Highland Knight of Rapture (Highland Dynasty Book 4)
Page 29
Duncan eyed Helen with a stern countenance. Eoin, however, grinned like he’d just won the grand prize at the Highland games. Gyllis, Mr. Keith, Sean and John stood behind her, not only their presence, but their support bolstered Helen’s nerves. She would not fail.
Duncan tipped his chin up.
Helen decided to allow him to speak first. After all, her brother was the Lord of Glenorchy, even if she would defy him this day.
But he did something Helen did not expect. He gestured to Eoin. “The Chieftain of Clan Gregor has something he’d like to say.”
Eoin stepped forward. “Forgive me for conducting this proposal in public, but in light of all that has transpired, I want everyone present to hear.” He took Helen’s hands in his ever-warm palms and kneeled. “Lady Helen, I ask your forgiveness. I should not have behaved so rashly when I discovered you had been spirited to this cottage. I should have insisted on a chaperone at all times to ensure your virtue was never brought into question.” He bowed his head. “Will you please find it in your heart to forgive me?”
Helen glanced to Duncan who was looking on with his usual dour frown. Generally a man on bended knee meant only one thing, but Sir Eoin was begging an apology. And he had nothing to apologize for. She knew better than to say so, especially not when they had an audience.
“Sir Eoin, you acted gallantly on my behalf, delivering my missive to my brother, John, Bishop of the Isles, and pleading my case, given the precarious circumstances. On threat of death by my annulled husband, I was unable to personally seek John’s assistance. Afterward, the security you provided whilst I hid in this domicile was greatly appreciated by my person and cannot go without expressing my sincere gratitude.” Praise God her tongue had not failed as she delivered her oration. She even managed to maintain the serene expression she’d mastered after so many years of hiding her emotions.
Eoin raised his head and grinned at her. His blue eyes crinkled at the corners, telling her she chose exactly the right words. And then the look in his eyes took on a deeper meaning, one that she’d seen in the bedchamber, one that made her insides swarm with a maelstrom of desire. Helen took in a deep breath and held that gaze. Though she loved him to his toes, she would not permit Eoin MacGregor to disarm her resolve in this hour.
He squeezed his fingers tighter. “With your acceptance of my apology, I would ask you something else.”
Helen’s insides became weightless, like she’d just leapt from a cliff. “Aye?” she whispered, almost afraid to speak.
Eoin cleared his throat, but his eyes never wavered from her face. “Lady Helen, I haven’t a keep encircled with bailey and curtain to offer you, but I can say this: You will have the protection of Clan Gregor, the fiercest force in all the Highlands. You will preside as lady over the clan, and have servants to attend your every need. But moreover, I pledge to you my unfaltering love, my life, my sword, my honor and my heart, if you will agree to be my wife.”
By the time he’d finished, tears streamed down Helen’s face. A smile stretched her lips and, at first, all she managed was a nod. When finally she found her voice, she said, “Aye. I will marry you, Sir Eoin MacGregor.”
He stood and wrapped her in his arms. Oh how wonderful his body felt pressed against her bosom, knowing that he would be hers for all eternity.
Duncan grasped Eoin’s shoulder and pulled them apart. “You’ll not be touching my sister again until you are properly wed.” He reached for Helen’s left arm. “And you will go home with me.”
Eoin grasped his lady’s right hand. “Oh no, I’m finished with waiting.”
Duncan scowled. “Pardon me, but—”
“If you would allow me to explain.” Eoin tugged Helen behind him to shield her from Glenorchy. “We have The Most Illustrious and Most Reverend Lord, His Worship the Bishop of the Isles, in our midst. Who better to marry us than your brother?”
Duncan blinked rapidly. “But Mother will have one of her spells and tie me up by my thumbs.” Such an admonition sounded trite coming from the most powerful man east of Inveraray.
Gyllis cleared her throat from beside the hearth where she cradled Maggie. “Please, Duncan, the spoiled laddie pout no longer suits you.”
“Then Mother will have to live with our decision.” Moving from behind Eoin, Helen took up his hand. “I will marry the Chieftain of Clan Gregor this day if John will be so kind as to do us the honor.”
