Peggy’s Love: The Victorian Highlanders Book 5

by St. Clair, Ellie

  * * *

  Peggy had been right about one thing — her family was livid. She hadn’t explained to them all that had happened, of course, but the very fact that she told them she was choosing to leave Rory and return home was enough to raise their ire.

  “What did he do?” her father bellowed, despite the fact that Peggy tried to calm him down, to convince him that this was her decision.

  “He did nothing that I should not have expected,” she said, and Adam then pulled her quietly to the side, though she could read the fury in his eyes.

  “Did he take another woman?” he asked, to which Peggy shook her head.

  Roderick surprised her by taking the blame himself.

  “This is all my fault,” he said desolately. “I never should have taken you on that trip with him to Glasgow. At the very least, I should have been a better chaperone.”

  “It had nothing to do with you,” she assured him.

  Peggy quickly returned to her old life, her old chores, and her family continued to drift in and out of the rooms she inhabited. She could tell they were struggling as to how to help her and whether they should ask questions or if that was going too far.

  She made it easy on them by finally addressing the issue at dinner when they were all gathered.

  “I know you have many questions,” she said, looking around the table, and most of them returned her gaze with pity, which rankled, though she understood it. “I have decided, on my own accord, that my marriage with Rory is not going to work. I thought that we could find an understanding together, but it turns out, I was being foolish. Please do not make this difficult for him. He did nothing wrong.”

  They had nodded, though she could tell they had wanted to ask her more.

  After dinner, Finlay and Kyla drew her to the side. Peggy knew Kyla was feeling rather torn about the entire situation.

  “How is Rory?” Kyla asked, despite the fact that Finlay gave her a disconcerted look at the question.

  “It’s all right, Fin,” Peggy said, placing a hand over his to still him. “He’s Kyla’s brother.”

  She turned to Kyla now. “I believe Rory is fine, at least, he was when I left him in Glasgow.”

  “You were in Glasgow?” Finlay burst out, and Peggy cringed as she realized that was a piece of information she had kept from the rest of them, for she had no wish to explain how she had come to be there as she was fairly certain of how her family would respond.

  “Um, yes,” she said. “I left Rory there, though I ensured he had a note so he wouldn’t worry. Anyway, I’m sure he’s fine. You know Rory, always having a good time.”

  She tried to inject a bit of humor into her last words, but she could tell that she hadn’t fooled Kyla, nor Finlay it seemed.

  “I’m going to see if he’s home,” Kyla muttered, and Peggy only nodded.

  “If you go to Darfield, would you mind collecting a few of my things?” she asked. “I’m sure Aggie or Elspeth will know where they are. I know I should go back myself but I just… can’t do it. Not yet.”

  Kyla wore a look of concern, but nodded, relieving Peggy. There were some things she desperately needed, but she had no wish to see Rory, at least for a day or two. She knew at some point she would have to see him again, but she was not quite ready. Besides that, Darfield would remind her of the life she could have had, that she thought she had, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to face it all.

  “If I see Rory, would ye like to say anything to him?” Kyla asked.

  “If you could, please tell him… tell him that I’m sorry it didna work out.”

  Kyla nodded, and Peggy sat and watched her go.

  Chapter 24

  Rory sat in the study, a place that was typically ignored. He wasn’t the type of man to resort to books — that was more Kyla’s area of expertise. Instead, he preferred to be the one conversing with the guests, making things happen, physically doing the work.

  But, at the moment, he needed to set things right. He was writing out a list. A list of reasons why Peggy should take him back. The only thing he could think of so far was that he loved her, but he had no idea how to prove the truth of it. How could he show her that he would do anything for her, that there was no question of what ends he would go to for her?

  He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he jumped when a knock sounded at the door, and it creaked open to reveal his sister’s blonde head.

  “Rory?”

  He waved her in.

  “I was wondering how long it would take you to appear,” he said, hearing the growl to his tone, and Kyla smiled somewhat sadly at him.

  “I had no idea what state you would be in, and I didna’t want to leave Peggy.”

  “Why?” he asked, sitting up straight in his chair as his heart beat a little faster, “is something the matter?”

  “Only that she is sad and missing you, though she would never say as much.”

  “Then why will she not come home?” he asked angrily, and Kyla, never one to be put off by any gruffness he portrayed, sat down in the chair in front of the desk.

  “Why do you not tell me exactly happened?” she asked. “All I know is that Peggy is convinced that she doesn’t fit into your life, that you would prefer to be without her.”

  And so Rory told her the entirety of the story. It actually felt like a burden was being lifted off his chest as he shared his thoughts with someone else. Kyla was silent as she allowed him to speak, her eyes widening as his story unfolded, particularly when he told her of the scene in the back of the gambling rooms.

  “What exactly did you say?”

  He mumbled through it, and Kyla was shaking her head by the end.

  “I think I understand now why she was so upset.”

  “But I told her none of it was the truth, that in fact, I actually loved her!”

  “And that was the first time you did so?”

