“Oh, dear,” Eden said.
Roddy had been hanging morosely back by the fireplace, but now he stormed up to Alasdair. “I did nae such thing. The lass took advantage of me, ye ken.”
Alasdair launched himself at Roddy, bringing him down to the floor with him. They started to grapple and exchange blows.
Cursing under his breath, Arnprior stalked toward them, but one of Mungo’s henchmen darted up from behind and gave the earl a shove, almost knocking him off his feet.
Arnprior quickly recovered and spun around, drilling a fist to his attacker’s jaw. The man staggered but shook it off and charged in for more as Graeme yelled and launched himself at another one of Mungo’s men.
Within seconds, the hall was transformed into a melee.
“Well, I’d best go help sort this out,” Logan said.
Donella grabbed for him but missed.
“Blast,” she muttered.
“Good thing I brought lots of bandages,” Braden said.
Eden sat back down. “This might take a while, so you might as well have a seat, old girl.”
“I have no intention of spending any more time in this dreadful place,” Donella said. “Does either of you have a pistol?”
Braden’s brows shot up. “I don’t think—”
Eden reached inside her cloak and extracted a small pistol. “Maybe you can get one of them in the backside.”
“Don’t tempt me.”
Donella marched into the middle of the hall. Then she cocked the pistol, pointed it at the ceiling, and fired.
The boom reverberated through the hall, freezing everyone. The flock of pigeons roosting in the timbers instantly took flight, performing the natural function that one might expect from startled birds.
Bird droppings splattered down onto most of the combatants. Mungo and Alasdair took precise hits to the tops of their heads, while Logan—who’d been wrestling with two of Mungo’s men—got a generous splattering on his shoulder and the back of his coat.
“What the hell?” Alasdair yelped.
“You will cease acting like Scottish nincompoops,” Donella shouted. “I have had enough. My head hurts, I’m tired, and I want to go home. So you will all stop fighting right now.”
“All right, lass,” Logan said, trying not to laugh. “Dinna fash yerself.”
“I’ll fash you,” she threatened.
“God, I’m covered in the stuff,” Alasdair said as he tried to wipe his head with his sleeve.
Eden marched up to him. “Leave Roddy alone and go clean up. Braden has some cloths you can use.”
Lord Arnprior, who had managed to escape the avian deluge, flashed Donella a grin. “Well done, lass. And welcome to the family. You’ll fit right in.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Logan came over and tried to wrap his arms around her.
Donella pushed him away. “You are covered with pigeon dung. I have no intention of hugging you.”
“Och, getting hit with bird dung is a sign of good luck, ye ken,” he teased. “Besides, your cloak is smelling none too fresh, love.”
“I know. I’ve been wearing it all night.”
Logan shrugged out of his coat while glancing at his brother. “You’ll manage the rest?”
Arnprior nodded. “You and Braden get Donella home. We’ll join you shortly.”
Logan took Donella’s arm and started to lead her out.
“Good-bye, Miss Donella,” Roddy called forlornly. “I wish ye well.”
“Can you wait one moment?” she asked Logan.
She hurried back to Roddy, who was looking rather worse for wear. She went up on her tiptoes and gave him a gingerly hug.
“Thank you for trying to help me, Roddy. I just know you’re going to find a nice girl someday who will love you.”
He sighed. “Not as nice as ye, Miss Donella.”
“Don’t give up.” Perhaps she could ask Lady Reese to find Roddy a wife. Her ladyship was quite good at matchmaking.
“Are you finished, lass?” Alasdair sardonically asked. “Because Logan’s starting to look fashed by your tender leave-taking.”
Eden whacked his arm. “You, stop being such an oaf.”
Donella flashed her a smile and hurried back to join Logan. “I’m ready now.”
His smile was wry. “You’re a kind woman, love, but I hope you don’t make a habit of hugging former swains.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m a married woman now.”
His gaze flashed with heat. “That you are.”
