by Cathy MacRae
Will turned his head away from her breast and stuck his fist in his mouth. Gilda smiled. “He usually is a fierce eater. He will be hungry again soon.” She pulled her bodice closed and lifted him to her shoulder.
“May I?”
“What?”
“I would like to hold him.”
She turned the bairn and placed him in Ryan’s arms. For a long moment the two stared at each other, mirror images, older and younger.
“Ye need to burp him.”
“Aye.” He placed Will against his shoulder and patted his back gently. Gilda slipped a cloth beneath the bairn’s face. After a moment, he let out a very satisfying belch. He chuckled and drooled, his head bobbing as babes do.
Ryan grinned.
Gilda felt an answering smile begin from her heart and touch her lips and sincerely hoped she didn’t resemble a besotted idiot. She reached for the bairn, but Ryan caught her waist and pulled her against him. Before she knew what he was doing, his lips met hers, devouring her in a kiss that left her breathless. She returned his passion, wrapping her arms about his neck, partly to get as close to him as possible, part to counter the trembling in her knees.
Will fussed, trapped as he was between them, and they reluctantly ended the kiss, giving the bairn a bit of breathing space.
“I should have gotten off my horse and kissed ye like that when I saw ye this morning.” He softly kissed her cheek. “My arms have been empty too long, a stor. Even when I dinnae know who I was, I remembered yer hair, yer skin, yer voice. Yesterday, I remembered yer name.”
Gilda began to weep. Great, gut-wrenching sobs threatened to pull her apart. Ryan held her against him and she felt him shudder.
“I am sorry, Gilda.”
“I am glad ye are home!” She gulped, sniffing back her tears. Her heart seemed to somersault in her chest.
“Aye. Ye are my home. Ye and Will are all I need. I want to watch all our children play and grow.”
“All? I just gave birth to this one!”
Ryan laughed and Gilda thrilled to the sound.
“Will ye marry me, Gilda?”
“In front of a priest and everything?”
“Aye. In front of a priest and everything.”
“I will marry ye, Ryan Macraig.” She lifted an eyebrow, a merry glint in her eyes. “And mayhap see about those children ye say ye want.”
Epilogue
Ryan faced Conn over the windy moor. He’d sent a runner ahead to ask Conn to meet him here. He didn’t want to be haring off all the way to Morven after his friend on his wedding day. At least, he hoped Conn still considered him a friend.
Conn’s face gave away nothing as Ryan recounted the previous week’s revelations.
“I could pummel ye right here for thinking such a thing of Gilda.” Conn squared off in tangible fury.
“Aye. And it appears ye would be right to do so.” Ryan spread his hands wide. “I dinnae deserve her after what I put her through, but for some reason, bless the sweet saints, she has consented to marry me.”
Conn made a disgusted sound. “Och, she is in love with ye, though I dinnae know why.”
Ryan grinned, relieved Conn did not seem inclined to follow through with his promise of a beating. “Nor do I, my friend. Her da has given us his blessing. We are to wed today. Are ye and I still friends?”
With a long look, Conn clapped his hand to Ryan’s shoulder. “We are brothers, aye?”
“Aye. We’ve been brothers since the day I placed a spider next to Mairead’s platter at supper.”
A grin split Conn’s face at the memory. “We’ve shared everything since then. Lessons, games, pranks, beatings.” His hand drifted unconsciously to his arse as though the last was recent enough to remember.
Ryan’s smile faded. “We willnae share my wife.”
“Nae. We willnae share yer pretty wife. I may come play with yer son from time to time. He is a braw lad and should have more than his disreputable father to look up to.”
“Agreed.” Ryan took a step back to the grove where they’d tethered their horses. “What will ye do now?”
Conn ran a hand admiringly down Shona’s neck and across her shoulder. “Och, I have a yen to own a horse or two like yer mare. She is a lichtsome lass.”
“Aye, she is a delight, though a bit mettlesome at times.” He ruffled her mane affectionately and Shona tossed her head. “Vain lass.”
“Ye say she is from Spain?”
“She is an Iberian horse. I can give ye a letter of introduction to my friend, Captain Rousseau. His son, Bray, traveled there to purchase this mare and others. I am sure they would be happy to receive ye and help ye find one or two of yer own.”
“That sounds a good bit better than the betrothal Da is threatening me with. Mayhap a long trip to France and Spain will give me some breathing room.”
“A betrothal?”
Conn shrugged. “I dinnae think he was entirely pleased with the possibility Will would inherit Morven. He thought I planned to marry too far from the clan. He wants me to marry a young widow who brings land next to ours.”
“It could be worse.”
Conn cocked his head. “I saw how much ye loved Gilda and how much ye still do. I dinnae want an empty marriage.”
“Then be safe, my friend. Come back to Ard when ye return from Spain. Gilda and I would like to see ye again soon.”
Conn swung into his saddle and directed his horse down the trail, his soldiers falling in behind him as they disappeared into the trees.
With a feeling of overwhelming gratitude, Ryan picked up his reins and mounted.
* * *
The stone kirk was festive with pink and white heather wound with ribbon, and bright flames danced on the wicks of a hundred candles. Ryan faced Gilda before the priest in front of an enormous crowd. Gilda’s da and ma stood to his left, the twins pinned on either side, their scowling faces red, their eyes downcast. Doubtless they expected punishment for some mischief when they returned home. For now they were accounted for and silent.
On his other side Laird Macraig waited, his consent given, and perhaps, at last, even his approval. Closest was Lissa who beamed at them over the bairn she carried in her arms. Will gurgled and cooed as he kicked his legs and Ryan’s heart swelled as he turned his attention back to his bride.
He took one of her hands in his and brought it to his cheek.
“Gilda Macrory, thabharfainn fuil mo chroí duit.” I give you the blood of my heart.
