“What these? These are from getting too close to the castle cat,” I say, the smile wide on my face. “Gaven, let me introduce you to the Lady Catherine Seely.”
Gaven gives her an awkward bow as he takes her in. “I understand now why he was willing to get his head chopped off,” he says. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Even in the dark, I can see Catherine blushing, but she smiles. “It is wonderful to meet you as well,” she replies. “You and your men are welcome to take your ease. You are most welcome at Caldryn House.”
“We thank you, Lady Catherine,” he says. “I’m well pleased that no bloodshed was needed.”
“As am I,” she tells him.
Maggie comes flying in from out of nowhere, throwing her arms around Catherine and squeezing her tight. The two women exchange hugs and tears as they reunite with each other. As they do, I turn to Gaven and give him a grateful nod.
“I’m glad the clan rallied for you,” I tell him. “And I’m grateful you all marched.”
Gaven grips my arm firmly, looking deeply into my eyes. “They rallied for you, Malcolm. You are our Chief, and the clan has your back,” he says, his expression serious. “We will always have your back.”
The emotion swells inside of me, and it’s all I can do to keep it from bursting out of me. Hearing him say that means more than he’ll ever know. More than I am even capable of expressing. I look over at Catherine, who seems to have overheard the exchange, and she smiles at me. Her cheeks are wet and glisten in the firelight with the tears of joy I’m holding back.
Despite being on English soil and being caught between two worlds myself, for the first time since I stepped off the boat from France, I feel like I’m finally at home.
Epilogue
One Year Later…
“My father will be arriving soon.”
I stand in nothing but my shift, looking at several different gowns arrayed on the bed, trying to decide which will be suitable.
Malcolm splashes some water from the basin at me and grins. He seems to have come to love the basin and the warm water over the cold pond behind his family home.
“He won’t be here for hours yet,” he says.
“Perhaps. But they could have made better time on the road from London,” I argue.
“With the storm that swept through last night?” Malcolm goes on. “They’ll be lucky to be here today at all.”
I turn back to him and smile at the way he lounges in the basin. I still cannot believe all that has happened in the past year. Most days, it seems like something out of a dream − though granted, some days seem like a nightmare. But after the events of that fateful night, I feel blessed for everything that followed.
My father took my uncle and brother back to Carlisle. With the evidence stacked against them, he had no choice but to find them guilty of treason and conspiracy. But he did not have the heart to execute his brother and his son − something that did not surprise me. My father is no stranger to violence or killing − he has fought in many battles in his life. But at heart, he is a good man who seeks peaceful resolutions when they can be found.
Although he could not bring himself to execute them, he also knew he could not set them free, lest they conspire against him again. So my brother and my uncle were made to live out their days in the cells beneath Whitefern Hall. They are fed and treated well, of course, but they will never again taste freedom.
As for Caldryn House, my father saw the way I handled things here − with the help of Malcolm and his men, of course − and was impressed. And although it was unprecedented in the long history of House Seely, my father − after a long conversation with Malcolm − named me the Lady of Caldryn House. And since no law expressly prohibits it, and he has no other eligible heirs, I am now next in line to inherit my father’s lands and titles − something I hope does not come to pass for many, many years to come.
Since I was given command of the garrison at Caldryn House, I must admit that things have run quite a bit more smoothly than they ever did in all the years of my uncle’s stewardship. Relations with the Scots have never been better, and we have established profitable commerce between our two peoples.
It did not happen overnight, but my father and Malcolm have become thick as thieves. They have a deep mutual respect for each other − and of course, my father is forever grateful to him for saving my life. Over the past year, a deep, abiding bond has formed between them, and it has made my heart glad to see.
“Do you regret it?” I ask. “Abdicating your seat as Clan Chief?”
He shakes his head. “Not for a moment. I know the clan is in good hands with Gaven leading them,” he says. “And I will always be part of the clan. I just won’t be leading them.”
“But you fought hard for it.”
“I did. But I can’t be half a Chief,” he tells me. “I want to be here with you. Not there. And my people deserve a Chief who is there without question and without reservation. I can’t be that when my heart is here.”
I smile. “It might be selfish to say, but I am glad that your heart is here with me,” I say. “I am glad that you are here with me.”
