Page 74 of The Lady of Her Highland Clan

Swiftly, the young commander thrust forward. With a nod to Clyde, he immediately captured Fraser, who was by then in no position to fight back. They had him circled.

Taking him away, Fiona and Clyde waited as the hall dispersed. It took some time. The melee and general din would take a while to dissipate.

Clyde looked at her wistfully. "Thank ye," he said simply. He kissed her tenderly. "I dinnae have the words..."

Fiona felt herself melting. Everything had happened so fast, and now, it was all over. Taking his hand, she squeezed it tight.

"I owe ye so much, Fiona," Clyde said. His eyes shone with sincerity. "Now all I have tae do is clean this all up—och, an' find the coin tae pay for everything!"

He grinned, holding her tight.

Fiona smiled. "It's a big task, tae be sure, but I can help from the Duncan clan, an—"

"Ach, nay," said Clyde firmly. "Ye've done enough. An' I brought it on myself by trying tae cheat ye."

He looked at her sadly. Fiona felt a rush in her heart. All the anger she had felt about Clyde's deceit had completely evaporated.

Not knowing for sure how to say it, she stood awkwardly. The pair of them watched as the soldiers cleared the room, removing the fallen and streaming away from the hall.

Only when it had cleared a little did Fiona see a familiar face.

Patterson.

Now that the fighting was over, the elderly servant shuffled forward. Smiling, he greeted his laird.

"Sir," he said, looking very excited.

Clyde turned to him and smiled warmly.

"We couldnae have done it wi'out him," Fiona told Clyde.

Clyde nodded. He looked thoughtful.

"I ken," he said.

Putting his arm around Fiona, Clyde came over to Patterson. "An' I am grateful."

But in front of them, Patterson shook his head. He gestured excitedly to Clyde. Unsurely, the pair looked at each other.

"Master! Mistress! There's more!" he said. His face was so alight that Fiona was instantly panicked. In fear, she looked around. She had thought that he meant others were coming.

Seeing her face, Patterson waved her down.

"Nay, more, here, the gold, from the clan...as well as the treasure ye ken about—it's all here!"

Patterson pointed to a heavy chest on the side of the chambers. Clyde came over. In disbelief, he probed it. The chest was hidden by a wooden screen, siphoning it off from the main hall.

Opening it, Fiona gasped. In open amazement, Clyde picked up a handful of the shiny gold coins. Smiling, he looked at Fiona.

Then, there were no words. She kissed him, again.

Properly this time.