They went out to the Gilbrides’ carriage. Logan helped her in, then climbed up and settled beside her on the plush seat. Braden took the opposite bench, and they drove off.
Donella sighed contentedly and snuggled into her husband’s arms. “Thank God that’s over.”
“Don’t ever scare me like that again, lass. I don’t think I could take it.”
“Yes, I’ll try not to be kidnapped again,” she sardonically replied.
He tipped her chin up. “Donella . . .” He glanced across at his brother.
“Don’t mind me,” Braden said. “I’m going to take a nap, and I suggest Donella do the same.” He wedged himself into the corner and tipped his hat over his eyes.
In the gentle light of the carriage lamps, Logan’s gaze was solemn. “I’m sorry for this, my love. I should have done a better job of protecting you.”
“Logan, no one could have predicted this nonsense.”
“No, but I should have been with you. I promise I will never keep away from you like that again.”
Donella curled a hand into his cravat. “I was the one who kept turning you away, remember?”
“Och, I should have climbed through your window. It worked every other time.”
There was a choking sound from Braden’s corner.
Donella did her best to ignore her brother-in-law. “Why did you stay away? It’s not like you.”
“I didn’t want to put undue pressure on you. I’d already done too much of that.”
“I thought you were having second thoughts,” she softly said.
He cupped a hand around her chin and brought his face down to hers. “I love you. I started falling in love with you that first night, when we were on the run. I’d never met such a brave, bonny lass. I don’t deserve you, Donella, and that’s the truth.”
“Here, here,” came a murmur from the opposite corner.
“Braden, shut up,” Logan said, exasperated.
Donella was torn between tears and laughter—grateful tears and joyous laughter. “I love you, too. And thank you for coming to rescue me.”
He pressed a sweet, lingering kiss to her lips, then kissed her eyelids where a few tears had gathered. “I will always be there for you, my darling girl. Never doubt it.”
“I won’t.”
Logan gathered her close. “Now try to rest. We’ll be home soon.”
Donella closed her eyes.
It seemed she’d only dozed a few minutes before the carriage rolled into the stable yard behind Breadie Manor. Logan assisted her down, steadying her as she found her balance.
“We’d best go through the kitchen gardens,” Braden said. “We all look rather a mess.”
“Especially me,” she said with a huge yawn.
The housekeeper was waiting at the back entrance and ushered them into the blessedly warm kitchen, where a few footmen were putting away the last of the silver. The spacious room was tidy and showed little evidence that a rousing party had been in progress a short time ago.
“All is well?” Logan asked Mrs. Webb.
“Aye, sir. Lady Arnprior is waiting for ye—”
“Here I am.” Victoria hurried over to throw her arms around Donella. “Are you all right?”
Donella hugged her back. “I’m fine. Everyone is fine. The others should be returning shortly.”
“Nick stayed behind to get everything sorted,” Logan said. “He was gearing up for a grand lecture when we
left.”
Victoria smiled. “Of course he was.”
Logan ticked up an eyebrow. “I thought the party would be in full swing until morning, as usual. How did you clear the place out?”
“You can thank Lady Reese. When people began to notice that half the family had gone missing, she announced that the lobster patties had apparently been tainted, so any partakers best return home immediately. As you can imagine, it had the desired effect.”
“Brilliant,” Logan said with a grin. “Though I have the feeling that Gilbride parties might not be so well attended in the future.”
“Eden will be happy to hear that,” Donella said.
“How’s Joseph?” Logan asked Victoria.
“Waiting up for you with Angus, because none of us could get him to sleep. He’s in Donella’s room. He insisted on staying there.”
Logan took Donella’s hand. “We’ll go up right away.”
As they climbed the stairs, he flashed her a wry smile. “Ready to be a mother, lass?”
“I’m more than ready to be Joseph’s mother.”
He stopped at the top of the stairs and pressed a heartfelt kiss to her forehead. “Thank you for loving him. And for loving me.”
“Joseph is easy to love.” She smiled. “Surprisingly, so are you.”
He snorted. “Cheeky lass.”
