Page 86 of Hunted By the Cruel Highlander
Two large menstepped forward immediately, but Caitlyn raised her hand haughtily.
“I can find me own way,”she snapped, then turned back to Gabriella with venom in her eyes. “Enjoy it while it lasts, girl. Men tire of their toys, eventually.”
“Nae this man,”Hector declared quietly, but his voice carried to every corner of the hall. “And nae this woman. She’s me wife, Me Lady, and me equal. Anyone who disrespects her disrespects me.”
The finalityin his tone brooked no argument.
Caitlyn’s faceflushed with humiliation as she turned on her heels and stalked out of the hall, her elaborate gown trailing behind her like a battalion in retreat.
The moment she was gone,the celebration resumed with even more enthusiasm than before. Gabriella found herself surrounded by clan members offering support and congratulations, their acceptance complete and unshakable.
“Well handled, wife,”Hector murmured in her ear as the noise level returned to normal.
“I had a good example,”she replied, squeezing his hand gratefully.
As the eveningwound down and the last of the guests began to disperse, Hector stood up and offered his hand.
“Ready to retire, Lady McCulloch?”he asked.
There washeat in his dark eyes that made her pulse quicken.
“Aye,”she said, accepting his hand with a smile that was both shy and bold.
Without warning,he scooped her up into his arms, cradling her against his chest as if she weighed nothing at all. The remaining guests cheered and called out blessings in Gaelic as he carried her toward the stairs.
“I can walk, ye ken.”She laughed, her arms going around his neck.
“But where’sthe fun in that?” he quipped, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Besides, I’ve been thinkin’ about this moment all day.”
“And which partof this moment were ye lookin’ forward to?” she teased.
“Every part,from when I take this dress off ye,” he admitted with a smile. Then, his voice grew serious. “I love ye, Gabriella Muir. More than I ever thought possible.”
“And I love ye, Hector Muir,”she replied, pressing a soft kiss to his jaw. “Forever and always.”
As he carriedher up the stairs toward his chambers—their chambers now—Gabriella reflected on the incredible journey that had brought her to this moment. From the depths of despair to the heights of joy, from captivity to freedom, from fear to love.
She was home.She was safe. She was loved.
And best of all,she was his, just as he was completely, irrevocably hers.
The doorto their chambers closed behind them with a soft click, sealing them into their private world, where they could express their love without reservation or restraint.
Their new lifetogether was just beginning.
The End?
