Was there a part that bored you or that you didn't really like in the book? *

Even a character, a scene, or anything. You could say no if nothing bothered you.

What moment from the book you enjoyed the most? *

Something you liked, a specific scene, a character's quality, some detail that caught your eye.

Do you get frustrated by the brogue in Scottish romances? *

• I love it! I think it's giving the book this Scottish vibe that I like so much.
• I like it as long as it is just a few words, e.g. nae (no); aye (yes); dinnae (don't); cannae (can't); me (my). When we cut words like "arranging'"; "'tis", etc. it's way too much for my taste.
• I don't like it at all. I can tolerate a couple of words, but not more.

What do you think about sensitive subjects that are mentioned but not "seen" (off-page suicide, rape, etc.)? *

• It is not a problem for me as long as it's off-page and not described in details. Usually they're good plot devices.
• I cannot tolerate it even if I'm not actually reading about it, but having it mentioned.

Is there something else you'd like to share? *

Something you noticed, frustrated you, left you confused, etc.

Submit

Castle Murdoch, three weeks later

Much to the bride’s delight, the day of Lillie and Diarmaid’s nuptials dawned clear and bright over Castle Murdoch. When Lillie looked out of her chamber window on waking and saw the waters of the loch glittering in the morning sunlight, it felt like a very good omen.

As tradition dictated, she and Diarmaid had spent the night before the wedding in separate chambers, it being considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony.

“I’ll miss ye next tae me in bed,” he had grumbled good-naturedly when she had reminded him of it, “so I suppose I’ll just have tae make up fer it on our wedding night,” he had added with a glint in his eyes that had made Lillie shiver even as she giggled.

At an early hour, Lillie’s chambers were bustling with female activity as she prepared to look her best when she walked up the aisle with Diarmaid. To add to her pleasure on the special day, she was surrounded by all her best friends, old and new.

Her sisters-in-law Ciara and Lara, had arrived at Castle Kincaid several days before, along with their husbands, Lillie’s beloved brothers, Aiden and Darragh. Reuniting with her family after so long had been a joyous and emotional affair.

Her best friend Hannah and her mother Maria, the healers at Castle MacDonald, had traveled along with her family in a carriage provided by Aiden.

“Och, so there ye finally are,” Hannah had teased Lillie when they had embraced at long last, though she had tears in her eyes. “Me and Ma have been wondering where ye’d got tae.” Lillie cried a little too at seeing her best friend after so long, remembering how they had parted on the day when Lillie had been kidnapped by Caelin McIrving.

When she told them the story as she showed them to their guest room in the castle, Hannah gave her a sound scolding for her foolishness going to the market alone that day.

“Why, anything could have happened tae ye,” she said, full of frowns.

“Aye, well, it sort of did,” Lillie had to agree, wiping her friend’s frown away and turning it into a smile.

And as for Maddison, while she and Lillie had only met a short while before, their shared experience of captivity and love of Diarmaid had enabled them to form an instant bond. They had been spending a lot of time together, with Maddison finding that keeping busy with helping Lillie to prepare for the upcoming wedding was just the kind of cheerful distraction she needed in the aftermath of her captivity.

“Ye’re helping me tae get over me experience,” she had told Lillie several times. “Ye understand what ’tis like, fer ye’ve been through it yerself. I dinnae have tae explain me feelings tae ye, Lillie, and I couldnae ask fer anyone better tae understand me now I’m free. I’m so very grateful ye’re here, and that ye’ve been here all this time, helping Diarmaid.”

Lillie had been deeply moved by Maddison’s words and had hugged her tightly, holding back tears.

“I feel the same about ye, Maddison. I’ve never really had anyone tae talk tae about me own captivity. Aiden and Darragh were wonderful, but if ye havenae had the experience of being locked up day after day, in the dark, being fed scraps, and sleepin’ on straw, never kenning if each day might be yer last… well, however much folk may care fer ye, they cannae understand ye dinnae simply walk away from something like that unscathed.”

The women had since shared their darkest moments during captivity, and Lillie had been able to comfort Maddison when the nightmares and reminders of her terrible time in the dungeons at Lennox Castle tormented her.

Their bond had only been fortified by the arrival of Ciara and Lara at the castle for the wedding a few days before, something which Lillie had been very much looking forward to. She had missed them all so much!

