Page 96 of The Rogue’s Redemption

“I never stopped loving you, Reid.”

He squeezed her hands, wishing he could do more, and then turned toward Gillian. With Allie’s blessing, he was invincible.

“My lady,” he said. “Graeme.”

Both watched him, leery and unresponsive.

“I have wronged you both.”

He addressed Gillian.

“You met a childish, unsure man who spent his days pretending not to care that he was the youngest brother to two of Scotland’s greatest men. I promised you once that I would return to Highgate End as my brother’s second . . .” The word caught in his throat, but Reid forged ahead. “And I regret that I am unable to keep that promise. But I vow, if you would give your consent, to spend every day of my life keeping your sister safe, loving her as she deserves and earning the respect that I have so carelessly tossed away.”

To Graeme, he said, “You know me to be an arse, Graeme, and I will not deny I have been just that. But you also know me as an honorable man, and nothing but my death will break the vow that I give this day.”

He sensed Allie had moved up behind him. And as much as he wanted to reach back and pull her toward him, Reid resisted. He owed it to her sister to allow her to react to what he’d said.

Gillian glanced at Graeme, whose slight nod was hardly discernible.

“That is a fine speech,” Gillian said at last.

Reid’s chest constricted. She would deny him, just as the council had. And if she did, he would overcome it, do everything possible to make her change her mind.

“But I care for only one thing,” she continued. “My sister’s happiness.” Gillian sighed. “As I look at her face now and consider how it looked ere we left Brockburg, it is apparent I may have been wrong.”

He could not wait any longer. Reid had to touch Allie, had to feel her against his skin. He reached out his hand, and when she took it, he was complete.

“I thought I knew, better than she did in fact, what would make her happy. You are not the only one who has had difficulty accepting their role.” Sighing again, she shifted her gaze to Allie. “I acted as your second mother when, in truth, you needed a sister. Which I will be now.” A radiant smile stretched across her face. “It is your decision to make. Do so with our blessing.”

When Allie squeezed his hand, Reid finally realized what this meant. She would have him. Allie would be his wife.

Reid wanted to lift her into the air and spin her around until they both fell onto the ground, preferably one on top of the other. But he’d likely shocked his men enough already.

But Reid did not care. He didn’t care about anything except Allie’s answer.

First he had to ask the question. Again.

“Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Allie’s smile reached her eyes, which were so full of tenderness and joy that Reid gave in to his desire. He pulled her to him, swung her about in a circle, and then kissed her as the men cheered around them. And it was only later, after they’d turned around and were riding toward their future home together, that Reid realized she had never answered his question. And so he asked again.

Thankfully, her answer was a firm, “Yes.”

33

Allie could not believe how much had happened in the two days since Reid had stopped them from returning to Highgate. Though Graeme had left the previous day, forced to return home to address the border troubles, he had promised to return for the wedding. Gillian had chosen to remain, however, and it was a relief to have her sister by her side.

The banns had been posted, the tailor summoned, and all of Brockburg was preparing for another wedding. It had been two years since Toren and Juliette had wed, and everyone seemed as excited as she.

“I nearly forgot to mention,” Gillian said as they strolled along the wall-walk. The sun shone down on them, a delightful respite from the previous two days of rain. “Though I do not believe they will be here in person . . .” She smiled mischievously, making Allie curious as to what she would say next. “You should receive Father’s blessing more formally before the ceremony.”

“More formally?”

Although Allie had fully expected to wed without any familial approval, Gillian had surprised her on their ride back to the castle. Apparently their father had announced, before returning to England, that he would approve a match between she and Reid. Though he had “more suitable suitors in mind,” no doubt all English and titled, he had admitted to her sister that he would not attempt to intervene if she was determined to go through with the match.

“A written decree should arrive any day.”

Gillian appeared quite pleased with herself, but Allie still did not understand.