Lady Sineag gasped, standing upright so quickly that her chair scraped sharply on the floor, tilting back precariously, before crashing to the floor. She didn’t even notice.
“What?” she stammered, her color draining from her face. “But ye are dead! I ordered yer murder…” she trailed off, gasping, as she realized what she had said.
“Sineag,” hissed her father, his eyes like thunder. “Hold yer tongue, girl!”
But Lady Sineag started laughing, almost hysterically. “Oh, Faither! It is too late now! Can ye not see that?” Tears welled in her eyes. “Our ruse failed. She will have told him everythin’, and we can nae pretend anymore.”
Crannach stood up, his face pale. Domhnall could see the sweat dripping down his face. “I daenae ken what the girl is talkin’ about,” he said quickly, staring at Domhnall. “She is a bit unbalanced, ye ken…”
Domhnall stood up, too. He faced Crannach squarely, looking him straight in the eye.
Slowly, he took the letter out of his pocket, tossing it onto the table. “Ye should listen to yer daughter, Crannach. It is over, well and truly.” He pointed at the letter. “It is in yer own hand, Crannach. A letter from ye to Howard, discussing yer plans. The marriage between yer daughter and the English scum, yer patronage, and yer help in exchange for Howard leavin’ Lios alone and helping ye gain my lands.”
Crannach stared down at the letter fearfully, as if it were made of poison. He didn’t attempt to pick it up, but Domhnall saw that he knew it was real.
“Ye are a vicious traitor,” he said slowly, staring at the sweating man. “Ye tried to fool me, and ye entered into a bargain with a monster, all to save yer own lands and gain my own…”
“Please,” said the man, his eyes wide. “We can work this out! I can double-cross Howard, and we can still defeat him together…”
Domhnall laughed viciously. “Ye think I would trust ye at all after what ye have done? And the fact that ye can switch sides so quickly tryin’ to save yer own hide tells me what kind of man ye are more than anythin’.” His lips thinned. “Ye will pay for what ye have done, Crannach. Not only to my people and my lands but to the woman I love.”
He gazed across at Roseann, who was still standing silently in the middle of the room. She smiled slightly, her eyes glowing.
“Do ye want to say anythin’, my love?” he said. “Do ye want to say anythin’ to the woman who almost killed ye?”
Roseann turned her head, gazing at Lady Sineag steadily, who visibly shrank back.
“Ye told me once that I cannot defeat you,” she said slowly. “That I cannot battle fire. You were wrong, Lady Sineag.” She took a deep breath, her eyes suddenly fierce. “Very, very wrong.”
Domhnall smiled slightly. Roseann looked like a queen, standing there. Strong and proud. A woman to be reckoned with.
His woman. Forever.
“Guards,” he called.
The next minute, the guards entered, seizing Crannach and Lady Sineag.
“Ye are under arrest,” he rapped sharply, staring at them. “For crimes against Scotland. May God have mercy on both yer pitiful souls.”
The guards dragged them away. He turned to Roseann, staring at her across the room.
“Come here,” he called roughly, his eyes darkening.
She walked towards him slowly until she was standing right in front of him. She gazed up at him steadily; her amber eyes were aglow.
“That was well done,” she said, smiling. “They simply had no idea that they were caught like fish in a net.”
He smiled broadly. “The plan to bring ye in was brilliant! I thought that the bitch was goin’ to have an apoplexy when she saw ye.” He gazed down at her. “And ye were wonderful. The bravest woman that I have ever beheld, Roseann Gibson.”
She quivered slightly. “It was not easy seeing her again. I was so full of anger and hatred I wanted to rush over and pick up a knife, plunging it into her chest.” She sighed. “But you did very well, too, to control your emotions and act like it was a normal meal. Not many men could have done that, knowing what Crannach did.”
Domhnall nodded. “Aye, it was hard. One of the hardest things I have ever done. But it was worth it to see them squirming. To see them realize that they had failed, and they were done.”
“What now?” asked Roseann, staring up at him. “What will happen to them?”
Domhnall sighed. “They will be tried, under Scottish law. Hopefully, they will be severely penalized. The Laird should have his lands confiscated by the crown.” He paused. “They are being taken to Edinburgh now.”
Roseann blinked rapidly. “But what of Howard? He is still at large, even if Crannach and his daughter are gone.” Her face darkened. “I know what the man is like, Domhnall. He hates the Scots. He does what he does because of that hatred, regardless of anything else that is promised to him.”
Domhnall nodded. “Aye. Howard must be dealt with, once and for all.” He walked over to the table, picking up the letter. “But this is our proof, my love. Yer brother gave it to me because he ken it. I am sure yer King Edward will not be happy when he hears how much power one of his soldiers has wielded for himself in this area, acting with impunity, and without direct orders.”
Roseann blinked. “It is why Nicholas was in that camp. They already suspected what Howard was up to…”
Domhnall nodded. “Exactly. It is not finished yet, Roseann.” He paused, gazing at her intently. “Hopefully, I can persuade yer brother to come here, and he can take this letter to King Edward.” He paused, his eyes snapping with worry. “If we can get word to him, of course.”
