“It is I who willnae forgive myself for losin’ Elliot,” Jack said to his friend before he drank deeply from his quaich. That ache would never leave his heart and he would always remember his brother fondly.
“To Elliot,” Jack toasted when he filled both their quaiches again.
“To Elliot,” Jamie replied, then drank in one deep slug.
It was all over now… all each of them could do was look to the brighter days ahead, and Jack hoped his would be fully of joy and laughter with the woman he loved.
EPILOGUE
ONE MONTH LATER…
Isla walked into the kirk with Jamie by her side and she couldn’t hold back the grin that spread on her lips as she saw Jack standing in the front pew his attention fixed solely on her.
This day came quicker than she expected, and she was finally fulfilling her dream of pledging her life to Jack. There was no other reason to be this excited beside this man right here with her.
“Thank you, Jamie,” she whispered when Jamie stopped in front of the front row and let her walk the remaining distance to where Jack stood eagerly waiting.
“Ye look bonnie,” Jack said to her as he took her hand, linked their fingers then raised it to his lips for a kiss. His lips lingered on her skin, and she loved the heat that raced through her nerves and made her feel alive.
Isla flushed beet red, and she fixed her gaze on his, and waited for him to say more. The priest was ready to bless their union and she only needed to say the words he read out loud to them for the ceremony to be complete.
“I have waited for this day a while now,” Jack told her. “Ye have made me the happiest man in the Highlands.”
His smile reached the corners of his eyes, and Isla’s heart fluttered harder in her chest.
“I promise to spend the rest of my life, lovin’ and cherishin’ ye for all eternity, until death do us part,” Jack repeated after the priest. “Our union shall be one of love and passion until the end of our days. We shall live as one, and I shall protect ye as mine… I love ye, Isla Lambert, from this day until the end of our days.”
When he finished, it was her turn to recite the same vows. Isla cleared her throat, then made sure her eyes stayed steady on his so he could see her sincerity.
“I love ye, Jack, always and forever.”
“I now pronounce ye both man and wife,” the priest announced, then the crowd in the Kirk erupted into cheers to celebrate their union.
Isla’s heart danced joyously as Jack took off her veil then leaned in and kissed her lips tenderly. It was supposed to be a chaste kiss, but when his tongue slid into her mouth, she lost control and gave into the passion hinted in his taste.
When the kiss ended, he pulled back, then took the plaid of his tartan and tied it around her hands to show that she was one with him. They faced the crowd together, and the smiles on the faces that filled the Kirk lifted Isla’s spirits.
I could really belong here,she thought, excited that these people will come to love and accept her as one of their own just like Jack did.
Moira and Jamie were clapping in the front row, and Isla grinned at them before she turned to Jack again and moved into his embrace for a warm hug.
After the blessing of their union in the Kirk, they danced down the village and celebrated with the locals who had organized a village feast for them.
Jack did not let Isla out of his sight even one for second as they danced. She was with Moira when they neared the Castle and they both performed an old traditional Celtic dance that involved hopping and switching positions while the drums thundered high into the air.
The celebrations continued until late that night. Many lairds were in attendance, and Isla had never seen a crowd dance and feast this much before. She was elated through most of it, and she forgot to breathe each time Jack glanced in her direction and winked at her.
“To our Laird and his bonnie Lady,” Jamie toasted when it was past midnight.
Their guests chorused the same words, then drank from their quaich before the dancing continued. She watched the performers for a while until Jack put a hand on hers, then leaned close to her, and whispered, “Do ye want to go to our chamber, My Wife?”
Her cheeks heated up at the suggestion and desire burned a hot spot in the pit of her stomach. She knew she could not refuse him even if she tried to, so she did not re-think her reply.
Isla nodded, and Jack rose to his feet, took her hand, then led her out of the Great Hall where the feast took place.
When they arrived his chamber, he locked the door, then faced her. They stood in silence for a while, and she felt the heat of his gaze drift down her body slowly before he closed the gap between them and took her lips for a hot kiss.
One hand cupped the back of her neck, and the other tilted her chin so she met his lips with the same fierceness that he used in kissing her.