Rescued by the Forbidden Laird – Extended Epilogue
A year later
“Are ye sure we’re nae lost again?”
Arran laughed softly without looking back, guiding his horse along the narrow path winding through the forest. “We are nae lost, Davina. Ye’ve asked me that four times now.”
“Well,” she said, pretending to study the trees around them with great seriousness, “it looks suspiciously familiar. I could have sworn that very fern was the one we passed half an hour ago.”
“That fern,” he replied, glancing over his shoulder with a grin, “is one of thousands, lass. I’d hate tae think ye’re keeping count.”
Davina arched a brow, her lips curving momentarily. “I could, if it meant proving a point.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Fer shame, Lady Davina. Ye’ve nay faith in yer husband’s sense of direction.”
“Oh, I have faith,” she said airily, “just nae in yer directions.”
Arran shot her a look over his shoulder, the kind that always made her want to laugh. “Ye wound me.”
She smiled sweetly. “Ye’ll live.”
The forest around them was alive with color, as the first full bloom of summer turned every branch and meadow into a sea of green and gold. It was the same path they had once taken by accident, the one that had led them hopelessly astray and to the moment everything between them had begun to change.
Davina suddenly remembered it all. “Ye ken, I didnae much mind the last time we got lost.”
Arran turned slightly in the saddle, his grin unmistakably wicked. “Oh aye? And why’s that, me lady?”
“Because,” she said, feigning thoughtfulness, “if I recall, it led tae a rather… interesting evening.”
He slowed his horse just enough for her to draw even with him. “Interesting, was it?”
“I might even say unforgettable.”
He leaned a little closer. “Well now, if ye’re that fond of the experience…”
Her laughter bubbled up before she could stop it. “Arran Mackay, ye wouldnae dare.”
He smiled with that familiar glint in his eyes. “Oh, I think I would. We could get lost again, if ye’d like.”
Davina gasped in mock outrage, feeling her cheeks warming, even after all that time. “Ye’re incorrigible!”
“And ye,” he said, his voice full of quiet affection, “are trouble I’d happily lose me way fer.”
She shook her head, unable to hide her smile. “Flattery will nae make the path any clearer.”
“It daesnae have tae,” he said softly, reaching to take her hand where their horses rode side by side. “As long as I’ve got ye, I’ll never truly be lost.”
Davina looked up at him, feeling her heart full to the brim. “Ye always ken just what tae say.”
He smiled. “Aye. Took me long enough tae learn, did it nae?”
She laughed quietly, resting her hand over his. “Worth the wait.”
They continued riding for a few minutes, when she called out to him.
“Arran?”
He glanced back immediately. “Aye, love? What is it?”
“Would ye stop fer a moment?”
He pulled his reins at once, his brow furrowing as his horse slowed beside hers. “Are ye alright?”
Davina smiled, touched by the worry in his tone. “I’m fine,” she assured him. “Truly. Just a little tired. And as this is a lovely spot…” She gestured to the patch of sunlight breaking through the trees. “I thought we might sit fer a while. If ye dinnae mind.”
He was off his horse before she’d even finished the sentence. “Mind? Ye’ve only tae ask.”
Davina laughed softly as he reached up, helping her down from the saddle with careful hands, as though she were made of glass. She rolled her eyes, but the gesture was fond.
“Arran Mackay,” she teased, “I’m perfectly capable of stepping down on me own.”
“Aye,” he said, smiling, “but humor me. It keeps me feeling useful.”
He led her toward a fallen log nestled in a little clearing, where sunlight poured like honey through the leaves. Birds trilled somewhere above, and the world smelled of pine and wild roses. It was peaceful, almost impossibly so.
Davina sat first, smoothing her skirts. Arran joined her a heartbeat later, settling close enough that their shoulders brushed.
“Better now?” he asked quietly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
She leaned against him with a small sigh. “Much.”
His warmth surrounded her, and now, his heartbeat was strong beneath her ear. She could feel him watching her with that slight crease between his brows, the one that always appeared when he was trying not to fuss.
“Ye’ve been pushing yerself,” he murmured. “Ye should rest more.”
“I’ve been walking,” she said, smiling faintly. “Hardly a great trial.”
He huffed softly. “Aye, but I’ll nae have ye tiring yerself. Ye’re… precious cargo now.”
Davina’s heart softened. “Ye say that as though I were a ship full of coins.”
He gave a low chuckle, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Aye, well, ye’re far rarer than any treasure I’ve kent.”
Davina’s fingers traced idle circles over the back of Arran’s hand where it rested on her knee. She smiled faintly, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her touch.
Then, almost without thinking, she said. “Speaking of precious cargo…”
Her voice trailed off before she could stop herself.
Arran turned to her at once, his brows knitting. “What was that?”
She hesitated, her heart fluttering fast and bright. “Naething,” she replied quickly. “Or… well, something.”
