“Oh, Connor.” The words escaped her lips as a whisper. The crowd had hushed, as if transfixed by this most unexpected declaration.
Connor dropped to one knee. If he’d transformed to a dragon before her eyes, Johanna might have been less stunned. Joy infused every breath and her heart stuttered wildly, just as it had that first night when he stormed into the tavern. In his hand, he held a small box. He opened it slowly.
He slid an emerald ring over her finger. “I love ye with all my heart. All my soul. If ye give me a chance—if ye become my bride—I’ll prove it to ye.”
“But how…you know I can’t stay here. I have to think of Laurel. She needs family. She needs stability.”
“The girl is strong. And spirited. She’s a part of ye now. Ye’re mother to the lass.” He stood, rising to his full height, watching her with a subtle smile curving his mouth. Gently, his fingers swept through Johanna’s hair. “I’ll be a father to Laurel. If ye’ll have me.”
Ah, how she adored him. There was no denying that. Her pulse raced. How could she allow Connor to forsake the homeland that was such a part of him? Her love for him would not permit such a sacrifice. “I cannot ask you to leave Scotland behind.”
“We willnae, sweet Johanna. Not forever. We’ll spend time in America. And with my kin, in the Highlands. Laurel will experience life in the city. And with my clan. She’ll become part of us…of my family. There’s so much we can show her. Together.”
“Yes, Auntie Jo. That would be wonderful.” Excitement colored Laurel’s sweet voice.
Johanna’s breath caught. Her happiness was a heady thing, almost tangible. But she needed time to think.
Adoration beamed over his features. “If ye dinnae love me, I’ll walk away and never trouble ye again. Ye’ll always have a claim to my heart. But if ye love me, tell me now. Ye’ll give me the finest gift a man’s ever received.”
“Connor, I love you. But—”
“Marry me, Johanna. We’ll have a grand life together.” He pressed a kiss to her hand, just above the spot where his ring adorned her finger. “But first…first ye must say yes.”
Emotion choked her. A rebellious tear streamed down her cheek. She glanced at Laurel. The girl’s head bobbed in enthusiastic approval. At her side, Serena brushed away a fat droplet that toppled from her lashes.
Johanna took Connor’s hands in hers. She loved this man more with every beat of her heart, this man whose kiss turned her knees wobbly, this man whose touch kindled sparks of pleasure through her body. This was the man she’d cherish until her last breath.
“Oh, yes, Connor. Yes.” She looped her arms around his neck and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. “I will marry you.”
Epilogue
Dunnhaven Castle, Scottish Highlands, One Year Later
Nestled on a settee in the library of Connor’s ancestral home, Johanna luxuriated in the warmth of a roaring fire. Content in her husband’s arms, she rested her head against his shoulder. In the days since they’d returned to the Highlands, Johanna had basked in the welcoming love of the MacMasters family, but most of all, she cherished these moments after sunset when she was alone with Connor.
“’Tis a miracle, sweetling.” His voice rough with emotion, Connor stroked a hand over her still-flat middle, his strength restrained, his touch achingly tender. Reverent. Loving. “Yer body nurturing our child—our bairn.”
“It won’t be long before I’m round as a hot-air balloon.” She placed her hand over his. She’d only confirmed that she was expecting a fortnight earlier, after the wretched mornings she’d attributed to sea sickness had persisted for days after their steamship had moored at the port of Invergordon. When they’d arrived at Harrison’s home in Inverness, the physician had deduced her condition almost immediately. Come the summer, the MacMasters clan would gain its youngest member.
Johanna imagined the babe—a strapping lad with Connor’s dark hair and green eyes, or a spirited lass who’d pursue life with her da’s abandon, who’d let nothing stand in her way, much less the fact she wore skirts rather than trousers. As a MacMasters, their babe would be born into a loving brood that would cherish and protect their dreams. A wave of joy washed over Johanna. The happiness of being a part of his warm, loving family only added to the bliss of the love she shared with Connor.
Of course, her American family would be every bit as doting. Given the voyages the family would likely make to visit kin on both sides of the Atlantic, Johanna suspected their child would be a seasoned sailor by the age of six. Such a glorious adventure, this life with the man she’d married, the man she loved.
With her kitten nipping at her heels, Laurel swept into the chamber and dashed straight for the bookshelves. Serena trailed after her, a look of shared mischief on her face.
“It has to be here. I’m quite certain,” Laurel muttered, scanning the shelves.