“Ryan Macraig, tugaim mo chroí duit go deo.” I give my heart to you, forever.
“I pledge my love to ye, Gilda, and everything that I own. I promise to honor ye above all others, and we will remain, forevermore, equals in our marriage. This is my vow to ye.”
Gilda glowed happily. “I pledge my love to ye, Ryan Macraig, and everything that I am. I will honor ye above all others, and it will be into yer eyes I smile each morning. I will love and cherish ye through this life and into the next.”
“A stor, ye have given me a son. I am humbled by yer love and care, and amazed ye are willing to trust yer heart to me. Nothing I own now or ever will, could measure greater.”
Gilda leaned forward for his kiss. Her lips grazed his ear. “We have more bairns to discuss, aye?”
“Aye.”
There were definitely greater things to come.
A Note to my Readers
I hadn’t meant to let a 4-year-old little girl come so close to taking over the prequel to this story in The Highlander’s Reluctant Bride, but she was the obvious choice when looking for the heroine for the next book. Thanks to everyone who asked for her story—I hope it was everything you expected.
Look for Connor’s story, coming next in The Highlander’s Outlaw Bride.
Acknowledgements
Thanks go out, as always, to my amazing critique group. Dawn Marie Hamilton, Cate Parke, and Derek Dodson—you keep me on my toes and I wouldn’t get far without your wisdom, encouragement and honesty.<
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And to my editor, Char Chaffin, who continues to work her special magic.
Cover Design by Rae Monet at Rae Monet, Inc. Design
About the Author
Cathy MacRae enjoys combining her loves of Scotland and happy-ever-afters. When not writing, she finds herself in the garden, playing with the dogs, or cooking.
She also enjoys hearing from readers. You can read more about Cathy and her writing on at http://www.cathymacraeauthor.com and email her at [email protected].
Information on upcoming books and projects are listed under ‘News’, and you will find lots of writing-related blogs under the ‘Bits ’n Bobs’ tab, including author interviews and book releases for fellow authors, as well as some fun posts on Scotland.
Look under ‘Wonderful Wednesdays’ for bits on gardening, corgis, and the newest member of the family, Freki. See how she came up with the name and watch Freki grow up amid two very short-legged dogs.
Other books by Cathy MacRae
The Highlander’s Bride series:
The Highlander’s Accidental Bride (book 1) http://www.amzn.com/B00BMFPT12
The Highlander’s Reluctant Bride (book 2) http://www.amzn.com/B00J1PNPPC
The Highlander’s Tempestuous Bride (book 3)
The Highlander’s Outlaw Bride (book 4) – coming soon!
Excerpt from
The Highlander’s
Outlaw Bride
by Cathy MacRae
Prologue
1386, the Scottish Highlands
Brianna glared at her da, hands fisted on her hips, the belligerent thrust to his chin mirroring her own. “I willnae marry. Ye can burn that contract as easily as sign it.”
“Ye will marry, and ye will wed whomever I choose.”
“Ye put all of Wyndham into the contract. Wyndham belongs to Jamie. I want to stay here and take care of ye both. I cannae do that if I marry.”
Lord Wyndham dropped his gaze and pivoted on his heel, his heavy cloak billowing about his legs. He pulled the wool close about him. “Yer brother is weak—has been since he was born. He willnae live to inherit.”
His biter voice tore at Brianna’s heart and she slipped behind him, an arm about his waist. “I know how ye’ve grieved since ma died, but ’twas five years ago.” She eyed the whisky flask on his desk, already half-drained at this early hour. Rare was the afternoon that saw her sire sober.
“Though Jamie was born much too early, he has grown into a good lad. He cannot help being sickly. I know he will grow out of it soon.”
“Ye are over optimistic, daughter. And headstrong and disobedient.” Her da broke from her embrace and stalked to his chair behind his desk. “We have too much trouble on our borders and Laird MacLaurey has offered his help if we combine our lands.”
Again, Brianna’s hands propped on her hips, frustration boiling to the surface. “And by that he means I am to marry his son. Weel, I dinnae like it. Connor is a skirt-chasing rogue by all accounts and lost his heart to Laird Macrory’s daughter. He isnae likely to be happy finding himself betrothed to me!”
She knelt beside his chair and placed a hand on his. “Besides, he is in France nursing his broken heart and who knows when he will return? Will his da honor his word to help us whilst his son traipses around the continent?”
Lord Wyndham eyed the whisky flask and licked his lips. His hand trembled. “We need the help. Reivers have struck us too many times. Our people willnae eat this winter if we cannae protect our cattle.”
Brianna bit her lip. ’Twas her da’s inability to stay sober that affected them most. She knew her ma’s death at Jamie’s birth had hit him hard, and his bouts of drinking had gotten worse, not better since. When he could be roused to remember his duty as lord of Wyndham, he would bluster and rail, swearing vengeance on those who stole from his people. But, in the end, he did nothing. Except drink himself into a deeper stupor.
“There has to be another way. Gavin and I—”
Her da smacked the desktop with a ferocious stroke of his palm and Brianna flinched in surprise. “Ye are a lady and willnae consort with the soldiers!”
“But, da—”
“Dinnae disobey me, daughter! We will obtain help from Morven and ye will wed the MacLaurey heir.” He waved his hands in the air. “Be gone! Away to yer sewing and leave me in peace!”
Gathering her dignity, Brianna strode to the door and into the hallway. The clink of the flask reached her ears as she closed the door.
The Highlander’s Tempestuous Bride
Copyright © 2014 Short Dog Press
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, business establishments, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be copied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or shared in any form (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission from the author except for brief quotations for printed reviews.
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Published in the United States of America
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Epilogue
A Note to my Readers
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Excerpt—The Highlander’s Outlaw Bride
Copyright
