Epilogue

Three months later

Alexander looked at Clarissa, concern creasing his brows. "I am going to call for the doctor. Ye have done this for a week now. Ye canna keep anything down."

She smiled at his worry. He had not put two and two together to figure out what her illness meant. "That willna be necessary."

"Ye canna go on like this. Ye will wilt away to naught." He pushed his hands through his dark hair the way he always did when he was worried.

They were back at Millwool. The sheep had been sheared and they were checking on the wool production. Alexander, not needing the loan from the bank, had denied their offer and Kitt was a distant memory. No word from Christopher had arrived yet, but they both hoped that he fared well.

"I insist ye see the doctor," Alexander continued, his eyes pleading.

"Your Grace," she laughed as his eyes flared, and she ignored him. She loved teasing him. He got so perturbed. "There is no need for a visit. 'Tis normal behavior for my condition."

"Your condi—" the words trailed off as recognition dawned on his face. "Ye, ye are with child?" he asked, falling to his knees in front of her, his palms splayed over her still flat stomach.

"Aye." Tears sprouted in her eyes at his reaction.

He kissed her stomach before getting to his feet and enveloping her in a hug. "I am the luckiest man alive. Do ye ken that? Ye have made me so happy. But now ye are most definitely seeing the doctor. Prepare to be pampered. In fact," he looked frantically around the room, his eyes settling on the chair. He grabbed it and dragged it over to where she stood. "Sit. Ye should no' be on your feet."

She laughed. "I am fine. Truly, I am."

He captured her mouth in a kiss. "I love ye with all my being."

"And I ye." She clasped his hand and pulled. "Now, come. I hear a carriage approaching."

In the courtyard, Clarissa impatiently waited for the carriage to come to a stop. When the door opened, and Gwen exited, belly round with her own bairn, she squealed and ran to her for a hug.

She couldn't wait to break the happy news to Gwen and Nicholas.

The cousins, due to be born only a few months apart, would be the first in what she hoped would be many children for both of them.

Alexander hugged her from behind, his hands splayed on her belly as he kissed her neck.

"I love ye, lass.

"And I love ye, Your Grace."

He growled close to her ear. Her new favorite sound.

*