by Fiona Faris
Diana leaned in beside her and held his other hand. “Aye, Mildred is right! And dinnae think we dinnae know about the healer, Sophia. We can see how ye two look at each other. Maybe tis time ye let yerself love again?”
Logan blushed then, knowing more and more that his feelings for Sophia had been painfully obvious from early on.
“There is still time for ye tae have more children too, ye know,” Diana added, patting Logan on the cheek.
It was then that Logan remembered Sophia’s comment about wanting a larger family.
He knew he had to see her. He knew it was her he wanted to be with, to rediscover love with. After they slept together, she had left so suddenly that morning that he wondered if she truly cared about him. Their night of passion had been intense, and he had thought about it over and over again.
“Yer right, the both of ye. I think I do have feelings fer Sophia, and I want tae try tae have a truthful love with her.” He stood. “I shall give little Ava a kiss, and then I will talk tae her. I only hope she can see past all my brutish behavior in the past,” he added.
Diana and Mildred shooed him. “Well, better apologize now fer the years of brutishness ye’ll give her in the future!” Mildred added.
And with that, Logan left the room in a hurry.
* * *
After giving Ava a kiss goodnight, Logan rushed to Sophia’s bedchamber. He knew he needed to be honest about his feelings for her; more honest than he had been. He knew what he had to do to prove how much he cared about her.
He knocked on Sophia’s bedchamber door, and she opened it, a surprised look on her face. Her eyes looked puffy, as if she had been crying only moments before.
As soon as Sophia saw Logan there, she worried that the worst of her fears had come true—.
“Ye want me tae leave?” she asked him in a squeaky voice.
“Leave? Why would I want ye tae leave?” Logan asked.
“I just thought, ye might not want me workin’ fer ye now that we’ve been together. Especially without us bein’ married.”
Logan moved Sophia to the bed. He shook his head as he did.
“That is nae why I came here. I came here tae tell ye about the council meeting, and some other things,” Logan said, avoiding the hard subject for the moment.
“Oh,” Sophia said. She seemed to lighten up after she knew she was not being asked to leave. And Logan saw then how truly afraid she was of being kicked out.
“Sophia, what took place between us, it was beautiful. I am so glad we shared a bed. I would nae think any less of ye, lassie.” Sophia smiled then, and her eyes welled up again, but with joy this time.
Logan reached over and brushed his hand over her hair. He pulled her in close and kissed her. He let his tongue explore her again, in the way he had hoped to do the morning he woke and found she was gone. Sophia gave in to the kiss as well. She leaned into him, pressing her body against his, as she recalled how well they fit together. But Logan stopped them from going any further. He had other plans for their meeting.
Logan began by telling her all about the council meeting, all about how Gilbert had been a traitor. He explained the terms of the peace treaty with her, and said that he was hopeful it would be a time of healing and thriving for the clan. Sophia smiled wide. She, too, thought it was the best thing that could happen to the clan. And then came time for the final reveal.
“But Sophia, I have somethin’ else tae tell ye.” Logan grabbed her hands and pulled them into his lap. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring he had long ago put away that belonged to his mother. For some reason, it never felt like the right ring to give to Isla. She had also wanted a new ring.
Sophia looked at the ring and took in a small quick breath.
“This ring belonged tae my mother. It was her wedding ring. I want ye tae know, Sophia, that I have fallen in love with ye. After Isla died, I never thought I would find love again. I didnae think I was capable of being a loving man again. I became a hard leader, and I had difficulty being the person I wanted tae be. But then I met ye, and my life changed. I woke up and thought about how I wanted tae be seen, how I wanted tae act. I thought more about how tae care fer the people. How tae prove tae them I could be a good leader again.
“It was because of ye that I didnae kill Gilbert or Dillon. I knew what ye would have wanted. Ye make me a better person, and ye’ve made this clan better by being here.” Logan then stood and got down on one knee. He winced as he did, because his leg was still healing. But Sophia knew what was coming and she wept more heavily. “So, Sophia, I want tae know if ye’ll take me as yer husband?”
“Yes, Logan! Of course! I love ye so much!” She reached down and pulled him up, kissing him deeply.
Logan picked Sophia up as she kissed him. He shut the bedchamber door with his leg and carried her over to the bed.
“I want tae show ye how much I care fer ye, how much I want tae please ye and give ye the best kind of life. Ye deserve it all, Sophia.” Logan set Sophia gently on the bed. She blushed as she looked at the new ring on her finger, with its vivid emerald stone. Logan bent down and kissed her neck again. He trailed his tongue along the curve and kissed her along the nape of her neck. Sophia shivered with pleasure.
“Mm,” she moaned softly. Just as she thought Logan was about to lay her back and make love to her again, he surprised her. Logan placed himself on the floor in front of her.
“What are ye doin’?” she asked. Logan moved her skirts and lifted them slowly. He kissed along the inside of her legs.
