on and start a new life. Rosalind had been prepared to mourn William for the rest of her life, even if it meant wearing black and hiding her face away forever.
Then Cormac had come into her life, and she had begun to see that she could remember someone she loved and still be able to move forward. William wouldn’t have wanted her to be stuck in mourning forever, and he would certainly want her to be happy.
He would be proud of Cormac. They had been friends, and he would approve. He certainly wouldn’t have approved of Sir Crispin. Rosalind was relieved that she hadn’t ended up marrying that man, and that the knowledge of Julian’s plan had gone around London so fast it had made her head spin.
She was seen as a victim, not at fault for anything, which was usually the opposite of what happened with an engagement when the woman was questioned about what she might’ve done.
She hadn’t seen Sir Crispin again. He’d left London the same day she moved back to Scotland, and nobody knew where he’d gone.
He had left her a letter apologizing for his part, and that he wouldn’t bother her again.
While Rosalind didn’t like him at all, she did feel a bit of sympathy for him.
Julian had gotten his claws into him and he couldn’t see a way out.
He could’ve said no, but until Cormac got hold of him his pride and reputation was more important than keeping a mother and child safe.
The same couldn’t be said about Julian. Rosalind had received letters from him since his arrest, and much as she wanted to throw them away, she’d read them. She couldn’t decide if she was torturing herself more, or if she wanted to see if there was any remorse.
It just made her feel worse, and there was no remorse at all.
After the third letter, Rosalind just ripped them up and placed it back in the delivery man’s hand to send back.
She wasn’t interested in hearing him justify his actions.
The man had let his greed take over from a young age, and he’d been prepared to kill her son to get what he wanted.
He should’ve drowned in the river when he jumped in to escape from them.
Instead, he’d gone to the gallows just two months after he’d been arrested.
Rosalind hadn’t attended, not understanding why anyone would want to.
She was just relieved that Julian couldn’t hurt her anymore, and that Theo was safe.
Cormac would’ve made sure they couldn’t come to harm, in any case. He’d vowed to look after both of them, and he was following through on his promise.
As they walked through the woods toward the small church, nestled in a copse on the side of a hill, Rosalind knew she had nothing to doubt anymore. Cormac would always be there, and she would have her home here, a place she didn’t think could be considered home when she first arrived.
Where she could be just as she wanted and didn’t have to conform to anyone else.
The church was gray stone, shining in the sun as Rosalind and Bea broke through the trees. Bea smiled and took Rosalind’s hand.
“Ready? Theo’s coming.”
Sure enough, her eight-year-old son was walking toward them, looking very smart in his best clothes. He’d grown a few inches in the last year, making him taller and leaner than before. He was starting to look every bit the viscount, and Rosalind couldn’t be prouder of him.
He grinned at her and bowed.
“Lady Ellingham,” he said formally.
“Viscount Ellingham.”
Theo then giggled, breaking the spell. Then he hopped from one foot to another.
“Are you ready? Everyone’s inside.”
“I’m ready.” Rosalind held out a hand. “Come on, my lord. Do your duty.”
Theo beamed and took her hand. He’d wanted to be the one who gave Rosalind away, walking her down the aisle to Cormac. It had been such a sweet gesture that Rosalind couldn’t refuse him. And it made him look grown up, walking up the path to the church alongside him.
They entered the church, the cool air wafting around them. The church was quiet other than a few close neighbors, who stood smiling widely at her as Rosalind made her way down the aisle with Theo at her side.
She hadn’t been able to decide who to invite, so she’d left that to Cormac, who was more than happy to pick out a few people and leave it at that. The only three they were agreed on were Theo, Bea, and Hamish. Everyone else was Cormac’s choice.
He now stood by the reverend at the altar, Hamish beside him.
He was wearing a kilt as well, the tartan looking splendid on him and a perfect match to his tunic and jacket.
Rosalind hadn’t seen what he was going to wear, wanting to be intrigued.
Now she caught her breath at the sight. He was even more handsome than she remembered.
And she knew she was falling even more in love with him.
