Page 58 of Claimed By the Heartless Highlander
Ailis laughed through tears of joy. “Absolutely, ye can, Lily-love.”
Hand in hand, the three of them went to lead the assembled guests into the wedding feast.
* * *
Duncan watched his daughter and his new wife chattering together amid the laughter of their gathered friends and family. It was hard to believe how much his life had changed in the past month.
Ailis had brought sunlight and friendship and joy back into his life, along with the childish sense of wonder that accompanied Lily in the wake of her new freedom.
Since Scott Ferguson’s death, Duncan and Ailis had taken the child beyond the castle several times, on trips to the seashore and the surrounding Highlands.
They’d also accompanied Ailis back to Castle MacDean when she went to visit her friend—not as a retreat, but to plan the wedding.
He was no longer isolated, and now he was even thinking of rebuilding the old castle. Ailis had shown him the truth—in his need to hide, he’d forgotten to live.
‘Tis God’s blessin’ that she sent me those letters, never kennin’ I’d read them. But I’m glad I did.
A shout of surprise drew his attention to a nearby table, where Lily was eating with her new friends, including Ailis’s two younger sisters. All of the children were looking at the floor. An instant later, he saw why.
A small, furry body wriggled out from under the table and darted off, a scrap of meat clutched firmly between his tiny fangs.
Lily looked up with an amusingly indignant expression. “Maither, Faither, the puppy stole our food!”
Ailis laughed as she joined the children and ruffled Lily’s hair. “Aye, it did. Ye’ll have to be more careful now that they’re more active and eatin’ solid food. But that didnae look like Moonspot.”
“It wasnae Moonspot. I think it was Muddy. Or Jack-Hopper. I couldnae see his paws afore he ran off.”
“Muddy?” Kat blinked and wrinkled her nose.
“It’s his name, ‘cause he’s all brown and likes to roll in the dirt. And Jack-Hopper likes to jump around, and his paws are the color of Uncle Jack’s hair. Moonspot’s better behaved, but Faither made me leave her in me room.” Lily sighed. “I wanted to bring her with me to the weddin’, but…”
“But she’d sit still even less than ye would, me wee lass.” Ailis hugged the youngster. “I hope ye’re havin’ fun today, though.”
“I am. I’ve got friends and new aunts and everythin’! Today’s almost perfect,” Lily announced.
Curious, Duncan stepped closer to them as Ailis asked the question that was on his mind.
“Almost? And what would make the day better for ye, little lass?”
Lily smiled brightly. “I’ve been wantin’ a braither or sister. Grace and Freya said they’d be me sisters, but they’re older than me, and sometimes they have to be me aunts, so it isnae the same as an always braither or sister. But now I have a maither and a faither both, that means I can have one, right?”
“Well, maybe nae immediately, but I’ll certainly discuss the matter with yer faither.” Ailis was flushed crimson with embarrassment, but it looked like it was taking everything she had not to burst out laughing.
She was far from the only one.
Duncan grinned, then swooped in to wrap an arm around Ailis’s waist and lift her into his arms.
Ailis made an indignant sound. “What are ye doin’, Duncan?”
“Our daughter has made a very important request, wife. I think ‘tis imperative we discuss it in private. At once.” He smirked at her as he carried her out of the Grand Hall and into a small corridor.
“Ye…” Ailis’s halfhearted protest dissolved into laughter. “And what do ye think of our daughter’s request?”
Duncan set her down, her back against the wall as he caged her smaller body with his own. He lowered his voice to a seductive purr that he knew could make her melt. “I think ‘tis an excellent idea. We should get started on fulfillin’ her wish at once. And while we’re at it, we can continue fulfillin’ more of yer fantasies… and mine…”
Ailis blushed but slapped his chest in a scolding manner. “We’ve guests, Duncan! And wee ones as well.”
“Even so…” He bent to kiss her firmly on the lips, before pressing his lips to the curve of her jaw. “There’s nay…” Kiss. “Harm in…” Kiss. “Gettin’ plenty of practice.”
Ailis put a hand on the side of his face and planted a firm kiss on his lips. “Nae right now, me love. But later tonight… we can certainly practice as much as we both like.” She smiled at him.
Duncan huffed, but then he relaxed. “Och, ye’re a terrible tease and a minx, but I can accept those terms.” He sighed. “I love ye.”
“And I love ye as well. Now, let’s go and celebrate our weddin’. We can enjoy our marriage later.”
Duncan smiled softly and followed his wife, already looking forward to their wedding night.
He wondered what fantasy they’d be fulfilling that night.
The End?
