Child of the Mist (47 page)

"But first, I have a small wedding gift for you."

He motioned for her to follow him to her father's huge desk. Niall unrolled a large parchment scroll, then picked up a quill pen and offered it to her.

Anne frowned in puzzlement. "What is this?"

"The grant deeding MacGregor lands to clan Campbell. I wish to give them back as my wedding gift."

Hot tears flooded Anne's eyes and spilled down onto her cheeks. "Thank you," she whispered.

She shot her father a quick, joyous glance then, taking the quill, signed the scroll.

Niall rerolled it, handing it to the MacGregor for safekeeping. He once more offered her his arm.

"'Tis time for a wedding, m'lady."

Anne smiled up at him, all the love in her heart shining in that single glance. "Aye, m'lord."

With Alastair following, he led her out of her father's chambers and down the long, stone corridors to her clan's Great Hall. They paused at the head of the stairs to a room lavishly decorated with pine and heather, ribbons of crimson, green, and white interwoven among the branches. In the deepening twilight, hundreds of candles illuminated the huge chamber, casting a soft glow upon all the faces gazing up at them.

Iain was there, good friend and true, smiling his encouragement. Caitlin, Agnes, and Anne's sisters stood around him, tears of joy in their eyes. And, in the mass of people, Anne saw Fiona and Donald, little Annie proudly cradled in her father's arms. At that moment the babe gurgled loudly.

Niall chuckled. ''That's a bonny babe you helped birth, lassie. May ours someday be as lively and healthy."

A small, mischievous giggle escaped Anne. Tawny-brown eyes shifted back to her.

"And, pray, what is so amusing?"

She tossed her head. "Och, naught, m'lord, save you may soon rue those brave words. Babes can be very noisy and demanding, as well you'll discover in but another eight months' time."

For a moment Niall stared, as realization of her meaning slowly dawned. Then, his mouth lifted into a beautiful smile. "Truly? Wewe're to have a babe?"

She nodded. "Aye, m'lord."

"A babe," he repeated, as if not quite able to comprehend the revelation. He grinned at her in startled pleasure. "You've had a few surprises o' your own, I see."

"Aye, mlord."

"Well," Niall remarked with feigned casualness, "I always said a spirited filly, if gentled well, was o' greater value than some plodding nag."

Anne's silver eyes flashed. "And there you go again, Niall Campbell, comparing me to a horse!"

He threw back his head and gave a shout of laughter. Then, to the accompaniment of the wailing bagpipes, he led her down to their wedding.

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoyed CHILD OF THE MIST. I have a similar type of book coming out in 1994, a fantasy romance entitled DEMON PRINCE. Set in a land of knights and ladies, magic and superstition, it is the tale of Aidan, firstborn son of the queen of Anacreon, and Brianne, a beautiful peasant girl. Conceived in an unholy union between his mother and, unbeknownst to Aidan, the necromancer, Morloch, the young prince has grown up shunned by all due to his birthing curse of the "evil eye." Renouncing his right to the throne, Aidan roams distant lands as a mercenary until the eve of his thirtieth birthday when the law requires he return home. His kindness in rescuing Brianne from a pack of outlaws sets them on an inevitable course that not only binds their lives but their hearts as well in a desperate battle to save Anacreon from the evil Morloch. But in the end will love be enough to free the tormented Aidan from the curse of the DEMON PRINCE?

For those of you who also enjoy futuristic romances or are interested in giving this exciting new type of book a try, FIRESTAR, my fourth futuristic, will begin yet another trilogy. This time, the threat to the Imperium is much more external. In the absence of the Knowing Crystal, the Volans, an alien race of mind slavers from a neighboring galaxy, renew their efforts to seize control of the Imperium. Gage Bardwin, the famed Imperial tracker, is sent to a distant planet to spy on purported Volan activities.

There, he is captured and offered to Meriel Corba, a royal princess, as a stud for the sole purpose of impregnation. The ensuing passion and eventual betrayal sets the stage for their tempestuous relationship as both are inexorably drawn into the battle against the Volans to save the Imperium. FIRESTAR will be a Summer 1993 release.

I love hearing from my readers. For a list of all my currently available books and a personal reply, please write me at P.O. Box 62365, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80962. A self-addressed, stamped envelope is appreciated. In the meanwhilehappy reading!

KATHLEEN MORGAN