Douglas placed a palm on each side of her face.
“I will extract from him revenge for every beating, every rape, and every punishment he levied on ye, Anne.”
His thumbs were running circles on her cheeks.
“Once I have had our revenge, we will go. Ye can meet our daughter and our three grandbairns.”
She smiled and leaned into his hand.
“I very much want that. And James?”
She looked at him, bringing her uninjured arm to his cheek.
Douglas smiled. “Ye know that I love ye yet more because ye loved my son.”
Her smile lit her eyes. “He was a sweet, loving boy.”
Douglas laughed. “Boy he isna any longer. Even then, Anne, he was at yer height.”
She laughed, nodding. The laughing caused another round of deep coughing. Douglas soothed her back with his palm.
“He is now married to our daughter’s sister by marriage. He has one boy and his wife is expecting another bairn.”
“How wonderful. You’ve been blessed, Douglas.”
“Now more so with ye, my love.” He brought her hands to his mouth and kissed them. “I vow that for the remainder of my life, I shall give ye the life ye deserve.”
Douglas touched her forehead with his and Anne sighed. She nuzzled his nose with hers. Their lips met in a tender kiss, when they heard someone running through the brush behind them. When Douglas saw it was the scout he’d sent, he kissed Anne and stood.
“Found him. He’s nay far from here.”
Douglas glanced at Finlay.
“Guard her, friend. With yer life. I canna fight him if I fear for her safety, and I canna live if I lose her again.”
Finlay shook his head. “I canna allow ye to fight this dishonorable man alone. Ye need someone there. I’m the best and most skilled warrior, after ye.”
“Which is why I need ye to guard that which I hold most dear. She is my greatest treasure, Finlay.” Douglas paused. “To lose her would mean the end of me. I couldna and wouldna go on without her.”
“Douglas-”
Her husky voice interrupted him.
Douglas looked at Anne where she sat watching. Her hands were trembling and he saw fear in her eyes. Squatting down before her, he reached out his hand and caressed her cheek. Gently bringing her close, he kissed the top of her head.
“Ye are the only thing that matters, Anne,” he whispered into her hair. “Please, lass. Doona argue. Doona fear. I need ye safe with my most trusted man so that I may at long last kill this bastard.”
He kissed the top of her head again as she nodded.
“I love you.”
He kissed her lips, grabbing her hand.
“I love ye, Anne. And I will return to ye as soon as I send that bastard to purgatory.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
“I should hack it off.”
Wynton turned suddenly, pulling his pants up from his ankles from where he stood relieving himself.
“Stuart!”
Douglas crossed his arms.
“Dead.”
Wynton looked about but the setting sun offered little light.
“Barrington!”
Douglas sighed.
“Also dead.”
Wynton growled.
“Darby! Parker! Randall!”
“Dead, dead, and dead.”
“Filthy Scots bastard.”
Douglas shrugged. “For certain, I canna be called a rapist or worthless father.”
“Who? Anne?” he sneered. “Found her, did you?” His laugh enflamed Douglas’ rage. “What tales have you been told? A man cannot violate a woman to whom he is wed.”
“Ye are a disgusting blackguard who thinks nothing of violating his wife and selling his daughter.”
“Women serve one purpose, Menzies. You should well know that.”
“What’s that?”
“To serve men however we need them- bartering for wealth and title, or a warm place to rest your cock.”
“I’ve nay wish to stand here listening to yer pathetic opinions. Ye sold my daughter to a man for money and favor. Ye abused the woman I love.”
“Loved. She must be crisp like a good crusty bread from the ovens by now.” Wynton laughed. “My wife was a weak, pathetic, woman. She birthed three weak sons, and a daughter who I always knew wasn’t mine. My wife was a whore.”
“Madeleine was never yer daughter. That she hasna yer blood is nay the reason. A father would never mistreat his child, or sell her. And yer wife? She ceased to be yer wife the moment ye raised a hand at her. Ye are a poor example of what a man should be. At last I will have all that ye’ve taken from me.”
