Epilogue

EPILOGUE

F our weeks later…

Owen’s guts were churning as he paced back and forth in his father’s study. Daire and Madigan sat looking at him with amused smiles on their faces.

“Anyone would think ye were going intae battle again,” Daire grinned.

“Battle would be easier,” Owen quipped back.

“Och, yer overthinking this, son,” Madigan said. “I’m sure all will be fine.”

Four weeks had passed since that dreadful day where he had thought he was certain he would lose his life to that maniac, Laird Sutherland. As a seasoned warrior, he had fought with all his might, but it had soon become apparent that the crystal around his neck had given the laird far more power than he would ordinarily have had.

In the end, however, the crystal had fulfilled the promise Ada had told him and Iseabail . She had warned them that the crystal would be dangerous to anyone with powers, and while it had taken a little time, the stone around Laird Sutherland’s neck had indeed proved fatal to him.

When the battle was over, and they had left Clan Sutherland to deal with the fact that they no longer had a leader, Owen had ridden beside his father.

“Thank ye fer coming tae our rescue,” Owen had said, now feeling far better than earlier. “But how the devil did ye ken where tae find us?”

“I received a letter from Lady Mackay,” Madigan had replied. “In it, she confessed what ye two were really doing, and after reading it, I wasted nay time in organizing a search party. On our journey, we came upon a healer in Huna who kindly relayed where ye were heading. We then came upon a rather unsavory character, who gave me a note written in yer hand. Once he relayed tae me that ye were in possession o’ the crystal, I kent where ye would be heading next.”

“And it is a good thing we arrived,” Daire had interjected. “Fer a certainty, had we nae, ye would all likely be dead by now.”

Owen could not disagree, and once more, he had thanked both Daire and his father for coming to their rescue. The Mackay’s and Sutherland’s parted ways after a day or two, for they were all eager to return to their own homes. Iseabail and Owen’s farewell had been an emotional one, and with a tender kiss, he had told her he would see her again soon.

Which was the very reason he now paced back and forth nervously in his father’s study. Under Owen’s direction, his father had invited the Mackay’s to their castle under the pretense of a celebration that they had all survived such a dreadful ordeal. But in truth, Owen had something far more important in mind.

Owen looked from his father to Daire and back again. Both of them clearly delighted in seeing him looking completely unsettled.

“Ye two are enjoying this, are ye nae?” Owen growled playfully.

With a huge grin, Daire nodded. “I cannae deny it. I’ve never seen ye like this, and it is highly amusing.”

“Great,” Owen growled, “I’m glad I can entertain ye.”

“Daire is right,” Madigan said. “The son I ken has always been so sure o’ himself. Never before have I seen ye this nervous, and particularly over a lass.”

“She’s nae a lass, Faither. She’s a lady.”

Madigan raised his hand apologetically. “I beg yer pardon. Over a lady.”

Taking a deep breath, Owen nodded, more to himself than anyone else. He was indeed nervous, but he also knew what he wanted. He was resolute in his conviction, and now that Laird Sutherland was gone, there was nothing or no one to stop it from coming to fruition. Well, except one person.

A knock on the study door caused Owen to spin around, and slowly, Madigan pushed himself up from his chair and moved across the room. Daire also stood and followed the laird. Before opening the door, Madigan turned and gave Owen a look of pride.

“Good luck, son.”

“Thank ye, Faither,” Owen breathed.

Upon opening the door, Madigan welcomed Laird Hamilton Mackay and his son, Keane into the room. Hamilton looked confused when Madigan walked past him to leave.

“Did ye nae wish tae see me?” Hamilton said.

Madigan shook his head. “Yer meeting isnae with me, but with Owen, me laird,” Madigan said, and once he and Daire had left the study, they closed the door behind them.

Hamilton and Keane continued into the room and greeted Owen.

“Good day tae ye, Owen,” Hamilton said warmly.

