Epilogue

Four years later

‘F ind your balance,' Brian said, adjusting his three-year-old daughter's stance as she held out a wooden sword. Elisa beamed, holding her weapon out.

‘Not like that,' he corrected, glaring at her. ‘Be fierce.'

She growled and pointed her wooden sword at him. It was an effort to hold back his smile, but he nodded in approval. ‘No one will ever bother you, little one.'

‘They would have to go through us first,' Lord Staunton remarked. He held out his arms, and Elisa dropped the sword, scurrying towards the man who doted upon her as the grandchild he'd never had.

‘They will indeed.' Brian watched as Alexander swept the child into his arms, while Elisa chattered to him about swords and a puppy that she wanted.

A few years ago, Brian and Velaria had first come to Staunton to visit, out of thanks for their lives. Lord and Lady Staunton had welcomed them into their home, but every time they meant to leave, the baron and his wife had begged them to stay longer.

Yet over the years, their true home had become Tilmain. As the heiress to both Penrith and Tilmain, Lady Gwendoline had asked them to care for the estate as their own. She and Piers preferred to remain at Penrith with their children, and Brian was grateful that the people of Tilmain had accepted him and Velaria to rule on their Lady's behalf. It no longer mattered that he lacked a title or the birthright of a king's son. He had a home, a wife he loved, and a daughter who filled their home with joy.

Lord Staunton's face softened with contentment while Elisa continued to sit in his lap. A moment later, his wife, Clare, came up behind him and reached for Elisa. ‘It's my turn to hold her now.' Lord and Lady Staunton adored the little girl, since they had never borne children of their own.

‘Alexander and I have been talking,' Clare began, dropping a kiss upon Elisa's head. ‘There's something we'd like to discuss with you both.'

At that moment, Velaria joined them, and Brian drew his arm around her waist. His wife sent him a silent look of amusement that Clare had appointed herself as another grandmother, despite Katherine and Rochelle.

‘And what is it you'd like to discuss?' Brian prompted.

‘It's about Elisa,' Clare continued. She exchanged a look with Alexander, and the man continued.

‘You and Velaria are like the children we were unable to have. Were it in my power to grant you Staunton, I would make you my heir and give all of this to you.' The warmth in the man's voice was genuine, and it filled Brian with a sense of thanks.

‘I wish you had been my father,' Brian said honestly. After leaving King John's encampment, he had not heard from the monarch again. There had been a time when it would have sharpened the sadness of not being acknowledged. But Alexander of Staunton had filled that emptiness, welcoming them back for many visits with open arms.

‘My younger brother, Marcus, is my heir by law,' Alexander continued. ‘But I have spoken to him, and he is willing to consider a betrothal between Elisa and one of his sons. She may choose a husband from among them if she wishes. And then, one day, she would become part of my family in name.'

Velaria came forward and embraced Lord and Lady Staunton, with Elisa between them. ‘Your offer is very generous, Lord Staunton.'

‘It is,' Brian agreed. ‘But it is a decision Elisa should make when she is older. She deserves the freedom to choose the husband she wants.' He would not consider making a formal betrothal before she came of age, though it was sometimes arranged.

‘So she will.' Lord Staunton inclined his head. ‘Our offer stands.' Then he joined his wife, holding her hand as they returned to the castle together, with Elisa between them.

After they were out of earshot, Velaria said softly, ‘They have been married twenty years. And he still looks at her as if she means the world to him.'

‘I know how he feels.' He took both of her hands in his. ‘Even forty years would never be enough time with you.'

She leaned in and kissed him. Against his mouth, she murmured, ‘Sometimes, when I think back on our captivity, I remember how you were my strength in the darkness. Whenever I needed you, you were there.'

‘Just as you were for me,' he answered. ‘And I thank God every day for it.'

The sun rose high above the horizon while the land bathed in a sea of light. Brian held her hand, and Velaria leaned her head against his shoulder. ‘I love you.'

The words sank into him, taking root with the happiness he felt whenever he was in her presence. ‘I love you, too.'

And as they stared out together at the land before them, Brian could not imagine any greater blessing than spending the rest of his life with her hand in his.

If you enjoyed this story, make sure you're caught up on the first two installments in The Legendary Warriors miniseries

The Iron Warrior Returns

The Untamed Warrior's Bride

While you're waiting for the next book, why not read Michelle Willingham's Untamed Highlanders duology?

The Highlander and the Governess

The Highlander and the Wallflower

Keep reading for an excerpt from The Scandalous Widow by Elizabeth Rolls.