Page 60 of A Laird and a Gentleman

As she stared back, her joy seemed to fade as a hint of worry entered her eyes.

“What is it, Mariam?”

“Your men here have accepted my mother and myself and our magic, but what of everyone else at the castle? All it takes is one of them to speak out against us to the authorities, and we will be put on trial.”

“If you would feel more at ease, the three of us could move to Kinmount House with Quinn and Vivian. All who reside there are given immunity and cannot be charged. Would that bring you peace of mind?”

“You would leave everything at Ravenscraig behind for me?”

“I could put Ian in charge while I am gone. He would make certain all are cared for as I would care for them.”

Mariam looked beyond Cameron to the men who stood beside him. Their heads were bowed with disappointment. “Nay,” she said straightening. “I want to go back to Ravenscraig. That is my home and these men and their families are my people. I must trust that they will accept me for who I am.”

Happiness filled Cameron. “It’s settled then, let us set sail as soon as we have morning light.”

*

It was close to evening the next day when all who had sailed to the Isle of May returned to the castle. Mariam rode with Cameron as they made their way over the drawbridge.

Cameron pulled her against him. “Ever since you arrived here, I was always eager to see those gates, knowing you waited within.”

Mariam turned in the saddle to bring her gaze to his. “I never thought I would ever be this happy. Thank you, for giving me back my life, and hope for the future.”

He brushed her forehead with his lips as they made their way through the outer bailey. “Our life here and our children will fill these walls with not only hope, but also love.”

“Children?” Her hand came up to span her abdomen. “I had not considered a child.”

“Would you give me a child, Mariam? A magical daughter? A warlock for a son?”

“Or a typical baby with no magic at all,” she said with a teasing smile.

“Would you like that? To start a family?”

As they processed into the inner bailey. The sight that greeted wrought a gasp of surprise from Mariam. Cheers went up as she and Cameron rode through the crowd. Everyone congregated in the courtyard to greet them. All signs of influenza were gone. Men, women, and children all appeared hale and hearty.

Vivian and Quinn stood beside the open castle doors, holding their infant twins in their arms. Vivian waved as Cameron brought his horse to a stop. “Welcome home.”

Cameron dismounted, then reached up to lift Mariam to the ground. She looked about the courtyard that had not long ago been filled with ash. Not a trace remained. Even so, there were signs of what had happened here. The plants were withered and the grass had dried to a russet brown. But just as there had been for her, a rebirth would come as soon as the first rain fell.

Mariam slid her arms around Cameron’s waist and held on to him. Even though they were surrounded by people, it felt as if she and Cameron were the only two people in the world. Closing her eyes, she let the moment settle inside her so that she would always remember this, the moment she and Cameron had started their lives as husband and wife. They had yet to take their vows, but a ceremony didn’t matter. This moment was the beginning of their new life together.

Cameron must have sensed her thoughts because he smiled down at her as he took her face in his hands and kissed her with the promise of forever between them. “You no longer have to be afraid.”

Mariam grinned and looked up at him with bright, shining eyes. “Nay, I no longer have to be alone.” She rose up on her toes and kissed him as exuberant shouts and whistles filled the courtyard.

She would never be alone again.

The End