When they reached the bedroom, Donella quietly opened the door and stuck her head inside. Joseph was lying down but shot up when he saw her.
“Donella, you’re home!”
He was about to throw off the covers, but Angus, who was sitting in a chair next to the bed, gently restrained him. “Ye’ll catch a cold, lad. They’ll come to ye.”
Donella hurried over, briefly hugging Angus before reaching down to fold Joseph into her arms. He burrowed against her with a tight little sob.
“I was so afraid when I saw those bad men take you,” he said in a teary voice.
She patted his back. “I’m fine, dearest, and I understand I have you to thank for my rescue. I want to hear all about it in the morning.”
After exchanging a few quiet words with Logan, Angus left the room.
Logan joined her and Joseph. “Aye, the brave lad is definitely the hero of the night.”
The boy pulled out of her embrace to throw himself into his father’s arms. “Thank you for bringing Donella home, Papa.”
“Och, laddie, both of us will always come home to ye,” Logan gruffly said as he fiercely hugged his son.
“What happened? Are Uncle Nick and Uncle Graeme and Uncle Braden all right?”
“Everyone’s fine. I’ll tell you the whole story in the morning. Now, though, I want you to lie down and go to sleep. It’s very late.”
Joseph cracked a huge yawn. “I couldn’t go to sleep before you got home.” Then his eyes popped wide. “Oh, this is your bed, Donella.”
“You stay right there, dearest.” She plumped his pillows and helped him slide under the covers.
“Will you lie down with me a bit?” the boy shyly asked.
Donella’s eyes stung. “Of course I will.”
“You too, Papa.”
Logan made a suspicious, throat-clearing noise before sitting on the edge of the bed to yank off his boots.
Donella dispensed with the remains of her footwear, dropped her ghastly cloak on the floor, and climbed onto the bed. Joseph snuggled against her. Logan spooned her from behind, reaching around to hold them both in a strong but tender embrace.
The little boy soon fell asleep. Out in the hall, the longcase clock struck the first notes of the approaching dawn.
Logan kissed the top of Donella’s head. “A good New Year to you, Mrs. Kendrick,” he whispered.
It was better than good. All things considered, it had been the best Hogmanay of her life. “And to you, Mr. Kendrick.”
A few minutes later, she drifted to sleep in her husband’s loving arms.
Epilogue
January 1820
Blairgal Castle
The Twelfth Night ball was in full carouse, and the sounds of celebration drifted up from the ballroom. Donella heard the faint skirl of the Highland reels and the echoes of boisterous revelry.
But here on the highest parapet, the music of the spheres held reign. The stars were bright as comets, and the cold breeze snapped the heraldic flags on Blairgal’s turrets. In front of her stretched the land of her ancestors, glittering like a sugary confection under a blanket of snow. The Trossachs rose in the distance, rugged in the darkness, like silent, eternal giants.
Leaving for the convent three years ago, Donella had thought she’d never see this vista again. It had been a quiet sorrow, and a sacrifice she’d been determined to make. Now the beauty of her home stretched in front of her like a dream magically come to life.
“Are you warm enough, Mrs. Kendrick?” Logan murmured in her ear.
Donella enjoyed the feel of his brawny body against the curve of her backside. After two weeks of marriage, she was very familiar with her husband’s body, as he was with hers.
“Yes, thank you. How could I not be when I am wrapped in such a magnificent cloak?”
The fur-lined, velvet cloak was just one of the wedding presents Logan had showered on her until she’d finally put a stop to it. Gifts were lovely, but she truly didn’t care about frilly bonnets or pretty bracelets or any of the other fripperies he wished to bestow upon her. Donella only cared that they were finally together.
“You’re the one who should be cold,” she added. “You’re wearing a kilt.”
“Och, it’s positively balmy here compared to Canada, love. And I’ve got you to keep me warm.”
When he pulled her even closer, she choked out a laugh. Even through their clothing, she could feel a formidable erection pressing against her bottom.
