Her Accidental Highlander Husband (MacKinlay Clan)

by Allison B Hanson

  When the dowager had finished, the whole room hovered in silence for a few moments, then erupted in an avalanche of outrage. Mari didn’t hear all of what was being said, only snippets.

  “Disgrace to his title—”

  “Monster—”

  “Beast—”

  “—should be thanking her for ending him.”

  And then, booming out above everything else, she heard the words she hadn’t ever dared to imagine.

  “Marian MacKinlay, you are free to go.”

  Mari was escorted out of the main room into a side chamber. The dowager followed close behind. When they were alone, she hugged the woman. “Why did you do this for me? You’ve brought scandal down on your family to save my life—someone you’ve always hated.”

  The dowager’s lips—always pulled into a scowl before this—relaxed as her sharp eyes landed on Cam, who stood nearby, making arrangements for their departure.

  “I attempted to stop him when he was leaving the house to come here today. He was very angry, and I knew he’d do something…manly and unwise. He finally confessed his plan to run off with you—a terrible life for a woman and a baby, mind you. Then he asked for my help. He told me swords and bravery could not save you. He could not save you. He didn’t try to bully me into coming forward. Instead, he went to his knees and simply asked me to save his life, and Lizzy’s life, by saving yours.”

  To Mari’s surprise, the dowager reached for her, pulling her into an embrace with more strength than expected for a woman of her age and size. “Oh, Mother. Thank you.”

  “I’m ashamed to admit, at the time I told him no. I let him go off to put into motion his ridiculous plan to rescue you. But I couldn’t sit there and let him sacrifice his life. Not when I knew you were innocent.”

  Mari shook her head. “But I’m not. I did kill him.”

  “Only because he left you no choice. I didn’t hate you, Marian. I never have. I hated the helplessness you made me feel inside. I knew I couldn’t save you from Mathias any more than I was able to save Eliza. It was easier to ignore you, so as not to feel responsible for your fate. I’m so sorry.”

  Tears brimmed over Mari’s lashes. “I understand. I forgive you.”

  The dowager swallowed. “My dear, I may have shared my awful story to save you today, but in truth, you freed me when you killed my son. Freed me from worry that it might happen yet again. And today you saved me from the guilt of living with that terrible secret. A debt was owed, so a debt was repaid.”

  Mari pulled the other woman close as they cried together, both in joy and sorrow, and from all the other emotions swirling around them.

  They were both free to live again.

  And to love.

  …

  “Wife. Your Grace.” Cam gently interrupted the embrace his wife was sharing with her savior.

  Mari turned to him, and he scooped her up when she sagged into his arms. He was glad he was there to catch her. She’d been through so much in the last months. They all had.

  “You saved me with wits rather than brawn,” she told him with a wobbly smile. “I knew you would find a way.”

  He laughed. “Do not tell anyone about my wits, lass. It will undermine my intimidating disposition.”

  “You are quite imposing.” Her smile lit up his heart. From the moment she’d come tearing out of the woods on that first day, she’d softened him…and he was a stronger man for it.

  When she released him, he turned to the dowager and hugged her, careful not to squeeze too tightly.

  As expected, she voiced her complaint. “Let go of me, you brute.” But when he released her, she was smiling. Not much, but he could see it was a valiant attempt. “Take care of them,” she whispered, and squeezed his hand fiercely.

  This woman, frail, aged, and surly, had turned out to be a formidable warrior. She’d proven herself on the battlefield today. As with any other warrior he’d fought next to, Cam felt great respect for her. She should be honored for what she’d done.

  “Will ye come with us?” he asked, clearly surprising her as much as himself. “To Dunardry?”

  “Yes,” Mari added immediately. As always, she understood him. “There is nothing left for you in London but scandal and loneliness. Please come with us. Join our family as Lizzy’s grandmother.”

  When she shook her head, Cam tried again.

