Epilogue

One month later…

“I now pronounce ye man and wife… again,” intoned the minister, clearly bemused by being invited to preside at this early renewal of the wedding vows of the young laird and his pretty wife. “Ye may kiss the… bride?”

“Now, remember yer promise nae tae bite me again,” Alec whispered warningly to Kira as he clasped her around the waist and prepared to do as the minister suggested.

“I’ve nae forgotten,” she replied, smiling starry-eyed up at the man she adored.

“Good, I’m trustin’ ye,” he added before their lips met. Heat rushed through him at the warmth of her response, kissing her thoroughly with all the love inside him. Even so, he could not help chuckling when, just as they were about to part, she grazed his lower lip with her teeth, a mischievous twinkle in her lovely eyes.

When they turned to face the select party of guests gathered behind them in the chapel pews, they were greeted with the noisy stamping of feet, whistling, hooting, and laughter as well as applause. Alec held his bride close, his heart filling with a glow of happiness and a feeling of wholeness he had never thought to experience in his life.

He looked down at Kira as they walked down the aisle arm in arm.

“Ye look radiant,” he whispered to her. “Though I have tae admit, I cannae wait tae get ye out of that dress.”

“Alec!” she retorted, her face alight with unmistakable joy and laughter as she batted at him with her hand.

“Can I help it if me wife is so beautiful, I can hardly keep me hands off her?” he asked, feigning innocence.

“Well, ye look so handsome in that outfit, ’tis almost a shame that I’ll be rippin’ it off ye later tonight,” she teased him.

“Promises, promises,” he murmured, excitement stirring in his trousers.

“Aye, and ye ken I always keep me promises.”

With that, he could hold back his happiness no longer and swept her up into his arms, carrying her the rest of the way to the great hall and the celebration that awaited them.

There, the Mackintoshes and the MacBeans, as well as a grinning Laird Euan Fraser, gathered around the table, while Bran filled the quaich, the traditional, two-handled lovers cup with whisky.

“May ye both be very happy and have many strong bairns,” he said with a broad smile, handing the cup to them to drink from. Kira took one handle and Alec the other, and they gazed lovingly into each other’s eyes as they drank to seal their union, properly this time, with happiness and good luck.

The quaich then did the rounds, being passed from Bran to Ilyssa, to Euan, to Catreena, then to Dunn, and lastly to Evander, who all drank deeply of the water of life, accompanied all the while by laughter and clapping from the others.

Then, Alec paid the piper for his services in bringing them good luck for the future with the customary dram. The piper blew up the pipes and piped them heartily up to the Laird’s table, while the other clansfolk, dressed in all their finery, piled in and took their seats at the tables, ready to enjoy the big, unexpected feast and the cèilidh that was to follow.

As the happy couple sat down for the feast, Alec looked around him with a deep sense of satisfaction in his breast. All his family was there, everyone that mattered to him.

“We’re properly married now, eh?” he said, smiling at Kira next to him, taking her hand in his and kissing it tenderly.

“Aye, it feels a lot different than before. I’m actually enjoyin’ all the fuss this time round. I’m so glad this is what ye wanted fer yer wish, Alec.”

“Well, as soon as I kent I was in love with ye, it started tae be on me mind. The first weddin’ was nae a proper weddin’. I wanted a celebration that would dae our love justice-”

“Alec Mackintosh, I swear ye’re the most romantic man I’ve ever met!” she declared, her face bright with a joy that warmed his insides. “How did ye get on with Euan?” she asked, looking at him enquiringly. “I was a wee bit anxious about that.”

“Och, we got on splendidly. He apologized tae me fer startin’ the feud and all. And I was only too happy tae accept and shake his hand. He thanked me fer uncoverin’ the truth about Shaw and yer faither’s murder too. Aye, he’s a good man, and we plan tae dae business together in future.”

“I’m so happy tae hear it, me darlin’ husband. Now, can I get ye something; tae eat?”

“How about yeresl’?” Alec suggested, giving her a heated look, delighted by her giggles.

“There’s just one thing that’s botherin’ me about yer braither,” he added with a slight frown. Kira followed his glance and saw that it had alighted in Euan, who was seated next to Ilyssa. They pair were deep in animated conversation. Ilyssa was all smiles.

“Well, it appears me braither has nae lost all his powers tae charm the ladies,” she joked, pleased to see Euan smiling and looking happy. “It seems like centuries since I’ve seen him so carefree, though ’tis only five years since we lost faither and he had to become the laird so young.”

“Aye, I dinnae begrudge the man some happiness, of course. He’s yer braither and yer only family. That would be churlish of me.”

She frowned. “Then what’s botherin’ about it?”

“Well, look how he’s flirtin’ with Ilyssa.”

“Aye. What of it? What’s a bit of harmless flirtin’? ’Tis only tae be expected with the amount of alcohol going round here,” she pointed out, not seeing his objection.

“Look at Bran, and ye’ll see why I’m findin’ it a wee bit unsettlin’.”

“Oh.” She did as he suggested. Bran was sitting on the other side of Ilyssa, and he did indeed look rather uneasy. His smile appeared somewhat strained, and he looked as if he would like to disappear into his tankard of ale. “Hmm, I see what ye mean. I ken I’ve said so before, but if ye ask me, there’s a lot more going on with him and Ilyssa than he’ll ever let on.”

“Aye, fer sure. But whenever I mention it tae him, he gets annoyed and always says they’re friends and that’s all.”

“That’s exactly what Ilyssa says. I wonder what they mean by friends though, Alec.”

“I dinnae ken, but I just hope it disnae end in fisticuffs at our weddin’.”

“Och, fer what reason? This is Bran we’re talkin’ about! He’d never dae anythin’ like that tae ruin our day, and neither would Euan. Look, if ye’re really worried, I’ll have a quiet word with Euan about it. Anyway, he’ll be gone in a few days.”

“Aye, but he’ll be comin’ back tae visit, will he nae?”

“I’ll speak tae him.”

“Nay, lass, say nae a word about it tae the man. Let the pair of them flirt, as ye say, and if it draws Bran out a bit and makes him declare his colors, well, we’ll all ken where we stand at last.”

Kira gasped at his words. “Why, Alec Mackintosh ye wee schemer! I never thought ye had it in ye tae be a matchmaker.”

“Oh, I’ve got lots of things in me that ye have yet tae learn about, bonny lass,” he told her, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. “And later tonight, some of them are gonnae be in ye.”

Kira could not help the explosive snort of laughter that erupted from her then. It was so loud, it drew curious stares from the others.

“Can ye nae behave properly at yer own weddin’, woman?” Alec enquired with false disapproval.

“With ye, I dinnae think I can ever behave properly again anywhere!” she said when she could speak again, and planted a big, loving kiss on his lips.