After an emotional reunion, Lillie was overjoyed when they all got on right away. Lara and Ciara shared their stories and experiences with Maddison, which seemed to create a special bond, a link between the four of them that, to Lillie, felt unbreakable. The four women were united in their past sufferings at the hands of evil men.

Ciara, who had saved Lillie from her imprisonment by her own father, the evil Laird Keir MacNeil. She had been subjected to his cruelty since her mother’s death in childbirth, for which he blamed her. He had ultimately tried to murder he, and she had almost died getting away from him, only to be rescued by Aiden.

Lara, daughter of Laird Harris MacLean, had been locked up in Keir MacNeil’s secret dungeon just before he was killed by Aiden. She admitted she would have likely perished in her cell if Darragh had not been sent to take over the MacNeil castle and found her by accident.

“’Tis like I’ve kent ye all fer years,” Maddison had told the two women after only a few hours in their company.

“I always wanted a sister, and now feel I have three, and that I’m part of a sisterhood of wonderful lassies who all understand me, and help me, and will always have me back,” Maddison had told them all the evening before at dinner, with a sincerity that had made Lillie’s heart glow.

“Aye, I dae as well,” she had said, squeezing Maddison’s hand. “’Tis just like we’re sisters.”

“’Tis the same for me too,” Lara piped up, beaming.

“And me,” Ciara agreed. “Should we nae drink a wee toast tae ourselves?” she suggested, her pretty hazel eyes sparkling with good humor.

“That’s a grand idea,” Lara had put in, taking up a jug of wine from the table wine and topping up their goblets. “Now, ladies, raise yer glasses high,” she had urged them. “Maddison, ye dae the honors.”

“Tae the sisterhood!” Maddison declared, a broad smile lighting her still pallid face as she raised her goblet along with the others.

“Tae the sisterhood!” the others intoned, clinking their goblets together and downing their wine before bursting into laughter and giving themselves a cheer for good measure.

And so, on the day of her wedding to Diarmaid, having her best friend and honorary sisters with her in her chambers, helping her to look her very best for the ceremony, was very special indeed.

“’Tis nearly time, m’lady. They’re all waiting fer ye,” Penny said, pink-cheeked with excitement as she appeared in the doorway of Lillie’s chambers.

Lillie turned her head from where she was standing in front of a full-length looking glass, being fussed over by the sisterhood, which now included Hannah.

“But ye look bonny in yer new gown, Penny,” Lillie said, smiling at her faithful maid. “That emerald-green suits ye well.”

“Well, I thought I’d better take the opportunity tae look me best, fer a wedding’s a good place to find a man,” Penny observed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’m hoping tae have some luck tonight.”

That elicited general laughter.

“Aye, me and the laird made sure tae invite as many single lads as we could think of, so ye and Sheila and Lorna will have the pick of ‘em,” Lillie joked.

“Keep yer head still, will ye?” Hannah murmured through a mouth full of hairpins adorned with tiny diamonds. “I need tae make sure this headdress doesnae come loose.” She was carefully pinning a headdress wound with pink wild roses and white and purple heather to the top of Lillie’s head, fixing it firmly.

The rest of her hair had been brushed out to shining perfection beforehand and rippled down her back to her waist in a shining cascade. “There ye go. I think that should hold,” Hannah murmured at last, stepping back to survey her handiwork. She smiled at Lillie in satisfaction. “I reckon ye could dance a hundred jigs and nae come tae harm,” she assured her.

“Now, we just need to make sure the train willnae catch on anything when Lillie walks down the aisle,” Lara said.

“We’ve got it, Hannah,” Maddison chimed in as she, Hannah, and Ciara took up their positions side by side behind the bride and carefully took hold of the edge of the richly embroidered, cream-colored lace train as Lara gently unfurled it.

“Right, wait fer me,” Lara said when she had finished, coming to take her place next to them. Together, they held the train clear of the floor.

Each of the girls was wearing a lovely, embroidered overdress of sky-blue satin over an underskirt of a slightly darker hue, with a square-necked bustier trimmed with lace, and long, trailing sleeves cut on the diagonal. The style echoed the cut of Lillie’s own dress, which was a very dark blue and more richly decorated with embroidery and seed pearls.

“The lasses all look very elegant,” Penny observed from the doorway, her tone admiring.

“Aye, they certainly dae,” Lillie agreed, smiling at the view in the looking glass as her bridesmaids held her train.

“But the bride, what a beauty, m’lady!” Penny added, shaking her head in mock disbelief.

