Laird MacLeod nodded. “I can see that. ’Twas evident the moment ye rode through the gate.”
“Does that mean ye approve?”
“Would it matter if I didnae?”
Errol grinned sheepishly. “Nay, but ’twould make things more difficult.”
“There will be much to discuss with Laird Hart. We have years of strife to resolve. What ye have uncovered will help a lot with the healing that will require.” He scratched his chin. “Now, ye defiling their eldest daughter, that will be a bigger hurdle.”
“Da!” Errol snapped. “I didnae—”
His father raised a brow as if daring him to say that he hadn’t made Moira his.
“Ye make it sound like she’s some tavern wench. I love her.”
His father’s eyes rounded, and his uncle sucked in a breath.
But when he looked at Robbie, he had a kenning smile on his face as his head bobbed up and down. “Exactly as I had predicted. Ye were a lost pup the second ye laid eyes on the lass.”
An hour later as Errol made his way through the keep to find Moira, he still couldn’t believe what had transpired.
“Ye have my blessing.”
His father said that. It nearly knocked Errol on his arse when the words left his father’s lips.
He took the stairs two at a time, following the sound of excited giggles that could only be Anna and Moira’s, along with their maids, since they’d all been reunited.
Knocking on the door, he heard them telling each other to be quiet. Anna opened the door, a wide grin splitting her face.
“Brother. To what do I owe the pleasure?” She asked innocently.
He tilted his head to the side. “Ye ken why I am here.” He lookedover her shoulder and met Moira’s gaze and smiled.
She ran toward him, skirting around Anna and jumped into his arms, nuzzling into his neck.
“Careful, Lass,” he warned. “Yer side.” But Errol held her tight, spinning them around before setting her down on her feet. He dug around in his pocket and closed his fingers around the gold band that he’d polished. It only made sense to continue the union of the MacLeod and the Hart with the rings that had started it all those years ago.
“Moira Hart. Ye have captured my heart, body, and soul. The thought of a day spent without ye is devastating. I fear I cannae live without ye. Will ye do me the biggest honor of becoming my wife?”
Moira’s hands flew to her cheeks, swiping at the tears threatening to spill over.
Behind her, Anna, Fina, and Seema, were all jumping up and down, clapping their hands excitedly.
But Errol? He was stiff, worried, as he waited what seemed like an eternity for Moira to answer. But when she looked up at him with her big, blue, tear-filled eyes, a huge smile on her face as she nodded and jumped into his arms again, he kenned all would be right with the world.
“Aye, aye, aye!” She said, betwixt the kisses she peppered over his face afore finally settling on his lips.
“I’ve something for ye,” he said as she hopped down, waiting patiently.
Withdrawing the ring, he smiled when recognition lit her face up. “’Tis their ring,” she whispered in awe.
“Nay, ’tis ours now. ’Tis us that will rebirth the Hart and MacLeod union. We will continue the legacy they started all those years ago.”
She sniffed, nodding as Errol slid the ring on her finger.
Their wedding would come later, planned with all the fanfare that Moira deserved. But until then, she was his, and he was hers.
Epilogue
