Malcolm’s hands found their way to my shoulders as he pulled me away from him so he could look straight at me.
“Do you love me, Kenna?”
The question surprised me. I thought we’d both made that abundantly clear in Edinburgh.
“Ye know that I do.”
“I suspected, I hoped, but I don’t believe you’ve ever said the words before now.”
Moving my hands to his face, I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him once more.
“Well, let there be no question about it. I love ye, Malcolm, and I always shall.”
Stepping away from him, reality began to set in once more.
“And while I canna tell ye just how glad I am that ye are here and that ye know of Morna’s magic, it solves nothing between us. What is it that ye are doing back in Scotland, and how did ye come to know all that ye do? Ye must feel verra out of sorts.”
Malcolm laughed and moved to sit on the end of the bed. He looked beyond weary. I knew how exhausting the time travel could be and I’d not experienced it the first time just seconds after learning that something I always thought impossible was very much real. Once he did fall asleep tonight, I expected he would sleep for a whole day, at least.
“I’m not sure that describes the half of it. The flight from Chicago was bad enough. My long legs are not made for eight hours on today’s airplanes, and the moment I landed, I rented a car and made the long drive to McMillan Castle. I was so ready to see you, Kenna. But then I arrived only to be told that you weren’t there.”
“Was it Kamden and Harper that told ye the truth?”
“Yes, and I believe I owe them both an apology. I lost my patience with them. I thought they were simply making an excuse for you. I didn’t believe a word until they all but forced me into the tower. Once you actually make the travel, it’s rather hard to continue denying it. Kenna, how is this possible?”
I shrugged. There were so many things in life that seemed rather impossible to me.
“I doona know, but ’tis the reality of our lives around here, and if ye wish to be with me, ’twill be one of yers, as well. Do ye wish that ye dinna know?”
He still looked rather dazed. It would take days for him to fully adapt to his new perception of reality, but I was still relieved when he shook his head.
“Not at all. It explains a lot actually–your reaction to my credit card, your fascination with the lights at the symphony. Many things are beginning to click into place. I can’t believe I’m in love with someone who was born over three hundred years before I was.”
I didn’t like the way that sounded at all.
“For the love o’God, Malcolm, doona ever say that again. Ye are older than me, in truth. Doona ye ever forget that.”
He laughed then gripped his head.
“Doona worry. We do have some modern medicines here that should help that.” I hesitated, but I knew that no matter how much I didn’t want to hear his answer, it was a question that had to be asked. “Malcolm, what about yer family?”
“That’s the thing, Kenna. It’s not the issue you think it is. We’re moving to Scotland—all of us. I’m already here, and Madeline and Rosie are coming just after the New Year. They will be living on Skye, which isn’t all that far from here, so even with this strange business of time travel, we should be able to see them often. There’s only one problem.”
“Oh?” If we could be together and still be with our families, there was no other problem that was insurmountable. “What might that be?”
He stood and began to pace nervously in front of me.
“Kenna, I had a very different idea of what I was going to ask you this morning, but now after knowing what I do, I’m not sure it would be appropriate. Will you stand for a minute?”
Completely confused, I did as he asked. The moment he dropped to one knee, I jumped away from him in horror.
“Malcolm, what are ye doing? Stand up this instant.”
Brows furrowed, he stood and gripped onto my bedpost for support.
“You…you don’t want to marry me?”
I was suddenly getting a headache, as well. I pinched the bridge of my nose as I answered him.
“No. I love ye, Malcolm, but no. Not yet anyway. Why would ye ask that now?”
An expression I’d never seen on him before—one of pure embarrassment—crossed his face. He quickly looked down at the floor to avoid my gaze.
“I…you’re right. I wasn’t thinking. What I was going to ask you, what I planned to tell you before I learned that you were from the seventeenth century, was that I am currently rather homeless. I was going to ask if I could live with you for a little while. But then…” He started pacing again. “Then, when I learned that you were from the seventeenth century, I got to thinking, and it would hardly be appropriate here, would it?”
Laughing, I walked over and grabbed his hands so he would cease his wandering.
“Malcolm, there is nothing about my family that is customary or appropriate for the times. Even if it were, I’ve never given much concern to anyone else’s opinion of how I live my life. Ye are welcome to live here as long as ye promise not to ask me to marry ye for at least another six months. And even then, I canna promise ye that I will say aye. I might find that living in sin is preferable.”