Theo led her to the altar, and turned to Cormac, giving him a bow before grinning at him. Smiling, Cormac took Rosalind’s hand as Theo stepped away to stand beside Bea. He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers.
“You look gorgeous,” he whispered.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” she teased.
She’d been through a wedding ceremony before, and she recalled being incredibly nervous. Even though she’d loved William, knowing she was reciting words in front of witnesses had made her stumble over the words and almost get it wrong.
But with Cormac, there was something calm inside her. She was relaxed, and she couldn’t stop herself from smiling. When she was needed to repeat the vows and if she wanted to marry Cormac, there was no hesitation or fumbling. She looked into his eyes and confirmed it.
It felt like a dream when they were finally confirmed as husband and wife. Cormac’s kiss was restrained, pulling her into his arms, but Rosalind could tell her wanted to be more passionate. She playfully bit his lip and drew back, winking at him before turning to their applauding guests.
Theo was on them immediately, wrapping his arms around her waist and squeezing her until she gasped.
Bea and Hamish stood off to one side, their arms around each other as they watched.
Then the rest of the guests approached them and congratulated them, Rosalind receiving embraces from more people than she anticipated.
She hadn’t felt this happy in such a long time.
“It feels like a dream,” Cormac said as they stepped out into the sunshine, his hand clasped around hers. “Especially with the setting, the way you’re dressed… that gown is gorgeous, by the way. I didn’t consider that green could be a good wedding color.”
“Well, it is. And I wanted to do something different.” Rosalind slipped her arm through his as they walked down the path. “I wanted to surprise you.”
“You are certainly full of surprises, my dear.” Cormac laughed, leaning over to kiss her cheek.
They wandered through the woods, the sunlight coming through the leaves and casting shimmering green light around them.
It was almost magical, and Rosalind stopped in the middle of the path, tilting her head back to look at the canopy of leaves above her.
It was like emeralds were glinting above her head.
“Look,” Cormac whispered, and touched her shoulder. “Over there.”
Lowering her eyes, Rosalind looked. There was a deer just off to their right, munching away at the nearby bush. Its antlers were huge, magnificent and disconcerting at the same time. Rosalind’s breath hitched.
“Don’t move,” Cormac murmured. “Just watch.”
Rosalind had never seen a deer up this close before, and it was beautiful.
She could barely move as she watched the deer lift its head and pad along, stopping again to turn its head around to look at its surroundings.
Then she heard twigs being snapped, and she tensed, only for two other deer to join the male.
One was bigger and clearly the female, staying close to the foal, who was looking excited about its excursion and began to prance around.
Rosalind realized she wasn’t breathing and exhaled slowly.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed.
“I thought you might like that.” Cormac’s voice had a smile to it. “It’s something you’ll see more the longer you live here. You just have to be careful and quiet.”
“Careful and quiet?” Rosalind bit back a giggle. “I can’t see Theo doing that.”
His chuckle was soft against her ear.
“Neither can I. But he’s only young. He’ll learn.”
Then Rosalind heard her son calling for her. The three deer looked up and froze for a moment before galloping off, disappearing through the undergrowth. Cormac sighed.
“I suppose it was to end eventually,” he said, kissing her cheek before stepping away.
Theo was running along the path toward them, Bea and Hamish just behind them, walking a little slower as Bea made her way over the uneven terrain. Theo beamed at them, flashing white teeth.
“Are we going to have something to eat now?” he asked. “I’m hungry!”
Cormac laughed.
“Do you not think of anything except food?”
“No. I mean, not really.”
Rosalind shook her head with a smile. Theo was really devoted to food lately. He seemed to eat a lot. It was a miracle that he wasn’t heavier, but he was so energetic it was a wonder he knew how to sit down. She took his hand.
“Come on. Let’s go and see if the breakfast is ready.”
Theo beamed, and he took Cormac’s hand, swinging himself between the two of them. Cormac looked at Rosalind, and she could see the love and affection glowing in his eyes. She smiled back, feeling happier than she had been in a while.
She had come to the north to disappear, and instead had found herself being embraced by the new life.
THE END