Page 78 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

“How can I marry anyone but ye?” he reasoned. “I love ye, Scarlett.” Her reaction was immediate and she jumped on the bed and kissed him joyfully. She pulled back a big, her gaze holding his on.

“Ye need a dowry. I have none. I am a tavern girl, Noah. Eloise is the one with the dowry, nae I,” she reminded him.

There will be nae money.

He sighed, wondering what to do now. “I can find the money somewhere else.”

“How?” she asked, panicking. “If ye refuse tae marry her, there will be nae money. Yer people will starve after the poor harvests. Can ye honestly let that happen just for our sakes?”

“Nay, I cannae,” he realized sadly. They released one another but sat close together. Noah felt as if his heart broke all over again. He was about to lose Scarlett, the woman he loved, all because of money. “I dinnae ken what tae do now.”

“At least, tell me this,” asked. “Dae ye forgive me for lying tae ye?”

“I forgive ye.” He pulled her closer to him. “Nay matter what decision I have tae make next, promise ye’ll stay with me today. I dinnae wish tae see ye walk out the door.” She laid her head on his good shoulder and he held her tight.

God’s blood, how can I marry her sister now?

EPILOGUE

One Month Later

“I now pronounce ye husband and wife.”

Noah turned to face his bride. Her bright blue eyes looked back at him and the auburn hair curled at the back of her head. She was truly beautiful today, dressed in clan colors with a clan brooch pinned to her shoulder.

What a journey we have had tae get here.

He smiled at her, overwhelmed with relief.

“May I present tae ye Laird Chattan and his bride, Lady Scarlett Chattan.” At the vicar’s announcement, Noah’s smile grew larger.

Scarlett beamed joyfully; she was as happy as he was.

“Come on, brother! Kiss yer bride!” Ian called as he applauded them. There was applause from elsewhere in the church, too, and Noah looked at his brother, shaking his head. Ian simply laughed and continued to clap and hoot in celebration.

“He’s causing trouble,” Noah whispered. “He has teased me constantly since ye came tae the castle.”

“Ye are happy in love,” she reminded him. “When he is the same, ye can tease him too. Now, are ye going tae kiss me?”

“Happily.” He bent his head and lowered his lips to hers. The applause grew, and they pulled back, rejoicing at the sound. “Thank God I married ye,” he whispered.

“God works in his own mysterious ways,” she said and he kissed a spot on the inside of her wrist.

It was a dangerous path, this marriage… precarious indeed.

Noah looped her arm through his as he turned away from the altar and toward the sanctuary.

Lady Eloise and Ian, who were sitting next to each other in the front pew, exchanged glances. Noah couldn't interpret that look, but he could tell Lady Eloise was happy for her sister. She was also relieved when he'd told her he couldn't marry her.

"I'd never forgive myself if I married the man my sister loved. It is right that ye marry Scarlett, my laird. She deserves tae be happy at last.”

As for Avery, he'd thanked him for saving his life, telling him he'd be infinitely grateful for it. Scarlett's brother was plagued by guilt for abandoning Eloise, for not knowing about Scarlett, for not being there for her when she needed him. It would take time but his wounds would be eventually healed.

Finally, Noah's gaze was drawn to another man in the congregation, Scarlett's father.

He resolved to pay the man a personal visit after he recovered from his injury. Kendrick MacTavish was not a warm or loving man, even toward his own children. The man reeled to discover he had a daughter he never knew of.

Eloise told her father everything, he was furious at his wife's deception, at first, but he'd eventually started feeling better. He'd also, albeit reluctantly, agree to maintain the alliance after Noah had explained his feelings for Scarlett.