The Angel and the Highlander(100)
The door opened and Zia walked in along with Artair, Honora, and Cavan following soon after. Lachlan reluctantly gave them time to have their say, when he would have much preferred to continue talking with his wife.
He couldn’t get her words out of his head.
Bury the past.
She was burying the past as she once buried her identity, to escape an unpleasant situation. He didn’t want the past buried. He would rather resolve it so that it could never again hurt them.
A sprinkle of laughter broke through his musing and he was glad to see that all was well with his family again.
Addie rushed in breathless, her face smeared with sweat and dirt, a dirk sheathed at her waist and her green eyes bright. “Are you all right?” she asked, rushing over to Alyce.
“I’m fine,” Alyce assured her.
“I knew you would be,” Addie said proudly. “You’re a Sinclare woman and today I finally remembered just what that meant. Bless you for reminding me, I finally feel alive again.”
Lachlan could see the difference in his mother. She even looked younger than her fifty-three years. They all could see the difference, and it was good to see her…happy.
Zia finally chased everyone from the room, insisting that Alyce needed to rest, though she remained to speak with them.
“You suffered a minor wound that will barely scar, though I would recommend you curtail your strenuous activities from here on.”
“Is there a problem?” Lachlan asked, taking hold of his wife’s hand with worry.
“None that I foresee,” Zia assured them both. “It’s a precaution, after all your time is just two months away and I prefer you reserve your strength for that battle.”
“I understand,” Alyce said, “and will heed your advice.”
“Good, then I will see you later for supper,” she said and left.
Alyce yawned as Lachlan tucked the blanket around her. “There is something I must tell you, but I don’t recall what it is.”
“Don’t worry,” he said with a kiss. “You’ll remember sooner or later. Now you must rest. We can talk later.”
“You’ll stay until I fall asleep?” she asked, reaching out to grab hold of his arm while her eyes started drifting closed.
“I’ll stay as long as you want,” he promised, pleased she wanted him there, though annoyed with himself for being the cause of her worries and injury. If he had kept his word and had not judged her, she would have never left with Septimus and she would have never been wounded.
He had to smile; knowing his wife she would have argued, telling him that the situation would have been worse since help would have come too late to the Connors. He was proud of his wife’s courage and tenacity, both made her a remarkable woman…his woman, his love, his life.
He waited until she slept soundly and then he left. He had plans to make before she woke and he wanted everything perfect, since tonight his wife would finally have her chance to choose.
Alyce was famished and ate heartily, though no one knew she silently struggled to recall what it was she had to tell her husband. She knew it was important, very important and it troubled her that she could not recall it.
The great hall was filled with revelry, everyone celebrating the victory at the Connors farm and the news that the last of the rogue warrior band had been found and disposed of with haste. Caithness was safe once again and many paid homage to Alyce for her bravery.
She smiled and graciously accepted the many thanks bestowed on her and while Septimus’s visit had stirred memories of her home and family, he had also made her appreciate her new home and family. She had been angry when she first arrived here and had little interest in the Sinclares, but she learned fast enough they were good and generous people, and it was hard not to like them.
A roar from the middle of the room got hers and everyone’s attention. She was surprised to see her husband standing there and she smiled. He was devilishly handsome and she swelled with pride, for he belonged to her.
“I have something to say and I want all to hear me.”
He walked toward his wife, his smile as charming as ever and his dark eyes aglow with what surprisingly looked like mischief. And Alyce smiled, prepared for whatever challenge he intended to throw at her.
However he startled her when he began with…
“Alyce Bunnock, I intended when the time was right to search for a wife, one that would fit my needs and plans for the future. I never considered love and then I met you and tasted true love for the first time. I knew from the start I didn’t want to live life without you, and I knew one life would never be enough time for us to love, but it is what I have to offer you.”