“Davina,” he said gently, tilting her chin toward him. “What dae ye mean?”
Her lips curved into a small, nervous smile. “I mean…” She took a breath, steadying herself, and then met his gaze. “Ye were right, Arran. I am carrying something precious.”
For a heartbeat, he only stared at her and she could see the realization dawning in his eyes, slow and disbelieving.
“Ye mean…?”
Davina nodded. “Aye, Arran. I am with child.”
Arran went utterly still. The forest seemed to hold its breath with him.
“Are ye certain?” he asked, barely managing the words.
She laughed softly, tears slipping down her cheeks before she could stop them. “I’ve missed two of me monthlies now, and I’ve kent fer a little while… but I wanted tae be sure before I told ye.”
He stared at her, as if trying to take it in, the truth and the wonder of it, and then, all at once, his expression broke into light.
“Davina,” he breathed in a voice full of awe. “Truly?”
She nodded again, smiling through her tears. “Truly.”
Arran let out a breath that turned into a laugh, rough with disbelief and joy all at once. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest.
“Ye’ve given me everything,” he murmured against her hair. “Everything I never thought I’d have, everything I never thought I would ever deserve.”
She caressed his cheek. “Ye make it sound as though I did this alone.”
He drew back just enough to look at her, with his grin boyish and wide. “Ye’ve nae idea how happy ye’ve made me, Davina.”
“Perhaps a little idea,” she teased softly.
He kissed her then all over her forehead, her cheeks, her lips, over and over, as laughter mingled with the kisses.
“A bairn,” he said between them, wonder threading through every word. “Our bairn.”
“Our bairn,” she echoed, resting her forehead against his.
Arran wrapped his arms around her again, as though he could keep the whole world from ever touching her.
“Ye realize, of course, this changes everything,” he suddenly told her.
“Oh, does it?” she teased gently.
“Aye.” His eyes gleamed. “If it’s a lad, I’ll teach him tae ride afore he can walk. And tae wield a sword… properly, mind ye, nae swinging it about like Bruce daes when he’s showing off.”
Davina bit her lip to hide her smile. “Ye’ll have him training afore he’s out of the cradle, will ye nae?”
“Maybe nae that soon,” Arran said, pretending to think. “But soon enough. He’ll learn honor, courage… and the value of keeping his word. I’ll make him a man worthy of the Highlands.”
Her heart warmed as she listened to the pride and tenderness in his voice, the dream taking shape right there between them.
“And if it’s a lass?” she asked tenderly.
He looked at her, and the corners of his mouth curved into an even gentler smile. “Ah, if it’s a lass…” He paused, glancing toward the canopy of leaves above them as though picturing it. “Then heaven help anyone who tries tae tell her what she can or cannae dae.”
Davina laughed, her hand coming up to cover her mouth.
Arran went on. “I’ll teach her tae ride, too, though she’ll likely outrun me before long. And she’ll ken her mind, our lass. Fierce as her mother, clever as her uncle, and impossible tae argue with.”
Davina felt her eyes sting again. “Ye’ll spoil her terribly.”
“Aye,” he admitted with a grin. “And gladly. I’d give her everything the world has tae offer… and then tell her nae tae settle for any man who couldnae see she deserved it.”
She couldn’t speak for a moment. Her heart was too full, and her throat too tight with feeling.
Arran must have noticed, because he reached up to her cheek, smiling softly. “What are ye thinking, love?”
“That I’ve never loved ye more than I dae right now,” she whispered.
Their gazes locked, and for a moment, no words were needed. Then, he kissed her again, with his hand resting over hers where it lay against her belly. Their future felt close enough to touch. It was fragile, but so bright and full of promise.
When he finally pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers. “Lad or lass,” he murmured, “they’ll ken what love looks like, because they’ll see it every day.”
Davina smiled through her tears, her voice no more than a whisper. “Aye. They will.”
And so, beneath the quiet majesty of the Highlands, they found what neither battle nor loss could steal: peace, love, and the promise of forever.
The End.
If you haven’t already, please leave your review on Amazon
Readers who enjoyed this book also bought
★★★★★ 102 ratings
Ian Wallace never wanted to be laird, but with a dying clan to save, he has no time for complications—especially not the fierce, beautiful prisoner hidden in his own new castle. She’s a MacAlpin, born of the blood he’s sworn to hate but the fire in her eyes stirs something deeper than duty. He should send her away. Instead, he’ll risk everything to keep her.
Read the book
★★★★★ 194 ratings
Thora MacLeod always follows her visions, but kidnapping Laird Aedan Cameron and blackmailing him into a fake marriage at a dangerous Yule gathering? Not her best idea. As sparks fly in enemy territory, their feelings for one another start to complicate things. Thora knows that her visions might save their clans, but they won’t stop her heart from shattering once Aedan finds out she’s been lying to him all along…
Read the book
0 Comments