“Ye’re right, Penny, she looks truly elegant, Lillie,” Ciara said as they all four smiled back at Lillie in the glass.

“Aye, such a bonny bride,” Lara agreed with a nod and a smile.

“Ye look absolutely stunnin’,” Hannah said with a small sob, her eyes shining with tears.

“Aye, I reckon me braither’s nae gonnae wait fer the ceremony tae be done when he sees ye lookin’ like that, Lillie. He’s just gonnae pick ye up and run off with ye,” Maddison jested, lightening the mood. However, Lillie could see she was juts holding back tears as well.

“Thank ye all, Sisters,” Lillie told them, a bundle of nervous anticipation and excitement herself. She brushed the folds of her skirt lightly with her fingertips and stared at her reflection in the mirror. She had never worn a gown like it.

“Och, I hardly ken meself!” she told them breathily, hardly able to reconcile the beautiful woman in the mirror with herself.

I just want tae look me best fer Diarmaid!

The lovely gown clung to every curve of her body in the most flattering way, and the lace train gave it a touch of elegance such as she felt she had never possessed before. Maddison had arranged for her favorite seamstress down in Harrowby to make it, as a wedding present for her new sister-to-be. Lillie thought the woman had done a fine job.

“Ach, yer face is glowing,” Maddison told her, dashing a small, happy tear from her eye.

“Aye, ye look radiant,” Lara chimed in. “Ye have the look of a bride who cannae wait to get tae the altar.”

“’Tis true, I have tae admit. I cannae wait tae be Diarmaid’s wife–again,” she told them with a girlish giggle. “I feel like I’m havin’ a wonderful dream.”

They laughed. “Dinnae worry, lass, ye’ll nae be wakin’ up any time soon,” Ciara assured her, eliciting laughter all round.

“I’m so excited I just pray I dinnae forget me words! At any rate, I want tae thank ye al fer helpin’ me get ready,” Lillie told them, kissing all four women on the cheek.

“We must go, m’lady,” Penny urged. ’Tis time.”

“D’ye have yer strip of cloth fer the hand-fasting?” Maddison suddenly asked as they began to move toward the door. “Ye cannae be wed without it!”

“Aye,” Lillie replied, holding up her wrist, where a strip of MacDonald tartan cloth was loosely tied. “I think I’m ready,” she added, fresh excitement surging through her at the prospect of seeing Diarmaid at the altar.

“Come then, let’s go,” Maddison said decisively. At last, the bride’s procession to her wedding began, and the ladies walked elegantly along the hallways of the castle and down the staircase.

“Are ye nervous?” Maddison asked her.

“A little,” Lillie said. “But I think they’re happy nerves. I just wish me Maither and Faither could be here tae see me wed. I hope they’re looking down on us from heaven today.”

“I’ve nae doubt they are, and they’re very proud of ye, I’m sure” Maddison told her. “Just as I’ve nae doubt our parents and our brother Rónán are all looking down on Diarmaid as well.”

“Thank ye, Maddison, that is such a lovely thought,” Lillie said, touched by her words.

Her nerves were beginning to take over, now that they were approaching the doors of the great hall. Slowly, two guards swung open the doors. Lillie gasped to see the chapel pews were packed with people, all dressed in their best finery for her wedding. Over a hundred pairs of eyes turned to look at her as she began her slow walk down the aisle. Murmurs of admiration arose from the congregation, and the guests smiled at her as she passed.

However, Lillie did not see them. Her attention was fixed upon the tall, broad figure waiting for her at the altar, with the minister standing behind him. Her heart swelled with love and pride as Diarmaid turned his head to look at her, his eyes darkening when he caught sight of her approaching.

He looked incredibly handsome in his full clan regalia, and when he smiled at her, a smile full of love, her heart skipped a beat to know that the Laird of Kincaid would soon be hers forever. And she would be his.

The hilt of his sword glittered in light of the candles that flickered on the altar, the candles that signified their union. Around his wrist, Lillie spied the strip of tartan cloth necessary to complete the handfasting ceremony. The breath left her body at the magnificent sight of him, her heart beginning to pound as she drew ever closer.

She thought she would swoon, but somehow, she gathered the strength to walk the last few steps to stand at his side. She so wanted to do him proud. He took her hand gently in his, looking deeply into her eyes. In those green depths, Lillie could clearly see the love he bore her. She felt like the luckiest woman alive as she smiled up at him tremulously, telling him with her eyes that her heart was full of love for him.

