Lost Bride Chapter 22

TWENTY

HOME INDEED

Cradled in Rory’s arms, Lucy sat and watched the sun set. Wendy and the captain murmured over a chessboard, and Effie had joined them, warming herself in a chair by the fire as she knitted. Since Rory’s announcement, they’d all settled into quiet thought. Lucy began to think Rory was right to want to leave now with a memory of Kildermoor in its prime.

They heard someone open and close the front door. A moment later, Angus walked in and strode to the desk. “Good evening.”

Rory lifted an eyebrow and muttered to Lucy, “He’s got his winning face on, so we’ve someplace to sleep for the evening, at least.”

“You’ve been gone for three days,” Captain Munro said. “No one knew where you were.”

“But we guessed,” Rory said dryly.

Angus’s mouth quirked at the corner. “I had some business to attend to.”

Rory sneered. “Winning business, I hope.”

Lucy cast a concerned glance at Rory. She couldn’t blame him for feeling bitter, but she wondered what he had to gain by expressing it now.

“I said I’d not gamble, and I haven’t.” Angus handed some folded papers to his father. “I’ve just returned from our solicitor’s office.” He pointed to the papers. “Please read it.”

Angus went to the mahogany desk and sat down while the captain read. The air was electric as the others watched with intense curiosity.

Captain Munro looked up at Angus. “You’ve deeded the property back to me?”

“To you ‘and the heirs of your body,’” Angus recited.

The captain nodded in wonder as Rory asked, “In fee tail?”

Angus smiled at Rory. “Aye.”

Lucy looked questioningly at Rory. “Fee tail? But what does that mean?”

Before Rory could answer, Angus said, “It means that Rory and I will inherit together, and not only will one of us not be able to sell or transfer the property without the other’s approval, but our heirs will have an interest in it as well.”

Rory slowly shook his head as he stared at Angus.

Angus looked at Effie. “And I’ve something for you.” He pulled another paper from his coat pocket and handed it to her. “In short, this acknowledges the child you carry as my heir.”

As her eyes filled with tears, she said, “Thank you. I’m sorry. I’ve been so emotional lately.”

Angus looked tenderly at her then turned to the others. “I’ve never been very good at thinking of others, and I’ve managed to hurt everyone who’s ever managed to care for me. I cannae change what I’ve done, but I can change the future. I can make sure no one in this family ever has to fear losing our home.” His eyes flickered toward Rory and Lucy. “I’ve instructed the bank to deliver a modest annual sum to a separate account in my name. What remains is in your two names alone. I cannae touch it without your permission.”

“Angus?” Looking as puzzled as he was pleased, the captain peered at his son.

With a satisfied smile, Angus said, “None of you will have to worry about your home or your future in it.”

A moment of stunned silence was interrupted by the butler. “Excuse me, Effie—Miss Vass, rather—there’s a Symon Culloch to see you.”

“Symon?” Effie pushed up from her chair and excused herself as she followed the butler.

Seeing the blush in Effie’s cheeks, Lucy smiled and leaned close to Rory. “That’s her friend from the céilidh,” she whispered.

Angus’s eyes remained fixed upon Effie until she was gone from the room.

Interrupting whatever thoughts appeared to preoccupy Angus, Rory approached his brother and extended his hand. “Angus, I dinnae ken what to say. Thank you, of course. What you’ve done is too generous.”

Angus gave Rory’s shoulder a pat as he shook his head. “What I’ve done is the right thing. Now that it’s done, there’s no need to speak further of it.” His eyes darkened as he looked into Rory’s.

Rory nodded, and his eyes brightened. “Would you excuse me?”

Angus nodded.

Rory went to Lucy and dropped to one knee. She took in a sharp breath.

“Lucy Buchanan, I began falling in love the first moment I saw you, and I haven’t stopped yet. Would you do me the honor of marrying me and of spending your life with me, here in our home?”

“Yes.” It came out in a whisper. She blinked her moist eyes. “Yes!”

Rory leapt to his feet, swept her into his arms, and spun her around as his brother and their parents all clapped. Angus went to the door and called to the footman to bring some champagne from the cellar, then he returned to the joyous celebration. When the champagne and toasts were all done, Captain Munro turned to Wendy with a questioning look, and she nodded.

Captain Munro cleared his throat. “It appears we’ll be having a double wedding.”

Lucy and Rory both turned to Angus, but he shook his head, looking as confused as they were.

To Lucy’s shock, the captain put his arm about Wendy’s shoulders. “This lovely lady has done me the honor of agreeing to become my wife.”

“What?” It came out louder than Lucy had meant. She apologized immediately and asked with more poise, “When did this happen?”

Captain Munro was a man of few words, but he looked at Wendy with glimmering eyes. “From the moment she moved into that croft, I found I could not take my eyes off her. And then when we talked, it was never enough. I began to look forward to having her in my days and in my life.”

Wendy gazed into his eyes and turned back with a grin. “I just thought he was hot.”

The great hall

of Kildermoor Castle was decked with holly and evergreens draped over the beams of the barrel-vault ceiling. The pine scent mingled with that of the roast goose and venison on the tables below. It was a magnificent feast, to which everyone within traveling distance had come. It was Saint Nicholas Day, but more importantly to all present, it was a grand wedding day.

A large Yule log blazed in the fireplace as the two couples were pronounced man and wife. Then the dancing began. First, a lone piper began, then the bodhrán joined in. Fiddle, pennywhistle, and singers came and went, depending upon how full their cups were.

Symon led Effie onto the floor, where she gingerly danced with her attentive partner. With a wistful smile, Angus watched.

As the next tune began, the parents traded partners with their newlywed children but were happy to trade back halfway into the song. Rory took Lucy’s hand and smiled down at his wife. The truth was he’d barely stopped smiling since the celebration began. And Lucy, whose heart was so full that she thought it might burst, had traveled through time just to find her way home.