The Highlander's Forbidden Bride(81)

That realization had made it easy for him to confront his brother. While he had no desire to leave his family, he also didn’t want to lose Carissa. His ultimatum to his brother had been for Cavan to realize just how determined he was to keep the woman he loved.

Ronan understood Cavan’s anger, for it had once been his own, but he was certain that once Cavan truly got to know Carissa, he would feel differently toward her, and all would end happily. At least that was what he hoped.

Ronan entered the great hall, and the twins went running to him. He scooped them up, one under each arm, and walked to the table with them, giggling. He was about to ask where Carissa was, concerned that she was nowhere in sight, when he heard her screech.

He plopped the lads down by their mother and ran to the solar, flinging the door open and rushing in. He was shocked to see Carissa hugging a grinning Cavan.

Honora rushed in behind him, skidding to a stop beside him.

“You’ve finally come to your senses,” Honora said, walking over to her husband.

Carissa moved away from Cavan and hurried to Ronan’s side.

He wrapped his arm around her waist; her smile was jubilant.

“I’m free,” she said. “I’m truly free.”

Honora slipped her arm around her husband’s waist and kissed his cheek.

“Is that all the thanks I get,” he whispered.

She kissed his cheek again, then murmured, “When the twins nap, I’ll show you just how appreciative I am of such a wise and fair husband.”

Cavan swung his wife around in his arms to rest securely against him. Then he looked to Ronan and Carissa. “Since you owe me, please take the twins and keep them occupied for a while.”

“Cavan!” Honora scolded, her cheeks blushing red.

“I’d love to have the twins for a while,” Carissa said.

“We’ll play in the snow with them,” Ronan said, pleased with the turn of events. That Cavan entrusted the twins with Carissa meant that he did truly accept her and possibly even forgave her. And by playing in the snow with the lads, the villagers would see that Cavan approved of Carissa.

“Keep them as long as you’d like,” Cavan said, and grinned at Ronan.

Ronan laughed.

And before Honora could say a thing, Cavan’s mouth found hers and while he hungrily kissed his wife, he waved Ronan and Carissa away.

After Ronan shut the door, he did the same to Carissa, kissing her.

“It’s done,” Ronan said. “You are free, and you are now protected by the clan Sinclare.”

“I can’t believe it,” she said, smiling. “I never thought this day would come. I never thought it possible.”

“We will celebrate,” Ronan said. “What would you like to do?”

“I want to do as you told your brother. Play with the twins in the snow.”

“We will, but what else?” he asked, wanting her to have what she never did, a choice of her own.

“For now that’s enough,” she said. “To play freely with children and truly be able to enjoy it means much to me.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Ronan said, and took her hand to go gather the twins.



Tavish and Ronan squealed with delight each time their uncle Ronan hit one of them with a snowball. And they enjoyed it when, each time they hit him, he fell to the ground. His namesake would then run over and drop scoopfuls of snow on him. Then Tavish and Carissa would join in until, with a growl, Ronan would rise, and the twins would run off laughing.

The only way that Carissa and Ronan could get the twins inside was for Carissa to tell them that they could help her make more apple buns. And that’s what they did. First they went to the kitchen, and the twins and Ronan helped her gather what she needed, then they went to the cottage where Carissa stayed and, before making the buns, she set a broth to brew for them to have while the buns cooked.

Carissa had never had such a wonderful time cooking. The lads were covered with flour and apple bits stuck to their cheeks and fingers. It was a delightful time, and while the buns baked, the twins sat eagerly eating the broth and bread she had spread with soft cheese.

A knock came at the door just as Carissa joined them at the table. Ronan bid them to enter with a shout, and the twins mimicked him.

Honora entered, Cavan following behind her.

“You didn’t have to keep the lads this long,” Honora said.

Cavan grinned. “But we’re glad you did.”

Honora playfully slapped his arm, then went to hug her sons.

Tavish started crying. “No go. No go,” he said through tears.

Ronan smiled. “Looks like your son found a new home.”

“Join us,” Carissa offered, standing to give her seat to Honora. “There’s plenty.”