Page 51 of A Laird and a Fugitive

“I dinnae know how long I can dae that for when they hae such strong minds of their own.”

“Well, hopefully the dangerous days are behind us now. Without Uncle leading the clan, we are nae being pursued. There is nae reason for us tae hide any longer.”

Ryan tilted his head at the thought. “Caroline, if ye were nae married tae me, would ye choose tae stay?” he asked in a whisper.

Caroline looked into his eyes and placed a hand upon his cheek. She smiled and nodded.

“There’s naewhere else I would rather be, Ryan. I want this life with ye. It was nae exactly the proposal or the wedding I always thought I would hae, but it’s turning intae a fine marriage and I hae a feeling it’s only gaeing tae get better through the years.”

“Aye, and all this is ours now.”

He put his arm across her shoulder, and they looked up at the towers of the Keep. It was familiar territory to Caroline, of course, but Ryan had to stop thinking of it as the home of the enemy, and instead think of it as a place that he would one day bequeath to his eventual heir.

His hand slipped down to Caroline’s waist. He squeezed her tightly. Tears came into his eyes as he thought about the future. So much of his mental energy had been expended by thinking about the past, by focusing on all that he had lost. For the first time in his life, he was able to think about all he had gained.

He had a fine wife that would be the envy of all the Highlands, two spirited sisters-in-law who would certainly make life interesting, and new territory in which to expand. He also had the promise of life with Caroline, and many years to come that would be filled with heirs, creating a dynasty of which his ancestors would be proud.

He turned his gaze to the sky and thought about his father and brother.

I hope I have made you proud, he thought. They did not reply with words, but he did feel a warm sensation running through his heart, and he was at peace. He felt certain that this was a result of their happiness.

He and Caroline helped to clean the Keep and make sure that the transition ran smoothly. Ryan was going to have to ensure that a continued presence of Knox guards remained at the Keep to quell any stirrings of revolt. While he had a legitimate claim, there were still those who would be disgruntled, as well as people who sought revenge for the loved ones that been killed. It did not escape him that some people might feel about him the way he had felt about Caroline’s father.

However, he wanted to allay these feelings as soon as possible, so as twilight set in, he sent his guards around to encourage the villagers and clansmen to come to the Keep. They had wary looks in their eyes, and perhaps it hadn’t been the best idea to send guards, as it gave the impression that they were being rounded up like cattle. However, once at the Keep, they were provided with food and Ryan ceded the territory to Caroline so that she could address them.

“My people, ye all know me. Ye all knew my Da. When he died, a terrible shadow fell across the clan. We all thought he died of natural causes, but in time ye will see it proven that a man’s hand guided fate, and robbed Da of his life. With my sisters, I fled the clan tae escape a terrible fate that awaited me. I found myself in what I thought was enemy territory, but in Laird Knox I found a staunch ally, one who I trust not only with my life, but with the lives of my sisters as well. In fact, I trust him sae much that I married him. The fighting is over and sae is the misery. I will ensure that ye are all treated fairly. Ye hae naething tae fear under his rule. Ye can prosper as ye always hae, and we can put these dark days behind us.

When I left I was nae sure I would ever be able tae return, but I am glad that I hae because this is my home and I love ye all dearly. Ye are my people and I will protect ye with every breath I hae. I know that some of this may seem confusing tae ye for now, but the truth will emerge and ye will eventually see that this was the best outcome for everyone.

I know that it will be strange at first tae obey Laird Knox, instead of a Gilmour, but I am still a Gilmour by blood and I hae nae forgotten who I am or where I came from. Naething ever will. This place made me the woman I am taeday, and I am the woman that Laird Knox fell in love with. I’m sure that, given a chance, he will fall in love with ye all as well, and he will protect ye just as fiercely as he protects me.

This is the vow I make tae ye, and I swear it on the moon and the stars that I shall nae forsake ye, and ye shall nae know a day of unhappiness under our rule.”

Caroline’s words were inspiring enough to stir even the most anxious heart and alleviate their suffering. The day was still grim, but a sliver of hope shone through for the people of the Gilmour clan, who had been through a tumultuous time. They had just gone through two Lairds, and Ryan was determined to provide them with some stability for the foreseeable future.

He watched his wife with admiration, his love for her growing with every moment that passed. There did not seem to be any upper limit to his love, and he looked forward to seeing the hale children she would bear him. They would become a formidable family, and he could not imagine them ever being separated.

Caroline turned back and gestured for him to join her, presenting him to her people. He took her hand and bowed to his new clansmen. He turned to Caroline and smiled, then leaned down and whispered into her ear.

“I love ye,” he said.

“I love ye, tae,” she repeated the sentiment and beamed. United they would lead this clan.

In Caroline, Ryan had finally found his equal and he was going to live up to the promise he had sworn to her. He would always protect her, no matter what, and that promise would extend to their children as well.