"Chaperon?" Thomas asked with a snort. "Why do we need a chaperon? We have a bloody audience!"
"Plan the wedding," Duncan instructed, folding his arms over his chest. "Soon."
Thomas looked at Iolanthe. "My parents could be here in a couple of days. Is that too soon?"
She smiled weakly. "Is it too soon for them?"
"I very much doubt it. My mom has called a couple of times to find out how you were."
"And if I'd come to my senses?"
He laughed a little. "Yes, well, that, too. I think she was more worried I'd make an ass of myself and you'd never want to marry me."
"She knew you wouldn't."
"I wouldn't test that." He touched the ring on her finger. "That's her wedding band. She sent it with me up here, just in case. If you said yes, she wanted you to wear it until I can get you something you'll like better."
"That was kind."
"She's a MacLeod," Thomas said with a smile. "And—"
"And his sire's a McKinnon," said Hugh McKinnon, appearing out of thin air and pulling up a chair, "which makes Thomas here of fine enough stock, my girl."
"But 'tis the MacLeod blood that serves him so well," Ambrose said, appearing next to Hugh and pulling up an even finer chair and a hefty tankard of ale.
Fulbert de Piaget reappeared, dragged up his own chair, and sat down with a grumble. "And I'm not related to either of ye, but ye stayed at me nevvy's hall at Artane—several times removed, ye understand—and ye'll need me good sense plannin' the nuptials, so I'm in as well."
Thomas put his arm around her, and drew her close.
"We're doomed," he whispered.
"I heard that," Fulbert said sharply. He looked at Ambrose. "Ingratitude, that's what that was. The curse of the young ones."
"Mayhap he's of no mind to have yer suggestions," Hugh said hotly.
"I've quite a head for plannin' a weddin'!" Fulbert exclaimed.
Iolanthe leaned her head on Thomas's shoulder and closed her eyes with a smile. She suspected that Thomas might have things aright. They were doomed indeed—
To have their hall filled with grumbles, and sword fights, and arguments over which clan was superior, and the saints only knew what else. She and Thomas would add their own tales and laughter. Perhaps between the two of them, their children, and their men, they would create something quite magical.
Assuming they didn't drive each other daft, of course.
She passed the remainder of the afternoon sitting next to Thomas, holding his hand and leaning her head on his shoulder. And she wondered, as she sat, if she'd either wished for the like desperately or she'd dreamed of it, for it felt very familiar. Indeed, she felt so comfortable and at home that she closed her eyes and let her thoughts begin to wander.
She realized she'd fallen asleep only when she felt Thomas stir next to her. She lifted her head off his shoulder and looked around her.
No ghosts.
"We're alone?" she asked sleepily.
"I'm sure it won't last," he said. "Jamie invited us for dinner. Let's drive there while we have the chance to do it by ourselves."
" 'Tis likely safer than walking," she agreed with a yawn. "Wouldn't want to trudge into medieval England by mistake."
"Heaven forbid."
She let him bundle her up, put her in his car, then drive her the small distance to Jamie's keep. He walked with her to the door. She stood on the top step and looked at him standing on the step below her.
"Did I dream today?" she asked with half a smile.
"I certainly hope not. You agreed to marry me, remember?"
She put her arms around his neck and held on tightly. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you for my life."
"No, the thanks are mine." He hugged her and was silent for several moments. "I love you, Iolanthe."
She pulled back and looked at him. There was but faint light from the stars above, but she hoped he could see that there was no lie in her eyes.
"I love you, Thomas McKinnon. I loved you before. I just couldn't say it to you."
He was silent for a moment, but he was smiling. "Thank you," he said finally. "I wondered."
"You won't have to wonder in the future."
"Neither will you." He kissed her softly. "Let's go inside before we freeze. And then call me when you get up tomorrow if you want company. My company," he clarified. "We could go for a walk."
"Aye."
"With a map."
"It would probably be safer that way," she agreed.
"A map and a score of chaperons," he groused.
"What more could you want?" she asked with a smile.
"What indeed?" He smiled, kissed her, and ushered her inside the house.
She held him back at the door. "Thomas?" she said.
He stopped and looked down at her. "What?"
"Thank you. For the tomorrows."
He smiled, that same smile that had taken her aback the first time she'd truly seen him in the guard tower when she'd first put her hand in his.
As if he'd found what his heart had sought his whole life.
It was a smile to take into her heart and treasure.
"Let's go," he said gently. "Your family is waiting."
"My family is here," she said, squeezing his hand.
And the smile that earned her was enough to bring tears to her eyes. So she didn't protest when he kissed her, then led her through the great hall to the kitchen.
Epilogue
A month later, Thomas stood on the deck of his house and stared out over the beach in front of him. It wasn't really the kind of day that was made for standing outside. It was January, cold as hell, and blustery to boot. But he loved the sea, so there he stood.
And as he stood there, he thought back over the past month and all the things that had changed in his life.
That had changed his life.
First and foremost, of course, was finding himself married to Iolanthe MacLeod. He'd expected to have it be the best thing he'd
