Epilogue

Two weeks later

“This is a bad idea.”

Domnhall couldn’t stop fidgeting. It was very much unlike him and it didn’t become a laird like himself, but he simply couldn’t stop wringing his hands, his fingers clenching and unclenching around each other. He sat in a carriage with Billie, the two of them travelling to Robertson Castle, and the closer they got to their destination, the more Domnhall wanted to jump out of the carriage and run all the way back home.

He had never feared a battle. He had never feared an opponent, knowing that he could defeat even the best of them. In fact, he didn’t think he had ever felt such fear before, save perhaps for those times when he thought Billie was harmed.

The mere thought of Evangeline proved to be a much more formidable enemy than any man Domnhall had fought. Cormac had made it perfectly clear that when Domnhall met her, he would need to prove himself worthy of Billie and it would be no easy task. Cormac himself had had to go through the same tests for Keira, and though he didn’t seem to fear Evangeline so much anymore, Domnhall would bet a lot of gold that there was once a time when even Cormac was deathly afraid of the woman.

It didn’t help that Billie had done nothing to convince him their meeting would go well. She had tried, of course, assuring him with platitudes that everything would be fine and that he had nothing to worry about, but he could tell she didn’t truly believe it. Billie, too, had her doubts, and so Domnhall couldn’t find it in himself to think everything would go well.

“It’s only me sister, Domnhall,” Billie said with a heavy sigh. The two of them had had the same conversation several times in the past few days as they prepared for their trip and it always ended the same way, with Domnhall more concerned than he was before and Billie annoyed that she had to repeat herself.

Domnhall could hardly blame her, though. He supposed it was rather ridiculous, a man like himself fearing a woman who hadn’t even done anything to him yet. He had heard so much about Evangeline already, though, and he wanted to make a good impression. It was important to him. What if Evangeline decided she hated him? What would Billie do then? Would she be swayed by her sister’s opinion of him?

“I can hear ye thinkin’ all the way from here,” Billie teased, but Domnhall couldn’t find the will to laugh. He only grimaced, only relaxing a little when Billie reached over and took his hand in hers. “Dinnae fash. Everythin’ Cormac has told ye is a lie.”

“It is, truly?” Domnhall asked. “Or are ye only sayin’ that tae make me feel better?”

Billie’s only reply was a pat to his hand before she leaned back against her seat once more. Still, it was enough of an answer for Domnhall.

The trip to MacThomas Castle lasted much less than Domnhall would have wanted it to. Too soon, they were at the gates, their carriage rolling into the courtyard. Once they came to a halt, Domnhall hesitated, glancing outside through the little window.

“It will be fine,” Billie told him. “Dinnae fash.”

With that, she made to leave, but Domnhall stopped her. He was the one who was supposed to climb out first so that he could help her, and there was no way he was going to forget his manners now. With a deep sigh, he jumped out of the carriage and offered his hand to Billie, who looked far too amused by his antics for his liking.

They had hardly managed to reach the ground when a woman wobbled over to them. The moment Domnhall saw her, he had no doubt in his mind it was Evangeline. For one, she was heavily with child, her belly barely concealed under the layers of her dress. It wasn’t just that, though. She resembled Billie, much like Keira and Abigail did, with her fair hair and grey eyes, the delicate features of her face. There was no mistaking her for anyone but her sister.

“Evangeline!” Billie cried out as the two sisters pulled each other into their arms. They didn’t part for a long time, but when they finally did, Billie pulled back to take a better look at her. “Look at ye… ach, it feels like it’s been such a long time since I last saw ye. How are ye? How is the bairn?”

“We’re both very well,” Evangeline assured Billie, her smile so warm and loving that for a moment, Domnhall was certain everyone was simply pranking him by making him believe Evangeline could be as stern as they claimed. But then her gaze fell on him and turned cold, her smile slipping from her lips. “Laird MacAuley. Welcome.”

It was far from the kind of warm welcome Evangeline had given her sister, and suddenly Domnhall knew everything Cormac had told him was true. He would definitely have to prove himself to her, though he didn’t know how.

“It’s a pleasure tae be here,” Domnhall said with the least wavering smile he could muster. Next to him, Billie chuckled as her arm came to wrap around his own.

“Evangeline, be nice tae me husband,” she said. “Dinnae terrify him any more than Cormac has.”

“Cormac has terrified him?” asked Evangeline with a small frown, looking over her shoulder at Cormac, who was approaching along with Keira and Abigail. There were also two other men among them whom Domnhall hadn’t yet met but it wasn’t difficult to figure out who they were. One of them was the spitting image of Cormac, the twins so alike that Domnhall though he was seeing double for a moment.

So, this is Ellair McLaren.

He could only assume the other was Iain MacThomas, Evangeline’s husband and laird of the MacThomas Clan. It was a family affair, it seemed, everyone there to help Evangeline with the last days of her pregnancy. “I would think it would take a lot more than that.”

“He spoke o’ ye,” said Billie. “It’s difficult tae nae terrify someone.”

