Page 95 of Sins of a Scot

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.