Return of the Rogue (26 page)

Cavan felt the last of his throbbing release dissipate and pressed his cheek to hers. He fought to steady his breath, fought to say the words that should have already been said, and finally, even though his breath remained labored, he whispered, “I love you, Honora. I love you.”

Her body grew taut beneath him and she turned her head slowly to look at him, her eyes misted with fine tears.

“Truly, you do?” she said, her voice quivering.

“Truly, I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I will say it over and over until you know it is true.”

She giggled. “Then say it again and again.”

He did, though after only a few times she stopped him.

“You would say it forever, wouldn’t you?”

“I will say it forever. I will tell you every morning, remind you every night, and whisper it throughout the day so you will always know how very much I love you.”

“That’s what I’ve been waiting to hear, needed to hear.”

“I know,” he confessed. “I should have told you sooner. I knew I loved you, but I couldn’t say it. I don’t know why but—”

“It doesn’t matter,” she said softly. “Now I can tell you—”

He laughed softly. “You’ve told me many times that you love me.”

“But I never told you that I carry your child.”

He stared at her, stunned, and hurriedly slipped off her and gathered her against him in his arms. “Truly?”

She smiled. “Truly.”

His hand went to rest at her stomach. “You have known?”

She nodded. “Not for very long, and I would have told you. It was just that I wanted to know that our child was conceived out of love and not duty.”

“Believe me, Honora, it was not duty that brought me to make love to you. It was purely love.”

She pressed her hand over his. “Strange, isn’t it, that we
did not choose
each other as husband and wife, but now we
do choose
to be husband and wife.”

“Forever…and ever…and ever,” he said, kissing her after each
ever.

“If I were to take my vows today with you, they would be recited willingly and with much love,” she said.

“I don’t regret not exchanging vows with you, for if I had, they would have been recited out of necessity, not love.”

“It doesn’t matter now,” she assured him. “All that matters is that we love each other.”

Cavan grinned and kissed her. “And I’m going to spend the rest of the night showing you just how much I love you.”

H
onora walked the moors alone. Winter had allowed a warm day to slip through, and though she still required a wool cloak, there was no bitter chill in the brisk air. She took several deep breaths and whispered numerous prayers. She was so very grateful for all the good in life.

Cavan treated her wonderfully. She couldn’t believe she had such a good man or that she now had such a generous and loving family. They were all excited about the babe who would be born sometime in the fall. The whole village had grown joyous over the news. After all, a future laird of Clan Sinclare was about to be born.

Yes, life was very good, and it would only get better.

She didn’t mourn the loss of Calum. He deserved his fate and she had not intervened. She wasn’t surprised when Cavan had spoken to her before he announced Calum’s punishment. He had already determined what it would be but wanted her to understand why he’d reached the decision he had. He didn’t have to discuss it with
her, and as the laird, his decision was final. She was grateful he’d nevertheless thoughtfully taken her into consideration.

She understood Tavish’s death could not go unpunished and that those who were responsible would suffer the ultimate punishment.

Cavan hadn’t discussed Mordrac’s destiny, but everyone expected him to face death for there was no other way to secure the safety of Sinclare lands. He was a man who conquered and could live no other way, and Cavan decided that his people could either join the Sinclare clan or face the same destiny as their leader.

Lachlan had been left at the stronghold with a myriad of men. They would keep the area secure until Cavan decided who he would appoint laird of the land answerable to him. It would be an important decision, and she knew that he and Artair spent much time discussing various candidates.

Right now peace prevailed, which was fine with her. There had been enough suffering and loss, and Ronan was still missed. Every day, when Cavan gazed into the distance, Honora knew he wondered if that was the day his brother would return.

Addie, Artair, and Cavan, and she as well, believed Ronan would find his way home, and then Addie would have her sons together once again.

Honora strolled along, wishing spring were here and the flowers in bloom. She could pick a handful for Addie. While her mother-in-law still mourned the loss of her husband, her old self was returning slowly but surely. Honora doubted that a day would go by
that Addie wouldn’t think of Tavish, but it eventually would be with a lighter heart and fond memories.

The sun suddenly shone down bright on her, and she spread her arms out to her sides and whirled around as she had when she was young. She had dreamed then, and believed them to be only dreams, but her dreams had come true and she felt like the luckiest person in the world.

She felt the tremble before she heard what sounded like thunder, and turned without worry for she knew instinctively she was safe. The black stallion approached at a fast gallop, and on it rode her husband.

His dark brown hair blew wildly around his handsome face. Some might have thought his scar marred his fine features, but she had always believed it added to his appeal, even when the chilled wind would sting the slim blemish red.

He wore no cloak, only his shirt and plaid, though he did wear a broad smile. When he got close, he leaned over and she reached up.

His arm wrapped tight around her waist and scooped her up without effort. She landed in front of him in the saddle and he slowed the horse to a gentle trot and tugged her closer against him.

“When I saw you walking, not paying attention, I thought of the very first time I had rescued you on this very spot,” he said.

Honora smiled. “You frightened me that day.”

He laughed. “You frightened me.”

“I did?” she asked, surprised.

“Of course you did. You weren’t paying attention
and you were drifting closer to the edge of the cliff. I thought for sure you would go over to your death before I reached you.”

“I did not think you rode to rescue me.”

“I did,” he said, and kissed her.

She smiled and kissed him back. “You’re my hero.”

He turned the horse toward the keep. “And you are the love of my life.”

They meandered back, talking, laughing, kissing, and when they reached the keep, the sun was low in the sky.

Laughter and talk continued that night with family over the evening meal, and Cavan sent her to bed with apologies. He had some matters to discuss with Artair that couldn’t wait, but he promised to join her as soon as he could.

Addie accompanied Honora with a gift, a beautiful soft blue night shift with long flowing sleeves, gathered beneath her breasts to float down around her ankles, and the neckline scooped low and intertwined with yellow and white ribbons.

It was almost too pretty to sleep in, but it was also too pretty to take off. She thanked Addie profusely, and after her mother-in-law left, crawled into bed, intending to wait for her husband. But she grew sleepy fast and dozed off.

She didn’t know whether it had been a few minutes or hours later when her husband woke her. He did so gently, urging her to get up and come with him. It was important.

She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and told her to put her sandals on, which she did. He slipped a fur-lined cloak over her shoulders before he ushered her out the door of the keep.

The sky was bright, with a full moon and thousands of twinkling stars. The air had chilled considerably, and as he rushed her through the village and out on the moors, she grew worried.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, tugging at his hand.

“Nothing, nothing at all.”

A lantern waited at the edge of the moors, and he scooped it up and proceeded to walk her to the small cropping of woods that most claimed were magical and refused to enter.

They entered without hesitation and he seemed to know the terrain and his destination, for his pace was sure and steady. When they arrived at the clearing where she had hid often as a child and she and Cavan had once talked, she stood silent, too shocked to speak.

Numerous lanterns lit the area, and the cleric stood beneath a pine garland arch. Artair stood to one side and Addie the other.

Honora glanced at her husband, speechless.

Cavan took her hand and placed a gentle kiss on it. “We have never gotten the chance to exchange our vows and I want that for us. Our choice. Will you marry me, Honora, here before our family, God, and the Heavens?”

She threw her arms around him. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you. My choice.”

They stood as one in the magical forest; though perhaps the magic came from their love, for fireflies not known to winter danced around them and birds chirped a melody while they recited their vows willingly and agreed to be husband and wife and share a long loving life together.

And when they kissed they both could have sworn they heard his father’s familiar laughter ripple along the air.

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