“Now come, help me out of the tub,” he says, extending his hand to me.
I laugh and step over, taking his hand in mine. But rather than let me pull him out, he pulls me to him and into the basin with him. The water splashes up around us, and my shift sticks to my skin uncomfortably. I squeal and laugh hysterically.
“Malcolm, you beast −”
The words that follow are lost in his mouth as he kisses me. His tongue dashes against mine, stealing my breath away. Malcolm helps me adjust in the basin, so I am sitting astride him rather than across his lap. I feel his rigid staff pressing against me, inflaming my most intimate places. I roll my hips, grinding my sex against him, and I moan as the warmth between my thighs spreads, and I feel myself growing slick.
Malcolm kisses my neck and pulls a groan from my mouth as he nips my skin. After sliding the straps of my shift down over my shoulders, he cups my breasts in his hands, squeezing and kneading the flesh and circling my hardened nipples with his thumbs, sending a bright surge of energy coursing through my body. He presses his mouth to mine again, our tongues swirling together, my passion overwhelming me.
I reach down and take his thick manhood in my hand. He grunts as I give him a couple of firm strokes before I raise myself up and slip the tip of his engorged staff between the delicate folds of my lips. I pull back and see the hunger in his eyes as I start to lower myself down on top of him. I throw my head back, moaning as I slide him into me inch by inch until he’s fully sheathed inside of me.
Settling myself down on top of him, I take a moment to relish the feeling of having him filling me up so completely. Even a year after our first time together, I feel a slight twinge of pain as he stretches me open. But as always, it is quickly followed by a rush of pleasure so intense, it makes my head swim.
Slowly, I begin to rock myself back and forth on him, reveling in the feeling of his staff sliding against my inner walls. As he cups and squeezes my bottom in his hands, he finds my breasts with his mouth, licking and sucking on my sensitive nipples, making me squirm as I ride him.
I rise and fall, impaling myself on his shaft again and again, crying out in sheer ecstasy. Malcolm kisses me hard, and every ounce of pleasure and passion inside of him are pressed into my mouth. I thrust myself up and down on him harder, and he squeezes my bottom harder as his body tenses.
“I will never be able to get enough of you,” he murmurs.
“Nor I you,” I respond.
I move faster, rolling my hips hard, and he raises his hips, plunging himself into me. Water slops over the sides of the basin, splashing onto the stone floor beneath the tub. Clinging to one another, our bodies writhe in unison, our moans bouncing off the stones of our bedchamber around us, seeming to grow louder with every echo.
As he drives his rod into me, he hits that soft spot deep inside of me th
at sends me hurtling over the edge. I throw my head back, digging my nails into his shoulders and cry out. My voice rings out loud, and I shudder wildly as I writhe on top of him, which touches off sensations as his shaft slides against my inner walls.
As I continue to tremble, the sensations firing inside of me, Malcolm continues to thrust his hips upward, driving himself into me even harder. His grip on my backside tightens as his body tenses beneath me. He leans forward, a low groan coming from his throat as his cock swells inside of me. He calls my name as he erupts, and I feel the flood of his warm, sticky seed flowing into me, filling me up.
He presses his forehead to mine as we ride the currents of ecstasy together and remain like that, me on top of him, his arms around me, basking in a warm, loving silence until the water begins to grow cold.
He picks me up and sets me down outside the basin and then climbs out after me. After taking my shift off, he throws it onto the edge of the basin, then uses a cloth to dry me off and then does the same for himself, his eyes shining with the love he feels for me. Malcolm gives me a smile as he walks over and picks up a red gown made of silk and hands it to me.
“You look ravishing in this one,” he says.
I smile at him and take the dress then look at him. “You have a wonderful fashion sense for a savage.”
“Hey, we like to look well-dressed when we’re rollin’ around in the mud and muck.”
I laugh as I pull him into an embrace and place a soft kiss on his lips. He pulls back and looks at me, an expression of curiosity on his face.
“Why do you seem more nervous than usual about your father coming this time?” he asks. “You’re even more concerned that everything is perfect than you usually are.”
“I - I am always nervous about my father coming,” I respond. “I never know if he is coming to replace me with an administrator.”
