Page 94 of Macaulay
‘Aye, and our marriage may have been a cruel punishment for both of us, but it made me leave behind my folly and arrogance, my reiving ways. Your father set me on a better path to a man I love, and a future of happiness and purpose. So in the end, it was a good plan of his. And he made me Lady Macaulay, which I still quite like the sound of.’
Cullen sat up. ‘I made you Lady Macaulay by fighting every hard-bitten bastard who got between me and the lairdship of Clan Macaulay. Have you so quickly forgotten the last months of toil and struggle?’
‘I will never forget. But we have peace now. You are Laird here, and your clansmen are giving you respect.’
‘Albeit grudgingly,’ said Cullen.
‘They will soften once they see how good a leader you are and how much you care for them. Just like me.’
‘Aye, but it was either Allard or me.’
‘So, you are the lesser of two evils.’
He laughed. ‘Are you damning me with that compliment, woman?’
‘I wouldn’t dare. But you have to own that your father’s plan may have been about revenge, but it ended rather well.’
‘He would have hated that.’ Cullen stroked the back of his hand down her cheek, making her shiver with pleasure.
‘As to peace and unity, word came from my cousin, Seamus.’
The pleasure dissolved, and Lowri’s hackles went up, for Seamus had not been too pleased about Cullen assuming the mantle of Laird Macaulay and had rallied men to challenge him from his side of the family. ‘I thought you two had not spoken in months,’ said Lowri.
‘We haven’t. But he wrote to say that he has accepted me as Laird and announced this to all his men.’
‘Probably because Seamus knows he cannot beat you in a fight.’
‘Aye, well, I suppose you are right. So I won’t trust him too much. He also writes to say that Maeve had her bairn.’
‘And?’
‘A lass. A bonnie little lass, so no heir for Seamus just yet.’
‘So he will have to make another with Maeve.’ Lowri laughed and shook her head. ‘I think Maeve might enjoy that more than Seamus. It will be ample punishment to think of him gritting his teeth and doing what she wants.’
‘Aye. As you had to grit yours and suffer me,’ said Cullen.’
Lowri took his face in her hands and said, ‘Only the first time, Cullen, just the first time. And if this bairn turns out to be a lass, then you will have to apply yourself to getting an heir.’
‘I will, most diligently. But first we will have some peace and lazy days of indulgence.’
‘And how will you indulge yourself, husband?’
‘You know how, my love.’
Cullen lay her down in the grass, and Lowri closed her eyes to his caresses. She let her worries slip away and, for the first time in a life of running, reiving, fighting and striving, her heart slowed its beat. It was full and free, and under Cullen’s touch, it took flight.
