“I love ye,” he murmured.
“I ken.” She turned in his arms, smiling up at him. “And I love ye. Now, help me dress before yer daughter breaks down the door.”
He chuckled at how flushed she was. They managed to make themselves presentable just as Skye knocked a third time. When Leona finally opened the door, the little girl stood there with Nyx in her arms and an expression that was far too knowing.
“Were ye kissin'?” Skye asked.
“Skye…” Murdock warned.
“Because that’s good. Da needs to kiss ye lots. That’s what people who love each other do.” She beamed at them. “Are ye married now?”
“Nae yet,” Leona said, her cheeks pink again. “But soon.”
“How soon?” Skye bounced on her toes. “Tomorrow? Next week? Can I wear a pretty dress? Can Nyx be there, too?”
“In a couple of weeks,” Murdock said, scooping her up into a hug. “And aye, ye can wear the prettiest dress ye want. And Nyx can attend if she promises to behave.”
Nyx meowed, sounding highly offended at the suggestion she might not behave.
“See? She promises.” Skye kissed her father’s cheek. “I’m so happy, Da. I told ye Leona would come back if ye asked nicely.”
“Ye were right, wee one.” Murdock looked over at Leona, his heart so full it hurt. “Ye were right.”
“Of course I was.” Skye wiggled to be put down. “Now, can we eat? I’m starvin', and Nyx?—”
“Is starvin', aye, we heard.” Leona laughed, taking Murdock’s hand. “Come on. Let’s go find the kitchens.”
As they walked through the corridors of Kerr Castle, Skye skipping ahead with Nyx, Murdock pulled Leona close.
“We should probably tell everyone I’ll be stayin' for a while,” he murmured in her ear. “Make an official announcement.”
Leona grinned up at him, mischief sparkling in her green eyes. “Let them figure it out when we announce the weddin'.”
“Scandalous.” He kissed her temple. “I like it.”
“Ye’ll have to get used to it.” She squeezed his hand. “I plan to scandalize ye regularly.”
“I look forward to it,” Murdock said, and meant it with every fiber of his being.
For the first time in his life, the future looked bright.
And it was all because of the stubborn, beautiful woman walking beside him.
His future wife. His love. His home.
EPILOGUE
One month later, Kerr Castle blazed with light and life.
Leona stood in her childhood bedchamber, staring at her reflection in the polished mirror and barely recognizing herself.
The woman looking back wore a gown of cream silk embroidered with delicate gold thread, a family heirloom her mother had worn, and her grandmother before her. Her hair had been woven with white roses and heather, the traditional flowers of Highland brides.
She looked happy. Radiant, even.
She looked like a woman about to marry the man she loved.
“Ye’re stunnin',” Isla said softly, coming to stand behind her. Her eyes were bright with tears. “Yer faither would be so proud.”
