Epilogue

EPILOGUE

T en days later…

The journey back to the castle had been a blur, and even now, ten days later, Caitlyn remembered little of it. The one thing she did remember was her face pressed against Edan's strong chest, the rest of her wrapped up in his plaid, his left arm holding the reins, and the other protectively holding her body against his.

The soft thump of his heart had soothed her. It had taken a long time for the tremors to finally subside, and then, Caitlyn fell asleep as they travelled. By the time she woke again, she was safely tucked in her own bed. It had taken her a few seconds to realize that she was not in there alone.

She had discovered later that, due to her screaming in her sleep in the middle of the night, Edan had refused to leave her side. Clearly MacTavish had gone from this world, but was still alive and well in her memories. The castle healer had given her a herbal mix to improve the pain in her head and laudanum to settle her, but still, Edan had remained. Having crawled in beside her, he had wrapped his arms around her, and comforted her as she slept.

"Ye must be well rested by now," Edan had said, when she had woken fully.

Caitlyn had yawned. "I still feel a little tired."

He had chuckled then.

She had looked at him with confusion. "Why is that funny?"

"Because ye've been sleeping fer nearly two days, Caitlyn."

"Oh, me God. Really?"

"Aye. Are ye nae starving?" he had gawped at her.

It was only as he asked that question that she realized she truly was. "Aye. I could eat a horse."

That statement had made Edan chuckle even more.

Once word got out that she was awake, her mother, father, and Effie had come to see her. Edan had made himself scarce, for he wanted her to enjoy being around her family without him distracting her.

There were many hugs and words of affection, but it was glaringly evident that her father had warned Effie and her mother to keep the conversation light, for MacTavish and what had happened to her were not mentioned at all.

Later, Darach and Kieran had come to see her, and it soon became apparent that an agreement had been made between them all, that Caitlyn was not to be left alone. It became even more obvious when Darach was determined to go and fetch Edan before he and Kieran departed.

Once Darach had left the room, Kieran had taken hold of her hand and looked at her sadly. "Ye are the bravest woman I ken, Caitlyn MacMillan."

"Well, I dinnae feel very brave," she had answered.

"Ye probably dinnae feel mad in the head either, but I definitely think ye are that too." He smirked.

Caitlyn had giggled, and nodded. "Well, I must be, leaving the castle alone, and doing what I did."

"Aye, that's love fer ye. It makes us dae crazy things."

She had sighed. "It was stupid and very foolish. Nae just fer mysel', but fer all o' ye too. I dragged ye intae a dreadful situation. I could've got ye all killed.'

"Och, it'll take more than a few measly guards tae kill me, little one."

"Ye ken what I mean," Caitlyn had said.

"Aye, I dae. But it all worked out in the end. That's what matters. That madman would have attacked sooner or later, even if ye hadnae left the castle. Ye just accelerated his end. That's what ye now have tae keep in the forefront o' ye mind. Ye've been through a dreadful ordeal, and it'll nae be easy tae get through it. But I want ye tae ken, I am here, as I always have been, and always will be."

"Thank ye, Kieran."

A little while later, Darach had returned with Edan, and Kieran and Darach had bid her farewell.

A few days after that, Caitlyn had told Edan what Effie had said. She told him it had been the reason she had gone after him.

"I ken. She told me. But I blame mesel'."

"Ye're always blaming yersel'," Caitlyn had countered.

"And I should. I ought tae have stayed. I ought tae have fought fer ye. I kent ye were upset, and I kent ye and Effie had had a dreadful fight. But I should have stayed and given ye a few days. If I had, none o' this would have happened."

"Listen. We're safe now. And like Kieran said, that's all that matters."

"Aye. I suppose it is."

Ten days had now passed since Edan had brought Caitlyn safely home. The first days had been difficult, but slowly, she seemed to be coming out of herself, a little at a time.

Four days after they had returned, Effie had found Edan wandering about in the gardens. His mind had been awash with all the things that could have happened, and in general, he was torturing himself for leaving when he ought to have stayed to protect Caitlyn.

"I have yet tae thank ye properly fer saving Caitlyn," Effie had said, falling in step beside him.

Edan shook his head. "I have nae right tae accept any gratitude after what I did tae ye, Effie."

"Well, accept it ye must, fer I am offering it."

He nodded submissively. "This has been all me doing. If I had just curbed me feelings. If I had just stayed in control o' me emotions…"

"Then I would have had a very unhappy life," she said plainly.

Edan frowned at her.

"Darach has told me everything," she said. "From the day o' yer very first visit here when ye met Caitlyn, until now. I'll admit, it was an eye-opening conversation."

"I never meant tae hurt ye."

