“Harcourt said we can stay with him and Annys, and Sigimor has offered us this place to stay in. I told him it could be a few years before what I want is built, and he just shrugged.”
“That is kind of him.”
“It is, aye, but ne’er forget what I told ye. Sigimor collects allies and favors. He especially likes it when they are close at hand. I build the manor house and he has an easy reach to two allies near at hand and all my family. But, ’tis a good offer and I told Harcourt I might take it. He agreed it was what he would choose if only to be alone with his wife.”
“Oh. Aye, it wouldnae be so private at Harcourt’s keep.”
“Nay, not at all. So tomorrow we can plot out our manor house. I will even let ye decide on a few things,” he said, and kissed her cheek.
“So verra kind of ye. Ye said it has some land?” She felt him nod as he kissed her shoulder. “So one might have a kitchen garden?”
“Oh, aye. It has a few acres just as your parents’ had.”
“That is verra generous of your brother.” She frowned as she suddenly thought of something she had not considered before. “Did he think I trapped ye? That ye were forced into this?”
“Nay, not at all. Ye dinnae have to fret on that. Now, ’tis our wedding night.”
“Aye, I believe I was there at the wedding.”
“I ken ye are probably a bit tired, but I mean to celebrate properly.”
“Oh, dear.”
He just laughed and proceeded to celebrate three more times with an appropriate respite between each one. On the last round, he slumped at her side and was soon sound asleep. Mora grinned even as she felt her eyes closing. She had worn the man out. Something to be proud of, she decided, as she curled up next to him and went to sleep.
Epilogue
Four years later
Mora climbed down from the cart and Gybbon handed her their daughter, Caitlin. After only a few steps, the child demanded to be let down. Holding Caitlin’s small hand, Mora made her slow way to the two stones that marked her parents’ graves. She was just kneeling down before them when Gybbon came up with the boys, Logan and Reid.
Morag and Maggie had paid for the headstones and refused any attempt to pay them back. Tears stung Mora’s eyes as she traced her parents’ names etched neatly into the stone. It was something she did every time. She had brought her children here, quietly introducing them, as soon as it was safe to bring them outside. It hurt her heart to know her parents would never know their grandchildren.
The flowers on her mother’s grave told her that her brothers had been there, and she carefully set hers between their bouquets. It was comforting to know she was not alone in stopping by on her mother’s birthday. She said a little prayer, then accepted Gybbon’s hand to help her stand up.
“The town picked a lovely spot to have consecrated ground,” she said as she looked around, noting with approval the trees left to shade the graves.
Gybbon took her hand and walked her back to the cart. “Your brothers stopped by, aye?”
“Aye. They seem to do weel in raising Andrew. I was a wee bit concerned at first,” she confessed, and was not surprised when he laughed.
“Och, aye. Just a wee bit. If ye hadnae been carrying the laddies, ye would have been o’er at the manor every single day.”
She did not even attempt to argue with that statement but set Caitlin up on the cart seat, constantly telling the child to sit down as Gybbon lifted her up and sat her on the seat. As he climbed up, she turned to give the wrestling boys what Gybbon fondly called The Look, and they immediately sat down. She tugged Caitlin back down so the child again sat on the seat.
“And now we go to see what will soon be our home,” said Gybbon, as he set the cart in motion.
“It has taken longer than ye thought it would, hasnae it?”
“Aye, but these things rarely go as planned. Too many things can go wrong, from the weather to supplies nay coming in when they were supposed to, and on and on.”
“And we seem to have discovered every single thing that could go wrong.”
“That we did, but I also had some things I wanted that caused a wee problem or twa. Still, ’tis nearly done and it will be perfect.” Gybbon reached over his daughter to pat Mora on the shoulder.
“It certainly looked to be fine the last time I saw it, before the roof was to go on.” She sighed. “I suspect Sigimor will be pleased to have his manor house back.”
“He will, but he hasnae complained. Said ours is going much more smoothly than his did and he only wants his for one of his brothers. The mon is about to be wed, so that nudge could grow stronger, but he would ne’er suggest we leave just for that. He is too happy about having so many Murrays close to hand, plus thrilled that their arrival rid him of a few troublemakers he figured he would soon have to confront.”
