Page 51 of Highlander’s Dangerous Love

All he did was nod before he pulled his hood back over his head, and hurried away. Gemma watched his retreating form until it was just a blur on the horizon.

And then it struck her; she did not have to live in misery, pining after Colin, wondering if he would still love her years later. She could go after him, right now. It was the day of their departure, and if she acted quickly enough, she could make it to the castle and stop him.

Gemma's heart was racing as she sprinted away from the market, weaving through the throngs of people as she desperately tried to reach the castle gates before Colin and his father rode out. She had to catch them before it was too late. She had not run like this in years, and it felt as if all the breath were being sucked from her body, and her legs ached and burned.

Finally, she burst through the gates of the castle, breathless and wild-eyed, just in time to see Colin and his father mounting their horses in the courtyard. She shouted his name, and Colin turned to look at her, surprise written all over his face.

“Gemma?” He said, his voice filled with disbelief.

She ran up to him, her heart pounding in her chest, and threw her arms around his neck, not caring if anyone else saw.

“Colin, I cannae let ye go,” she said, her voice hoarse.

He held her tightly, his arms wrapping around her waist as he kissed the top of her head.

“Gemma, you shouldnae be here,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “‘Tis not safe tae be seen wi’ me.”

“He’s right, lassie,” Captain Frazier agreed, looking fondly at the two of them.

“I dinnae care,” she replied, her voice fierce. “I willnae let ye go without me. I'd rather be poor an’ struggle with ye than marry some rich pompous arsehole an’ feel no love for him.”

He pulled back slightly, looking at her with a mixture of awe and concern.

“Gemma, do ye not understand? Laird MacNeill has banished us from the clan. I cannae stay here. I have tae leave.”

“I ken,” she said, her voice softening. “But I cannae bear tae lose ye. Colin, I love ye. I cannae imagine my life without ye.”

He gazed at her for a moment, his eyes searching hers, before finally leaning in to kiss her. His lips were warm and soft against hers, and she felt a rush of emotion wash over her. She knew that this was where she belonged, in his arms, with him by her side.

Finally, they pulled back, and Colin looked at her ruefully.

“Gemma, I cannae stay here. But…mayhap we can be taegether. We’ll go away together, start a new life. I’ve work; I can be a blacksmith. I promise I’ll give ye all I have.”

“Do ye not need tae ask her a question, son?” Captain Frazier asked, beaming despite the unfortunate circumstances of his leaving.

Colin nodded, his smile going from rueful to hopeful.

“Gemma, once an’ for all, will ye be my wife?”

She nodded, tears streaming down her face.

“Aye,” she said, her voice trembling. “I’ll be yer wife. Where ye go I’ll go, an’ where ye stay I’ll stay.”

“And I, too,” he said softly before their lips met in another kiss, light and sweet.

Captain Frazier was smiling, and it lifted up the ends of his reddish-grey beard.

“Come on, ye lovebirds. ‘Tis not long tae the village, but we ought tae put some distance behind us and the castle ‘afore nightfall.”

“We need tae tell my mother an’ father first,” Gemma said, the reality hitting her just then. She could not simply up and leave, not without telling them and packing a few of her things.

Captain Frazier nodded.

“Aye, lass. We’ll ride by their house tae share the good news. I wish it was under better circumstances, but…I am pleased tae welcome ye tae the family,” he said, then kissed Gemma on the top of the head as if she were his own daughter.

Gemma smiled radiantly, resisting the urge to purr like a satisfied cat.

“Ye look very pleased indeed, future Mrs. Frazier,” Colin said as he helped her mount the horse.

“Because I am. I finally have all I want,” she said, her eyes welling up with tears of joy.

It was true. And for the first time in her life, Gemma felt at peace.