His lips found mine quickly, and his aching head didn’t prevent him from loving me in a way that made our night in Edinburgh seem only mediocre. If it was true that some things only got better with age, I couldn’t imagine the sort of pleasure we would be able to find with one another in a decade.
It was the happiest holiday season of my whole life.
Chapter 24
One Year Later
Edinburgh – Present Day
* * *
Six months to the day that Malcolm arrived in the seventeenth century, he risked rejection once again by dropping to one knee. Much to his excitement and everlasting relief, I gave him the answer he hoped for. I very much wanted to be his wife.
We wed in the prettiest little chapel either of us had ever seen, right in the center of Edinburgh. I wore a simple gold gown and Malcolm wore slacks and the sweater I first saw him in. It was intimate, with only those who knew us during our time in Edinburgh in attendance. Cooper stood at my side, while Madeline and Rosie stood at his. Morna, Jerry, Kraig, Emilia, Nel, and the toddler-terror, Robbie, watched on.
It was perfect.
At a certain age, I’d stopped hoping for much more than I had.
But there is so much more magic in the world than we can see.
Sometimes, life can surprise you in the very best possible way.
* * *
Ever since Love Beyond Belief, readers have asked for Raudrich Allen’s story. His story is next in:
Love Beyond Words
Book 9 of Morna’s Legacy Series
Missed a Book in the Series? Start for Free
Links to all the books in Morna’s Legacy Series:
Love Beyond Time (Book 1) - FREE
Love Beyond Time Audiobook (Audible)
Love Beyond Time Audiobook (iTunes)
Love Beyond Reason (Book 2)
Love Beyond Reason Audiobook (Audible)
Love Beyond Reason Audiobook (iTunes)
A Conall Christmas (Book 2.5)
A Conall Christmas Audiobook (Audible)
A Conall Christmas Audiobook (iTunes)
Love Beyond Hope (Book 3)
Love Beyond Hope Audiobook (Audible)
Love Beyond Hope Audiobook (iTunes)
Love Beyond Measure (Book 4)
Love Beyond Measure Audiobook (Audible)
Love Beyond Measure Audiobook (iTunes)
In Due Time – A Novella (Book 4.5)
In Due Time Audiobook (Audible)
In Due Time Audiobook (iTunes)
Love Beyond Compare (Book 5)
Love Beyond Compare Audiobook (Audible)
Love Beyond Compare Audiobook (iTunes)
Love Beyond D
reams (Book 6)
Love Beyond Dreams Audiobook (Audible)
Love Beyond Dreams Audiobook (iTunes)
Love Beyond Belief (Book 7)
Love Beyond Belief Audiobook (Audible)
Love Beyond Belief Audiobook (iTunes)
* * *
A McMillan Christmas (Book 7.5)
A McMillan Christmas Audiobook (Audible)
A McMillan Christmas Audiobook (iTunes)
* * *
Love Beyond Reach (Book 8)
Love Beyond Reach Audiobook (Audible)
Love Beyond Reach Audiobook (iTunes)
* * *
Morna’s Mistletoe & Magic (Book 8.5)
Morna’s Magic & Mistletoe Audiobook (Audible)
Morna’s Magic & Mistletoe Audiobook (iTunes)
* * *
Love Beyond Words (Book 9)
* * *
Love Beyond Wanting (Book 10)
* * *
Box Sets:
* * *
Morna’s Legacy Box Set #1
(Box Set #1 contains Books 1, 2, 2.5 & 3)
Morna’s Legacy Box Set #1 Audiobook (Audible)
Morna’s Legacy Box Set #1 Audiobook (iTunes)
Morna’s Legacy Box Set #2
(Box Set #2 contains Books 4, 4.5, 5 & 6)
Morna’s Legacy Box Set #2 Audiobook (Audible)
Morna’s Legacy Box Set #2 Audiobook (iTunes)
Audiobook Version
Listen as you read to add a whole new dimension to your experience. Lily Collingwood does a fabulous job narrating these books.
Morna’s Magic & Mistletoe Audiobook (Audible)
Morna’s Magic & Mistletoe Audiobook (iTunes)
Sweet/Clean Versions of Morna’s Legacy Series
If you enjoy sweet/clean romances where the love scenes are left behind closed doors or if you know someone else who does, check out the new sweet/clean versions of Morna’s Legacy books in the Magical Matchmaker’s Legacy.