The minister took up his position, and the ceremony began. Most of it was a haze for Lillie, for it was hard for her to concentrate with Diarmaid’s beside her, squeezing her hand tightly. Finally, it was time for the most important part of the ceremony, the handfasting.

Ciarán brought forward a velvet cushion on which lay a wicked-looking dirk. He removed the strips of fabric from both their wrists and waited while Diarmaid took the knife and, without hesitation, deftly made a shallow cut across his wrist. Blood seeped out as he quickly turned Lillie’s hand over and gripped it tightly as he did the same to her wrist, making her gasp slightly.

Then, he pressed their wrists together, mingling their blood, while Ciarán carefully tied their joined hands together the two strips of fabric, trying them in a loose knot before standing back. Then, Lillie and Diarmaid pulled gently against the knot until it tightened, and looking deeply into each other’s eyes the listened to the minister declare them man and wife.

Ciarán came forward and gently slid the knot from their hands, freeing them, placing the knot aside for safekeeping. It would be carefully preserved and displayed as another symbol of the joining of the clans and the joining of Lillie and Diarmaid.

“Ye may now kiss the bride,” the minister announced with benevolent smile. Lillie thought she would burst with happiness when Diarmaid bent down and kissed her lips, and she responded with fervor. The congregation roared their approval, and she and Diarmaid smiled into each other’s eyes as they turned in unison to greet everybody as a married couple.

Lillie’s heart overflowed as she clung to Diarmaid’s arm, looking out over all the people who had come to help them celebrate their wedding. Truly, she could not imagine it was possible to be happier than she was at that moment.

The memories of the ceremony were something she knew she would always cherish, but the wedding feast was also very memorable, and it lasted until the early hours of the next day.

Ciarán, Aiden, Darragh, Lara, Ciara, and Maddison all gathered around the Laird’s table in the dining hall when Lillie and Diarmaid drank the traditional dram of whisky each from the ceremonial quaich, the two-handed cup that signified the bonding of their two clans. With the quaich being passed around for all to take a drink, Diarmaid paid the piper his traditional dram, upon which the man began to play, and the party began in earnest.

“Ye look absolutely beautiful, Wife,” Diarmaid whispered in her ear as they danced an elegant galliard to open the dancefloor. Diarmaid may have been huge and muscular, but he was also very light on his feet and cut a fine figure, never missing a step as he and Lillie smiled at each other all the way through the dance.

“Look, look!” Lillie nudged Diarmaid’s elbow when they were having a rest and getting a drink. He looked where she was pointing among the couples on the crowded dance floor.

“Well, well, that’s a wee surprise,” he said, his brows rising. “I cannae remember ever seeing him dae that before.”

“I ken. Is it nae exciting?” she asked, watching closely as Finian danced elegantly with Hannah, who was beaming at him, while his eyes were fixed intently upon the lovely young healer.

“Och, I hope somethin’ comes of it. I’d be able tae say we brought them together then,” Lillie said, fancying the idea of a bit of matchmaking. “Ciarán certainly appears tae be enjoyin’ himself,” she added with a chuckle, watching her brother-in-law expertly tripping a galliard with a small, curvaceous young woman with long, black curls down her back and flashing blue eyes. “He’s been dancin’ with her most of the night,” she pointed out.

“Ach, well, there’s a very good reason for that. What ye see there, me darlin’ wife, is Lady Betty Andrews, the daughter of the Laird o’ McKee,” Diarmaid informed her as he handed her a brimming glass of wine. He took a long sip of his own as they watched the handsome young couple cavorting. “He’s been sweet on her since they first met aged about ten.”

“So, why are they nae together?” she asked curiously, sipping at her drink.

“Well, she was supposed to be getting betrothed tae Rónán at one point,” he explained. Lillie’s face fell.

“Och,” she said, wishing she had not brought the subject up.

“Aye, exactly. Though it was nae a love match, although they got on well enough. Rónán loved another lassie, and I think, in truth, Betty would have preferred being betrothed tae Ciarán. But she had nae say in the matter, of course. It was a political thing.”

“So, d’ye think anybody will object if they get together now then?” Lillie asked, thinking what a difficult situation, fraught with sorrow and guilt, it must have been for the would-be lovers, with Rónán being murdered so heinously.

“It depends on whether her faither thinks he’d dae better tae marry her tae a laird, I suppose.”

