Page 59 of A Tartan Love (The Earls of Cairnfell #1)

I sla glared at her brother.

Gray glared right back. “You will rue the day you allied yourself with a Balfour. And when you come crawling back, begging once again for my help, you will find a deaf ear.”

“Piers, we are at an end, you and I. I would have loved you to my grave, Brother. I would have been the most doting of sisters. But you are the one who has chosen hatred over love.” She hurled her words at him.

“Love cannot thrive without nourishment, and I’m tired of starving.

Instead, I choose to give my love to those who will treasure it.

So yes, I will happily spend my life at Tavish Balfour’s side. ”

Isla shook her head at Gray before crossing to Tavish.

Just the sight of her husband . . .

She skipped the last few steps, throwing herself in his arms. He gathered her close, strong hands banding around her chest.

“Are ye well, love?” he whispered against her hair. “I’ve been half out of my mind with worry. ”

“I am well, darling.” She cupped his beloved face. “I finished packing my things this morning. I am ready to leave. That was the gist of my lost letters. Just that I needed to say my goodbyes and secure my personal effects. Oh, and I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

She pressed a soft kiss to his lips. The affection flaring in his eyes said he wanted more than a mere kiss, but he was trying to behave himself.

How she loved this man.

Matthias cleared his throat.

Gray growled.

Right.

Her brothers and Colonel Archer were in the room.

She turned to face them, keeping one arm around Tavish’s waist.

Colonel Archer seemed resigned, his face more serious than usual. But his quiet support of Tavish said volumes about the man’s character.

Matthias appeared . . . bemused, she supposed. Isla had stayed up late with him, talking of everything and nothing. He was supportive of her marriage, even if he thought her rash to be tying herself to a man of little means.

“If your penury becomes too dire, please write,” he had said.

Isla had hinted at Matthias becoming an investor in Tavish’s whisky venture, and her brother hadn’t rejected the idea outright. Though he did have questions and preferred to speak with Tavish directly about the proposed venture.

Gray, however . . .

Her ducal brother glowered, his gaze dropping to where Tavish held her snug to his side. It hurt that, even now, Gray was more focused on his petty need for vengeance against the Balfours than caring about her wishes as a human being.

“I suggest you remove your things from my property immediately, Isla,” Gray said. “As long as you are allied with that man, you are not welcome here. Your dowry and Malton Hill are now forfeit.”

Once, such words from her brother would have shattered Isla. But now? Now, she had a heart full of love and hope for a life full of affection and joy .

“I would not expect otherwise, Gray.” She shifted to holding Tavish’s hand, intent on the door and collecting her things. “We shall be leaving.”

She had taken only one step when Colonel Archer spoke up.

“A moment, if you all please.” A frown creased his forehead. “I do have one question.”

Isla paused. Tavish squeezed her hand.

“What is it, Fletch?” Tavish asked.

Colonel Archer looked at Gray. “Malton Hill is forfeit?”

Gray’s brow darkened.

“Why do you ask, Colonel?” Isla asked. “Gray controls my dowry.”

“Yes, he does. But Grayburn spoke with me regarding all that when we were discussing a possible marriage cont—”

“I strongly suggest you remain silent, Archer.” Gray clenched his jaw, his gaze drilling into Colonel Archer as if attempting to will him into silence.

Colonel Archer paused.

Matt finally stirred from his position against the wall, stepping forward. “Please go on, Colonel Archer. I am interested in hearing what you have to say.”

“Matthias!” Gray shot their brother a warning look. “It is of no import.”

Matt returned with a raised eyebrow. “Why silence the man then?” He motioned for Colonel Archer to continue.

Swallowing, Colonel Archer shifted on his feet. “I cannot say I know much, Lord Matthias. As I said, His Grace and I were in preliminary discussions of marriage contracts regarding Lady Isla’s dowry.” He gave Isla an apologetic smile. “Based on what Grayburn disclosed, I was given to understand—”

Gray made an outraged noise. “Archer, anything I disclosed was in confidence and should be—”

“What did you learn, Colonel?” Isla asked, her heart pummeling her ribcage.

Colonel Archer smiled down at her. A beatific smile.

“Malton Hill is not, in fact, tied to your dowry, Lady Isla. Yes, Grayburn controls whether or not your dowry goes with you into marriage, but he cannot control Malton Hill. ”

“What do you mean?” A quiver had started in her knees.

“The estate was bequeathed to you as part of your mother’s will and devolved to your ownership when you came of age on your twenty-first birthday. Malton Hill has always been yours, Lady Isla, regardless of who you marry.”

The knowledge took several seconds to sink in.

Isla merely stared up at Colonel Archer, her jaw sagging open.

And then a torrent of emotion rushed in—relief, surprise, blinding happiness—turning the world blurry.

“It’s mine?” she whispered. “Malton Hill is truly mine?”

“As far as I understand matters, yes.” Colonel Archer shrugged.

She turned to Tavish, a tear tumbling down her cheek. “Malton Hill might be mine, Tavish!”

“’Twould appear so, lass.” He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.

“Do you suppose?”

“ Och , aye! Look at Grayburn there.”

Isla wiped her tears from her eyes and turned to her brother. His red-faced fury was all the confirmation she needed.

“Gray, you cannot appropriate a property that legally is mine!” Isla shook her head.

