“Aye, Father,” Cullen answered.
Rose turned toward her love, smiling brightly into his beautiful, deep brown eyes. Cullen held her hand in his. “Dearest Rose, buin mo chridhe dhuit. My heart belongs to ye.”
“Cullen Duffie, buin mo chridhe dhuit,” she repeated. “My heart belongs to you.” The priest guided them through the rest of their vows and blessed them, causing the room to erupt in cheers.
Cullen pulled her close and leaned in, his lips close to her ear. “From Christmas Day onward, first and foremost…” He backed up so they could gaze into each other’s eyes. “I am a man, and ye are a woman. Not a clan chief, not a French royal. We are not what we’ve been told to be.” He lifted his fingers to her cheek, stroking the skin. “We are more than that. We are what is in our hearts.”
Rose looked up at her handsome rogue. “And what is in your heart, Cullen Duffie?” She smiled impishly.
His teeth showed with a broad grin. “Love for ye.” He leaned forward until his lips brushed her ear. “And a desire to make my wildcat purr.”
She laughed, tugging his face around to kiss her. “I love you, too, Cullen.” She took one hand down to lay her knuckles against her lips over a very fake yawn. “What an exhausting day, oui? I think we should find our bed.”
With that, Cullen scooped Rose up, causing a cheer and a wave of laughter to swell into the rafters. The sea of happy faces parted as he carried her toward the steps. Rose’s heart beat with joy. She nuzzled into Cullen’s neck, inhaling his scent. She was not lusted after for her witty banter or her beauty or her sexual prowess. She was loved, loved for who she was, loved for her heart.
Did you love this Scandalous? Check out more of our historical romance titles here!
Don’t miss more books by Heather McCollum! Sign up for our newsletter here!
Acknowledgments
A huge “thank you” goes out to my three children, who continue to support me, even though dinner is often late because Mom won’t stop clacking away at the computer. You are my most triumphant creations. “Every child is a story yet to be told.” And I know you will each have an amazing life story. Love you with all my heart! Mom
…
And as always, I please ask that you, my awesome readers, remind yourselves of the whispered symptoms of ovarian cancer. I am now a five-year survivor, one of the lucky ones. Please don’t rely on luck. If you experience any of these symptoms, consistently for three weeks or more, go see your GYN.
— Bloating
— Eating less and feeling full faster
— Abdominal pain
— Trouble with your bladder
Other symptoms may include: indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation, fatigue, and menstrual irregularities.
About the Author
Heather McCollum is an award-winning historical, paranormal, and YA romance writer. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood of 2009 Golden Heart finalists.
The ancient magic and lush beauty of Great Britain entrances Ms. McCollum’s heart and imagination every time she visits. The country’s history and landscape have been a backdrop for her writing ever since her first journey across the pond.
When she is not creating vibrant characters and magical adventures on the page, she is roaring her own battle cry in the war against ovarian cancer. Ms. McCollum recently slayed the cancer beast and resides with her very own Highland hero, rescued golden retriever, and three kids in the wilds of suburbia on the mid-Atlantic coast. For more information about Ms. McCollum, please visit www.HeatherMcCollum.com.
URL and Social Media links:
www.HeatherMcCollum.com
https://www.facebook.com/HeatherMcCollumAuthor
https://twitter.com/HMcCollumAuthor
https://www.pinterest.com/hmccollumauthor/
https://www.instagram.com/heathermccollumauthor/
Discover the Highland Isles series…
The Beast of Aros Castle
Also by Heather McCollum
Highland Heart
Captured Heart
Tangled Hearts
Untamed Hearts
Crimson Heart
Get Scandalous with these historical reads…
How to Lose a Highlander
a MacGregor Lairds novel by Michelle McLean
In this Highlander Taming of the Shrew meets How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days tale, Sorcha Campbell and Laird Malcolm MacGregor are determined to break the bonds of their forced matrimony. To do so, they’ll have to keep their hands, and hearts, to themselves, or risk being permanently wed. But there’s a thin line between love and hate, and even their feuding clans might not be enough to keep their passion at bay.
Unmasking the Earl
a Wayward in Wessex novel by Elizabeth Keysian
The Earl of Stranraer is out for revenge. But his enemy has an unlikely protector—an innocent but headstrong miss who’s determined to learn the art of seduction…any way she can. Stranraer does his best to protect her from the notorious rake he’s bent on destroying, but in the process the earl gets an unexpected lesson of his own—in forgiveness…and love.
The Earl’s New Bride
a Daughters of Amhurst novel by Frances Fowlkes
The Earl of Amhurst, Simon Devere, has returned to his estate in search of a wife and, more importantly, an heir. But a beautiful woman only brings heartbreak and ruin, and Simon’s disfigured visage is proof enough of that. No, he wants a wife who is unattractive and undesirable—and the homelier, the better. But nothing about Lady Henrietta Beauchamp is homely. It’s an impossible and unlikely match…unless this awkward beauty can bring hope back into a solitary beast’s life.
No Ordinary Mistress
a Masquerading Mistresses novel by Robyn DeHart
Remington Hawthorne has spent his life protecting the Crown. When he’s assigned to play the part of lover to Emma Masterson, he’ll have to risk his heart as well as his life. Perpetually tasked with proving she is as valuable as any man in her profession, the last thing Emma needs is to be reunited with the one man who makes her want to forget her duties and get lost in passion. It will take every ounce of strength not to give in to him…
The Rogue of Islay Isle (Highland Isles) Page 22