“Nay! That would be terrible. Poor Ciarán. Poor lassie. Can ye nae have a word with her faither about it?” she asked, looking up at Diarmaid. “It breaks me heart tae think of a good man like Ciarán bein’ in love and nae being’ able tae have his chosen bride. I want him tae be happy, as we are.”

“So dae I, but I dinnae want tae interfere. If me braither asks me tae speak tae McKee, aye, I will, but ’tis up tae her faither at the end of the day who she weds,” he said. “Now, Wife, let’s go and dance.”

They danced la volta, a dance where they circled each other with elegantly enticing movements, until they eventually came together, and Diarmaid hoisted Lillie up in the air by her waist in the “jump” that gave the dance its name. However, in complete disregard for the steps, he then refused to put her down and continued to whirl her about in the air, eliciting giggles from her and much laughter from the other dancers.

“’Tis a grand party, tae be sure,” he whispered to her even later when they were in the middle of a particularly energetic country jig, “but I have tae admit I can hardly wait tae get ye alone.” They were dancing between two columns of clapping, whooping couples before they reached the top and had to part, to run down to the start and meet again.

“I have tae admit I feel the same, Husband,” she whispered back, panting with exertion as she planted a kiss on his lips. It was simply impossible to look at him and not want him. “When can we decently take our leave, d’ye think?” She added with a mischievous giggle.

“Well, I think because everyone’s gone tae such trouble tae make this a happy day fer us, we owe it to them stay at least another five minutes,” he said with a suggestive quirk of an eyebrow.

“Husband!” she cried, pretending to be scandalized. “Ye ken very well it would be rude not tae stay a wee while longer.”

“Five minutes?” he shot back as they threw themselves back into the fray, his laughter vibrating against her cheek as she clung to him tightly, giggling.

It was well into the night when they finally decided they could wait no longer and announced their departure. They were then serenaded to their chambers by raucous shouts and vulgar songs from their family members, headed up by Ciarán and accompanied by Aiden and Darragh, all three being merry from drink.

Eventually, Diarmaid decided he wanted Lillie all to himself and shooed everyone else away, firmly shutting the door behind them. The noise receded as the roisterers returned to continue the celebrations.

“Alone at last,” Diarmaid rasped, taking his wife around the waist and gazing at her so hungrily, Lillie melted into him, entwining her arms around his neck. He carried her over to the large bed and laying her down none too gently. She laughed and did not care, for the flame he always kindled inside her had ignited with force.

“Kiss me,” she whispered, reaching up as he kneeled over her, pulling him down on top of her, wanting to feel his weight on her once more. It excited her beyond words.

He obliged with enthusiasm. “I intend tae kiss ye all over all night, Wife, ye can be certain of that,” he told her huskily when their lips finally parted.

“And I intend tae dae the same tae ye, Husband,” Lillie promised, yearning to feel his warm, naked body against hers. “Now, will ye get me out of this dress?” she begged, turning so he could undo the fastenings of her gown. He skillfully started undoing her laces.

“Ye dinnae need tae ask twice. I was just thinking the same thing meself,” he told her with a wolfish grin, his fingers nimbly working to free her. Before long, she felt the dress loosening and wriggled to help Diarmaid slide it down over her hips.

“How many damned petticoats are there tae this thing,” he grumbled.

Lillie giggled. “Three,” she told him.

“Ach, I’ll be here all night at this rate,” he complained but set to undoing all the strings and pulling the petticoats away one by one. Then, he started on her stays, until her wedding clothing formed a pile on the rug, and she was dressed in nothing but her chemise and stockings.

“Ach, ye’re a sight for sore eyes, me Lillie,” Diarmaid breathed in frank admiration as he ran his palms over her exposed flesh, making her tremble with desire. She reveled in the deep groan that came from his throat as he fondled her behind.

Deftly, he flipped her onto her back and made to pull the chemise over her head. Lillie lifted her arms to help him, smiling up at him, eager for touch. Soon, she was naked but for her stockings. He lifted himself up and rolled them down carefully, tracing a molten hot trail of kisses and nibbling bites up and down her legs, teasing her and making her moan and wriggle beneath him. Already, she felt the desire pooling between her legs.

“I notice ye’ve still got yer clothes on, m’laird. Will ye nae take them off so I can get at ye?” she invited in between the small moans prompted by his caresses that were escaping from her lips. She was desperate to feel his naked skin against hers. The moans became squeals of delight as his kisses reached her inner thighs and brushed teasingly across her sex before moving upward to her belly.

