Epilogue

Seven months later

Katie placed her hand on her swollen belly and watched with pride as Gavin practiced his sword fighting with one of Evan’s men. Her husband had someone practice with Gavin each day. Her brother grew stronger, better skilled, and more confident.

After the trek from Fife, which had been difficult near the end because of the winter weather, they’d settled into Argyll quite nicely, and she was enjoying her role as the laird’s wife. She’d been surprised to find the place in such disarray when they’d arrived. The kitchen needed a good scrubbing, and the cook had to be gently and kindly retired from her duties, which improved the fare tremendously. Everyone’s mood was quite cheery with better food.

The young maids had to be redirected to do their duties instead of flitting about making eyes at the young lads and hanging over the gate to watch them practice in the yard. She got on with the young girls, though, which made her job easier.

Katie had stepped in as a second healer and found that she and Mistress Moira worked well together. She was impressed with the healer’s skill and felt quite comfortable with her helping with her babe’s birth, which Moira assured her was not too far off.

The two of them worked diligently to keep the kitchen gardens healthy and producing plenty of herbal plants for the cooks as well as the necessary medicinal ones.

“There ye are, wife.” Evan walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle. “How’s my heir today?”

“Busy.” She turned and smiled at him. “I fear the lad or lass will run out of my womb when ’tis time. The bairn never stops kicking.”

He placed her arm in his and walked her back to the castle. “’Tis time for yer rest, lass. Moira told ye to stay off yer feet.”

“Ach. I’m not an invalid.” The words were spoken as she lumbered along, more from habit than anything else, because truthfully, she did tire easily these days. But if she gave in to everything Evan commanded, he could easily undermine her authority. Not that he would want to, but ’twas just his way.

“I ken what yer thinking, wife, and ’tis not true. I dinnae want to take away yer authority. I merely want to make sure ye don’t overtire yerself.”

He walked her up the stairs to their bedchamber, where he seated her on the bed. “I had news from Sterlingshire this day.”

Katie slipped off her shoes. “Indeed? I didn’t ken ye were in touch with anyone there.”

He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the door. “Aye. I asked for information on Armstrong.”

“And ye’ve had some?” She hadn’t thought about the man in months.

“Aye.” He shook his head. “Not good.”

Katie gasped. “Dinnae tell me the fiend escaped? Do we have to put a guard with Gavin?”

“Nay. Calm yerself, lass. He did escape, but when they sent men after him, they found that he’d tumbled off a cliff in the darkness.”

“Dead?”

“Aye.”

“Oh!” She chewed her lip. “I dinnae like the mon and hated what he wanted to do to Gavin, but ’tis still a sad thing to hear.”

“Yer too soft, lass. The mon deserved what he got.”

She yawned and he walked back to her. “To sleep with ye now.”

“I’m not tired.” She sounded like a grumpy child.

“I know.” He helped her under the blankets and pulled them up to her chin. “Let’s just say the bairn is tired.”

“I wish.”

“Aye.” He bent and kissed her forehead and quietly left the room.

Katie shifted her bulk and placed her folded hands under her cheek. Before she drifted off to sleep, she offered a prayer for the villain’s soul.

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