Epilogue A New Start #3
“Sorcha,” Evander said, his tone shifting slightly, allowing the warning in his voice to come front and center. “I meant what I said tae Keith. Whatever quarrel ye have with my wife, that ends now. Do we understand each other?”
“There was no quarrel—” Sorcha started but immediately stopped as Keith gestured frantically at her to stop speaking. Sorcha let out a sigh and nodded. “Aye, my Laird. I meant her no true harm. I was only bein’ foolish.”
“See that it doesnae happen again,” Evander said firmly.
“It willnae,” Keith said quickly before Sorcha could speak, earning a glare from her.
“I can answer fer myself, Keith,” Sorcha huffed.
“Aye, but ye take yer time doin’ it, and I would like tae leave this room with my head still attached,” Keith said, already tugging her toward the door.
“A wise captain indeed,” Alice giggled. Sorcha couldn’t help but snort at Alice’s words. The pair shared a quick look. “Go on,” Alice said. “Ye shouldnae keep a woman like her waitin’.”
“Aye,” Keith said before practically running out of the room.
Evander rolled his eyes and pulled Alice closer against him.
“That man will be the death of me,” Evander mumbled.
“He will also likely be the reason ye have grandchildren tae dote on,” Alice said. “And children soon, should our efforts be successful.”
“Do nae remind me,” Evander groaned, though there was no bite to it. “I still think I should have hung him by his balls…”
“Sorcha wouldnae have forgiven ye fer that,” Alice giggled.
“True,” Evander said softly. “Ye are too kind, my wife,” he murmured against her hair.
“Good thing I am married to a protective laird,” Alice giggled, reveling in the affection.
Evander smiled, cupping her cheek gently, before leaning in and kissing her lips. Alice melted into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. Evander chuckled, the low vibrations running through Alice. Evander tried to pull back, but Alice pulled him back into another kiss.
“Insatiable little wife,” Evander murmured against her lips.
“Ye have starved me,” Alice said with a dramatic sigh.
“I have,” Evander agreed. “But ye shall never be left wantin’ again.”
“Promise?” she asked.
“Promise,” he said, picking her up and standing up. Alice gasped in surprise.
“Evander—”
“I am nae about tae bed ye in here,” he teased, walking toward the stairs. Alice’s ears went pink but she laughed, letting him carry her back to their chambers. Behind them, she heard Molly, Catriona, and Siobhan giggling, well aware of what was happening.
Alice looked over her shoulder at them. The three maids who had helped her get to this point were all beaming at her. They had helped her get to this point, and she did not know how she would ever be able to thank them.
She could think about that later.
Evander shut the door to their chambers behind him, and they fell into bed all over again.
She would never say no to letting him spoil her.
He would never get tired of spoiling her.
He would show that to her, in every touch, in every kiss, in every moment of pleasure.
That night, the fire burned low in their chambers, the sheets mussed up, Evander sleeping with his arm wrapped around her, Alice couldn’t help but think about what had happened over the last few weeks. All of this had started due to her brother’s stupidity…
She slipped out of the bed and moved over to the desk, taking out parchment.
Dearest Mother,
I wanted to write to you to tell you that I am doing well in Scotland. You do not need to worry about me. I am behaving as you told me to, being a good wife. All being well, it will not be long until I am with child.
I wanted to say thank you for raising me, for caring for me, in your own way.
Yet, I am glad I won’t be returning.
I will miss Yorkshire. I will not miss my father or my brother.
May my children have a better childhood than I did.
With love,
Alice
She carefully folded the parchment and then threw it into the fire.
Her shoulders relaxed. Her breathing eased.
She closed her eyes, feeling the relief flow over her, before she snuck into bed with Evander.
He murmured in his sleep, pulling her close.
Alice couldn’t help but giggle as she melted into his touch.
She smiled against his warm skin, enjoying the feeling of being loved and cared for like this.
Alice reached up, gently tracing the outline of his cheek with her thumb. She had not known, when she arrived, that she would fall for this infuriating man.
Love was not as easy as the stories she had been told had made it seem.
Instead, however, she had found something worth working for, fighting for, and holding onto no matter what came.
She brushed a strand of hair from Evander’s forehead.
He stirred slightly but did not wake. She smiled, settling against the pillow with him.
Whatever trials waited for them, and she did not doubt that there would be many, she found she was no longer afraid of them.
She had married a fool, yes. A stubborn, wounded, infuriating fool.
But he was her fool.
For the first time since she had arrived at the keep, this fool felt like more than enough for her.
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