John thoughtfully stepped forward with praying fingertips touched to his lips. “Though this situation is rather untoward, it is my opinion than an expeditious marriage would be the best for both Lady Helen and Sir Eoin.” He eyed Duncan. “And the least damaging to our sister’s reputation. Mother will have to understand.”
“She will,” Gyllis said.
“’Tis settled then.” John stepped into the center of the room.
Duncan moved beside him. “I do believe I have been usurped by my siblings.” He cleared his throat with a sheepish dip to his chin. “And presently I’m feeling a bit the heel. Helen, I wanted to wait until we returned to Kilchurn to say this, but I believe now is more appropriate. Please forgive my harsh words. I spoke before I had uncovered all the facts.”
Yet another weight lifted from her shoulders. “Thank you. You’ve no idea how much it means to have your blessing.”
“Aaaand, though I said differently, I do believe a wee dowry is appropriate.” He looked to Eoin. “I grant you three hundred acres north of the River Orchy.”
Eoin bowed. “Your generosity is very much appreciated, m’lord.”
Duncan nodded and gestured to John. “Well then, shall we move on with this marriage?”
Beckoning both Helen and Eoin to step forward, he grasped each by the wrist. “Come forward and allow me to join your hands by binding them together with the holy stole of Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Helen’s skin tingled with gooseflesh as she faced her dearest friend and lover. At long last the dreams of marrying her hero had arrived. She had eyes for no one else but Eoin as John wrapped his stole around their wrists while chanting the Latin mass for Holy Matrimony.
Behind them, Maggie cooed as if she approved of this union.
While she gazed into Eoin’s loving eyes, Helen had found happiness at last. She would live out her days with the only man she had ever loved. Finally, her heart’s desire would be fulfilled.
Epilogue
Two years later
Before the altar in Kilchurn Chapel, Helen cradled her son, Alasdair. Eoin stood beside her, holding Maggie’s hand. The wee lass wore a blue damask gown with a square neckline and a matching coif atop her head. The darling grinned up at her wee brother. Och aye, Alasdair’s elder sister looked incredibly grown up for a child of two-and-a-half.
Wearing an ivory mitre atop his head, the Bishop of the Isles posed an impressive sight as he consecrated the holy water in the baptismal font. The Latin recitations rolled off John’s tongue as if it were his native language.
Helen glanced over her shoulder and regarded her family standing in the front row. How Duncan and Gyllis’s grins reminded her of the day she and Eoin had wed. Shortly after the ceremony in the cottage, the retinue had ridden to Kilchurn Castle to announce the news of their marriage. Helen’s mother, Lady Margaret, had been elated to hear that Helen and Maggie had not been ruined—aye, the news of Duncan discovering Eoin and Helen in the cottage indeed had reached Kilchurn before Helen’s arrival on that day. It may have been a good thing, however, because Mother’s look of horror changed to rapture when Duncan delivered the news that Helen had wed Eoin, one of Lady Margaret’s favorite knights in the Highland Enforcers. Without a moment’s hesitation, the Dowager Lady of Glenorchy had welcomed their marriage with open arms.
While John continued with his prayers, Helen smiled at Duncan and Lady Meg. They stood with their three children. And beside them, Mother held young Colin’s hand. In the second pew were Gyllis and Sean with their two youngsters.
Across the aisle, Alice an
d Marion, Helen’s twin sisters were joined by their spouses. Even Iain, the First Lord of Lawers and Helen’s youngest brother, had come for the baptism. Throughout the chapel, the pews were filled with the proud people of Clan Gregor. In the past two years, she had grown to love each and every soul. The clan had accepted her with open arms. After all, the Campbells of Glenorchy and the MacGregors were the closest allies in the Highlands. Why should they not be united by marriage?
Though Helen had not given her former husband a lad, in her heart she’d always known she was capable of producing an heir. And by the grace of God, Eoin had given her that opportunity.