Evangeline’s gaze lingered on Cormac, as if she was sizing him up, something that the man himself seemed to notice. There was a subtle shift in his expression, Domnhall saw, as if he suddenly wanted to be anywhere but there.

When the small crowd approached, it was Iain who spoke first. “Laird MacAuley, welcome. I hope ye had a pleasant journey.”

It was the same kind of hollow greeting that was expected of noble-borns like themselves, but at least Iain wasn’t regarding him with the same kind of hostility Cormac once had. Perhaps Cormac had told the man Domnhall was nothing like his father and Iain had been convinced, at least partially. Ellair, on the other hand, remained quiet even as the others greeted Domnhall, keeping his distance from him.

Domnhall couldn’t blame the man. He couldn’t even imagine what his father had done to the two brothers, how much he had hurt them while they were his captives.

Once the pleasantries were over, Evangeline turned to pin Cormac with her gaze. “What have ye been tellin’ people about me?”

“Only the best,” said Cormac, so quickly that Domnhall couldn’t help but think this wasn’t the first time they were having this conversation.

Evangeline didn’t seem to believe him, but she said nothing more, only narrowed her eyes and scrutinized him for a few more moments. Around Domnhall, the three sisters watching her all began to giggle, and the tension finally broke when Evangeline rolled her eyes with a barely suppressed smile.

“Come,” she told Domnhall, gesturing towards the door of the castle. In his panic, Domnhall hadn’t noticed anything about the place, but now he took in the stone walls, the gardens that sprawled on the west side. It was much like his own, if perhaps a little smaller, a little more sparsely decorated. His father always had a desire to be surrounded by expensive things, silver cups and rich tapestries that showed his wealth to everyone. Iain MacThomas didn’t seem to have the same desire.

They all moved inside, to a large drawing room that was bathed in the grey light of the day. Servants milled about the room, bringing tea and pastries. As everyone else took a seat, Domnhall noticed Evangeline lingering near him, and it took him a few moments to realize she was waiting for him to take a seat so she could trap him by sitting next to him.

He allowed it. Perhaps if he played his cards right, he thought, he would convince her he was good enough for Billie.

Then again, even he didn’t think there was anyone in the world good enough for his wife. Ever since marrying her, he had been doing his best to become the kind of man who deserved her.

Predictably, when he took his seat, Evangeline perched herself next to him with some difficulty, her belly making it difficult to move around. She cradled her stomach protectively, and Domnhall gave her a small smile, thinking about the child he would one day have.

“It’s an everyday battle,” Evangeline said with a sigh. “They want me tae be in bed, but I told them I wouldnae miss me sister’s arrival.”

Domnhall’s eyes widened a little in alarm. “If it’s best fer ye an’ the bairn, then we would have come tae greet ye in yer chambers.”

Evangeline leaned closer, her tone turning conspiratorial. “Between us, I think Iain is so terrified somethin’ will happen tae us that he asked the healer tae keep me as immobilized as possible these last few weeks. Everyone is concerned about the heir, but I feel fine. Well, as fine as I can feel, given the circumstances. I was close to insanity, stayin’ in that room.”

“I cannae say I dinnae understand him,” said Domnhall, only for Evangeline’s eyes to narrow once more. “I mean, I would be concerned, too.”

With a noncommittal sound, Evangeline fell silent once more, observing him for a few moments. Domnhall had never felt so vulnerable in his life, so easily picked apart by nothing more than a gaze. When she spoke again, it was to test him.

“I heard what happened tae ye,” she said. “Dae ye think ye can protect me sister when ye have enemies everywhere?”

Of course, Evangeline had heard. Domnhall was certain everyone had heard. He had tried avoiding any thoughts that came to him, any memories of what Ferguson’s men had done to him in that room, but he still bore some of the scars they had left on his body. At least his face had healed nicely, so there were no visible signs to those around him, nothing to remind them of it.

“It is true that I have many enemies,” he said. “Well, they were me faither’s enemies. I’m sure ye ken about him.”

“Och aye,” said Evangeline, with the kind of coldness Domnhall could have never expected from someone who looked—despite her brother-in-law’s view of her—so kind. “I ken all about him.”

“I will fix this,” Domnhall promised her. “Everythin’ me faither did, I will try tae reverse. Ye’re right that I have enemies an’ many o’ them. I’m as concerned about Billie as ye are, but I’ll give me life before I let anyone harm her.”

It seemed to be the right thing to say, but convincing Evangeline wasn’t Domnhall’s motive. He meant every word he said. A life without Billie was a life he didn’t know how to live.

“Ye’re a very determined man,” said Evangeline with a small, satisfied smile. “One could say stubborn.”

“One could say that about yer sister, too.”

It was a gamble, but it paid off. Evangeline laughed and the sound drew everyone’s gaze. More than anyone, it was Cormac who seemed shocked to hear it and he turned to look at Domnhall, his mouth hanging open.

Domnhall gave him a shrug, his gaze sliding over to Billie. She had a radiant smile on her lips, looking happier than ever, just like Domnhall wanted to see her every day for the rest of their lives.