“How did ye sleep?” Owen asked, gesturing for them to sit while at the same time, moving over to the dresser to pour some drinks. He certainly needed one.

“The room is very comfortable, thank ye,” Hamilton replied.

“Aye, I cannae disagree,” Keane added.

Owen returned to them, handing out glasses of amber liquid. He then lowered himself into a chair, though he perched on the edge of his seat rather than sitting more comfortably, like his companions.

“I am pleased tae hear that,” Owen said. “I am also delighted that we are once more together after what we experienced.”

Hamilton gave Owen a long look, his eyes soft and knowing. “I have a feeling ye havenae brought us tae yer father’s study just tae reiterate yer words from last night at the celebratory feast, Owen.”

No, he had not, and by the look on the older man’s face, Owen was certain the laird knew exactly the reason he was there.

“I have asked ye both here because I have an important question, me laird,” Owen said.

“Me laird?” Hamilton said, raising his eyebrows with a smile, and throwing a glance to Keane. “It must be serious.”

Keane smiled too, and Owen felt his face redden a little.

Taking a deep breath, he said. “I would like yer permission and blessing tae marry yer daughter.”

There. He had said it. Now all he had to do was wait for a reply.

Hamilton and Keane shared a glance, and then Hamilton nodded to his son. Leaning forward, Keane said, “Would ye mind if I took yer hand?”

For a second, Owen was a little taken aback, but then, he remembered what Iseabail had said about Keane’s gift. Her brother could read a person’s mind, but he had to put his hand upon them. Owen had nothing to fear. He loved Iseabail with every part of his being.

Nodding, he put his hand out. Keane took hold of his wrist and then closed his eyes. For a long moment, a silence hung in the room, but then, Keane released him, and glancing back to his father, he nodded. “He does love her.”

“Well, I dinnae think we needed yer power tae ken that,” Hamilton said with a smirk. “Clearly, Keane sees good in ye, Owen, though ye have proven that also in our time together. Me answer is, aye, ye have me permission and blessing tae marry Iseabail.”

“Thank ye, me laird,” Owen gushed.

“Hamilton, please. We are soon tae become family.”

Later, when the news had been relayed to Madigan and Daire, and the two had congratulated Owen, both families gathered in the family drawing room. Iseabail looked even more beautiful than she had the night before, though Owen imagined it would be like that for the rest of their days together, for every day he saw her, she did appear lovelier than before.

“I have gathered us here together for a rather special occasion,” Madigan began. Eden stood beside him with a knowing look on her face. “Following on from the celebratory feast last night,” his father continued, “it appears that there is more good news.”

Owen watched as Lilidh, who stood beside Daire, looked slightly bewildered. Iseabail looked pleasantly delighted and expectant, while the rest of them present knew what was about to occur.

“Owen, I think ye have something ye would like tae say.”

Owen nodded at his father, and then walking across the room, he took Iseabail by the hands. She gasped in surprise, her brow bobbing up and down with bewilderment and confusion.

Gazing down at her tenderly, he drank in her face – her soft eyes, her perfect skin, the utter beauty that emanated from her, which still took his breath away. In that moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the room, and as far as he was concerned, they were.

“Lady Iseabail Mackay. It is me honor and privilege tae ask ye fer yer hand in marriage. Will ye please agree tae be me wife?”

Iseabail’s eyes flew open and her jaw dropped, but a second later, delight danced across her face and she nearly jumped for joy.

“Aye,” she cried. “I would be delighted tae be yer wife.”

Owen then wrapped his arms around her, and lowering his head, he kissed her tenderly. He didn’t care that her father and brother looked on. He didn’t care that they were now a spectacle in the middle of the room. He had found the only woman who had discovered her way into his heart. The only woman he had and could ever love.

The rest of his life would be spent loving her, protecting her, and caring for her. Once upon a time, he had been a rake. Now, he would only have eyes for one woman, and God help any who tried to come between them.

But there’s more…

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