Page 49 of A Laird and a Fugitive

Chapter 19

The news came as a surprise to Ryan, but a most welcome one. He suddenly lost all concern for Gorram and turned to Caroline.

“Is this true?” he asked.

“Nae in front of him,” Caroline whispered.

Ryan’s mind was a haze as he stared at her stomach, his lips curling into a smile. But Ryan agreed that this was too important for Gorram to be a witness. He spat and cursed, claiming that their child was an abomination.

Ryan was getting tired of his voice, so he struck Gorram with a heavy blow, which knocked him out. Ryan hoisted the man over his shoulders and carried him down to the courtyard.

“What are ye daeing here? I thought I told ye tae stay in the Keep,” Ryan said.

“I feared ye were walking intae a trap. He found a way tae get a letter tae me, telling me that I needed tae marry him, or he would poison all the villagers. I could nae let him get away with such a thing.”

“Sae he was nae bluffing. I dinnae think a man could dae something sae evil.”

“There are nae depths tae which my uncle cannae sink. But at least it is over now.”

“It will be soon,” Ryan assured her as they emerged into the courtyard.

The fighting was dying down now. Most of the Gilmour forces were either dead or captured. The last stragglers were confined elsewhere in the Keep, as was reported by one of Ryan’s guards. Ryan dumped Gorram’s body in the middle of the courtyard and lifted his head, bellowing out so that all the Gilmour Clan could hear.

“My name is Ryan Knox and I hae defeated yer Laird in combat. But this man took yer clan by nefarious means. He is a murderer and a coward, and in time I shall prove this tae ye. I hereby claim this clan by right of marriage tae Caroline Gilmour, sae lay down yer swords and swear fealty tae me, or pay the price for yer treason. Mercy will be shown tae those who show respect.”

It took some time, but eventually the soldiers came skulking out of the Keep, throwing down their swords and kneeling before Ryan. His guards took them away, ensuring that they could not launch a counter-attack.

Losses were counted, and the news spread across the clan. The keep was secured and finally Ryan could put this all to rest. He snapped his fingers and brought one of his men over. “Take him tae the dungeon,” he ordered, gesturing towards Gorram. “We will deal with him later.”

Then, he took Caroline’s hand and led her into the Great Hall. As they stood near the chairs, he was struck by the likeness to her mother, which was even more apparent now that he could see them side by side. He took her hands and squeezed them tightly. She looked at his arm.

“Ye are wounded,” she observed.

“It’s naething but a scratch.”

She pursed her lips and shot him a withering look, but didn’t say anything in reply.

“Is it true?” he asked, looking directly at her stomach.

She allowed her head to drop. “I said it because I wanted tae twist the knife in him. I am nae pregnant… yet. But I want tae me. It was a lie, but I want tae make it intae a promise. Ryan, I want tae secure a future with ye. Let us bring the clans taegether and hae a child.”

Her words were soft. Ryan reached up and brushed a few strands of hair away from her face.

“I cannae say I’m nae disappointed, but it’s a fine promise tae make. I suspect it will nae take us tae long tae bring an heir intae the world.”

He drew her into an embrace, and she arched her body, falling into his arms. He closed his eyes as he pressed his lips against hers and lost himself in the sweetness of her kiss. These cloying feelings rose within him, enveloping him in a gentle and tender feeling. It gave him more strength than he had ever known before, and pushed away the aches and pains of battle.

When they broke apart from the kiss, Caroline turned and put a hand on the high seat.

“I never thought it would end up like this,” she said softly.

Ryan placed a hand on her back. “It’s for the best. I will nae let anything happen tae the villagers. Ye know what is best for them. They will be better under us than they would hae been under yer uncle.”

“Aye, but dae they know that? Ryan, yer reputation precedes ye in this land. I dinnae know how willing they will be tae accept yer rule.”

He smirked. “If ye can fall in love with me after hating me, then perhaps they can as well.”

“I never hated ye,” Caroline said, although there was a shadow in her eyes.