Epilogue

EPILOGUE

L ennox Castle, one month later

"So, here we are again," Tadhg joked, holding Alana close to his side as they entered their little lovers bower in the garden near the infirmary. He looked about at the rose bushes and the old stone bench with genuine wonder. "Why, it's hardly changed since the last time."

"Aye, 'tis almost like goin' back in time," Alana agreed, laughing happily, her excitement threatening to boil over.

"Should we dae everythin' the same as we did back then?" Tadhg asked playfully. "Because I seem tae recall ye were sittin' in me lap."

"Aye, I remember that too. Maybe we should try tae dae it all the same. It might bring us good luck," she suggested.

"All right, we can try," he seconded, seeming to put some thought into it. "So, we need tae sit right here, on the old bench."

"Aye, we've shared many a kiss while sittin' here," Alana said with a nod as they sat side by side before turning to face each other and holding hands. They gazed into each other's eyes, both of them unable to stop smiling.

"This is exactly where it happened. This is where ye proposed tae me that first time, over four years ago," she reminded him, her cheeks flushed with the delicious memory.

She sat down in his lap, twining her arms around his neck and peppering his face with tiny kisses. "There, how's that?"

"Perfect," Tadhg told her, planting a kiss on the tip of her nose. "Hey, I just remembered somethin' else too."

"What?" she asked curiously.

"Was there nae a wee rustling in the grass somewhere nearby, a wee hairy beastie comin' tae nibble yer toes?"

Alana burst out laughing as the memory came flooding back to her. "That's right! There was a rustlin' in the grass, and I was afeard it was a rodent. But ye saved me, Tadhg! Ye were me knight in shinin' armor even then," she exclaimed, hugging him harder.

"Aye, I didnae ken then that it was just a practice run," he joked, bouncing her on his knee effortlessly, as if she weighed no more than a child. "I think we can dispense with the rodent this time, especially as it was nae really a mouse but Liam here, clumpin' about in his great big boots."

"Aye, that's right, it was," Alana agreed. "I'm more than happy tae go without the rodent. So, what's next?"

"Er, I think this was the moment when I actually popped the question," Tadhg said.

"Och, very well then!" She arranged herself prettily on his lap. "Right, I'm ready. Ask away."

"Right." He cleared his throat. "Alana MacIver?—"

"Hold on, hold, on, that's nae right!" came a loud exclamation. "I had tae go down on one knee tae propose tae Maddison, and I dinnae see why Tadhg should get away with anythin' less." There was laughter close by, male and female.

"Ach, wheesht, Odhrán, why are ye interferin'?" Tadhg asked in a pained voice, while Alana giggled at the intrusion.

"I think 'tis an excellent idea," she said.

"Aye, get down on yer knees, Braither and dae things properly."

"Ah, shut yer hole, Liam," Tadhg replied. "I'm beginnin' tae regret letting ye

lot come all together."

"But it was our idea that ye should come back here tae propose this time, Tadhg, so that's nae very fair."

"I agree, Maddison, he should get down on one knee," Alana said with another giggle.

"What? I thought ye agreed with me that we should dae things just the same as last time. For good luck, ye said. Are ye changin' yer mind now?"

Alana snorted with laughter. "I ken I did, but I also quite like the idea of ye gettin' down on yer knee. Everythin' else is the same, but this will give things a fresh twist."

"Ah, come off it, Alana, ye all just wantae se me grovelin' about on me knees," Tadhg mock complained, stifling his laughter.

"Ye've caught me out," Alana agreed, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"All right, then, if that's truly what ye want," he said, lifting her by the waist and placing her on the bench next to him before wearily getting down on one knee in front of her.

"Well, for the Wee Man's sake, are ye gonnae dae this today? I've a pint of good ale and a hot pie waitin' fer me back at the castle, I'll have ye ken," Liam protested.

"Aye, me and all," Odhrán chimed in, "and I'm gettin' mighty hungry. Get on with it, Tadhg." His words were followed by more giggling from Maddison and Alana.

Tadhg grinned at Alana, sending thrills racing up and down her body. Even on his knees, he was enormous. He clasped her hand in his and pressed it to his lips, shooting her a meaningful glance that the others could not see before he spoke the immortal words.

"Ye are the love of me life, Alana MacIver. Always have been, always will be. I would be honored if ye would consent tae be me wife," he said.

"Hmmm, let me think about it," Alana replied, putting a finger to her chin in mock contemplation. Tadhg let out a low, warning growl. She laughed and said hurriedly, "I'll marry ye."

A round of applause broke out from the others.

"Hoorah!"

"Finally."

"Now, ye must seal it with a kiss!" Maddison cried, hopping from foot to foot and clapping her hands like an excited child.

"Ye're too late, Maddy, they already are," Odhrán told his wife. There were a

few seconds of silence before he added, "I think 'tis time fer us tae leave."

"Aye, I agree," Liam supplied, sounding dubious. "It looks like things could get out of hand here."

"Let's go then and leave these two lovebirds tae themselves," Maddison piped up. "Come on, ye two, back tae the castle."

The trio turned and strolled away.

"I thought they'd never go," Tadhg whispered against Alana's lips.

"I think they meant well," Alana replied breathily, sliding from the bench to his thigh. "But in truth, I coudnae wait fer us tae be alone, so I can tell ye how much I love ye and how happy I am that we're finally gonnae be wed."

"Me too, me bonny lass, and this time, I'm nae takin' any chances."

"What d'ye mean?"

"I mean I'm nae waitin' another month tae make ye me wife. One week, and that's it."

"One week? All right, one week it is." She jumped up from his knee and smoothed down her skirts.

"Wait, what are ye doin'?" he asked, frowning at her in bewilderment.

"Well, if we only have a week, there's nae time fer all this billin' and cooin'," she told him with a straight face. "There's much tae be done, many arrangements tae be made, and very little time. Me dress has tae be made, fer one, and yer outfit, and Liam's, and Maddy's dress, and all the food for the cèilidh tae be ordered, and the wine and ale and?—"

"All right, all right," he cried, "a month it is. Now, shut up and come here and kiss me again," he told her, and she did not need to be asked twice.

But there's more…

Eager to learn what the future holds for Alana & Tadhg ?