“I can promise you that he wouldn’t do that,” he says softly. “He is well pleased with the job you are doing here. You have taken Caldryn House from a military garrison to a center of profit for him.”
I give him a small smile. “He did say that he was regaining some of his lost prestige at Court.”
“There, you see?” he presses. “He is not going to replace you. But I think you already knew that, so what is it that’s really making you so skittish, love?”
I feel a flutter ripple through my stomach and then my heart as I look into his eyes. What is making me nervous is news I have not yet shared with Malcolm. I have only started coming to grips with it myself and have absolutely no idea how I am going to tell my father.
As if sensing my hesitance, Malcolm puts his fingers beneath my chin and raises my head until I am looking him in the eye. His gaze is intense and burns into me.
“What is it, love?” he asks. “Whatever it is, you can tell me. You can tell me anything, and whatever it is, we’ll get through it, Catherine. Together.”
I let out a long breath, the ripple of fear rolling through me, becoming a wave powerful enough to swamp a galleon. I swallow hard and try to steel myself. I know I am going to have to tell Malcolm, so maybe it is better that I do this sooner rather than later.
“You are right; it is more than the business of Caldryn House that has me so worked up,” I start. “But it is not just my father coming here that has me nervous. It is also something I have been keeping from you, Malcolm.”
I see a flash of concern blended with curiosity in his eyes. But he says nothing, seemingly content to let me tell this in my own way. He sits on the edge of the bed, peering at me intently. I stand before him, the feeling of being naked and exposed having to do with far more than the fact that I am naked.
I place my hand on my stomach, looking at him meaningfully. “I only just figured it out myself a few days ago, but…”
My voice trails off as Malcolm’s eyes grow wide. He looks into my eyes before his gaze falls to my stomach and then back up to my face again. I see the question in his face without him having to ask, so I nod − and then brace myself, fearing the reaction I am scared is coming.
But the smile that spreads across his face is as wide as it is warm. In fact, I have never seen him look more well-pleased than he does in that moment. Malcolm gets to his feet and scoops me up, spinning me around and laughs. He kisses me gently and sets me back down.
“Is this true?” he asks. “Is it really true?”
I nod, feeling the excitement beginning to flow through me, washing out the fear that had filled my veins.
“So you are not − upset?” I ask gently.
“Upset? Are you mad, woman?” he laughs. “This is the best news I have ever received in my entire life. I’m going to be a father.”
He pulls me to him, wrapping me in a tight embrace and looks down at me with nothing but the purest love shining in his eyes.
“I can’t possibly be happier about this, love,” he tells me. “And I can’t possibly be happier about raising a family with you. I’ve wanted nothing else since that day I saw you in the market. And believe me, your father is going to be even more excited than I am about becoming a grandfather.”
I bury my face in his chest, awash in nothing but love and warm feelings. It is so powerful that it is nearly overwhelming and leaves me trembling. I do not know what I did to deserve this bounty of love and joy in my life, but I am more than grateful for it. And yet, still feel somehow unworthy of it all.
But I make a vow to myself right then and there − I am going to do everything in my power to make myself worthy. I will dedicate my life to making sure I am worthy of it − worthy of Malcolm and the baby we will be having.
Tears of joy well in my eyes and roll down my cheeks as Malcolm strokes my hair. I look up at him, and he gently wipes my tears away, his soft smile making my heart swell.
“I love you, Malcolm,” I whisper. “I have loved you since I saw you that day in the market.”
“Aye. And I’ve loved you since that day as well,” he replies softly. “And I am going to spend the rest of my life loving you.”
More tears of happiness spill down my cheeks as I cling to him.
I am not from this land. I am a stranger here. And yet, I have found something worth fighting for. Something worth nurturing and building. Something worth loving. This is not my land, and yet, I have finally found a place in this world I can call home.
THE END
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About the Author
A writer, mom, and a lover of all things romance.
Jessica Knight loves to spend her free time crafting stories and writing about different characters into her journal. With a lot of nudging, pushing, and help from her best friend. She decided to share her romance stories with the rest of the world.
When she’s not busy wrangling kids or taking care of her household. She finds herself lost in writing. Deep in the world that she created.
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