Page 20 of Lady and the Scot

The days since he'd last seen her were like years. It was impossible to imagine a life without Breena. "I can't live without you."

"Even if it brings war to your land?"

"It will not."

He brought her against him and lifted her face. "The Douglas has withdrawn his offer."

He pulled her back outside and to the awaiting horses. "Come, we have much to discuss. Tonight we will stay at my uncle's home. Then we leave for Moriag in the morning."

"I don't understand." Breena walked around the bedchamber that night, too nervous to relax. Having a hard time believing she was there with Aiden and that he'd come for her. "My mother helped me get to the cottage. She said someone would come for me there. I thought she meant the Douglas."

"She sent a messenger to me." Aiden wrapped his arms around her and held her against him. "The messenger said he'd already stopped at the Douglas keep and told them you were carrying my child and asked him to withdraw his offer of marriage."

"She did that?" Breena pushed back. Why would her mother do all this behind her own husband's back?

Aiden kissed her temple. "The Douglas wrote a missive withdrawing his offer of marriage and recommending your father accept mine."

By the time my uncle arrived at your family's keep, your father was furious, but he agreed. "I didn't get a dowry for you, I'm afraid." He kissed her again. "Which means you'll have to repay me in other ways."

"Such as?" She looked into the most beautiful eyes she'd ever seen. They were full of love for her and darkening quickly with passion.

"By becoming my wife, giving me many children and loving me always."

"That, my laird, will be easy to do."

She rose to her toes and kissed his lips. "I love you, Aiden Stuart."

He lifted her and walked toward the bed. "And tonight I intend to show you how much I do."

Epilogue

Moriag three months later

"Come in?" Breena put down her sewing at the sound of knocking on the sitting room door. She gasped in surprise when her mother entered. "Mother? You came."

Her new maid Bess entered behind. "May I bring something to drink?"

"Yes, please." Breena stood and went to her mother. "Come, sit, please. I didn't know you were coming, else I would have asked Aiden to send guardsmen to escort you."

"He did." Her mother sat and looked at her. It surprised Breena when her mother's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I came at your betroth’s request. He sent for me."

"I am a lucky woman."

"Aye, you are." Her mother cupped her face. "You look so much like him."

"My father?"

Her face softened. "Yes. He was so very handsome."

"A good man?"

Her mother nodded. "And brave, like you."

"The wedding is in two days," Breena said. "Is that why you are here?"

"Yes, and because I wanted to speak to you and try to explain many things."

It was obvious her mother was tired, but Breena knew that unless she said what bothered her, she would refuse to lie down. "I understood much when you helped me escape and managed to find a way to get me out of marrying Douglas."