  “It was the first time I knew it myself.”

  Kyla was silent for a moment as she drummed her fingertips over the surface of the table.

  “So why are you sitting here? And why are you not over at Galbury, telling her of all you feel?”

  “I have already told her and she didn’t seem to care. What difference will it make if I tell her again?”

  “Well, you tell her with sincerity, not hastily in a back alley. Explain to her exactly why you love her. Tell her what you will do to prove it to her over the rest of your lives.”

  “That’s not how I like to speak, Kyla. I’d rather show her how I feel.”

  “And how has that worked out for you so far?” Kyla raised an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth drifting into a smile as she did so.

  “There’s one other problem,” he said. “I still do not have the money to make up for her dowry loss, unless I sell my share of our operations.”

  “You will do no such thing,” Kyla said, standing and leaning over the desk. “How does that prove any sense of responsibility? What Peggy needs is assurance that there will be stability for the rest of your lives, not for a moment in time. You’ll make it back — ye just have to make a plan. Besides that, what’s this bag of coins perched on the edge of your desk?”

  “That’s Peggy’s,” he said with a sigh. “She won it herself. Will you return it to her?”

  “Return it yourself,” Kyla said, standing. “And stop feeling sorry for yourself. I’ll expect you later today.”

  And with that, she left with much more zeal that she had entered, and Rory could only chuckle. His sister knew exactly what to say to him. It wasn’t anything that he didn’t know himself, but somehow hearing it from another made a world of difference. He scratched a few more lines on the paper in front of him, before standing and following in his sister's footsteps.

  * * *

  Peggy was stringing sheets onto the laundry line when she heard hoofbeats coming up the hill. Kyla had already returned — without Peggy’s belongings, which she said she had forgotten — and Peggy wondered who it could be
now. She looked out over the green hill, squinting in her attempt to recognize the rider, whose face was darkened due to the setting sun behind him.

  Her heart caught in her throat when she recognized his strong, burly frame, and she swallowed hard as he rode closer toward her, his face finally becoming visible, for he wore an expression that could only be described as determination.

  She stood there, still as could be, one hand on the line in front of her, until she realized that it was beginning to freeze as it covered the cold linen below it.

  He pulled the reins of his horse as he stopped before her, dismounting and tying Fortune to a fencepost before striding over to her.

  “Rory?”

  “Peg,” he said, lifting his hands, his strong yet gentle hands, to cup her face, and as much as she wanted to push him away, she longed even more so to feel them upon her, and she could only look up into his brilliant, green eyes, remaining silent as she read the emotion swimming within them.

  “Och, Peg, you had me so worried,” he said, still searching her face, and she blinked back the tears that threatened simply from seeing him again.

  “I left ye a note,” she finally managed, to which he nodded.

  “I received it a tad late. It was a long night of searching.”

  She dropped her eyes. She had worried about that, but she hadn’t known what else to do.

  “For that, I am very sorry. I left without thinking, and then I didn’t know how to get word to you.”

  “Why did you leave me?” he asked, and she was shocked by how harshly gutted his voice sounded. “Why did you not come home — to Darfield?”

  “I told you why,” she said, her voice coming out in nearly a whisper, and she forced herself to show more strength. “I cannot be with a man who does not want me equally as much in return.”

  “Do you not understand?” he asked, desperation overcoming his face. “I need you more than I’ve ever needed anything in my entire life. I love you with my entire being, with more than I ever thought possible to feel. I’ve done many stupid things in my life, Peggy, most of which you are well aware, but marrying you was the best decision I ever made, even if I didn’t realize it at the time. I was a fool not to understand just how much I loved you then. I was scared — of what it would mean, how vulnerable it would make me. But the moment I saw that you were in trouble, I knew with my whole being just what it meant to love someone. For if anything ever happened to you, Peg, I’d be destroyed. And to live without you—”

  He swallowed hard, and when Peggy realized how close to tears he was, her resolve to steel herself against him and his words of love completely shattered. For this was no act — his declaration was coming not from his mind but from his very soul, and Peggy’s own heart couldn’t help but respond, for she was tied to him, whether she liked it or not.

  But like it she did.

  She threw herself into his arms, and he caught her and held her to him like a thirsty man who had finally found water. They clung to one another and he buried his face into her hair as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close, inhaling his masculine scent as she allowed her own tears to fall upon the linen covering his shoulder.

  And then he leaned back and his lips found hers and it was unlike any homecoming she had ever before experienced. For it didn’t matter where they were — in Glasgow, in the Highlands, or halfway around the world — what mattered was that they were together, and would never be separated again.

  They had kissed many times before, but never like this, with the raw, passionate need for one another that couldn’t be explained with words alone.

  Peggy had no idea how long they remained wrapped together in the bailey of Galbury Castle, but finally a voice cut through the air that was beginning to cool as evening set in.

  “Are you going to stay out here all night practically making love, or are you going to come in and say hello to the rest of us?”

