Page 68 of Never Kiss a Scot
“Truly?” she asked, the word quivering with hope.
“Aye. I suppose I loved you the first moment I kissed you. But I was too afraid to say it until now.” He knew now that he was not his father, that he had no monster within him. He was like his mother after all, but unlike her, he was not going to die from a broken heart. He trusted Joanna to love him as fiercely as he loved her. There was no room for any more doubt. There was only endless love, just as his mother had said.
When you loved someone, truly loved them, there was no room for anything else in your heart, even for your enemies. And Joanna’s smile was like a burning flame in the darkness, calling him, guiding him home.
Epilogue
Two months later
“They’re here!” Brock bellowed from upstairs.
The castle rebuilding was almost finished. It was no longer a crumbling ruin, even the way it had been before the fire. His tenants had worked hard, and Joanna had hired many more local men to help. The promise of decent wages along with noon and evening meals had drawn men from miles.
Now the castle was a source of pride, not something which drowned him in guilt and shame. Each night he and Joanna had stayed up late in the new library, which was quickly filling with books, reading to each other, sharing food and smiles before they retired to his…theirbedchamber to make love.
Joanna rushed downstairs, wearing a dark-blue gown accented with a tartan sash bearing his family’s pattern of red and green. “They’re here already?” She had taken to wearing his family’s colors whenever she had the chance. He smiled as she flew into his arms. He caught her, and she kissed him hard, laughing as he swung her around.
“I admit, seeing you in Kincade colors…” He smiled and stole a kiss. “Did I ever tell you the central seat to the Kincade lands is connected to the Scottish Lennox clan?”
“My family, you mean?”
“Aye. For many centuries, our families have come together. Kincade and Lennox. I guess we are continuing a grand tradition.” He lowered his head to hers, claiming her lips in a way that left him forgetful of what they were supposed to be preparing for.
“Ahem.” The sound of someone clearing his throat broke them apart. He found Ashton and Rosalind standing in the entryway, watching them.
“Sister!” Brock waved Rosalind to him, and she ran to embrace him and Joanna.
“Did you travel well?” Joanna asked.
“We did,” said Rosalind. “Your mother and Rafe should be in shortly. Aiden returned with us as well. Brodie has decided to stay in England a few more weeks.”
Ashton nodded to the large family traveling coach outside. Rafe and Aiden were talking quietly, and Rafe said something that made Aiden laugh.
Brock clapped Ashton on the shoulder. “Brodie stayed behind, you say?” Brock asked, a little concerned. Brodie had a habit of attracting trouble when left to himself, particularly the feminine kind. “Did he happen to say why?”
Ashton shook his head. “Only that he wished to see what England had to offer.”
Brock groaned. Things never ended well when he said that. “He isn’t seeing anyone in Bath by chance, is he? Or is anyone showing interest in him?”
Ashton shrugged. “Well, there was talk of a young lady who’d set her cap for him, Miss Portia Hunt…”
“Portia?” Joanna nearly shrieked. “Oh no, Brock, you must send for him at once. Portia is the most dreadful, insipid, and cruel little creature I’ve ever met. I do not want her to be a part of this family. Her sister Lydia is quite wonderful, but ever so shy, but Portia…” Joanna groaned. “Lord save us if he becomes entangled with her. If we could perhaps allow him to meet Lydia though…”
Ashton and Brock stared at her, and then Ashton burst out laughing. “You’ve been married only two months, and you’re already matchmaking your brother-in-law? God help the man.” He and Brock shared a grin before Brock reassured his wife.
“Dinna worry, lass. I’ll see that Brodie comes home…withouta wife unless its one you approve of.”
Joanna breathed a sigh of relief, and Brock fought off a smile. He turned back to Ashton. “We’re glad you came, brother.”
Ashton’s pale blond brows rose. “Brother?”
“Aye, you’re family now, whether you wanted it or not.”
With a chuckle, Ashton studied the castle. “Well, we do have a bit of Scot in us, so I’ll accept it. You’ve done well repairing the castle. It’s not…”
“A crumbling ruin, unfit for Joanna?”
Ashton’s face reddened. “Er…yes. It’s quite suitable now.”
