Breckin bellowed a laugh; Eva joined in with her soft, feminine chuckle. “For once my brothers aren’t the cause of the clan’s troubles,” he told her, and she nodded, appearing pleased.
Although he wanted to head to the training fields right away torub in Gideon’s face the trouble his son had caused, he had something more important to do.
He clasped Eva’s hand and smiled at the shine in her eyes, and they continued to walk.
They passed the bridge, the church, and the torch area until they could go no further. At the end of the lane in an open area of land before the waters of the river, sat a piece of land he’d always appreciated.
“It is beautiful here. How have I not been here before? Have you hid this from me?”
Breckin shrugged. “I kept this area to myself because… I liked the privacy and solitude of this place. ’Tis where I would come when I had thinking to do. But I deem this would make a good spot for a large manor home. I might even make it a tower with walls to protect us. What think ye of that?”
Eva walked forward and seemed to be taking in the beauty of the land. She turned and shook her head. “Breckin, I do not need a large manor home or castle. The longhouse is perfect because we are safe there and amongst our clan.”
This is not the response he’d expected. Breckin frowned. “If it’s the expense that worries ye, we have a plentiful amount of coin to build it. I want to give you a home that is befitting you, akin to your da’s.”
She reached him and took both his hands in hers. “My da’s home was elegant…but it was also a solemn place. I would rather use the coin to build a shelter for the ailing in the woods. They need it more than we need a manor. Besides, I have come to love our home. It is where I want to raise our children.”
“If that is what ye wish, then I will see to it. ’Tis shameful that Father Murphy received word that there is no cure for those that sickened. Father said that they need to remain isolated to impede the spread of the disease. A physician is being assigned to them from Edinburgh and Father’s order. He deems that prayer and perhaps apilgrimage might offer a cure, but aye, we will build them a structure to keep them protected.”
“I wish there was more we could do. My heart aches for them.”
Breckin pulled her soft body against his and set his head on hers. “Ye know, lass, I should have known that I would love ye that day I met ye in the market in Edinburgh. Aye, how could I not love a lass who reprimanded me for trying to save her?”
“You remember that day?”
“Of course I do. I recall thinking how brave ye were to yell at me and then hail off to save that lad from himself. Ye have a tender heart, wife.” Breckin scoffed. “The queen told me a riddle before I was forced to accept ye. It took me a long time to understand what she meant.”
“Forcedto accept me?” Eva feigned affrontery with a gasp and a hand to her chest. Then she smiled. “I wanted to hate you that day, the day of our wedding. You were taking me away from my home, my da, everything I knew. But I lived a lonely existence then. Now, I have you and am finding my way here. I am happy, Breckin.”
“As am I. Even though the king bade us to fight for the lassies’ hands, it was the women who made their choice, aye. The queen’s interference served me well and I will make no complaint. I remember exactly what Margaret said that day…the riddle… ‘A dragon sits on a high cliff with her bright shimmering scales for all to see.’ That is ye, all bonny and shining with glorious beauty. She said, ‘All bask in her beauty and she appeals to all but most fear to get too near.’ I suppose that is true because ye intimidated the hell out of me. Then she said, ‘on the outside, she might seem unapproachable, but being a renowned warrior, I am sure that you have the intelligence to uncover the beauty within.’ She saw the goodness in ye and bade me to do the same. I admit it might have taken me a wee bit more time to see it, och ye are kindness wrapped in beauty.”
“Keep with those compliments and I shall let it go to my head,” Eva scoffed.
Breckin bellowed a laugh when she then eyed him coyly. “Ye know, lass, that ye do sometimes resemble a dragon. I am not faulting ye because it takes a strong-willed lass to stand up to a Buchanan.”
“You, Breckin Buchanan, are exasperating. Why did the king force you to marry? I never asked and you never spoke of it.”
“There were several reasons. He professed that I owed him a good amount of coin in unpaid taxes. Alexander dangled the brawl with the other lairds before me and knew I would want to partake in the battles. Then when I saw ye… I never laid eyes on a more bonny woman. I thought ye haughty, but once ye showed your true self, there was no denying that ye have a pure heart. My clan reveres ye as do I, Eva, for ye won our hearts and they are yours to keep.”
“I will do my best to hold them close.” She paused and lifted her head, apparently taking in the beauty around her. “At least you do not need to worry about paying coin to the king now, for you have plenty to keep our clan debt-free.”
“Aye, but there was one other thing he demanded… He bade me to join him when he confronts Norway to take the northern lands from Haakon. We will soon go to war and must go to give our arms when the king calls upon us.”
“Oh, no. I thought we might have a little peace before you start fighting again.”
“There is no end, lass, in fighting here in the north, especially when my life is dedicated to being a warrior. We have a saying within our clan:Henceforth forward, the honor shall grow ever brighter. I will never allow my clan to back down from its duty to our sovereign.”
She wrapped her arms around his body and nuzzled her face against his chest. “Are you certain you wouldn’t want to do something else? I really think farming suits you better.”
Breckin laughed because in all his life, he never envisioned being a farmer. He also never envisioned loving a beautiful woman such as Eva and finding happiness. But he’d done that and more. Because ofEva, the Buchanans would prosper and he’d have an enriched life. He’d always be a warrior in his heart but now he was more: a husband, future father, brother, and laird.
Epilogue
Firth of the River Clyde, Largs, Scotland
October 2, 1263
The armies ofthe clans rode forth in battle formations. On the last leg of the journey toward the coast, a storm battered the land and sea. None of the Highlanders and Scotsmen minded the pelting rain or brisk winds, for they were intent to win victory for their king. As they waited for the Norwegian vessels to reach land, they watched with awed reverence as Haakon’s cavalry battled to salvage their vessels from the choppiness of the water.
