When they finally pulled apart,Piper rested her forehead against his.
“What happens now?”she asked.
“Now?”Elijah’s hands stroked her hair. “Now we tell the children that their governess is goin’ to become their maither.We plan a weddin’. We build a life together.” He paused. “And we make sure yer parents never hurt ye again.”
“And tomorrow?What happens to them tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow,I’ll have them escorted to the border. Given enough supplies to reach the next territory, but nay more. They’ll be banned from ever returnin’ to McMahon lands on pain of death .” Elijah’s voice hardened. “And I’ll make sure every laird in the Highlands kens what they did. Kens they’re nae to be trusted. They’ll find it very difficult to ply their schemes anywhere else.”
“Thank ye,”Piper said. “For everythin’. For savin’ me. For lovin’ me. For givin’ me a future I never thought I’d have.”
“Ye daenae needto thank me for lovin’ ye, lass. Ye make it far too easy.” Elijah kissed her forehead. “Now come. Let’s get ye to bed. Ye’ve lost blood, and ye need rest.”
“Will ye stay with me?”The question came out before Piper could think better of it. “Just until I fall asleep? I daenae… I daenae want to be alone tonight.”
“I’ll stay as longas ye need,” Elijah promised. “Always.”
He helpedher down from the table, his arm steady around her waist. And as they walked through the quiet castle toward her chambers, Piper felt something she’d never really felt before.
Safe.
Loved.
At home.
She’d spent so muchof her life running, hiding, surviving. But now, now she could finally stop.
Because Elijah had found her.Had chosen her. Had promised to love her for the rest of their lives. And for the first time in twenty-four years, Piper Armstrong believed that maybe, just maybe, she deserved it.
All of it.
The love.The safety. The happy ending she’d never dared to dream of.
She was goingto be a wife. A mother. Part of a family.
And nothing—nother parents, not her past, not her own lingering doubts—was going to take that away from her.
Not anymore.
EPILOGUE
“Are ye ready, dear?”
Amara’s voice was gentle,her hands steady as she adjusted the final pin in Piper’s hair.
They stoodin Piper’s chambers, soon to be herformerchambers, Piper realized with a flutter in her stomach. After today, she’d be moving into Elijah’s rooms. Into the Lady’s chambers.
Into her husband’s bed.
“I think so,”Piper said, though her voice shook slightly. “I’m just… I’m nervous.”
“That’s natural.”Amara stepped back, her eyes bright with tears as she looked at Piper. “Oh, dear. Ye look absolutely beautiful.”
Piper turnedto face the mirror and barely recognized herself.
The gown wassimple yet elegant, a cream-colored silk that flowed over her curves like water.
Amara had insistedon having it made especially, refusing to hear any of Piper’s protests about the expense. The neckline was modest, showing just a hint of her collarbones, and the sleeves were long and fitted. Around her waist was a belt of silver thread that matched the silver clips holding back her blonde hair.