“Mmm,” he mumbled, his hands now on her naked breasts, cupping and squeezing them in a leisurely fashion, with obvious enjoyment. He sucked and nipped at the peaks playfully as they hardened with desire, watching her through slitted eyes, to see the effect of his caresses.

Lillie moaned louder and pulled him closer. His body lay atop hers, and she could feel the length of his aroused manhood pressing against her. The urge to have him inside her was so powerful, it was overwhelming.

“I want ye, Diarmaid, please,” she murmured softly, her hands pulling at his clothing.

“Yer wish is me command, me lady wife,” he said, a devilish glint in his eyes as he stood up from the bed. His gaze never left hers as he tore off his sword belt, tartan plaid, and coat and threw them over a chair, missing it completely. With a comical shrug, clad only in his shirt, he kicked off his boots. His tipsy stumbling had Lillie laughing despite her lust.

Finally, he tugged off his shirt and heedlessly tossed it aside. As always, Lillie’s insides burned to see his magnificent body revealed to her. The sight of the broad expanse of his chest and the hard, bulging muscles of his arms and shoulders thrilled her. But it was his fully aroused manhood that stood up proudly to greet her she craved the most.

Diarmaid joined her on the bed again, resuming his sensual exploration of her body with his hands and lips. His manhood nosed gently against her thighs, and she abandoned herself to the luxurious pleasure of his ministrations, eagerly returning his kisses and caresses.

She slid her palms across his smooth skin, her fingers tracing the battle scars that were enow so familiar to her and which she found so sensual. She delighted in the feel of him, marveling at his strength. Her fingers meandered down his belly, taking his now rigid shaft in her hand, eliciting a loud and satisfying groan that made Lillie burn with wanting.

“Love me, Diarmaid, please, I cannae wait any longer fer ye tae fill me,” she pleaded softly, her other hand tangled in his hair, while the other caressed his manhood. With a provocativeness she hardly knew she possessed, she slid down, her legs encircling his waist, opening herself for him.

The way he looked at her then, such was the heat in his eyes, sent her into a kind of delirium. Slowly, he positioned his manhood at the center of her hotness and pushed into her.

As his full length slipped inside her, filling her to the hilt, he grunted low in his throat. The feel of him inside her and the animalistic sound forced a scream of pleasure from her, and she pressed her hips upward to meet him. They fell against each other, lip to lip, almost breathless, in white hot passion. Holding her tightly, his hot breath on her skin driving her to distraction, Diarmaid began to move his hips.

At the same time, he leaned above her on one elbow, freeing one hand to strum on her excited rosebud until she could only thrash beneath him helplessly, desperate for more. As her moans mounted, his rhythmic thrusts grew harder, driving into her, filling her completely. The excitement was building inside her now with every movement, a wave of heat rising inside her with his every thrust.

His groans of pleasure undid her, and she met him every time, sensing that he too was approaching the climax of their lovemaking alongside her. When it came like a racing tide, they clung to each other, bucking wildly, crying out together, united in an ecstasy that Lillie felt carried them far away from this world and into one made just for them.

“I love ye, Lillie,” Diarmaid panted in her ear as they lay together in the aftermath.

She smiled in deep contentment, hugging him to her. “And I love ye, Diarmaid. Forever.”

He rolled over, encircling her with his arm. She lay happily against his chest, running her fingers idly across it.

“We’ve come a long way together, have we nae?” he asked, kissing her hair. “I can hardly believe we’re truly man and wife now, and we can be like this every night from now on.” He gave a satisfied, happy sigh.

“Aye, I ken. It all seems like a dream. A wonderful, magical dream. I’m so happy.”

“Well, ye’re mine, forever and always.” He spoke in a tone of wonder.

“I wouldnae have it any other way,” Lillie breathed, her heart overflowing with contentment. “I’m the luckiest lassie alive, fer sure.”

“Aye, ye must be thankin’ yer lucky stars I bought ye at that auction,” Diarmaid teased her.

“Ye great fool!” she protested affectionately, laughing.

“Fool, is it?” He cried in mock umbrage, tickling her suddenly and making her shriek with laughter. “Well, now, I’m going tae have tae punish ye fer being so disrespectful tae yer husband.”

Effortlessly, he rolled her on top of him, clasping her body to his, and soon, they were kissing again, and one thing led to another. They made love again, tenderly, leisurely, before they curled up in each other’s arms, and they fell into a deep, contented slumber.

The End.

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