Page 83 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

EPILOGUE

Lennox Castle, one month later

“So, here we are again,” Tadhg joked, holding Alana close to his side as they entered their little lovers bower in the garden near the infirmary. He looked about at the rose bushes and the old stone bench with genuine wonder. “Why, it’s hardly changed since the last time.”

“Aye, ’tis almost like goin’ back in time,” Alana agreed, laughing happily, her excitement threatening to boil over.

“Should we dae everythin’ the same as we did back then?” Tadhg asked playfully. “Because I seem tae recall ye were sittin’ in me lap.”

“Aye, I remember that too. Maybe we should try tae dae it all the same. It might bring us good luck,” she suggested.

“All right, we can try,” he seconded, seeming to put some thought into it. “So, we need tae sit right here, on the old bench.”

“Aye, we’ve shared many a kiss while sittin’ here,” Alana said with a nod as they sat side by side before turning to face each other and holding hands. They gazed into each other’s eyes, both of them unable to stop smiling.

“This is exactly where it happened. This is where ye proposed tae me that first time, over four years ago,” she reminded him, her cheeks flushed with the delicious memory.

She sat down in his lap, twining her arms around his neck and peppering his face with tiny kisses. “There, how’s that?”

“Perfect,” Tadhg told her, planting a kiss on the tip of her nose. “Hey, I just remembered somethin’ else too.”

“What?” she asked curiously.

“Was there nae a wee rustling in the grass somewhere nearby, a wee hairy beastie comin’ tae nibble yer toes?”

Alana burst out laughing as the memory came flooding back to her. “That’s right! There was a rustlin’ in the grass, and I was afeard it was a rodent. But ye saved me, Tadhg! Ye were me knight in shinin’ armor even then,” she exclaimed, hugging him harder.

“Aye, I didnae ken then that it was just a practice run,” he joked, bouncing her on his knee effortlessly, as if she weighed no more than a child. “I think we can dispense with the rodent this time, especially as it was nae really a mouse but Liam here, clumpin’ about in his great big boots.”

“Aye, that’s right, it was,” Alana agreed. “I’m more than happy tae go without the rodent. So, what’s next?”

“Er, I think this was the moment when I actually popped the question,” Tadhg said.

“Och, very well then!” She arranged herself prettily on his lap. “Right, I’m ready. Ask away.”

“Right.” He cleared his throat. “Alana MacIver⁠—”

“Hold on, hold, on, that’s nae right!” came a loud exclamation. “I had tae go down on one knee tae propose tae Maddison, and I dinnae see why Tadhg should get away with anythin’ less.” There was laughter close by, male and female.

“Ach, wheesht, Odhrán, why are ye interferin’?” Tadhg asked in a pained voice, while Alana giggled at the intrusion.

“I think ’tis an excellent idea,” she said.

“Aye, get down on yer knees, Braither and dae things properly.”

“Ah, shut yer hole, Liam,” Tadhg replied. “I’m beginnin’ tae regret letting ye

lot come all together.”

“But it was our idea that ye should come back here tae propose this time, Tadhg, so that’s nae very fair.”

“I agree, Maddison, he should get down on one knee,” Alana said with another giggle.

“What? I thought ye agreed with me that we should dae things just the same as last time. For good luck, ye said. Are ye changin’ yer mind now?”

Alana snorted with laughter. “I ken I did, but I also quite like the idea of ye gettin’ down on yer knee. Everythin’ else is the same, but this will give things a fresh twist.”

“Ah, come off it, Alana, ye all just wantae se me grovelin’ about on me knees,” Tadhg mock complained, stifling his laughter.