“They were never yours!”
Douglas stood to his full height, fists to his side, breathing hard.
He’d heard enough from this horse’s ass.
“They were, and are, MINE! And I will relish when the last breath leaves yer body when my hands are wrapped around yer throat!”
Wynton laughed, taking his sword in hand. “I’m well skilled with the sword, but you can attempt to better me. I, too, would enjoy the opportunity to send you to purgatory.”
Douglas roared and ran towards Wynton, who positioned himself, waiting.
The swords met and clashed, both men growling.
It was clear that Douglas was a better swordsman. Wynton was adept at deflecting, but his strength and agility were no match for the Scot’s.
“Bastard!”
The anger overcame Douglas, making his movements sharper and more aggressive. His sword sliced Wynton’s side, making the man grunt.
“Scots baseborn filth. She deserves you. They both do. Filth for filth.”
Douglas bellowed and swung his sword, slicing Wynton’s other side. Wynton moaned, his body bending to that side, leaving him open. Douglas took advantage of the weakness and sliced Wynton’s other side again.
“This is for the numerous instances when ye raped my woman, abused my daughter, and sold her to service a man who enjoyed molesting children!”
Releasing an enraged roar, Douglas’ sword made impact with Wynton’s juncture, causing the man to fall to his knees in a shrill cry of pain as he cupped his groin. He was on his side on the ground howling.
“What d’ye know of filth? Ye are a rotten mongrel, the likes of which belong in purgatory so that its fires burn yer skin, ye bloody bastard.”
Douglas kneeled next to Wynton after he spoke. The other man continued to moan in agony. Douglas reared his right fist back and pounded Wynton with so much force, the contacts made sickening sounds. Stretching out his hands, Douglas encircled Wynton’s neck and squeezed. Wynton began choking, hands moving over Douglas’, but it was all for naught.
He was unable to overpower Douglas’ strength.
Stars flashed before his eyes, and cleared a bit to see the yellow gaze of his lifelong enemy.
Douglas leaned down and spoke into his ear.
“At last, I won. For all that ye’ve taken from me, for all that ye’ve abused the women I love. Ye will die knowing that I bested ye, Wynton, both in brawn and in brains.”
Douglas applied more pressure around the other man’s neck and finally relented when Wynton’s face froze, eyes lifeless and unmoving.
Standing up, Douglas looked down and spit on him.
“Dance in the flames of the firepits. May yer evil soul never know peace.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
“Stop. Trust me, mo grian. She will be too happy for words.”
Anne closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of being in Douglas’ arms. Truth was, she’d barely been out of them since he’d found her.
“I remain yer sun?”
He chuckled as they slowly made their way on horseback towards the Ramsay keep.
“Aye, mo grian. My sun. For ye are. Ye are my sun, my air, my verra soul.”
He kissed her soft hair. It had taken much work to rid it of knots, and quite a length had already been cut off
. Her lady’s maid, Edith, had done a great deal, made easier by having the correct tools.
Wynton had provided them with nothing additional other than rationed food and water.
“Mayhap my appearance won’t be pleasing.”
Douglas felt Anne tremble. She began smoothing her skirts. He tightened his hold around her, bringing his lips to her ear.
“The last thought that will enter our daughter’s mind is judgment about yer appearance. Trust me. Ye look beautiful, mo grian. Ye look just as I remember ye, from so long ago.”
Anne snorted. “Douglas, you’ve never lied to me. ‘Tis nay a time to begin.”
Douglas barked in laughter. “I have never lied to ye, nor will I begin now. Look,” he said pointing. “We’re approaching.
Connor stepped out of the keep and approached Douglas. A small number of men accompanied him. Douglas had sent a messenger ahead to request that Connor meet them outside alone.
“Douglas.”
Connor looked questioningly at the woman in front of him. Anne’s face was turned sideways looking about, and when she faced forward, Connor inhaled sharply.