38
Roseann stood in the courtyard, glancing anxiously towards the castle gates. By her side, she could feel Domhnall as tense as she was. He was almost rigid, barely glancing at her. Slowly, she slipped her hand into his, squeezing it slightly.
“Do not worry,” she whispered. “Nicholas will come. The rider said he had received our message, and that he had managed to find him and speak to him without any of Howard’s camp seeing.”
Domhnall nodded. “Aye. Of course.” But he frowned, not taking his eyes off the gates, even for a second.
Roseann sighed. So much was riding on this. If Nicholas failed to arrive at Coirecrag – if he had somehow been found out – then Howard might still be able to pillage and plunder Greum Dubh. The letter needed to get to King Edward, and her brother was the only one who could get it there. He was the crown’s official spy in the camp. They trusted him. They would not place the same amount of trust in a Scottish Laird.
Her heart seized. Apart from stopping Howard and his murderous rampage, she was fearful for her brother’s safety. What would Howard do to him if he found out he was actually a spy?
But suddenly, she saw a man on horseback, flying through the castle gates, as if the devil was pursuing him. The whole of the castle stopped what they were doing, gaping at the man who wore the English uniform of a soldier.
Her heart soared. The next minute, she was running wildly toward him. “Nicholas!” she cried.
Her brother stopped the horse, gazing down at her. He looked weary and dirty. But he was here, and he was alive. Slowly, he dismounted, staring at her with wide eyes.
“Roseann,” he breathed. “I simply could not believe it when I received your message. I could not believe that you had made it here. I was so worried about you.”
She smiled broadly. “I made it, dear brother.” She turned to Domhnall, who was hovering at her side. “May I introduce you to Domhnall MacBeathag. The Laird of Greum Dubh.”
Nicholas bowed slightly. “Laird. I have heard great things about you.”
“And I, you,” said Domhnall, smiling broadly. “I am in yer debt. Without yer help, Roseann would not be alive today.” He paused. “Ye are able to take the letter to King Edward?”
Nicholas nodded slowly. “I have enough to tell the King about all that Howard has done. I witnessed the destruction of Keelieock and Crisdean with my o
wn eyes.” He paused. “The King will hear it all. And the letter is the proof that Howard conspired with Crannach, for his own gain and without the approval of the Crown. The King does not like men who overreach themselves for the pursuit of power.”
Domhnall sighed deeply. “Justice will be done, then. Howard shall be stopped and tried for his crimes against us.” He took a deep, ragged breath. “It will be over, at long last.”
“Come,” said Roseann, feeling elated, as if she could walk on water. “You must be tired after your journey. We will sup, and you can rest before your long journey to London.”
Domhnall watched Roseann walk out of the banquet hall. She often took some air in between courses. And she and her brother had barely drawn breath over the evening meal, chatting like starlings. She must be feeling a little overwhelmed.
He walked out of the hall, following her, weaving through the crowd that had gathered to welcome Nicholas Gibson.
She was standing on the edge of the balcony, gazing out at the night sky. He studied her for a moment. She was wearing the blue damask gown that he had ordered for her, not long after she had arrived at Coirecrag. Somehow, it seemed appropriate at this moment.
“Are ye wishin’ on a star?” he asked, as soon as he was beside her.
She jumped a little, then smiled at him. “Maybe. But you know that I cannot tell you my wish, do you not? Then it will not come true.”
His heart started to thud harder in his chest. “I hope I can guess it, anyway. I hope yer wish is the same as mine.”
He took a deep breath, then dropped to one knee, gazing up at her. Her eyes widened.
“Ye ken how much I love ye,” he whispered. “Ye are the only woman for me, and I want ye by my side, forever.” His heart pounded harder. “Roseann Gibson, will ye do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She strangled a gasp, her hand flying to her throat, in shock. He saw her start to quiver, and tears filled her eyes.
“Say aye,” he growled suddenly, feeling tortured. “Will ye say it? I must ken that ye shall be mine. I cannae bear the thought of ye leavin’ me, ever again.”
She nodded slowly. “You sweet, silly thing,” she whispered as tears coursed down her face. “You know that I will say yes!” She paused slightly. “Domhnall MacBeathag, it would be my honor to become your wife. It would be my honor to become yours forever.”
He jumped to his feet, grabbing her in his arms. He lifted her off her feet, twirling her around until she was laughing so hard, she begged him to stop. Slowly, he placed her back down on the ground, staring lovingly into her face.
“It will be a new start,” he whispered. “We will leave the past behind us, my love. We will create our own family at Coirecrag. Our own life.” He paused. “Ye have made me a new man, Roseann. I dinnae ken now, how I ever lived a life without ye.”
She smiled through her tears. “I am so glad, Domhnall MacBeathag. I am so glad that I talked to the bards at Loughton Hall and heard that you needed a tutor. None of it has been easy, but I would go through it all again to be with you.”