“What are you looking for?” Johanna twisted to make eye contact.
“A guide to Egypt—the one by Georg Ebers.” Laurel rattled off the scholar’s name with a ready confidence. She’d gained a mentor in Serena. Connor’s sister cultivated the girl’s passion for all things Egyptian with the guidance of a woman well-versed in ancient history and culture.
“Are you referring to the book you left in your room?” Johanna inquired.
Laurel nibbled her lip. “I thought…I thought I put it in its proper place.”
“I don’t think so,” Johanna said with a chuckle. “I do believe it’s there, on your bedside table.”
Mustering a look of contriteness Johanna suspected was somewhat less than sincere, Laurel scooped up her pet and brushed the scruff of the fur ball’s neck. “Piper doesn’t care much for Uncle Archie’s morning performances.” A wry smile crinkled the corners of her eyes. “I suppose she’s not well named.”
“Piper is a fine name,” Serena said with a quick swipe of her fingertips over the kitten’s fur. “Now Uncle Archie’s skill with the bagpipes, that’s another matter entirely.” She shot Connor and Johanna a knowing glance. “Come along, Laurel. Let’s go put our hands on that book and leave your parents a moment of peace.”
Laurel marched to the door. “I suppose I should try to be tidier. Perhaps it is a virtue.”
“Now, that would be quite remarkable, indeed.” Johanna smiled as Laurel hurried from the room in pursuit of the book.
Connor closed the door, then swept Johanna into his arms. “It appears we are alone. I intend to enjoy this moment with my bride.”
Delicious heat rippled through her limbs and settled in her core. His scent—notes of whisky and leather and clean, healthy male—filled her senses, and the warmth that spread through her body had nothing to do with the flames licking against the brass screen.
“Perhaps our chamber is a more suitable setting for this…conversation,” she murmured against his mouth.
“Aye, a brilliant suggestion, my sweet.” Connor framed her face in his gentle hands. “I’ll never get enough of ye.”
“How very peculiar. I was thinking that very thing.” she said with a smile.
The look in his eyes stripped her bare, but she felt no shyness, no hesitation. Only a bone-deep hunger to taste his passion, to touch his skin, to hold him to her heart as they both reached the pinnacle of their pleasure.
Whispering tempting promises against her lips, he claimed her kiss. Giving and taking and stirring her need to a frenzy. After all the nights of passion they’d shared, her knees still went to jelly. Quite amazing, that.
And then, he took her hand in his and led her to their chamber. As the door closed behind them, Connor regarded her with a look that bespoke of finding a rare treasure.
“I love ye, my sweet Johanna. Now and forever.”
“And I you, darling.” She coiled her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Now. And forever.”
Don’t miss Tara Kingston’s next book!
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Acknowledgments
Thank you to my husband, Greg. You’ve always encouraged me to believe in my dreams. I love you to the moon and back!
Hugs and thanks to authors Kathleen Bittner Roth, Barbara Bettis, Tracey Devlyn, Eliza Knight, Ashlyn Macnamara, Lane McFarland, Renee Ann Miller, Averil Reisman, and Tess St. John for your friendship, encouragement, and perceptive feedback. I’m blessed to call you my friends.
Many thanks to my awesome editor, Erin Molta. Your insight into the art of storytelling, terrific suggestions, and kindness are very much appreciated. Thank you to my copyeditor, Kari Olson, for your keen eye and skill.
To Liz Pelletier, the Entangled staff, and fellow Entangled authors, thank you for your dedication to bringing terrific romance to readers.
Last, but certainly not least, a heartfelt “Thank You” to my readers. I hope you enjoyed reading Johanna and Connor’s journey to their happily-ever-after. I’d love to hear from you.
About the Author
Award-winning author Tara Kingston writes historical romance laced with intrigue, danger, and adventures of the heart. A Southern-belle-out-of-water in a quaint Pennsylvania town, she lives her own love story with her real-life hero and a pair of deceptively innocent-looking kitties in a cozy Victorian. The mother of two sons, Tara’s a former librarian whose love of books is evident in her popping-at-the-seams bookcases. It goes without saying that Tara’s husband is thankful for the invention of digital books, thereby eliminating the need for yet another set of shelves. When she’s not writing, reading, or burning dinner, Tara enjoys movie nights, cycling, hiking, DIY projects, collecting dolls, and cheering on her favorite football team.
Tara loves to connect with her readers. You can find Tara at her website and on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
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