Highland Captive (The Sons of Gregor MacLeod, #4)

by Alyson McLayne

She’d taken his almost two-year-old son to the fall festival two years ago—against Gavin’s express orders—and she’d lost him. If she hadn’t died from the plague, Gavin would have thrown her into his dungeon.

“You could have put them on in your bedchamber before you came out. I gave you my word we wouldnae leave without you, and I meant it. I will ne’er lie to you, Deirdre. You willna always like what I have to say, but ’twill always be truthful.”

She turned her head this time and nuzzled Ewan’s hair. “Aye, Gavin MacKinnon, he’s your son. But he’s my son too.”

Tis difficult sometimes to see people as they truly are, if they doona wish you to see them. And sometimes ’tis difficult to…be who you truly are for fear of dislike or censure or even…humiliation. And sometimes just because of our circumstances. But sometimes what we are drawn to is an idea of a person, of how they will complete the picture we’ve created of ourselves and not the real person. “It may be that she did show you who she truly was, and you didn’t want to see it.”

she live?”

“I didn’t say you were beautiful to be kind, and I’m quite sure Isobel didn’t either. I said it because it’s true. Because every time I look at you, my heart stops. I see you across the room and you steal my breath. I feel your body close to mine, touch your hand, and I wish with every inch of my soul that you weren’t married. Not a kindness, Deirdre. Never that.”

“Then why are you blaming yourself for their mistakes? You were once as small as Ewan. Imagine if he was made to feel as you did.”

“I intend to tup you, Deirdre. Often. So, say aye, and that you’ll marry me. Right now. Please, dearling. I canna wait much longer.” “How often is often?” she asked, breathless and shattered. “As often as you’ll have me.” “Aye, I’ll marry you, Gavin MacKinnon, with our son there by our sides.” A happy sigh went up from their onlookers, and she even heard a sniffle or two. “Now that, lads, is a marriage proposal. Somebody get the priest!” Gregor yelled.

“The sun is coming up,” Father Lundie said. “What a perfect time for a wedding. God’s promise of a new day, and a new life beginning for the two of you.”