'My brother told me what you did. My father will want to thank you for coming to his home to protect me. I thank you too, Quinlan, with all my heart.'
Her Gaelic was music to his ears, and unlike her sister's, her command of his language was remarkable.
He didn't speak to her, but he bowed his head in acknowledgment. Lord above, when she smiled, she had dimples.
'Apparently, my mother has taken quite a fancy to you. I hear that she wonders if you will ever come back.'
Connor heard what she said and looked up at his friend. 'She makes it almost too easy for you, doesn't she?'
Quinlan laughed. 'Aye, she does.'
Neither Brenna nor Faith understood what Connor had meant by his question. What would be easy?
Faith was just about to leave when Quinlan spoke to her. 'Tell your mother I will be coming back. She has something I want.'
She wanted to ask him to explain, but felt it would be impolite of her to question him any further. 'Then perhaps I will see you again. I don't plan to marry for at least two years, no matter how much my father disagrees. I'm old enough, of course, but I've realized I'm hopelessly spoiled, and since I don't have any intention of changing, I will have to find a baron who will promise to pamper me, and that's going to take time. If I have already wed before you arrive, then please remember how thankful I am to you. Good-bye, Quinlan. I hope God watches over you.'
She made a perfect curtsy to show her respect, kissed Brenna and her husband farewell, much to Connor's astonishment, then turned and went running back to her scowling brother.
'I'm going to miss Faith most of all,' Brenna admitted.
'You'll probably see her again,' he said.
'I doubt that,' she replied. 'I'm sorry Quinlan will be leaving us. Will Crispin be given command each time you're called away?'
'No, he'll go to Hugh's holding. They have asked me to assign someone to become their leader. They need Crispin, and he will be pleased as well.'
He lifted his wife onto the black, swung up behind her, and then leaned down close to her ear and told her again how much he loved her.
'We're starting over again, aren't we?'
'If it makes you happy to think we are, then I won't argue with you. It will be easier, however, because I will remember always to be thoughtful.'
'You already are thoughtful, and is it any wonder at all why I love you? I was wondering…'
'Yes?'
'I would like to ride bareback again, and if you rode with me, could I ride one of the other horses?'
'If you agree to stay inside the fortress when you ride bareback, I will grant this request. Do you see how I can be accommodating, wife?'
'Yes, I do,' she agreed. 'And since you're in such a wonderful mood…'
'Yes?'
'About the chapel…'
Epilogue
Sunset was a magical time. The children would be outside, running barefoot up and down the paths and shrieking with laughter while their mother kept a watchful eye on their youngest, a fiery-headed bairn with a wobble in her gait and a devilish gleam in her blue eyes, who found great sport in plucking the flowers out of the ground as soon as her mama planted them.
He would go up to his bedroom to remove his sword before joining them in their games, but he always lingered in front of the window to look out beyond the walls.
The first sprig of heather blossomed almost as soon as the ruins were torn down, and now the field was alive with rich, glorious hues, a fitting tribute, his wife believed, to the man who had gone before.
The scent of honey mingled with the sound of laughter, and, oh, what a joy it was to be home.