  “This place is nothing but darkness and the memories you use to punish yourself. No more. Your daughter would be proud of what you did for us this day. It’s time to let go of the past and start fresh.”

  “With us,” Mari added, her eyes bright.

  He was glad she was accepting of this plan, since they’d had no time to discuss it first.

  “I appreciate your offer, truly, but I am an old woman. I cannot make such a long trip and start my whole life over.”

  “You are a spirited old crow, and more than capable of making such a trip if you decide it is something you want to do.” He held up his hand to stop her rebuttal. “Consider it an open invitation.”

  She gave a nod and a sigh. “Thank you.”

  He smiled down at her. “I will not try to intimidate you into agreeing, because I know an impenetrable wall when I run into one and your head is thus. Just know this, Your Grace. Whether you stay here or come with us to Scotland, you are part of our family. We will write to you and tell you tales of Lizzy’s growing up until you tell us to stop.”

  “I’ll never tell you to stop.” The old woman wiped a tear from her eye.

  After allowing the dowager to fuss over Lizzy for a few moments longer, Cam helped his family into the Endsmere carriage, and they set off for home.

  For Scotland.

  …

  Lizzy was a fair traveler for their fast-paced retreat from England. She only fussed on the occasion when her father—cramped from riding in the carriage—spent a few hours on a horse instead of inside with them.

  It was late in the evening a few weeks later when the carriage finally crossed over into their homeland. Lizzy was sleeping in Cam’s strong arms as he gazed down at her in awe, as he often did. It was at these times Mari knew with certainty that this was the life she was supposed to have. Not that other one. This was the man she was meant to be with.

  Remembering the dowager’s parting wish, Mari sat up and searched for the letter she’d been given. Taking their sleeping daughter from him, Mari handed him the sealed missive.

  “What is this?” he asked, puzzled.

  “I don’t know. The dowager told me to give it to you once we were in Scotland.”

  Cam opened it and gasped as he read through the letter.

  “What does it say?” Curiosity got the best of her when her husband’s eyes continued to dart from side to side. She shifted closer so she could also read it in the low light from the lantern.

  Dearest Highland Brute,

  I’ve instructed my man of business to forward to you the sum of two thousand pounds, which was the amount of Marian’s dowry, paid to my late son upon their wedding. However, the man was never a suitable husband to her, only a monster. I have witnessed the love you have for Marian, and I believe, as her true husband, you are the rightful recipient of these funds.

  I thank you for doing what needed to be done with elegance and kindness.

  The best to you and yours,

  Wilhelmina

  Cam glanced up and chuckled, though he was clearly bewildered. “Well, I’ll be damned. Did you notice she signed it with just her name?”

  Mari was still trying to process the news. “I never knew her name. I was only permitted to call her ‘Your Grace’ or ‘Lady Mother.’”

  He handed her the letter. “She honors me with such a generous gesture, but it is your money, earned with your own blood. What will you have us do with it?”

  Mari l
ooked at their daughter, thinking over the possibilities. Part of her wanted to throw the blood money into a hole in the ground and never think of her past again. But Cam was right. She’d earned it through years of abuse and fear. And she was able to use it now for something that would make them all happy and safe.

  She smiled at her husband. “It looks like we’ll be building a manor house, after all.”

  Cam smiled back. “Aye. We can use these funds to build a fine home for my beautiful family.” His large finger caressed Lizzy’s cheek as he leaned in close. “As big as it may grow.”

  Then he kissed Mari in that gentle yet demanding way of his. Indomitable strength tempered with love. She knew her new life with this man would be filled with safety and happiness…not to mention passion and excitement.

  Epilogue

  “I see you’re back to digging up rocks,” Lach said, approaching as Cam tossed a large boulder into the cart.

  Cam smiled at the laird and wiped the sweat from his brow. It had been easy to forgive him once Mari was safe and back at Dunardry. Cam knew Lach had done the best he could with the options he’d been given. It was not an easy thing to be a leader.