“Who is this, Douglas?”
Douglas smiled, dismounted, and wrapped his hands around Anne’s waist, bringing her down.
Douglas looked at his son-in-law and laughed.
“I told ye, didna I?”
When Anne squirmed, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She barely reached his chest. She had always been a petite woman, just like Madeleine.
“‘Tis how I knew Madeleine for who she was. Maddie has the Menzies dark hair and golden eyes, but her beautiful face was that of her mother.”
“Mother?”
Connor looked uneasy, staring quizzically at Anne.
“If ye’re surprised, I canna fathom Maddie’s reception. ‘Tis why I requested a messenger ahead for ye to greet me. Give yerself a moment to accustom yerself so that ye could support Maddie.”
“Douglas…”
“Is James here?”
Connor nodded, not taking his eyes off Anne, who fidgeted next to Douglas.
“Aye. He came as requested with Katie, but he wasna happy about it. Three months remain before Katie has their bairn.”
“Paranoid son of mine,” Douglas laughed. “Verra well, Connor. I’d like for ye to meet yer mother by marriage. This is Lady Anne Menzies.”
Connor opened his mouth to speak but found no words. Douglas laughed at his son-in-law’s discomfort. Anne elbowed him.
“You’re being awfully rude.”
Douglas kissed the top of Anne’s head.
“Anne? Menzies?”
Douglas rocked on his feet. “Aye. Once I made her a widow, I could not wait another day to wed her. I found the first priest I could.”
“Alive?”
Anne stepped forward. “A pleasure to meet the man who has loved and protected my daughter.”
She moved forward again and hugged a baffled Connor.
“Now ye understand why I wanted to first meet with ye.”
Connor returned Anne’s hug. After a moment, she moved back towards Douglas.
“Except for coloring, they could be twins.”
Douglas nodded, and began discussing how they would approach Anne’s introduction.
***
“What is amiss?”
Malcolm looked at Kiel. Connor raised his hand, sitting next to Maddie. James and Katie were sitting to their right. The remaining family was gathered around.
Douglas stood in the center.
“I’d requested for Connor to gather ye all. I have someone to introduce to ye.”
Douglas looked at Maddie and James, who sat next to one another.
“I am a newly married man.”
Maddie and James stood.
“Father…” James said, confused.
“Father!” Maddie was excited. “Who?”
Douglas smiled at them and walked to where he’d asked Anne to stand. Walking with hands linked, Maddie cupped a hand over her mouth, reaching back for Connor. James’ breath whooshed out of his lungs.
Anne began crying immediately when she saw her daughter.
“This is Lady Anne Menzies.”
Douglas turned to his daughter, beckoning her forward.
“Yer mother. My life.”
Maddie gasped, tears glistening in her eyes and falling down her cheeks.
“Mother?”
Eyes wide, Maddie launched herself at Anne, who received her with open arms and cries of joy.
“My sweet baby,” she kept repeating. “He told me you were stillborn.”
Anne choked on her words, her tone mournful. She hugged Maddie tightly.
“You’re so beautiful.” Anne backed up but held onto Maddie’s forearms.
“Mother. You are more beautiful than I ever envisioned.” Maddie placed her palms on the sides of her cheeks. “The Lord has granted me that for which I’ve always prayed and never believed possible. A miracle. My mother!”
Maddie could barely speak through her tears and she tripped over her words. Anne turned towards James.
“Aye, your father was correct. You are no longer a small boy. Look at you! A giant and as handsome as your father!”
James laughed and walked forward. “Lady Anne!”
They hugged for long moment before he opened his arms to include his sister.
“Such blessings,” Anne whispered, tears rushing down her cheeks.
“More blessings yet, mo grian. Meet our grandbairns.”
Anne stepped back and turned to where Connor now stood with Katie and the children.
“Oh my!” She began laughing and reached back for Douglas. “Bountiful blessings. In moments, I have gained daughters,” she said indicating Katie and Maddie, “and sons!” she gestured to Connor and James. “Now grandbabies!”