"I ken that. O' course, I didnae ken, all this time, that I wasnae the right sister, or the woman ye truly loved. But I also ken ye had an obligation. I suppose I ought tae be grateful that ye remained faithful tae our union fer as long as ye did."

"If we hadnae been captured…"

"Again, I would have married a man who didnae love me."

He had turned to her then. "I dae love ye, Effie. In me own way. I always will."

She had smiled sadly. "Aye, but as a companion, a good friend, nae as yer lover."

"Nae," he shook his head, "nae in that way."

"Then perhaps, things have worked out fer the best."

But he knew she didn't mean that, he could hear it in her voice.

"Effie, ye dinnae have tae pretend fer me," Edan said, placing a hand on her arm. She glanced down at it, and immediately, Edan pulled it away. "Sorry."

"It isnae pretend, Edan. I ken this will take a great deal out o' me, but as I told Caitlyn before she ran off tae find ye, ye shouldnae sacrifice yer happiness fer the sake o' someone else's. Even mine."

After breakfast that morning, Edan left Caitlyn in the drawing room with Effie and Lady MacMillan, and joined Darach, and Kieran in the laird's study, where the three had been summoned. Edan was certain he knew what the laird wanted to see them to speak about, but wisely, he was going to let Conor do all the talking.

"I had a meeting with the council this morning," Conor said, after handing each of the men a glass of amber liquid. "With everything that has happened in the last week, there was much tae discuss. Joseph wisely offered that there will likely be a meeting called by the lairds tae discuss Clan MacTavish and what tae dae with the lands."

"MacTavish didnae have an heir?' Kieran asked, clearly sounding surprised.

"That is currently being determined," Conor replied. "We ken he didnae have a legitimate one, but God only kens if the man fathered a bastard child. A search is already underway tae find out."

"I'd be surprised tae discover he didnae," Edan spat.

"As would I, but we must dae our due diligence before it is put tae the other lairds. Now," he looked at Edan directly, "as fer the agreement made between mesel' and yer faither. The council are eager tae ascertain if that is still on the table. Under the circumstances, they are aware that they may well have tae wait fer an answer, but I, on the other hand, would like tae ken, Edan."

Edan stumbled a little at the forthright question. "Er, well. I suppose, that isnae really up tae me."

Conor frowned deeply. "What dae ye mean by such a statement? How is yer decision tae marry Caitlyn up tae anyone else?"

"Pardon me, me laird," Edan apologized. "Let me speak with a little more clarity. In me heart o' hearts, if ye will allow it, I would marry Caitlyn in a heartbeat. However, I feel that I would first like tae speak tae Effie. After all that has occurred, there is a deep want in me fer her blessing. I need her blessing."

Conor's eyes widened as he sat back in his chair. For a long moment, the older man did not speak. Clearly, by the looks of it, he was a little lost for words. No one else deemed it appropriate to say anything either, though Kieran's mouth did twitch with the slightest hint of a smile.

"So be it," Conor said eventually. "Speak tae Effie, preferably sooner rather than later, and return tae me with an answer."

"I will, me laird."

When the meeting ended, Kieran stayed back. Conor wanted to discuss the damage to the castle, and what needed done in way of repairs. Darach and Edan moved down the corridor together, both of them saying nothing for several minutes.

"I will admit," Darach said eventually, "I have never heard o' a man asking the sister fer permission."

Edan threw a glance at his brother and noted the slight smirk at the corner of his mouth. He flashed him a smile. "Yer wit is improving, braither. But ye have a long way tae go yet."

"Then, we can compare me wit tae yer chess playing."

"Another joke!" Edan feigned shock. "Me God, man, ye are full o' surprises."

The brother's chuckled as they continued down the wide staircase. At the bottom, Edan stopped and turned toward Darach. "Well, wish me luck. I am putting me future in the hands o' a heartbroken lass."

Darach gave a small smile. "I think what ye're doing is commendable. I'm sure Effie will see it the same way."

When the men parted, Edan could only hope that Darach was right. He could just have bypassed her completely, knowing well that Conor would give his blessing, but it seemed more important than ever to ask her.

He found her where he had left her earlier, in the drawing room with Caitlyn and Lady MacMillan.

Remaining at the door, he said, "Effie, can I speak tae ye privately fer a moment, please?"

All three women looked at him strangely, none more than Effie, who, after hesitating, nodded, but frowned and moved from her seat beside Caitlyn.

"Is everything all right?" she asked, moving across the room.

"O' course," Edan replied, trying to keep the tension from his voice.

Once in the corridor with the drawing room door closed, Effie looked up at him. "What dae ye want tae see me fer?"

Edan gestured ahead of him. "Perhaps we could take a walk in the gardens."

