Page 39 of The Highlander’s Illicit Bride (Wicked Highland Lairds #1)
T hree Days Later…
The great hall was filled with music and laughter.
The buzz of conversation was loud but everywhere Isolde looked, all she could see were smiling faces.
Most clan members had gathered to celebrate Finlay’s liberation.
She had still not met him because he had been asleep almost the whole time in the healer’s chambers.
According to Struan, he was looking much better now and the color had returned to his cheeks.
What will he think of me after what me faither did tae his family and himself?
Skirts swirled and people twirled, dancing to the lively tune the musicians were playing. The atmosphere in the hall was festive, joyous, and standing alone in a corner on the far side of the hall with a cup of wine in hand, Isolde couldn’t help but smile as she took it all in.
“So, ye’re me new sister-in-law, then?”
Isolde turned to see Finlay standing before her.
A couple of inches shorter than Struan, Finlay was lean and trim with rich black hair and dazzling green eyes.
His smile though, sparkled and shone just like his big brother’s.
He was slightly gaunt and pale after his ordeal and though fading, she could still see the bruises that marred his skin.
But none of what he’d gone through had been sufficient to dim that bright light inside of him.
“I am,” she said, her face growing warm as she made a small curtsy. “I am so happy tae see ye. Struan’s told me so much about ye.”
To her surprise, Finlay looked at her, then scoffed and pulled her into a fierce hug. Isolde laughed but returned his embrace and together they laughed. After a couple of moments, he stepped back and took her hands in his, staring intently into her eyes.
“I’m told ‘twas yer help that allowed me braither tae come fetch me,” he said.
Isolde’s cheeks flushed. “I wouldnae say that?—”
“Me braither certainly daes,” Finlay said earnestly. “He says without ye, there wouldnae have been a rescue at all.”
“Oh, I’m nae sure that’s true.”
“I’m sure ye ken me braither’s nae one tae exaggerate,” Finlay said. “If he says ‘tis true, I tend tae believe him. Without ye, I wouldnae be standin’ here right now.”
Isolde lowered her gaze to the floor and felt her cheeks grow uncomfortably warm.
She certainly didn’t feel integral to Finlay’s rescue.
All she had done was tell Struan how to get into the castle undetected.
And then after that, she had gotten herself captured by her father, forcing Struan to rescue her.
It made her heart swell to hear he thought she was helpful.
“Why are ye botherin’ me wife!”
A lopsided grin crossed Finlay’s face at Struan’s booming voice. “Someone had tae keep her company while ye were off politickin’ with the clan elders,” he said. “Why ye’d rather spend yer time with them than this bonny lass is beyond me, braither.”
Isolde’s face burned so hot she feared it was going to burst into flames. A giggle burst from her lips, and she turned away. Struan pulled Finlay into a tight embrace, pounding him on the back.
“I’m glad ye’re home, Braither,” Struan said, his voice thick with emotion.
“I’m glad tae be home.”
They stared into each other’s eyes for a long moment and Isolde could see the affection between them as plain as the nose on her face.
“There ye are!” Mairi squealed as she looped her arm through Finlay’s.
For a moment, the three siblings stood in silence, just staring at one another. It was as if they were all realizing, at the same time, how close they had come to losing one another and were taking a moment to appreciate each other.
Then Mairi grabbed hold of Isolde’s arm and pulled her into their circle too. A warm bubble of affection seemed to descend and envelop them all and Isolde smiled, genuinely feeling like part of their family.
“Can ye believe it?” Mairi asked. “’Tis all finally over.”
“We can finally live in peace,” Finlay said.
Struan slipped his arm around Isolde’s waist and turned to her, a gentle smile on his lips. “We can finally be happy.”
She leaned into him and absorbed the warmth and strength of his body.
Mairi favored her with a warm smile and reached out, giving her hand a quick squeeze before turning to Finlay, dragging him away, leaving Isolde and Struan alone.
Isolde turned her face up to him and smiled. “’Tis a lovely party,” she said.
“I could dae without a party,” he said. “But since the Council thought it was important fer everybody tae celebrate…”
“Aye. I agree with them.”
Struan groaned. “’Tis goin’ tae make life very difficult if ye start agreein’ with the bleedin’ Council about everything.”
She giggled and playfully slapped his arm. He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, placing a soft kiss on her knuckles, his eyes peering deeply into hers.
“Everythin’ has been so busy the last few days since we returned. I havenae… I mean, I just want tae…”
His voice trailed off and he lowered his gaze, uncertainty flashing across his face. Struan was always so sure of himself that seeing something akin to doubt in his eyes was strange. It made her even more curious about what was going on inside that head of his.
Isolde laid her hand on his cheek, and he leaned into her, finally raising his eyes to her.
“What is it, me love?” she asked.
“Ye are sure ye are alright with everything that happened?” he finally asked.
“Me? I’m fine.”
“I ken ‘tis a lot tae take on. I can only imagine it has left ye feelin’ conflicted and?—”
She cut him off with a shake of her head.
“I was feeling strange at first. He was me faither after all,” she said softly.
“But when I think about all the evil he did—and would have kept daein’ if ye hadnae stopped him—that feeling goes away.
I’m glad ye did it. I’m glad ye rid yer clan of that man once and for all. That we’re all safe now.”
Struan brightened at her words and leaned down, giving her a gentle kiss. She stared into his eyes, her heart swelling with the emotions he stirred in her.
“Ye ken me biggest takeaway from all that then?” she asked.
“What’s that?”
“The fact that ye came fer me. That ye’ve always came fer me,” she said earnestly. “Ye saved me life?—”
“I think I helped,” he cut her off. “But ye used what I taught ye tae get away from him. Ye fought well and got his blade away from him. ‘Twas impressive tae watch ye fight. Ye learned a lot and ye fought well.”
Isolde’s cheeks grew red under his praised. “Well, I suppose I had a good teacher.”
A cocky grin stretched Struan’s lips. “Aye. That ye did.”
She laughed and leaned into him. As he enveloped her with his massive, strong arms, Isolde curled into him tighter, feeling warm. Feeling safe. Feeling… loved.
“Thank ye fer comin’ fer me,” she murmured.
“I will always come fer ye,” he replied. “Naethin’ will stop me from bein’ with ye.”
Isolde’s eyes welled with tears, but this time of joy. She turned her face up to him and smiled, then pulled him down to her, kissing him sweetly. She took him by the hand and dragged him away.
“And where are we goin’?” he asked.
“Tae dance, of course!”
“Oh, are we?”
“Aye. We are,” she stated. “Ye said this feast was fer me tae enjoy, eh?”
Struan pulled her to him and wrapped her in a warm embrace. He stared into her eyes, his smile as well as his eyes filled with the purest joy and love she had ever seen. It was so deep and intense that it nearly stole her breath.
“Aye. This feast is fer ye tae enjoy. Just as every day fer the rest of our lives is,” he said. “Because of ye, we’ve ended a feud. Because of ye, we’ll ken peace. And because of ye, we’ll get tae start a new life… one we can and will make our own.”
“I love ye, Struan Cameron,” her words were thick with emotion.
“And I love ye, Isolde Cameron. With all of me.”
She gave him a tender kiss as a mischievous smirk crossed her face. “Now, let’s dance.”
Struan’s laughter boomed through the great hall as he let her lead him out to the dance floor. Her heart was full and for the first time in her life, she felt content. Happy. And deeply loved.
But there’s more…
Two months after the battle, Isolde carries a new secret... and this one kicks. If you want to see the way Struan reacts when he hears he's going to be a father…
Don’t miss the next passionate chapter in this sweeping Highland saga.