Douglas hugged her tightly from behind.
Miriam, Malcolm, Kiel, Iain, and Ginny came forward to meet Anne.
Later that night, Anne sat before the hearth with Maddie, Douglas, and Maddie’s children. James and Katie sat with their little boy.
“You named your first baby after me?”
Maddie smiled. “It was always in my mind to, Mother.” Maddie smiled when she said “mother.”
“The girls took an immediate liking to me.”
Anne had both girls sleeping on her after they complained that their baby brother was taking too much attention from their Grammy, as they’d pronounced it.
“They can feel the love from ye, mo grian. Ye are their blood.”
Anne laughed. “It is also a boon that their mother looks like me, so it was nay much for them to accustom themselves to a stranger since the stranger had their mother’s face.”
They laughed at her words.
Anne and Douglas shared a loving look. Smiling, they each looked at Connor and Maddie, and Katie and James.
“Wish that I could have spared you all the years of grief believing I was dead, but if that trial was meant to give us this moment, here with all of my family, I’d relive the purgatory I survived to experience this.”
Anne stopped for a moment and looked at all of them. She reached for Douglas without disturbing the girls on her.
“God has given me what I’ve always desired, and more blessings than I may deserve. For the remainder of my days, I will live in the grace of the blessings I have been granted.”
She squeezed Douglas’ hand.
“You are the family I always desired with every beat of my heart.” Anne smiled. “I love you, all of you, with all of my heart. May the years be long, and the love be eternal.”
Epilogue
Two years later
Anne was chiding James, Douglas, Malcolm, Kiel, and Iain.
“Quit laughing at him.”
She’d merely left the chamber to retrieve additional blankets and water.
“It isn’t easy for him.”
James and Douglas laughed harder.
Connor stop
ped pacing and looked at them.
“How long is this going to take?”
Anne stopped, walking over to Connor. She placed a comforting hand on him.
“In no time. We are simply placing things and readying for the bairn. He or she will be coming quickly. I’ve heard that is the case with the fourth child.”
“There willna be a fifth!”
The men guffawed. Anne turned towards them.
“Truly. Look at him. He is truly suffering with worry over Maddie. Poor Connor.”
James held out his palm towards his pacing brother-in-law.
“He does this with all of them. He paces, worries, and vows-”
“I swear that this is the last bairn!”
James crossed his arms, a smile on his face. “See.”
“Utter insanity!” Kiel laughed.
Connor stopped pacing and turned to Kiel, pointing a finger.
“Soon this will be ye. Ellette will soon be having yer bairn. Tell me then, wise Kiel, how ye will be when at last the time comes for yer petite wife to birth a bairn of Ramsay blood with its lineage of large babies who become giant men.”
The men laughed, but Kiel’s smile melted at Connor’s words.
“Ahhh. I see that I’ve caught yer attention, young Kiel.”
The men groaned when Kiel began to pace alongside Connor.
“Enough! Leave them be!” Anne castigated and continued on her task.
Just a short time later, Anne called out to Connor. The men heard him grumbling as he ascended the stairs. Once he reached his and Maddie’s chamber, they heard him.
“Damn it, Madeleine! This is the last bairn!”
The men heard him and howled in laughter.
Not much time after, the sounds of a newborn’s first cries resounded throughout the keep. The family celebrated, laughed, cheered, and showed their gratitude.
The blessings in their lives were bountiful, and the love they shared would always be magical.
Thank You, and Extras
Dear Readers,
Thank you for spending your hard-earned money and using your very limited time to read The Highlander Who Loved Me. Both money and time are precious resources, and I am grateful for your trust and loyalty in deciding to use those limited resources on my books. Could I impose on you and request that you leave a review for my book on Amazon? This helps other readers determine how to use their money and time, and they may, hopefully, decide to give this book a try.
The Highlander Who Loved Me (Heart of a Highlander Collection Book 4) Page 20