Chapter Twenty-One

S everal days later, Finlay once again found himself sitting in the Rosebery solicitor's office, only this time, instead of Fingal in the other chair, it was Willamina. His twin had left shortly after they returned and hadn't been back since. No doubt deep in his cups in one of the whorehouses in town, Yvette a distant memory.

Willamina looked beautiful in her green gown with cap sleeves and a tartan sash. Her brown hair was swept up into a bun. Her cheeks were flushed, though that more than likely had to do with their little excursion on their way to the Bigsby's house.

They had been back in Edinburgh for a week. And most of that time had been spent in their bedchamber ignoring the rest of the world. How he wished they could spend the rest of their days there, focused on no one but themselves.

Even now, sitting here waiting to talk to Bigsby, the only thing on his mind was leaving here and losing himself in Willamina as soon as they got back home—if they lasted that long.

It was a week of them learning every inch of each other. Talking of their dreams. What they wanted their future to look like.

"My lord, lady. I apologize for the delay." Bigsby swept into the room, his brow damp with sweat that he wiped with his handkerchief. He looked like he'd been running. "I had an appointment on the other side of the city that went longer than expected."

He opened the large folder he'd carried in under his arm and spread the contents on the desk. He slipped on a pair of spectacles to study the pages laid out before him.

Finlay grasped Willamina's hand and squeezed. She looked nervous now that Bigsby had arrived.

"All is in order, I presume?" Finlay asked.

Nodding, the man didn't look up from his desk. "It appears to be." He held up a document and handed it to him. "Sir Watson has signed stating that he doesna contest your marriage and that since he was presumed deceased, Lady Primrose was within her rights to re-marry."

Willamina audibly let out a breath. They'd both been worried that the louse wouldn't keep his word. Of course, it helped that she sought no claim to any land or holdings belonging to Watson. He could go on his merry way. Mystery still surrounded why he had done what he'd done in the first place, but it mattered naught.

"That is great news. Is there anything further ye need from us?

"Just Lady Primrose's signature here," he pointed to the bottom of the document, "agreeing that the union is dissolved, and she will no' be seeking anything further from Sir Watson."

Willamina scoffed at the statement. "I will sign. I have no need for anything from my former husband."

Bigsby handed her an inked quill and she signed where instructed, and they were done.

He stood and shook hands with Bigsby. "Thank ye. I've seen ye more this past year than I have in the previous ten. I hope we can get back to that schedule," he chuckled as he held his hand out to help Willamina up.

"Aye, my lord. I must agree." He gathered up the documents and slid them back in the folder. "I bid a good day to ye both. Congratulations again on your marriage."

Outside, the air was cool and the wind grew strong, forewarning an incoming storm. Willamina clutched her cloak tighter around her neck as they waited for their carriage.

"I canna wait to get ye home," he nipped at her ear once they were inside the carriage, bumping along the road on the way back to Primrose Castle.

And he couldn't. He thought back to just a couple of months before. If he had denied Northington's party request, he would have never met Willamina. The thought of not having her in his life now was unfathomable.

She'd enriched his life in so many ways. And now he understood why Nicholas and Alexander were so besotted whenever they thought of their wives. He was the same way with Willamina. He couldn't imagine a day without her by his side.

Mayhap his father knew what he was doing when he added that clause to his will. It brought him to Willamina. What he thought was a curse that would lead him to misery turned out to be just the opposite.

"What are ye thinking about so seriously?" Willamina asked, concern furrowing her brows.

He smiled, kissing the top of her head. "I am thinking about how I am the luckiest man alive. And how I have my father to thank for that."

She placed a hand on his heart and patted, tilting her face up to meet his. "There really is no other like ye, Fin."

When he captured her mouth, he poured all of his emotions into that kiss. He wanted her to feel how much she meant to him.

And the way she melted against him let him know she did. He savored her lips and held her close, never wanting to let her go.

It was the best feeling in the world.

"I love ye, lass, more than ye can e'er ken."

She gave him a shy smile, her eyes filled with love, reflecting back the same feelings he had.

He could get lost in those eyes.

The carriage jolted to a stop and he grinned. "We're home."

This time, when they walked through the door, there were no more worries that something or someone could barge in and ruin their solace.

There was hope and happiness.

But most importantly, there was love.

He was the luckiest man in the world and he would spend the rest of his days ensuring Willamina knew that.