Epilogue
It was another six days before the snow had melted enough that they could travel, and Camdyn sent for his carriage.
Sheena had been able to borrow dresses from the maids because she did not want to be married in trousers. He was perfectly fine with her doing so as he could enjoy watching her bum. She insisted that it was not proper.
Though he did want to know where she had run off to. One moment she'd been inside the manor waiting for the carriage and then she was gone.
Camdyn stepped outside to see if she was waiting there, but all he found were footprints in the snow going different directions.
What the blazes was she doing out here?
He turned to look toward the direction of the stables, when something solid hit him in the center of his back.
He turned to find her laughing as she scooped up more snow and started forming another snowball.
"I am warning you. If you throw another, you will not like the consequences."
She simply grinned, then let the ball fly, striking him in the chest.
Camdyn took off after her, quickly catching up to Sheena because he was not wearing skirts like her, and they both went tumbling into a snowdrift.
"What are the consequences," she asked from beneath him.
"Maybe you are in need of a spanking," he warned.
Sheena lost all color as her eyes widened.
Camdyn chuckled. "I would never lay a hand on you, but it was the only threat that I could think of."
"You could deny me kisses," she offered with a grin.
"But then I would only be denying myself," he reminded her. "Maybe I will make you wear trousers instead of skirts. They are my preference."
Before she could respond, the sound of a carriage on the drive drew their attention. Camdyn looked back, assuming it was his, except it was not, which sent him scrambling to his feet and helping Sheena out of the snowdrift. Sheena brushed the snow from her clothing as the faces of the occupants in the carriage were revealed.
Camdyn nearly groaned when the carriage stopped, and Aiden MacGregor stepped out.
Camdyn's carriage then pulled in behind the MacGregors'. "We would invite ye inside but were just about ta leave," Sheena announced.
MacGregor arched an eyebrow. "And where were ye goin' lass?"
"Gretna Green," Camdyn answered. "Sheena has agreed to be my wife and given we've spent these last days here…" Camdyn trailed off as MacGregor turned to glare back at Ewan.
His stomach tightened. Would MacGregor deny him now?
"Is this what you want, Sheena?"
Camdyn held his breath waiting for her answer. These days had been the happiest in memory, but what if she had a change of heart now that her uncle was here?
"Aye. More than anythin'."
"Is that your answer because he compromised ye? Ye've been alone with Walsingham, and ye was just frolickin' in the snow. Is it because ye have no choice? I would rather ye were happy."
"I still have a choice," she answered and looked up to Camdyn. "If you must know the truth, he refused to seduce me until we wed."
MacGregor frowned. "Ye dinna seduce my niece?"
"No," Camdyn answered, though he had wanted to many times, but his future uncle-in-law did not need to know those facts.
MacGregor looked from one to the other then he shook his head. "You do not have to go to Gretna Green. Once you cross the border any vicar or blacksmith will do."
Camdyn had always assumed that such weddings could only take place in Gretna Green because that was where everyone went. He had never bothered to learn otherwise as he'd only considered marriage once before, when he had first asked Sheena.
"If that is true, then we can be married today," Camdyn told Sheena. "Newcastleton is less than an hour away, though it may take longer in the snow." He then turned to MacGregor. "With your permission, of course."
"Yes, you have his permission, and mine."
He turned to find Mrs. MacGregor stepping from the carriage to stand beside Ewan and Alistair, Sheena's older brothers. "Then I hope to return here for a warm meal."
"Yes, of course," Camdyn readily agreed.
Mrs. MacGregor then slowly smiled. "My husband and I may also stay a few days so that I can finally come to know my nephew-in-law, and while her brothers return to Anagburn to collect Sheena's belongings."
"Yes, of course," Camdyn eagerly agreed. "You may stay as long as you would like."
Two hours later, Sheena and Camdyn stood before a vicar and recited their vows. This was not at all how he had expected his year to come to an end. He was happier for the unexpected and thankful to Ewan for doing what he thought was best.
When he leaned in to kiss Sheena, she eagerly accepted and returned his kiss, which quickly deepened. At the loud clearing of a throat from behind them and Camdyn pulled way.
"That is enough. Yer in a church," MacGregor chastised.
Camdyn stifled a groan at the realization that MacGregor would now be staying in his home, and he hoped that the man did not object to further kissing because Camdyn was not going to ignore the mistletoe that would remain hanging in every doorway until the greenery was swept from the house on the eve of Twelfth Night.
But more importantly, as soon as he had Sheena back home and alone in their bedchamber, she would finally be his, with all doubts and fears being put to rest.
About Courting the Scot
When a rake's silver tongue fails to charm…
Ian Grant has wanted to court a certain lass for quite some time, but when his usual charm has no effect on Davina MacGregor, he stops talking and kisses her instead. And what a wonderful kiss it is too. Unfortunately, his rakish reputation precedes him and Ian somehow finds his honor in question and a challenge issued. Can he go to London for a Season without kissing anyone else?
A lass finds the tables turned on her….
Davina MacGregor only meant to protect her foolish family from being sent to the gallows should anyone discover what they'd done. She didn't want to make Ian court her in secret, she just didn't have another choice. But when he tires of her games and issues a challenge of his own…
Will the lass truly court the Scot?
Read COURTING THE SCOT
Thank you for reading THE SMUGGLER'S CHRISTMAS ROGUE.