“MacKay?” He shook his head. “We hate each other.”
She arched a brow. Men were so blind sometimes. “You act like brothers to me.”
He frowned, as if he’d never considered it. She refrained from laughing and rolling her eyes. “Why did he call you Recruit?”
“That’s what I am. I’ve been trying to win a place on the team since I met you last summer at Dunstaffnage.”
He told her why the loss that day had meant so much to him. “I let my temper get to me,” he explained, “and MacKay took advantage of it. Instead of winning a place outright on the team, I’ve been fighting ever since to earn my place.”
Mary felt a pang, understanding probably more than he intended. It was always like that for him. Having to fight his way on. Having to prove himself. That was why winning was so important to him. “And have you?”
“Yes, I think I finally have.”
“I’m happy for you.”
He tipped her chin. “It’s what I thought I always wanted. But it isn’t. You and our son are the most important things in the world to me. I know what you’ve been through. I won’t put you through this, if you don’t think you can handle it. I won’t lie to you—being part of the Guard is extremely dangerous. Not just for me. You could be in danger if my part in it is ever discovered. If you don’t want to be a part of it, I’ll understand.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’ll tell Bruce I can’t do it, if you want me to. There are other ways I can fight for him.”
Mary was stunned. She knew how much this meant to him. After a lifetime of proving himself, he’d finally done so, earning his way into the most vaunted team of warriors in Christendom, and now he would walk away from it for her? “You would do that for me?”
“I would do anything for you.”
Her heart swelled until she thought it would burst. Tears glistened in her eyes. He would never know what that offer had meant to her. Just as she knew she could never ask it of him. “I don’t know, I think I should like being married to a real-life hero.” She smiled. “Besides, I don’t think you want to see your brother-in-law get all the glory, do you?”
A wide grin spread across his face. “Hell no! He’s bloody unbearable as it is.”
“Then you must keep him in his place.”
He reached down and cupped her face in his warm hand. “I love you.”
The look of tenderness in his eyes brought a fresh lump of emotion to her throat. Tears filled her eyes. “And I love you.”
He kissed her. Gently. Reverently. A soft brush of the lips that sent her heart slamming against her ribs. Too soon, he lifted his head and smiled. “I should let you get some rest.”
She shook her head. “Don’t go. I’m not tired.” She’d just gotten him back; she didn’t want him to leave again.
He seemed to understand. “Scoot over.”
He moved onto the bed beside her, leaning against the headboard, so that she could snuggle against him. She sighed with contentment, resting her cheek against his steel-hard chest and feeling the protective strength of his big arms wrapped around her.
Warm and content, happier than she thought possible, she fell asleep. And for the first time in a long time, she let herself dream. For dreams did come true. She would never make do again.
Epilogue
Late summer 1310
Skelbo Castle, Sutherland, Scotland
Mary kissed her son on his downy-soft head and handed him to his nurse. He protested with a tiny whinge, but then settled into the woman’s arms contentedly. “Good night, sweeting,” she said, as the old woman took him away for his nap.
Her sister-in-law turned from her place by the window overlooking the yard. “I doubt he shall get any sleep with that racket going on down there.”
Mary sighed. “Who’s winning this time?”
Helen squinted into the bright sunshine. “I think your husband.”