“Agreed.” Matt turned to Gray. “Not only does it go against our mother’s wishes, but it is, in a word, illegal. Even for a duke.”

The silence in the wake of Matt’s words was damning.

Gray said nothing.

Instead, he shot them all a look of pure vitriol, turned, and walked out of the room.

Isla stared at the space he had just occupied.

Her gaze drifted back to Matt. A dent had appeared on his brow, and the book in his hand trembled.

However, he met her eyes with a quiet sort of resolution.

“I’ll speak with Gray and likely involve my solicitor,” Matt said. “Thank you, Colonel Archer, for bringing this to our attention. Who knows what else Gray has hidden from us in our parents’ wills? It will be good to have it all out in the open.” He walked toward the door.

Love for her brother swelled Isla’s chest. “Thank you, Matt.”

“Aye, thank ye,” Tavish added .

“Think nothing of it.” He paused, studying them both. “I assume you plan to remarry?”

Isla laughed, looking up at Tavish. He grinned down at her.

“I fear your sister has experienced a rather abrupt change of fortune,” Tavish began.

“And we haven’t had a chance to discuss it,” Isla added.

“But . . .” Tavish’s smile grew.

“I see.” Matt swallowed, his shoulders straightening.

“Isla, as Gray has bowed out, I should very much like to defend your marital interests. I insist upon a marriage contract being drawn up.” He laid the words down like a gauntlet, as if he expected Tavish to object.

This new assertive version of Matt caught Isla by surprise.

“Of course.” Tavish’s head snapped upright.

Isla held up a hand. “Matt, there is no need for—”

“Nae, he has the right of things, love. Ye are a woman of property, and your interests should be protected.” Tavish kissed her forehead before glancing up at Matt. “I appreciate ye seeing to your sister’s legal rights, my lord.”

Matt inclined his head. “Just Matthias will do. We are to be brothers, it seems. I’ll have my solicitor contact you, Balfour, regarding Malton Hill and the contracts.”

“I look forward to it.”

Matt smiled at Isla, love in his warm brown eyes. “I am glad to see you happy, Isla. You deserve every joy. Let me know when the marriage will occur. I should like to attend.”

Isla rushed forward and wrapped her brother in a hug, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you, Matt.”

He gathered her close with his arm. “My pleasure.”

Isla pulled back with a smile.

“You are a good sort, Lord Matthias.” Colonel Archer crossed to the door. “I will see myself out.”

Matt nodded and followed. But he paused in the doorway, glancing into the entry hall. “I’m going to close this door and give you a few minutes of privacy before Gray boots you both out. I’ll ensure your trunks are sent over to Castle Balfour, Isla.”

He left . . . closing the door behind him .

Not one to waste time, Isla raced back to Tavish and pulled him in for a hungry kiss.

“I missed ye, lass,” he murmured against her lips.

“I missed you, too.”

Happiness ballooned under Isla’s breastbone, stretching outward and swelling her heart nigh to bursting.

“I can’t believe Malton Hill might be mine. It’s almost too much joy to accept.”

“Personally, I believe Grayburn’s hostile reaction is all the proof ye need, my love. Were Fletch’s tale not true, your brother would have simply denied it. And I have a feeling Matthias will ferret out all of Grayburn’s secrets regarding your parents’ wills and what ye are owed.”

Isla couldn’t stop the tears then.

“I get to keep you and Malton Hill . . . the first and second dearest desires of my heart.”

She kissed him again, slow and lingering.

“There is the wee matter of our marriage,” he whispered against her lips.

“Gray did burn our marriage lines.”

“Pity that. I very much liked those marriage lines.”

“Me, too.”

“What say ye, my love? Shall we do this again?”

Isla smiled through her tears. “If you’re asking me to marry you once more, I insist you do it proper-like, Tavish Balfour. No shirking, no matter how many times we must perform this play.”

Grinning, Tavish dropped to a knee, her hands tucked into his. He gazed up at her, adoration glowing in his gray eyes.

“Lady Isla Kinsey—formerly Mrs. Isla Balfour—I have loved your beautiful self for nigh upon a decade. I delighted in calling ye my wife for seven of those years, and I should love nothing more than to call ye my wife between now and the end of time. I love ye and would be deeply honored if ye would agree to marry me once—”

Someone pounded on the drawing room door.

Isla and Tavish exchanged a wry look.

“Blast!” He stood up and pressed a quick kiss to her mouth. “I suppose I shall simply have to show you the depth of my affection later. ”

“I look forward to it.”

Two footmen barreled into the room, followed by Gray.

“I do believe it is time for Mr. Balfour to leave these premises.” Gray’s voice crackled with authority.

“Never fear, we are leaving.”

Tavish took a step toward the door, but Isla grabbed his arm, staying him. “One moment.”

He turned back to her.

Isla looked into his adoring eyes and smiled.

And then, in front of her disapproving brother and a host of family servants, she kissed Tavish Balfour.

Openly. Thoroughly. Scandalously.

Pulling back, she took in his bemused expression.

“Yes,” she breathed. “Yes, I will marry you.”

It took Tavish a second, and then the most glorious smile spread across his face. He offered Isla his arm, which she happily took.

And with barely a nod at Gray, Isla grinned as Tavish led her out the front door of Dunmore and into the bright sunshine of their future.