Highland Knight of Rapture (Highland Dynasty Book 4) (30 page)
Read Highland Knight of Rapture (Highland Dynasty Book 4) Online
Authors: Amy Jarecki
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 and 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
.
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, 7
th
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 7
th
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, 5
th
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 7
th
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, 8
th
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.
Highland Force Series:
Return of the Highland Laird
(A Highland Force Novella)
Highland Dynasty Series:
Pict/Roman Romances:
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A Highland Knight to Remember
, we would be honored if you would consider leaving a review.
~Thank you!
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:
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