“You were not wrong where my parents were concerned, well, mostly my mother.”
“But you were not like all the other ladies. I could see that once we met and have found our way of thinking to be so similar. I fell in love with you over and over these past weeks, but the moment that secured it was when you let wee Gordon play his trick on you.”
“Oh!” she said. “But he did get me with that one. I was not pretending.”
Alexander tilted his head back as a great sound of laughter erupted from him. “Oh, that’s even better. Now I love you even more for it.”
“Shall we have more stories from him this eve, do you think?” she asked, hoping that would be so. She could spend every evening fromthereon listening to them. “And from wee Archie, too?”
“Aye, I think he will be hard pressed to restrain himself now he knows he has an audience and a fan.”
Alexander opened the chamber door and hoisted his elbow toward her. “Shall we greet our guests?”
“Aye, my love. We shall.”
They walked together toward the great hall, and as they drew closer, the sound of pleasant music and laughter filled the air. Marion had never been so happy in her life, and she was convinced her husband shared that sentiment. They met Jean and Alain just inside the hall near the hearth with a sheepish looking Thomas standing close by. When he saw her, he walked immediately over to her.
“Lady Campbell,” he said. “I owe you the deepest apology for my earlier behavior. I want you to know that I sincerely do not wish to make you feel unwelcome or uneasy. My brother and I have talked, and I understand now how deeply I offended you. Will you please accept my apology?”
What could she say but to accept. Everything about the man was in stark opposition to his earlier behavior leaving her in no doubt of his sincerity.
“Aye, Thomas, I accept your apology and am pleased your brother and you have come to an arrangement that will no doubt aid you both.”
“My lady is very perceptive. I believe we may become friends in the future.”
“Perhaps,” she said and moved on to speak with Jean. She wasn’t sure if she’d go that far with him yet, but she could find it in her heart to forgive him for his transgression.
*
Alexander looked aroundthe table at those he’d asked to begathered for this evening’s feast. Others from the surrounding village would join them later, but for now he only wanted his family. Thomas was unusually quiet, which was a blessing but also meant that he had taken their conversation seriously. Jean and Alain had their heads bent together, talking quietly, and Marion was busy with little Archie who had insisted he sit by her. She fit in perfectly with their family and into their lives. It was as though she was always meant to be there carving out a future for them just as surely as she’d carved out a place in his heart.
The coming days and weeks would see them busy and preparing for harvest and stocking up their stores for the winter. They’d always done well for themselves with their proximity to the loch, but he was keenly aware that others struggled. He would see to it the spare pantries were filled as well so that none of his kin would go hungry.
“You are deep in thought,” his wife said beside him, urging him from his musings.
“I am thinking of the future,” he said.
She looked around the table and then back to him. “They will all require matches at some point.”
“I shall never marry,” Archie said. “The village lasses are icky.”
“You will not always think so, wee man,” Alexander said.
“I am a lass,” Marion said. “Do you think I’m icky?”
He blushed crimson and shook his head. It was clear that his little brother did in fact not consider his wife icky and might just probably have a wee crush on her instead.
“All is well, wee lad,” Marion said to him. “You do not need to like the lasses. I am sure you will find out who you like in your own time, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
His little face lit up as she spoke to him, which warmed Alexander’s heart. The little ones needed a mother figure in their lives, and while Jean had done the best she could, she needed a little mothering herself. He was grateful Marion would be around to help her preparefor her own wedding which she had indicated she wanted to have during Yuletide as it was her favorite time of the year. Alexander had gladly approved and would have done anything else she asked, so pleased was he that she did not hold any anger toward him from his mistake.
Once the meal ended, they all sat around the large hearth watching little Archie put on a show of telling stories. This, right there, was the only blessing Alexander needed to be fulfilled. They didn’t need any of the extravagance they’d experienced at Linlithgow Palace, and he would be forever grateful that Marion did not expect it or crave it, for it appeared she was as contented as he in spending their time with family in such a modest manner.
“Thank you, again, brother,” Alain said from beside him. “I believe you have made me happier than I could have ever imagined.”
“It is nothing short of what you deserve, my friend. I have always felt you to have the semblance of gentry, despite your heritage.”
“I would have your father to thank for that; you know it to be true.”
