“I couldnae have said it better myself, Mother,” he said.
“Here’s to a new era between our clans,” Stewart McKinnon said, “and may ye both be richly blessed in yer love for one another, a true love, and one which will last a lifetime.”
Now the clansmen cheered and Bryce leaned down and kissed Ailsa. Each delighted that finally the love they had longed to share could be realized and together they could be as one.
Epilogue
Stewart McKinnon kept his word and when a boat of McKinnon soldiers arrived later that day he strode out onto the shoreline, telling them that the battle was over. His clansmen were surprised by his words and even more surprised to be entertained to dinner at the expense of Bryce Dunbar. The two Lairds sitting together in the Great Hall of Dunbar castle, whilst their clansmen shared whisky and victuals below.
It was McKinnon gold which repaired the gates of the castle and Dunbar craftsmen who helped the McKinnons construct a new ship in which to sail between the island and the mainland. In fact, there was much co-operation between the two clans, as friendships were formed and the old barriers of suspicion broken down.
When the day of Bryce and Ailsa’s wedding came the two clans gathered together in the village kirk, close to the sea. There were so many guests that they spilled outside, creating a guard of honor for the happy couple who looked every bit the Laird and Lady on this, their wedding day.
Ailsa wore a long decorative dress, made especially for her by Lady Dunbar in the clan’s colors. Her father, who had remained at the Dunbar castle during his daughter’s recuperation, was proud to walk her down the aisle. They had arrived in a cart, decked with flowers and drawn by a chestnut mare, and Ailsa had been greeted by all the villagers, who turned out to witness that happy day.
As a show of solidarity and the new friendship between them, Bryce had asked Stewart McKinnon to act as best man. The two had grown closer in the months after that fateful night and would often visit one another, riding out on the hunt or taking out Bryce’s boat to fish.
That valiant little craft has been repaired and was renamed ‘The Dunbar McKinnon’ in honor of the new alliance. It had a new red sail and its hull had been restored so that it was better than new. The Laird often took it out onto the bay to fish and Ailsa would look out from the castle windows to see her betrothed at his nets.
When Stewart McKinnon joined the young Laird, the two would return with a great haul of fish. A feast would be prepared and together they would talk long into the night of great deeds and valiant tales. Stewart had been delighted to act as best man and at the wedding feast he made a speech extolling the virtues of his “wee young friend, the brave Laird of the Dunbars.”
Peace had come to that part of Scotland and as the years passed Bryce and Ailsa were very happy. She gave birth to two bonnie bairns, the eldest was named Stewart, after his Godfather, the Laird of the McKinnons, and the wee lass was named Nairne. Each grew up to be fine young bairns and were doted over by their grandmother, Lady Dunbar.
Bryce and Ailsa would often take the Dunbar McKinnon out onto the waters, sailing across the bay in the early evening sun. From there they could see both the castle of the McKinnons and their own castle, perched proudly up on the crags above the beach. Ailsa would sing to Bryce, as the Laird sailed the ship across the waves and neither felt happier than out on the water together.
“Ye know,” Ailsa said one evening, “ye and I are very lucky, aren’t we? We have found one another, thanks to the sea.”
Bryce laughed, and laid aside the oars, allowing the boat to bob up and down in the water.
“I am the luckiest man alive, Ailsa. And yes, tis’ thanks to the sea that I am so, a tragedy that ended in happiness,” he said.
“Rescued not once, but twice,” she replied, smiling, as she looked out across the bay.
“The sea has been kind to us, and may it long be so,” Bryce said, coming to sit next to her in the stern of the boat.
“I could nae be happier than I am with ye,” Bryce said, “but I am glad that it was ye who chose this. I could never have forced ye to marry me, nor desired that ye be forced.”
“Aye,” she replied, “and because I chose it, that is why I couldnae be happier either. Ye have made me the happiest lass in the world.”
Together they sat, Ailsa’s head resting on Bryce’s shoulder, as across the bay the sun began to set. All was calm now, the boat gently bobbing on the surface, the sky turning golden red around them.
Bryce placed a gentle kiss upon her and whispered once more.
“I love ye, Ailsa.”
“I love ye too, Bryce, and I could nae have wished for more from the sea than that.”
The End.
Thank you so very much for taking the time to read this story. All of my books are wholesome romances suitable for all to enjoy.
Could I get you to consider leaving a review on Amazon? Click here to leave a review.
I invite you to visit my Amazon Author Page for the complete list of titles. While you’re there, be sure to click on the “Following” button on the left-hand side to receive new release updates directly from Amazon.
Rescued by a Laird Page 8