He grinned at her, his blue eyes reflecting the brilliant hues from the stained glass above the altar. Oh, how she loved him. Alasdair squeaked out a wee cry. Eoin pressed his lips to the bairn’s crown of chestnut locks and settled the lad directly. Such a potent man, Eoin was surprisingly gentle with children, and they loved him in return.
After John asked for the bairn, Helen removed his coif and, supporting Alasdair’s neck, the bishop ladled water over the babe’s head to baptize him into the Catholic faith.
Eoin placed his arm around Helen’s shoulders and whispered in her ear. “Let us pray for his long life.”
Helen inclined her head toward Eoin’s shoulder. “Long life and good health for all.”
“Agreed. I’ll need considerable more time on this earth because I haven’t had anywhere near my fill of you, bonny Helen.”
“Nor I of you. I will love you and our children for the rest of my days.”
The End.
Author’s Note
Thank you for joining me for Lady Helen and Sir Eoin’s adventure. Eoin is also listed in some genealogy records as Iain MacEwin McAlaster MacGregor, of Glen Strae, 7th Chief of Clan Gregor. I even found a record that interchangeably used Iain and Eoin and, as an author, I found it too confusing to have a hero named Iain put up against an antagonist named MacIain. Interestingly, Eoin did not inherit his title, but received it through more sinister means.
Helen is also an interesting heroine. Her first husband was indeed Alexander MacIain MacDonald 7th and last Chief of Ardnamurchan (not to be confused with Alexander [aka John] MacDonald who vied for the Lordship of the Isles). Legend has it that Alexander MacIain died, leaving Helen a widow, but MacIain’s genealogy chart shows him living a long life. Thus I took literary license and created the annulment, which allowed me to include a cameo appearance by the Bishop of the Isles, John Campbell, who has appeared in all the Highland Dynasty books.
Also for the record, Lady Helen wedded Iain Og MacLaine, 5th of Lochbuie for a time, with whom she had two sons, which I chose to omit from this story.
Her relationship with Eoin could have been rather tenuous. The legend reflects: “The 7th chief ravished her and afterwards Lady Helen, widow of two other Highland chiefs, and daughter of Colin Campbell of Glenorchy, which relationship was no doubt the reason why the Campbells advanced him to the chieftainship.” (website ref: MacFarlane Clan & Families Genealogy: Helen Campbell.) Evidently, the ravishing of Lady Helen is still a bone of contention between the clans, but Helen and Eoin were married and bore three sons: John (Iain) MacGregor (who must have died in infancy), Alasdair Ruadh MacGregor, 8th Chief of Clan Gregor, and Gregor MacGregor.
The Campbells and the MacGregors were fast allies during the medieval period. It was in the sixteenth century that feuds began to arise between these two great clans. Perhaps the scandal created by Sir Eoin’s ravishing of Lady Helen could have been the spark that started it all.
This has been a fun series to write. Presently, I’m off writing other Scottish historical romances, but hope to soon return and continue building on the Highland Dynasty Series.
Other Books by Amy Jarecki:
Highland Force Series:
Captured by the Pirate Laird
The Highland Henchman
Beauty and the Barbarian
Return of the Highland Laird (A Highland Force Novella)
Highland Dynasty Series:
Knight in Highland Armor
A Highland Knight’s Desire
A Highland Knight to Remember
Pict/Roman Romances:
Rescued by the Celtic Warrior
Celtic Maid
Visit Amy’s web site & sign up to receive newsletter updates of new releases and giveaways exclusive to newsletter followers: www.amyjarecki.com
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About the Author
A descendant of an ancient Lowland clan, Amy adores Scotland. Though she now resides in southwest Utah, she received her MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. Winning multiple writing awards, she found her niche in the genre of Scottish historical romance. Amy loves hearing from her readers and can be contacted through her website at www.amyjarecki.com.
Amy also recommends books by three of her favorite historical romance authors. Have a look at these talented author’s Amazon pages:
Monica McCarty
Tessa Dare
Grace Burrowes
Table of Contents
HIGHLAND KNIGHT OF RAPTURE
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Epilogue
Author’s Note
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About the Author