Morna’s Spell
Sweet/Clean Version of Love Beyond Time
* * *
Morna’s Secret
Sweet/Clean Version of Love Beyond Reason
* * *
The Conall’s Magical Yuletide
Sweet/Clean Version of A Conall Christmas
* * *
Morna’s Magic
Sweet/Clean Version of Love Beyond Hope
* * *
Morna’s Accomplice
Sweet/Clean Version of Love Beyond Measure
* * *
Jeffrey’s Only Wish
Sweet/Clean Version of In Due Time
* * *
Morna’s Rogue
Sweet/Clean Version of Love Beyond Compare
Letter to Readers
* * *
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed Morna’s Magic & Mistletoe. I love Christmas, and writing Christmas love stories is one of my favorite ways to start the holiday season. Don’t stop here. Read Raudrich’s story in Love Beyond Words.
As an author, I love feedback from readers. You are the reason that I write, and I love hearing from you. If you would like to connect, there are several ways you can do so. You can reach out to me on Facebook or on Twitter or visit my Pinterest boards. If you want to read excerpts from my books, listen to audiobook samples, learn more about me, and find some cool downloadable files related to the books, visit my website.
The best way to stay in touch is to subscribe to my newsletter. Just click here to subscribe. If you don’t hear from me regularly, please check your spam folder or junk mail to make sure my messages aren’t ending up there. Please set up your email to allow my messages through to you so you never miss a new book, a chance to win great prizes or a possible appearance in your area.
Finally, if you enjoyed this book, I would appreciate it so much if you would recommend it to your friends and family. And if you would please take time to review it on Goodreads and/or your favorite retailer site, it would be a great help. Reviews can be tough to come by these days, and you, the reader, have the power to make or break a book.
Thank you so much for reading my stories. I hope you choose to journey with me through the other books in the series.
* * *
All my best,
* * *
Bethany
Free Book - Subscribe to Bethany’s List
Today when you sign up for my mailing list, I will send you a link where you can download A Conall Christmas - A Novella (Book 2.5 of Morna’s Legacy Series) for FREE!
A Conall Christmas is not a Christmas tale as much as it is simply a love story. Adelle, Bri’s mother, gets a second chance at love in this fun, uplifting book.
If you have already read it, I hope you will still choose to sign up for my mailing list just for the other benefits. I promise to never spam you. I will send out mailings only when I have news or special opportunities for you. And if you haven’t read A Conall Christmas yet, you get it FREE today when you sign up.
When you sign up for my mailing list, you will be the first to know about new releases, upcoming events, and contests. You will also get sneak peeks into books and have opportunities to participate in special reader groups and occasionally get codes for free books.
Just click one of the links in the paragraphs above or go to http://eepurl.com/bqjLCT to sign up today. I can’t wait to connect with you there.
About the Author
BETHANY CLAIRE is a USA Today bestselling author of swoon-worthy, Scottish romance and time travel novels. Bethany loves to immerse her readers in worlds filled with lush landscapes, hunky Scots, lots of magic, and happy endings.
* * *
She has two ornery fur-babies, plays the piano every day, and loves Disney and yoga pants more than any twenty-something really should. She is most creative after a good night’s sleep and the perfect cup of tea. When not writing, Bethany travels as much as she possibly can, and she never leaves home without a good book to keep her company.
* * *
If you want to read more about Bethany or if you’re curious about when her next book will come out, please visit her website at: www.bethanyclaire.com, where you can sign up to receive email notifications about new releases.
Connect with Bethany on social media, visit her website for lots of book extras, or email her:
www.bethanyclaire.com
[email protected]
Acknowledgments
* * *
Without question, I have some of the best team members around.
Karen Corboy, Elizabeth Halliday, Johnetta Ivey, and Vivian Nwankpah, thank you all so much for your willingness to correct, read, and work with our hectic schedule. Your work on these novels is such an integral part of the process. I hope you all know how much I value your input and time.
Dj, thank you for the quick turnaround! You are always so easy to work with, and your edits are vital to the final book.
Mom, I hope you had as much fun on this one as I did. I’m quite certain that we’ve never had a project that came together so effortlessly from beginning to end. I think we make a wicked good team.
Morna’s Magic & Mistletoe - A Novella: Book 8.5 of Morna’s Legacy Series Page 11