“If you think I’m doing that up here,” she said, “you are quite out of your mind. I’m a respectably married woman. I don’t engage in reckless behavior anymore.”
“You were reckless enough to let me climb into your bedroom even after we were married.”
“I suppose I can make an exception on occasion, but only when the weather is better. I don’t want you slipping on icy windowsills.”
“No fear of that. Speaking of ice, Joseph had fun skating this afternoon. He seems to be much happier, don’t you think?”
Donella wriggled around to face him. A loving smile curved up the edges of his mouth, but she sensed his latent worry. “He had a splendid time, as did your brother. However, you and the rest of the family were nervous hens.”
When Uncle Riddick had discovered that she and Logan had snuck off to get married, he’d insisted on throwing a formal ball on Twelfth Night to properly celebrate their union. Eden and the castle staff had instantly sprung into action to pull off a grand house party and ball on short notice. Since the Kendrick family’s arrival en masse a few days ago, it had been a non-stop series of activities, each more festive than the next.
This afternoon’s treat had been a skating party on the small pond behind the castle. Trestle tables had been set up, loaded with cakes, pastries, hot chocolate, and mulled wine, and a raging bonfire had allowed the skaters to get warm.
Joseph had ignored the sweets in his eagerness to don his new skates. Logan, however, had kept him back until he’d tested the ice with time-consuming caution. Since the pond was no more than five feet deep at any given location, some thought his concern a bit excessive. But given the Kendrick family’s tragic history, Donella had understood. She’d kept quiet while her husband carefully ensured the ice was solid.
Finally, Lord Arnprior had impatiently ordered Logan to cease stomping about like a lummox, and moments later, uncle and nephew had taken to the ice with exuberance. Alasdair had joined them, his little daughter on his shoulders. She’d slapped her papa’s head with glee as he spun in circles and taught Joseph how to skate backward.
Donella had blinked back tears at the sight of her stepson’s unrestra
ined glee.
Every Kendrick male not on the ice had watchfully guarded the skaters, as had Lady Reese. Her ladyship had been on alert for the slightest risk. She’d even delivered a reprimand to Lord Arnprior, commanding him in stern tones to moderate his excessive speed. That, naturally, had triggered an argument between her ladyship and Angus, and Eden had been forced to separate the combatants.
All in all, it was a splendid day.
Logan’s smile turned wry. “I know I was a bit of a nervous old biddy—”
“A bit?”
He leaned down to kiss the tip of her nose. “Cheeky lass. I still worry that he’ll be overwhelmed. He’s not used to being around so many people and so much fuss.”
“He’s not the only one,” she said wryly, “but he’ll be fine.”
The festivities had reached their peak with tonight’s huge ball. Various Haddons and members of Clans Graham and Kendrick had turned out in impressive numbers, filling the castle to the rafters.
The most surprising guests were the Murrays. Initially, Uncle Riddick had refused to even consider talking to Mungo. But Donella was determined to bury the claymore and end the stupid feud once and for all. With the support of Alasdair, she’d offered a solution—her uncle would purchase Dun Manor from the Grahams and gift it to the Murrays, specifically to Roddy. Donella had insisted on that part. The poor man deserved something for all the trouble she’d caused him.
They’d finally managed to convince Uncle Riddick to support her plan. The magnanimous gesture had stunned Mungo into a semblance of goodwill, and the truce was still holding.
“Sorry, love,” Logan said. “I know you hate these massive affairs. But everyone seems to be having a splendid time, even those blasted Murrays.”
“Especially Roddy. I think Lady Reese has introduced him to every eligible girl at the ball. Several seemed quite taken with him, too.”
“It’s amazing what even a rundown estate can do to improve one’s marital prospects,” her husband dryly replied.
Donella smothered a laugh. “Roddy is a very nice person, and he deserves a fine wife.”
“Just as long as it’s not my wife.”
She went up on tiptoe and brushed a kiss against his lips. Logan murmured his appreciation and deepened the caress.
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