“I am showin ye what kind of husband I expect tae be,” he said as he raised an eyebrow. Sophia felt herself grow wet and her soft mound began to pulse. Logan lifted the rest of the fabric in one scoop and exposed her softness. Sophia giggled at the soft breeze she felt as Logan continued making his way up her legs, kiss by kiss, until he reached the meeting point.
He moved his hand to her back and undid the top of her dress, until her breasts were in the open again. He took her right nipple into his mouth and circled it with his tongue, until Sophia sighed softly in response.
His left hand moved to explore her softness, and he felt Sophia move towards his hand, craving his touch. He liked how wet he made her, how much he could tell she wanted him, too. Finally, he gently moved her to lay back, and Sophia obeyed. Logan moved his face back to between her thighs. He kissed up to her softness and used his hands to part her legs further, until he was able to finally move his whole mouth against her. Sophia moaned in response.
“Oh Logan, yes, Logan!” she shouted. She pushed against him and the feeling of his hot breath against her wetness made her buckle more and more into his face. Logan grew hard at seeing how much he was pleasing her, how pleasured she was.
He circled her soft hill with his tongue until he found the exact pace she craved. He could tell she was nearing her climax by the way she moved against him. Moving her hand to his head and pulling him in further, Sophia cried, “Yes, Logan!” She rocked in rhythm to his tongue and moaned in a final release.
Logan stood as she turned to give him space to climb into the bed.
“I want ye desperately, Sophia,” Logan mumbled, breathless from the lust that built in him.
“Take me, Logan, make me yours.” She removed the rest of her dress and opened her legs, letting Logan move closer to her until his hardness was right at her mound. He entered her in one swift motion, and he was surprised by how well they fit together. He slipped in with ease. Logan pulled her close, and Sophia felt the pressure of another release building again quickly. Until only moments before, she had a whole other idea of how the night would go, and now she found herself in a much better state.
Logan moved in and out of her until he felt he could restrain himself no longer. He exploded in pleasure inside of Sophia, just as she too erupted in her second release. Logan fell atop Sophia and she ran her hands over his back.
“I love ye, Sophia,” he purred.
“I love ye too
, Logan.” Sophia glanced at her ring once more and could not believe that soon enough, they would be wed. Logan rolled off Sophia and moved next to her, pulling her in closely. The two fell asleep like that, cuddled into each other.
* * *
They slept in late the next morning, and arose just in time to head to the great hall for lunch. Logan left Sophia’s room early after waking her, saying he had some duties to take care of. She was resting peacefully, but she nodded, understanding. Logan rushed to have the kitchen prepare sweets and savory meats and vegetables, more than he usually had them prepare for lunch. But he was ready to announce the plans for their clan, and the plans for his own family.
By the time lunch hour came around, Logan sent Fanny to bring Sophia down. Thankfully, Sophia had dressed herself before Fanny walked into the room, but she had slept much later than she intended. Fanny helped her slip on a dress and braided her hair. Fanny was still in shock over the news of Gilbert, but Sophia helped to comfort her.
Finally, when she was ready, they both went down to the great hall, where Logan sat at the head of the table, waiting for her. He motioned to the seat beside him. Sophia still could not help but look at her ring. She was stunned it had fit so well. But perhaps that only meant that they were meant to come together.
“My people,” Logan began, “it has been a long few seasons. We have experienced much loss and hardship. But I am here tae tell ye we will recover. As of only last night, Laird Dillon and I have signed a treaty agreement.” The people at the tables began cheering loudly. No one was able to contain their excitement. The clan had not had a peace treaty in a very long time, and because of it, many lives had been lost to terrible battles.
Logan waited for everyone to calm before he continued. “While we did have a traitor, he is long gone now, and I can assure ye, I will do my best tae make sure no one else is harmed anytime soon by a tragedy of that kind. Finally, I have one other announcement.”
Everyone looked around, curious as to what Logan would say next. Mildred and Diana looked at each other as well.
“Tis of more of a personal matter, but I have made an official proposal. Sophia, the new healer’s apprentice and I, are tae be wed come spring.” Everyone turned to look with joy.
She was worried she would not be accepted by the people, but they could all clearly see how happy she had made Logan. They clapped and cheered at the news, and Diana and Mildred congratulated her over the table.
“Now that all matters are settled, I say, with a glowing heart, tis time for us tae feast!” Everyone lifted a glass or a turkey leg, and cheered as they bit into the beautiful meal that was in front of them. Logan sat down, but not before kissing Sophia on the lips again. She reached over and held his hand beneath the table. As everyone around them feasted, Sophia too, felt full of joy. She could not have known her life was going to change so drastically, and while it was marked with a great loss, she was also very grateful for where the loss had brought her.
Epilogue
Sophia stood in her bedchamber, preparing for the beginning of the rest of her life. Fanny stood with her, helping to arrange each of her curls into the perfect place. She latched the final hook of Sophia’s pristine ivory dress.
