“What is this?”
He continued to hold her hand and search her face. “I signed these papers leaving the MacDuff lands, castle, and clan to Gavin when he comes of age.”
Katie’s mouth dropped open, and she shifted on the bed, sitting cross-legged. “Can ye do that?”
Evan shrugged. “Who will stop me? They had to dig long and hard to find me to take over the place, and by right, any sons we have will be next in line to inherit. Since I plan to have plenty of land and opportunities for our lads, I see no reason not to hand this one over to yer brother.”
Katie threw her arms around his neck and cried.
He patted her back, then pulled back to look at her face. “Ach, lass. I thought ye would be happy about this.”
She took in a shuddering breath and wiped her eyes. “I am. I am verra happy.”
“Why is it women cry when they’re sad and when they’re happy?” His frown almost made her laugh.
“Thank ye for this, Evan. I didna want to start off our marriage with this between us because I love ye too.”
His brows rose, a crooked smile lifting his lips. “Aye. Because I’m so braw and handsome?”
“Nay. Ye are passable, of course—”
He grabbed her and pushed her back, then leaned over her. “Passable?”
“Well, maybe a bit more than passable.”
“And a great lover?”
“Aye. Passable.”
“Lass, if I hear that
word from ye again, I will keep ye here in bed for days to prove to ye how much more than passable I can love ye.”
It didn’t take days for him to remind her of his prowess, but Katie did admit to a bit of soreness from his multiple displays of expertise when she mounted her horse the next day for the trip to Argyll. As she settled into the saddle and adjusted her skirts, she smiled at the memory of when she’d surprised her husband and climbed over him and took control. At first he was reluctant, but her enthusiasm soon convinced him, and he’d become quite eager to indulge her. She grinned. It seemed there was more than one way to be in charge. As they made their way over the hill, she looked back at the castle and thought of her life when she’d first laid eyes on the place, with the faded piece of paper clutched in her hand in a broken-down wagon. She had been expecting a much different life to unfold than the one she was now headed toward.
She turned her back on the castle and the life that was not to be. With a satisfied smile, she caught Gavin and Evan deep in conversation as they rode ahead of her. Meggie and Alasdair chatted amiably, and the few others who’d decided to come with them formed the rest of their group. She inhaled deeply when the sun broke through the clouds as they moved forward.
To Argyll.
To the MacNeil clan.
To her new life.
With a husband who was much more than passable.
Epilogue
Seven months later
Katie placed her hand on her swollen belly and watched with pride as Gavin practiced his sword fighting with one of Evan’s men. Her husband had someone practice with Gavin each day. Her brother grew stronger, better skilled, and more confident.
After the trek from Fife, which had been difficult near the end because of the winter weather, they’d settled into Argyll quite nicely, and she was enjoying her role as the laird’s wife. She’d been surprised to find the place in such disarray when they’d arrived. The kitchen needed a good scrubbing, and the cook had to be gently and kindly retired from her duties, which improved the fare tremendously. Everyone’s mood was quite cheery with better food.
The young maids had to be redirected to do their duties instead of flitting about making eyes at the young lads and hanging over the gate to watch them practice in the yard. She got on with the young girls, though, which made her job easier.
Katie had stepped in as a second healer and found that she and Mistress Moira worked well together. She was impressed with the healer’s skill and felt quite comfortable with her helping with her babe’s birth, which Moira assured her was not too far off.
The two of them worked diligently to keep the kitchen gardens healthy and producing plenty of herbal plants for the cooks as well as the necessary medicinal ones.