Epilogue
Roseann took a deep breath, trying to quell her nerves. But they nipped up, twirling through her stomach, making her feel slightly queasy.
Mairead smiled indulgently, straightening the garland of flowers in her hair. “Ye need to settle, lass. Ye are as skittish as a foal!” She paused. “Ye look bonnie, ye ken. The bonniest bride that I have ever seen.”
Roseann smiled tremulously. She gazed down at her gown, newly made. It was made of gold silk and white lace, falling softly to her feet. It was so very beautiful that she hadn’t been able to take her eyes off it, where it had hung in her chambers last night, ready to be slipped on for her big day.
Her father, Lord Croilton, came to her side, smiling broadly. “You look beautiful, my dear.” He held out his arm to her. “Are you ready, at long last? I am afraid your big red-haired Scot will start snapping if you do not walk down the aisle toward him soon.”
She took a deep breath. “I am ready.”
The chapel doors opened. The people sitting in the pews all turned around, gasping as they beheld her. But there was only one person she was watching, at that moment—the tall red-haired Scotsmen standing nervously at the altar.
He turned, gazing at her. She saw his face change, and his eyes light up as he beheld her. Tears pricked behind her eyes.
I must not cry, she thought fiercely. Not yet, at any rate.
Slowly, she started walking down the aisle towards him. Now, she turned her head, gazing at the people sitting down.
She smiled as she saw Angdaigh, all spruced up in his best clothes, his fiery red hair neatly combed. The stable hand was a stable hand, no more. Now, he was one of Domhnall’s warriors. The Laird had said that he couldn’t do anything less, after the courage the lad had displayed at Crisdean. He had not only defended Roseann, giving her time to escape, but he had slain many English soldiers, as well. He had managed to survive the carnage and made it back to Coirecrag, nursing a broken heart, grieving for his lost love.
She stared at the other guests who had traveled from all over Scotland and England to be here. But there was one person, close to her heart, who wasn’t sitting here today—a person whose absence she sorely missed.
Nicholas was still in London, at the court of King Edward, giving evidence against Commander Howard. He had sent his best wishes and apologies for not being able to make it to the wedding, but his testimony and evidence were important. Howard had already been arrested and taken to London. His camp of renegade soldiers, with no leader, had finally dispersed, threatening Greum Dubh no more.
Roseann held back her tears. What Nicholas was doing was more important than attending their wedding. They would catch up later when it was all resolved.
She was simply grateful that Howard seemed to have finally been dealt with and that his threat to the people of Greum Dubh was finally gone. And the Laird of Lios and Lady Sineag were securely imprisoned in Edinburgh, as well.
She was almost to the altar now. But she saw her mother, sitting in the front pew, gazing at her with so much love and pride that Roseann gasped. Lady Croilton looked lovely in her new green silk gown especially made for the occasion. And she was very taken with her new son in law, often blushing when Domhnall spoke to her.
She sighed. Her mother’s new gown would not have been possible without Domhnall’s help. As soon as she had finally admitted the perilous position her parents were in, he had stepped in, paying off all the debts against the estate. Loughton Hall was saved. And because they no longer had to give all their available income to the creditors, they soon were able to live the life they had always been accustomed to.
Roseann turned her head to the pew opposite the one where her mother sat. That one was reserved for the MacBeathag family. She had already met Domhnall’s cousins and aged aunts and uncles who had traveled from their own estates, to be here. They had all welcomed her warmly into the family, claiming that they were glad a good woman had finally managed to tame the Laird.
Her eyes sought out only one person, though—Cormac, who was stiffly pulling at his collar, bored and restless already. Mairead had tried in vain to tame his hair, to no avail. Already it was sticking out in wild red tufts, looking like he had just rolled in a haystack.
Her heart softened. She smiled, lovingly at him. The boy looked startled but then grinned back. She knew he was over the moon that she was his new sister in law.
The priest stepped forward, clearing his throat. Her father gave her arm to Domhnall, with a fierce whisper. “Look after her. She is precious…”
Domhnall smiled slightly at the older man. “Ye have my word, sir. I will love and protect her on my life.”
Her hand sparked slightly as she placed it on Domhnall’s. And then the priest stepped forward, twining cord around their hands, in the first ritual of the mass. The handfasting, that signified they were one flesh, now.
She gazed down at their joi
ned hands, suddenly so overwhelmed with it all that the tears that had been threatening spilled over. She let them run down her face, not even caring anymore.
She was the happiest woman in the world. The love of her life was now her husband. And she knew that very soon, in a few months, their new family was about to grow. Already she had suffered some sickness, and her belly had grown so much that the dressmaker had to let out her wedding dress.
She sighed. She was the Lady of Greum Dubh. And she had everything that her heart desired. Forever.
The End?
Extended Epilogue
Would you like to learn how Roseann and Domhnall’s relationship evolved? Then enjoy this complimentary short story featuring our favorite couple!
A Pledge of Passion to the Highlander Page 26