* * *
Domnall sat at the lunch table. He felt his heart thud with nerves, though he could not have exactly said why. Chlodie had been quiet and subdued during the day, and he knew that her father’s departure still weighed on her somewhat. He wished he could do something to help, but knew it was unlikely. He tensed, hearing her speaking to someone in the hallway.
“…And of course, with the cottages as they are…”
He strained to hear the words, and felt himself get more anxious. Chlodie’s father had returned – that was his first concern. He’d come back and was trying to convince her to leave, or to let him stay and dominate her here. He tensed, ready to go down and intervene for her, but something held him back.
Wait. She needs to settle matters herself.
If the fellow stayed here, they would find ways to mitigate his presence. With his daughter wed, he would have to withdraw somewhat from her life, and from the house. They could manage whatever happened.
“Of course, if you wished to stay longer…” He caught her voice replying to a murmured male voice.
Well, if she wishes him to stay…He shook his head. It was her father, not his. He had no right to say anything.
He waited for her to come upstairs, his soup still on the table in front of him, untouched.
When she came in, her face shone.
“Domnall!”
“What?” he frowned, feeling his own lips twist into a smile despite the tension he’d been feeling. She looked so happy that whatever his own thoughts on the matter were slipped instantly to the back of his mind.
“Guess who was here?”
“I can’t guess,” he said, though his stomach sank a little, thinking it might be her father. He had only met him once, but knew he didn’t trust him.
“You’d think, after so long, you’d recognize my voice..?”
“Bethann!” Domnall shot out of his seat, holding out a hand to shake his sergeant’s. “I thought you’d gone home!”
“I would have,” Bethann said slowly, “except that I couldn’t help thinking of those fellows trapped with McLammore, see?” he shook his head. “So, I went back to find them. They heard of what had happened. Most of them said they’d follow you, if you wanted to lead a rebellion.”
“Me?” Domnall laughed. He looked at Chlodie, knowing that he never wanted to be part of that world again. Violence and hate had no place in his life, now. It was all about love.
“I guessed you might not wish that,” Chlodie said slowly. “So Domnall and I have another plan. The men will stay here, in our tenants’ cottages. We have five or six empty, and they can find work here on the estate, or in the woods. We can start the mill up by the burn again, and that way, we will make a profit from the place. Bethann will help.”
“Uncle was a miller,” Bethann shrugged, as Domnall shot him an inquiring glance. “I reckon I can run a mill. Beats soldiering, sir. I’m sick o’ it.”
“I know,” Domnall said softly. “I am too.”
“Well, then!” Chlodie was jubilant. “We are settled! Welcome, Bethann! A finer miller Invermore House has never seen.”
“I reckon I’m in luck there, milady,” he said. “Seeing as I don’t think it’s ever seen a miller before.”
They all laughed.
“You have to be off soon?” Chlodie asked Bethann. “Or would you care to stay for luncheon?” She waved a hand at the direction of the table, where luncheon was already laid out.
Bethann’s face lit up, and Domnall saw him lick his lips. He nodded.
“Milady, you’re too kind.”
“I’m happy,” Chlodie said simply. She drew out a seat beside Domnall and together they all sat down for luncheon.
Domnall grinned at her and she grinned back and he knew that he had never been so happy.
EPILOGUE
The mill creaked in the distance, the sound a lazy counterpoint to the drowsy sound of bees. Chlodie looked up from the linen she was sewing and looked across the field, scraping a strand of red hair back from her brow. Beside her, on the grass, taking advantage of the summer sunshine, Domnall slept, a hat over his eyes. She reached down and rested a hand on his shoulder. He jumped, then woke, eyes opening.
“Yes, dearest?” He kissed her wrist.
“Domnall,” she said softly, leaning down to kiss his brow. His eyes closed and he smiled, grip tightening on her fingers. “You know the estate’s making double what it was?”
“Doesn’t surprise me,” Domnall said softly. “Bethann’s proved to be a fine miller. And the men have settled in well.”
“They have,” Chlodie agreed, feeling sweet contented warmth spread through her body. She looked round the field, seeing the distant plowed expanse where some of the men tended oats, and the familiar creaking of the mill in the background made her feel sleepy. She looked back down at Domnall, who kissed her wrist.
“I’m so happy,” she said softly.
“Me, too.”
She felt her cheeks lift with a grin as he massaged her palm, feeling the sweet warmth of his touch spread like wildfire through her body. If he kept this up, she might have to cut short their afternoon picnic and insist that they returned to the house – some things were far more fun between four walls.
She felt her grin broaden, recalling the vision that had visited her. She hadn’t mentioned it to Domnall yet. In it, a small child with hair the red of autumn ran up a pathway, leaves flurrying around her, small voice lifted in a cry of joy.
She would tell him of that vision tomorrow, for they had all the time in the world for sharing – and so much love.
Join My VIP Readers’ Club List
Who Else Wants to New Cover Reveals, Short Flash Fictions, Characters’ Interviews and much more…
Emilia Ferguson invites you to join her VIP Readers’ Club List. CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW!
ALSO BY EMILIA FERGUSON
* * *
Lairds of Dunkeld Series
Book 1 Link -> Heart Of A Highlander
Book 2 Link -> The Highlander’s Challenge
Book 3 Link -> The Highland Hero
Book 4 Link - > The Cursed Highlander
Book 5 Link - > The Highlander’s Dilemma
Book 6 Link -> The Highlander’s Awakening
Book 7 Link -> The Highland Secret Agent
Book 8 Link -> A Highlander’s Terror
Book 9 Link -> Soul Of A Highlander
Book 10 Link -> Courage Of A Highlander
* * *
Blood of Duncliffe Series
Book 1 Link -> The Highlander’s Trust
Book 2 Link -> Destiny Of A Highlander
Book 3 Link -> Highland Love Prevails
Book 4 Link -> Love For A Reluctant Highland Lass
Book 5 Link -> Shadowy Highland Romance
Book 6 Link -> The Highlander’s Runaway
Book 7 Link -> The Highlander’s Healer
Book 8 Link -> The Highlander’s Widow
Book 9 Link -> A Highlander’s Gifted Love
.
Acknowledgement
Thank you for taking your time and energy to read “A Highlander’s Gifted Love”. Without your continuous support, I would not have written this book.
Wherever you are, I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart. I also want to thank my wonderful Facebook fans, my advance copy reviewers and beta readers in advance for making this series a success.
~ Emilia
If You Have Enjoyed This Book…
…. We would really, really appreciate it if you would help us tell other readers how much you have enjoyed this book by leaving us a review. To us, reviews are like little gold pieces and they help persuade other readers to give the novels a chance. More readers will encourage our authors to write more quality novels, and that means we will continue to produce highly-entertaining stories. Please give your unbiased reviews by CLICKING HERE.
Publisher’s Notes
Copyright © 2017, 2018, 2019 by EMIL
IA FERGUSON
This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to real or dead people, places, or events are not intentional and are the result of coincidence. The characters, places, and events are the product of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the author/publisher. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
A Highlander's Gifted Love (Blood 0f Duncliffe Series Book 9) Page 22