"Edan?" Effie pressed.

"Please, Effie."

She huffed a little, clearly frustrated that he would not tell her straight away, but still, she walked in the direction he had suggested.

Once outside, and after a moment or two, Effie stopped in her tracks, turned to Edan and demanded to know what was going on. "Why have ye brought me out here? What is it that ye need tae say tae me alone, that ye couldnae say in front o' me maither and sister?"

"Can we sit?" Edan said, nodding to a stone bench that stood a few feet away.

Effie moved toward it and dropped herself down. Edan did the same, trying his best to calm the nerves that now raged in his stomach.

"I needed tae speak tae ye alone because I wanted tae ask ye something very important," Edan said, trying to control the quake in his voice.

One word from Effie, and this could all go terribly wrong. He loved Caitlyn with all of his heart, but with how close the sisters were, and out of respect for Effie, this had to be done right.

"Which is?" she pressed, when he hesitated for longer than a minute.

"All right," he said taking a deep breath. "How would ye feel if I asked fer Caitlyn's hand?" The words tumbled out at great speed, as though, by saying them quickly, it would somehow, make less of an impact.

For a second, Effie did not speak. She held Edan's gaze intently, making his stomach flip with anticipation and fear. But then, she smiled, and only at that moment, did Edan realize he had been holding his breath.

"If it will make me sister happy, then I will be happy."

Edan suddenly breathed out all at once. "Really?" he gasped.

Effie nodded. "Aye. Really."

"I have yer blessing?" he asked, as though he could not quite believe her words.

Effie placed a gentle hand on his. "I am grateful that ye bothered tae even consider me, Edan. Ye have always been a good, kind and respectful man."

"Ye're a wonderful lass, Effie. Never forget that."

That same sad smile lined her lips. "Thank ye, Edan." She took a deep breath in, and then blew a long breath out. "So, have ye decided how ye're going tae dae it?"

Edan frowned. "Dae what?"

"Ask her?" she pressed, her eyes wide.

Stunned a little at her question, he had to think of the answer. And the truth was, he had been too busy worrying about Effie's reaction to even consider it. He shook his head. "Nae really."

"Well then, I have an idea."

Edan followed Effie's instructions to the letter. With Darach's help, he took six candelabras from different parts of the castle and placed them around the small area of the garden Caitlyn favored to sit and read in. Other candles of different sizes were placed on the small lawn.

Supper was had in the great hall, but shortly afterwards, Darach and Edan excused themselves. Flitting Effie a glance as he moved from the table, Edan followed his brother out, and once out of sight in the corridor beyond, both men ran to the gardens.

Night had fallen, and the half-moon hung in a star-studded sky. Hurriedly, Darach and Edan went around lighting every single candle. It took them ages, but when it was done, the effect was rather magical. Edan had to acknowledge his surprise, for he had no idea Effie was so very creative.

"Now what?" Darach said, when all was done.

"Now, braither. We wait."

They did not have to wait long, however, for Edan heard the sister's voices across the still night sky, even when they were not yet in sight. Edan waited, his stomach bubbling with nerves and excitement, until Effie and Caitlyn rounded the corner. When they did so, Effie beamed a huge smile, and Caitlyn gasped, her hands flying to her mouth, and her eyes wide with wonder.

"Oh!" she cried.

"Hello, Caitlyn," Edan breathed. "Will ye nae join me?'

Effie unlinked her arm from her sister's and moved away to the trees, Darach following suit, leaving Caitlyn walking toward Edan.

"Will ye sit with me?" he said, gesturing to the stone bench.

Caitlyn could not seem to find words, and with her eyes still wide, the light from the candles reflecting in them, she only nodded, and allowed him to lead her. They sat down together, and taking her hands in his, Edan gazed lovingly at her.

"I love ye, Caitlyn MacMillan," he said.

"And I love ye, Edan MacLachlan," she breathed.

"There is naething more in this world I want more, than tae have ye by me side for the rest o' me days. It's with this in mind, that I want tae ask ye. Will ye dae me the honor o' becoming me wife?"

Her eyes glistened, and as the tears welled, the flickering flames of the candles reflected in them even more. "Aye," a tear escaped and trickled down her cheek. "I would be honored tae be yer wife."

Edan could feel his own throat tighten, but not wanting her to see his emotion, he bent his head toward her and tenderly kissed her lips. It was the slightest brush. It was a conscious decision. Not only because this occasion required such chasteness, but also, he knew Effie was still beside Darach, and watching on.

Caitlyn threw her arms around Edan's neck when he ended the kiss, and grabbing him, she hugged him tightly. He wrapped his arms around her, and held her closely, and in that moment, he felt her love rippling into his very being.

But there's more…