  “Aye.” Cam dropped another stone into the cart. “Though this time it’s by choice.” Every rock he plucked from the earth was going to building a home for his family. Complete with a suite of rooms for the Dowager Duchess of Endsmere, who had changed her mind and joined them unexpectedly a month ago.

  “Are you going to sit up there atop your horse, or will you get down and help me?” Cam asked, squinting up into the early March sky.

  “Aye.” Lach swung down. “I have others on their way to help, but before they arrive, I wanted to speak to you alone.”

  Cam came to stand next to him, knowing it must be important.

  When he’d returned home with his wife and child, he’d made the difficult decision to give up the duty of war chief, handing over the position to Bryce. While Cam would gladly raise his sword in defense of his clan, he didn’t want to be on the front lines any longer. He had too much to live for.

  Bryce had been happy to take over the duty, not having anyone at home to worry over him. Nor ever wanting another family.

  After drawing up the plans for his home, Cam had been commissioned to draw up other plans as well. He had a skill for seeing the way things looked before they were built. With Mari’s encouragement, he had sold a few drawings already.

  “What’s amiss?” he asked when Lach hadn’t continued.

  “I finally heard back from the McCurdy. It seems they’re getting desperate and have agreed to an alliance for peace.”

  Cam’s eyes went wide. “Finally. That’s wonderful. We’ll gain access to the sea.”

  Lach nodded but didn’t look as happy as Cam would have expected. This seaport had been his father’s lifelong dream for their clan, and they were finally getting it.

  Lach grimaced. “The alliance will be through a marriage to the McCurdy’s daughter.”

  Cam frowned. “Who do ye have to marry off? I thought he’d only agree to the laird or the war chief.” His voice faltered on the last two words. “Oh, God.”

  “Right.”

  “Does your new war chief know you’ve bartered him away for marriage?”

  Bryce had been happily married and lost his wife and child. The loss had broken his heart. He’d sworn never to wed again.

  “Not yet. I’ll tell him soon. We have a few months until the wedding will take place.”

  Cam snorted. “Good luck to you.” He might have said more, but at that moment his wife stepped out from the trees. This time she wasn’t running with terror in her eyes. She was carrying their daughter and smiling.

  Lizzy reached toward him, and he ran to meet them, scooping her into his arms and swinging her above his head to make her laugh. “Da!” she squealed so he’d do it again. But he sat her on his shoulders, holding her in place securely as he bent to kiss his wife.

  “You’re making progress,” she said, taking in the stone walls that lined the perimeter of their new home.

  “Aye. And it looks like we’re getting help.”

  A group of men crested the hill in a line, with Liam leading the way. Women followed along behind, bringing food and ale to keep the workers nourished.

  With this much help they’d be under roof by the end of the summer.

  “Make sure not to do too much,” Mari whispered before leaning up to kiss him. “I don’t want you to be too tired tonight.” A saucy wink clued him in to what she had in mind.

  He grinned. “The last time you met me in this field while I dug rocks, ye forced me into marriage. Now you’re seducing me to your bed. You provide a fine argument for spending all my days at the task.”

  She playfully poked him in the chest. “Surely you’ll be too busy for such things when the second bairn arrives.”

  “The second—” Cam swallowed in surprise, and then a smile that matched the one on his wife’s face pulled at his lips. “You never cease to make me happier than I ever thought possible.”

  “And I’ll never tire of trying,” she promised with a kiss.

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  About the Author

  One very early morning, Allison B. Hanson woke up with a conversation going on in her head. It wasn’t so much a dream as being forced awake by her imagination. Unable to go back to sleep, she gave in, went to the computer, and began writing. Years later it still hasn’t stopped. Allison lives near Hershey, Pennsylvania. Her contemporary romances include paranormal, sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery suspense. She enjoys candy immensely, as well as long motorcycle rides, running, and reading.

  Also by Allison B. Hanson…

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