“Of course, Mum.” Clara hugged Drake first, then Kinsey, enveloping her in a sweet, lavender scent, before rushing to see to everyone.
Between Kinsey, William and Drake, the full story came out. Though Kinsey tried to minimize the battle she’d engaged in with Drake, his honesty compelled him to share the extent of what he’d done. He had to pause several times with shame and grief burning in his eyes, especially when their mother began to weep.
It was not the only time their mum cried. When they were finished with the tale, she stared in horror at Drake. “Ye sacrificed yer chance to be a knight to save yer sister.” She wiped at the tears in her eyes. “If ever there was a man more chivalrous and deserving of a knighthood…” She shook her head at the shame of the loss. “What of Lord Werrick, will he take ye back as Captain of the Guard?”
“I imagine he would,” Drake said. “But I wouldna ask it of him.” He squared his jaw. “I couldna sully his home or good name with my disgrace.”
“But ye did it to save Kinsey.” Clara wiped at her own red-rimmed eyes.
“’Tis why I know he would take me back.” Drake’s look was set into one of determination, the kind that could never be dissuaded. “And why I’ll no’ ever ask.”
Kinsey’s heart crumbled anew in a chest that already burned with each breath. “I cost ye too much.”
William gently touched her arm. “’Tis why I’ve offered the role of Captain of the Guard to him at Dunscaith Castle.” He winked at Drake. “I’m only waiting for his reply.”
Drake’s eyes widened, a tell he immediately corrected. But not before Kinsey caught it, the confirmation that this had clearly not been brought up between them before now.
“My da has seen to the knighting of several men,” William continued. “And I know he’s verra impressed with ye.”
“Oh, Drake.” Mum put her hands to her ruddy cheeks, her eyes welling yet again. “Ye can still be a knight. But for Scotland.”
“We’d be honored to have ye at Dunscaith,” William pressed. “Say aye.”
Drake’s mouth lifted slightly at the corners, the only amount of pride Kinsey had ever seen him allow himself. “Aye, I’ll accept. Thank ye.”
“To Drake Fletcher.” Monroe, who had been quietly listening in the corner, raised his ale in Drake’s direction. “May yer path to knighthood be swift, and yer honor remain true.”
They all drank in celebration, the ale sweet and tasting of home in a way that soothed Kinsey’s soul.
“Might I ask where ye intend to have the wedding?” Monroe asked.
Kinsey flushed and slid a glance at William. In truth, she hadn’t thought of it. She knew only that she had agreed to marry him and would reside with him at Dunscaith while the steward provided him with information on the lairdship and the land, so he would be fully prepared once the honor passed to him someday.
“Dunscaith, I presume,” William spoke slowly, studying Kinsey for her reaction. “Or mayhap here?”
“We hadna discussed the details,” Kinsey admitted with a laugh.
Monroe smiled kindly. “If I may be so bold, I’d like to suggest Dunrobin Castle. I offer this knowing my chieftain will support the decision. As ye know, Lady Sutherland is with child. I dinna think she could make the journey to either location for many months.”
“How very thoughtful of ye.” Clara clutched her hands over her chest. “It wouldn’t be the same without Faye.”
“It would not,” Kinsey agreed. “I think Dunrobin sounds perfect.”
William took her hand. “Wherever ye are is where I want to be.”
Mum gave a wistful sigh, and Kinsey beamed at the man she would soon wed, her heart full. And on their way to Dunrobin, they would stop by Balnagown Castle, for Kinsey to have the second meeting she’d been dreading—the one with her grandda, the Chieftain of the Ross clan.
Epilogue
January 1342
Dunrobin Castle
Sutherland, Scotland
Kinsey’s family hadn’t been together all at once since they’d tried to save Faye from their grandfather. They were all together now, in celebration of Kinsey’s union to William. It wasn’t grand, which pleased Kinsey, who had always been more pragmatic than ostentatious. And it wasn’t large, being only their families. Which made it entirely perfect.
Kinsey wore a blue silk kirtle with gold thread twinkling through it like stars in an early dawn sky. Though Faye had tried to fuss with her hair to put it up in some billowy bit of veil and twists of netting, Kinsey had insisted on wearing her curls loose.
The way William’s eyes lit up when she walked down the aisle told her she’d made the right decision. Once, she’d thought the enraptured way that he’d looked at her was just part of his ploy to lure in women, as much a facade as his charming smile. Now, she knew better.
The Great Hall had been adorned with the finest linen and heaps of food. William and Kinsey were given seats of honor at the front of the dais for all to see and congratulate.
“Thank ye for letting us wed at Dunrobin,” Kinsey said to her new husband. “It wouldn’t be the same without my family together.”
“I meant what I said.” He gazed so tenderly at her that she felt a smile stretch over her lips. “I want to be where ye are. That’s where I’m happiest.” He tilted his head. “Though I’m sure the MacLeod clan will require another celebration when we return home.”
Home.
It had a lovely ring to it. They had stayed at Dunscaith Castle only a few days before making the journey to Dunrobin, a feat not easily done in the middle of winter. One that was wholly worth it.
“I look forward to it,” Kinsey said.
William clinked his cup to hers. “As do I, my love.”
My love.
How she melted when he used that endearment.
Laird MacLeod approached them after they