  Peggy turned to find Roderick watching them through the doorway. Once he had their attention, he waved at them to come in. Rory waved back while Peggy felt her cheeks warm despite the cool air.

  “Oh, Peggy,” he said, remembering her winnings. “I have your coin — you did well. It’s in my saddlebags.”

  “Take it — it’s yours, to make up for the debt payment,” she said, clearly not caring.

  “I cannot.”

  “Rory,” Peggy said, determination in her blue eyes. “What is mine is yours and yours is mine. Going forward, what we do — we do together.”

  “I love you,” he said, leaning in and kissing her quickly.” But I am going to spend the rest of my life working to make it up to you.”

  “We will work together.”

  Rory nodded and took her hand to lead her in, but she tugged him back toward her.

  “Before we go in, Rory, I just need to tell you that I’ve as much to apologize for as you do. I let my own foolish emotions get the better of my judgment and if nothing else I should have trusted you enough to come and speak to you, instead of being so fearful of what you might say.”

  Rory took her face between his rough, calloused hands.

  “I think we’ve both done enough apologizing for now,” he said with a grin, the mischievous gleam that she so loved back in his eyes. “I’d suggest we live now for the future, looking forward to what comes next.”

  “That sounds just fine to me,” she said with a smile of her own, and he kissed her one last time before they went inside.

  * * *

  Rory couldn’t remember a time in his life when he had felt so complete. They had dinner with the McDougalls, who welcomed him back without reservation — though Duncan did have a quick word with him after dinner to assure himself that his daughter would not be leaving her husband once more to return to his home.

  Now, Rory was returning to Darfield with his wife. The keep was quiet; most of those who lived and worked there had gone to bed already, save his father who was likely out at a tavern in the village still. Though, now that Rory thought about it, he had seen Niall much less frequently before retiring at night as well as in the morning. Perhaps he had found a woman of his own. It wouldn’t be the worst thing.

  They climbed the stairs in silence, Peggy’s hand tight within his. Now that he had found his love once again, he wasn’t letting go.

  He led her into his bedchamber — their bedchamber — and the moment they were within, he kicked the door shut behind him as he gathered her in his arms.

  “Rory,” she murmured, but he brought a finger to her lips. He didn’t want any more apologies, didn’t want any more talk about what had happened in the past. Tonight they would celebrate the love they had found, and he wouldn’t be speaking of anything else. Or speaking anything at all.

  Rory wrapped Peggy in his arms, pulling her close as she tightened her arms around his neck and fisted her hands into his hair. He could feel the intensity with which she gripped him, and he was glad of it — of the fact that she wanted him, that she loved him as much as he did her.

  He lifted her in his arms, setting her down on the plaid which covered the bed behind them. He paused, taking a moment to simply stare at her, at the deep blue of her eyes, her smooth, beautiful face bordered by her silky dark hair. This stunning woman below him was his, and he loved her more than he could ever imagine.

  Rory kissed every part of her face that he loved so much, and it was some time before he made his way to her lips. As much as he wanted to devour her hungrily, he took his time, tasting her as though he were sipping a flavorful wine, until he finally gave in and kissed her with the abandon he had been holding back. She responded just as eagerly, and it was she who began clutching fistfuls of his shirt before fumbling with his buttons. He clasped her hands in his, stilling her. He wanted her to remember this, as he showed her just exactly how much he loved her.

  He tenderly undressed her before removing his own shirt. Clad only in his kilt, he continued the exploration of her body with his lips, kissing e
very part of her that met his eyes, and while she trembled beneath him and reached up in an attempt to take more, he refused to relent until he was finished. Finally, he took her lips with his again, running his hands through the luxurious waves of her hair.

  And when he could wait no longer, when she seemed to be on the brink of her own desire bursting forth, he ever so slowly entered her, and tenderly moved within her until they developed a rhythm together, moving as one, as it was always meant to be.

  They found their release nearly simultaneously, and Rory thought he could have wept at the feeling of physical love coinciding with the emotion they felt for one another. Nothing else compared. He wouldn’t have wanted it to. This was how it should be — at this time, in this place, and with this woman.

  Epilogue

  “Come, Peggy, let’s go!”

  Peggy let out a nervous laugh as she urged her horse forward in a gallop in an attempt to catch Rory. She was becoming a better rider, but she thought more credit was likely due to her horse and the fact that he was getting used to her, rather than her own abilities.

  But she could, at the very least, keep up with her husband now, though she would like to think that she could best him in many other activities.

  He looked back at her now, and when he saw she was still quite a bit behind, he began to laugh, which spurred her on all the more and soon enough she was passing by him, headed down the hill toward Galbury.

  Every Sunday they enjoyed a meal with the entire family. Even if hunters had come to visit, Peggy and Rory made a point of escaping for a few hours to meet with the McDougalls —and Niall with his new wife, when they were able to join them.

  Jane welcomed them at the door, while Duncan heartily shook Rory’s hand as he entered, all now fine between the two of them — and as long as Peggy was happy, fine they would stay.