Page 52 of In Bed with a Scot

“Are ye ready tae go home?” he asked with a smile on his face.

“Aye, past ready,” Isabelle confirmed, snuggling back against his torso.

Madden urged the horse forward, and they took off for the castle.

When they arrived, Keelin and Cara ran out and threw their arms around Isabelle. All three women were crying as they clung to one another. “Where is Arran?” Keelin asked once she had regained some control.

“Bain and many of his men are dead,” Isabelle informed them. “Arran remained behind tae deal with the situation. He wanted Madden tae bring me home so that the two of ye would nae fash.”

Keelin nodded. “I am so very happy that ye are alive and well. I was worried sick.”

“Will laird Arran be able tae make the king understand what happened?” Cara asked.

Madden nodded. “Arran is a well-respected laird. The king will listen tae him. There is proof of Sutherland’s foul deeds. Dinnae fash.”

“Will the Clan Sutherland retaliate?” Keelin asked.

Madden turned his attention to Isabelle. “Lady Sutherland, dae ye plan tae seek vengeance fer yer husband’s death?”

Isabelle shook her head, tears of relief flowing down her cheeks. “I dinnae.”

“Well then,” Madden smiled at her, “I believe that all will be well in the end.”

Keelin turned her face to Isabelle in question. “What will happen now tae the Clan Sutherland?”

Isabelle shook her head. “I dinnae ken. That will be left tae the council tae decide. Fer now, I plan tae enjoy me freedom.”

Madden smiled and pulled her into his arms. “Now that ye are a widow, I have a question fer ye.”

“Oh?” Isabelle asked, her brows arched in question.

“Would ye ever consider marrying again?” Madden awaited her answer, his heart beating rapidly in his chest.

“That would depend upon the man.”

“And if it were me that was asking?”

“Are ye asking?”

Madden looked down into her eyes. “Lady Isabelle, I love ye with all of me entire being and I will love ye until me dying day. Would ye consent tae be me wife?”

Isabelle smiled widely and threw her arms around his neck. “Aye, I will!”

Madden let out an enormous sigh of relief and held her tight against him. He kissed her soundly, passionately. “Thanks be tae God,” he breathed against her lips.

“I love ye,” Isabelle murmured, happy tears streaming down her cheeks.

“I have loved ye since the moment that ye landed in me lap that first night at the inn.”

Isabelle looked up into his eyes. “As have I.”

“Me life, me angel,” Madden murmured, kissing the tears from her cheeks. “Me forever love.”

EPILOGUE

Rósmire Castle, Scotland, One Week Later…

Isabelle, Madden, and Keelin sat upon the raised dais at Rósmire Castle with Edith. Isabelle was holding baby Teigue on her lap and cooing over her adorable baby cousin. She had not seen Edith for many years, and it had been a lovely reunion. Edith was happy in her new life with her husband and newborn son. Braden was a loving and attentive husband and father. “I am happy fer ye,” Isabelle murmured for Edith’s ears alone.