“I cannae believe ye two are tae be wed today, after everything this clan has been through. Tis nice tae be joining in celebration once again,” Fanny said softly as she patted Sophia’s dress.
“Aye, tis vary nice.” Sophia turned then and pulled Fanny in for a hug. She could not believe all the two of them had been through. Now they stood only six months later, celebrating the start of spring with a wedding. Sophia’s own wedding.
“I cannae believe I am finally marrying Logan.” She closed her eyes and tilted her head back. She spun in a small circle, thrilled to be spending the rest of her life with him.
After everyone found out about Isla, they worried Logan would return to the ways he was after her death. But he did not. In fact, a weight seemed lifted from him—as if he was finally free of the weight.
Logan told Sophia about Ava’s true heritage. She agreed it was likely better for her to find out in her later years. There was not much they could do now besides let the peace treaty do what it needed to do. Dillon and Logan had spoken recently about introducing Dillon and Ava, but Logan was still hesitant. He was nervous about what it might mean to the clan for him to be so forgiving and so welcoming. Sophia understood; it was a weight he should never have had to bear, but he was handling it with grace.
Suddenly, a chorus of bagpipes sounded from outside, and Sophia knew it was time to head towards the small church where the ceremony would take place. Fanny took Sophia’s hand in the nook of her elbow, and the two walked from the bedchamber.
* * *
Inside his bedchamber Logan stood, adjusting his kilt, as Alrick stood waiting for him.
“Logan, if ye dinnae speed up, ye will be late ter yer own wedding,” he said, picking food from his teeth.
“Aye, dinnae tell me that, I ken. I just, I need a few moments.” Logan let out a deep sigh. With that, Alrick could see that something was clearly bothering him.
“What is on yer mind, lad?” Alrick asked.
“I cannae help but wonder. What if she changes her mind about loving me? What if she loves another the way Isla loved another?”
Alrick could see then the worry clear on Logan’s face. He understood why he would be so nervous; it was only recently that he found out his last true love was not nearly as true as it had seemed.
“Logan, Sophia loves ye. The way she looks at ye, tis all I need tae see tae know. The way ye look at her. I never saw Isla look at ye that way. It took all of this tragedy fer the two of ye tae finally be together.” Alrick gave Logan a sturdy pat on the back.
“Aye, tis true. I never seen Isla look at me the way Sophia looks at me.”
Logan glanced out his window at the clear sky. It was a perfect day for a wedding. He took a deep breath, and as he exhaled, the bagpipes sounded, signaling it was time for them to make their way to the church.
* * *
Once inside the church, Logan stood at the front, while the bagpipes continued playing their traditional Scottish wedding song. The room was filled with many of the people from the estate, most of whom had spent time in the keep and had watched the love blossom between the two who were to be wed. In the very front of the pews, Logan’s sisters sat dressed in their finest gowns, smiling from ear to ear. After Logan’s announcement, they were so pleased. They had grown very fond of Sophia, and thought she was the best possible wife for Logan. He smiled at them, and they beamed back.
The music slowed briefly, and Logan looked up in time to see little Ava enter the church with a small basket of flowers—primrose wildflowers. She walked down the aisle, throwing them side to side. She twirled as she walked, and Logan laughed. He had talked to Ava about what the marriage would mean. He explained they were becoming a new family. Although he was nervous about how she would take it, Ava had seemed to like Sophia from day one. And he knew Sophia was a wonderful mother for Ava.
After she emptied her basket, Ava sat next to her aunt Mildred. She waved to her father and he waved back. Just then the music changed to announce the entrance of the bride, the moment everyone had been waiting for. Logan looked up at the stained-glass windows above him. He wanted to look at her just as she entered so he could take in her image all at once.
He lowered his eyes just as she walked in, the sunlight radiating behind her. She was dressed in ivory lace, and her hair was pinned back, with only a few curls framing her face. The bright red of her hair was a stark contrast to her dress.
Logan inhaled quickly. She was absolutely breathtaking. All of this tragedy had led to this moment, as Alrick had said. Even Logan couldn’t believe it.
By the time Sophia made it to the front of the church, Logan felt his eyes wet. He bit his cheek to keep from shedding tears in front of so many of the other men. Sophia smiled up at him.
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��Ye look so handsome,” she said, a bright pink spreading across her cheeks.
“Ye are a gift from god tae me eyes.” Logan said. He picked up Sophia’s hands and held them in his own.
The priest began his short sermon, announcing to the people why they were all gathered. He turned then to Alrick. “Please hand the bride and groom their rings.”
Alrick stepped forward and placed the gold wedding band in Sophia’s open palm. He laid the gold and emerald ring in Logan’s open hand.
“Now, Laird Logan Maxwell, please recite yer vows.”
Logan began, “I, Logan, vow tae always give ye the first of any meal; I vow tae give all my water if ye are ever thirsty. Sophia, I vow tae throw myself in front of any blade that moves towards ye. Most importantly, I vow tae love ye with every bit of strength I have, till me last breath leaves me.”