Page 46 of A Laird and a Healer

She pursed her lips and shot him a withering look, but didn’t say anything in reply.

“Is it true?” he asked, looking directly at her stomach.

She allowed her head to drop. “I said it because I wanted tae twist the knife in him. I am nae pregnant… yet. But I want tae me. It was a lie, but I want tae make it intae a promise. Ryan, I want tae secure a future with ye. Let us bring the clans taegether and hae a child.”

Her words were soft. Ryan reached up and brushed a few strands of hair away from her face.

“I cannae say I’m nae disappointed, but it’s a fine promise tae make. I suspect it will nae take us tae long tae bring an heir intae the world.”

He drew her into an embrace, and she arched her body, falling into his arms. He closed his eyes as he pressed his lips against hers and lost himself in the sweetness of her kiss. These cloying feelings rose within him, enveloping him in a gentle and tender feeling. It gave him more strength than he had ever known before, and pushed away the aches and pains of battle.

When they broke apart from the kiss, Caroline turned and put a hand on the high seat.

“I never thought it would end up like this,” she said softly.

Ryan placed a hand on her back. “It’s for the best. I will nae let anything happen tae the villagers. Ye know what is best for them. They will be better under us than they would hae been under yer uncle.”

“Aye, but dae they know that? Ryan, yer reputation precedes ye in this land. I dinnae know how willing they will be tae accept yer rule.”

He smirked. “If ye can fall in love with me after hating me, then perhaps they can as well.”

“I never hated ye,” Caroline said, although there was a shadow in her eyes.

Ryan chuckled. “Ye feared me then.”

“Fear? I am nae afraid of anything,” she jutted out her chin and put her hands against her hips.

“Aye, anything apart from bandits, or heights,” he said with a knowing smile.

“It’s nae the height that worries me, it’s the falling,” she murmured.

He was already pulling her into another embrace, for he was unable to hold back the love he felt for her. It overwhelmed him and filled him with such ardor that there was no room in his heart for anything else, certainly not vengeance. All the last vestiges of revenge were dispelled and replaced with positive feelings.

Ryan held her in his arms and lost himself in her, feeling the air swirl as though he were floating up into the sky; ascending into the heavens, where he and she could dance forever without ever being burdened by mortal concerns.

But, of course, there were many concerns that still plagued them. A battle was never a clean thing, and it required a great deal of work to recover. Aside from dealing with the Gilmour soldiers, there was also the matter of gathering the dead. It was a rather morbid thing for the Gilmour people to have to do, but it was a necessary task.

Ryan’s men did as much as possible, and they were emboldened by the small force that Caroline had brought with her. A separate part of the Keep was set aside to tend to the wounded. Men limped and wearily staggered to that area, and the healers were soon set to work. Ryan, much to his astonishment, saw Tara supporting a guard towards the healers. It wasn’t long before Nessa appeared as well, a bow slung across her shoulders. Her clothes were smudged, but she smiled. She waved to Caroline and seemed happy.

“I’m surprised ye let them come with ye. Ye hae a funny way of protecting them,” he teased.

“One thing about us Gilmour lasses is that we are stubborn.”

“Aye, I knew that from the start,” he replied.

She slapped him playfully on the arm, the one that wasn’t wounded. He pretended that it hurt, and they both laughed. Then, her tone turned more serious.

“They wanted tae play a role in their destiny. I urged them tae leave this place, but they hae always taken it upon themselves tae decide what is best for them, and they hae never shirked from a challenge. They are spirited girls, and I am proud tae call them sisters.”

“I’m sure they learned all their best qualities from ye. And yer Ma, I suppose. That’s who is in the portrait in the Great Hall, aye?”

Caroline nodded, and a solemn look came over her eyes. Her voice was as soft as winter as she spoke. “I sometimes wonder what things would hae been like hae she nae died. Perhaps she would hae been able tae warn Da about his brother plotting against him. I was nae wise enough tae see.”

“Ye dinnae believe a brother could ever dae that tae his own blood. It is nae a flaw tae believe the best in people.”

Caroline pursed her lips. She did not seem convinced. “I know I should feel glad that Uncle is in the dungeon and the clan is freed from his rule, but I am nae happy. I look around at all of this, and it just seems sae sad,” she said, gesturing to the wounded and the dead.

Ryan sighed. “Aye, but sometimes there is nae a way tae avoid it. Tragedy always happens, and we hae tae try tae make the best of it.”