Page 172 of No Other Woman

“Well, for not being quite as open and honest as I might have been about my plans.”

“I shall have to think about it. You kept a great deal from me.”

“I did cover hill and vale to save your life.”

“Indeed.”

“So—do you forgive me?”

She smiled, trembling, leaning against the strong expanse of his chest once again.

“I am Lady Douglas?”

“You are. So do you forgive me?”

“Aye. Do you forgive me for seducing you that night five years ago?”

“You’re admitting to seducing me.”

“Perhaps.”

“Then…”

“Aye. I admit to it.”

He shrugged, leaning against her, his hands upon the delicate lace of her exceedingly prim gown.

“David?”

“Can you still say that you love me, Shawna?” he queried strangely.

Once again, she drew back, stilling his hand. “Aye. I love you, David Douglas. Man, beast, selkie, ghost—laird of all he surveys. I’ve loved you so long, David!”

“Aye, my love, through time, through death, we’ve sought one another so desperately. And now…”

“Now?”

“Now, we’ve a child. And one another. And life.” He swept her into his arms, and his kiss was both slow and deep, filled with warmth, with passion. Tender, exciting.

“Aye, life…” he whispered against her lips.

Tears nearly flooded her eyes. Yet then he whispered, “It remains our wedding night, my lady. I will assuredly forgive you for luring me from domain and seducing me into sweet oblivion if only…”

“Aye?”

“If only you do so again. Well, my lady?”

Demurely, she cast her arms around him, replying with a gravity belied by the shimmer in her eyes. “Indeed, Laird Douglas. It seems only fair.”

She kissed him…

And kissed him…

Yet suddenly, he drew back. “This is lovely, but…I did make a promise to you.”

“You did?”

“I said I was going to ask a promise of you in exchange for…wait just one moment.”

He left her. Shawna stared after him in disbelief as he opened the door and left the room. But a second later he returned to the room, Danny in his arms.

She let out a glad cry and leaped up to rush to her husband and her son.

And high over the castle, the full moon began to pale and the golden glow of a new day fell upon Craig Rock. A new day…

A new beginning.