Beginning, Previous Section, Section X

Chapter 46

Posted on Thursday, 18 February 1999

fter some time, when they had ridden far up into the hill country, Ross reined in Ranulf and dismounted. The rest of the way was too rocky for the horse to handle safely. But Ranulf was quite content to nibble on a patch of grass, oblivious to the master and his lady.

Ross looked up at Katrina, her red-gold hair streaming down her back, her eyes shining like fine jewels in the moonlit darkness. She looked like a small fairy indeed, one that might fly from Ranulf's back into the very stars above them. Gently, he lifted her down from the horse, his large, gentle hands lingering on her waist. The winds were miraculously quiet tonight, and for that Ross was relieved. He did not want his love to freeze in his arms.

"I have long wished to bring you here," Ross told her, his voice low and moved. "And I should have done it long ago. Come with me now, Katrina."

They wended their way up the rocky path, Ross' hand helping her over large stones and logs. She was glad she had worn her thickest boots.

As they finally rounded the bend, Katrina drew in her breath in awe. Even in the darkness, she knew the place at once. He had taken her to Martin's Mount, the place where his father's portrait had been painted. The highest point on McGrath land.

With the full moon shining her serene light onto the glen, Katrina could clearly see the village. It was nestled amid the rolling land, among lochs and farms and forests that had gone untouched for centuries. The haunting, harsh, yet spectacular beauty of it caused her breath to catch, to hold in her chest. She could see for miles from here, until the land met the sky.

"Oh Ross," she murmured. "It is so…so wonderful. Thank you for bringing me here."

Standing beside him, she felt his lips on her hair and closed her eyes. "I want you to paint it for me someday, my fairy. I think only you could truly do it justice. But that is not why I brought you here tonight."

Katrina looked up into his face, noticing how the moonlight caused the gray of his eyes to shine and glow like fine silver. How long it had been since they had been alone like this, so close. She could smell his unique masculine scent, mingling with the sweet smell of the night air.

"Rose told me that Serena spoke with you today," he began quietly. "It was something she had no right to do. I cannot forgive myself for not understanding that you needed me when you came to the Library. It has haunted me every moment until I found you at the barn. Can you forgive me?"

"Rose told you?" Katrina echoed, surprised at her maid's behavior. She must have appeared more distraught than she realized. "I did not know she overheard our conversation."

"She wanted to make certain you were all right, as did Mother," Ross explained, twining his hand with hers. "Katrina, I want to tell you something. I do not care one whit for Serena Dunworth. I barely tolerated her presence due to Mother's friendship with Lady Dunworth. Something that ended today, thank Heaven. She will never trouble you again."

Katrina turned away at his words, hardly believing what had happened. To have disrupted Ross' household was not what she wanted. "I cannot allow that, Ross, for their friendship to end. Not because of my presence here. I cannot."

But Ross would not allow her to escape as his strong fingers capturing her chin so that she could not look away. "It was long overdue," he told her firmly. "And Mother agrees. For Serena to insult you so horribly in our home is beyond the pale. She had no right to say anything of the sort to you. It was unforgivable."

Katrina did not speak. She felt the tears burning behind her eyes, the questions burning against her lips as they had the night of the ball. They had clamored to be said but there had been no time…no place to speak them aloud.

Ross saw her torment at once and urged her to speak. It was time for them to speak honesty and frankly.

"What is it, Katrina? Tell me, please, what haunts you still."

She slowly moved out of his grasp, walking away from him a little. She could not confess her feelings, her worries when he was so close to her. It was too intoxicating, too tempting. She had to stand apart to say what she had longed to say for so long. To address the facts as she saw them.

"Ross," she softly began. "I cannot help but wonder if there was a grain of truth to what Serena said. I am the reason your brother is in prison. I put him there. I know that what he did was wrong and that he should be punished. But he is your brother! Your own flesh and blood. How can your family truly accept me? Especially your mother? Whenever she or Adam…and even you…look at me, it will remind them of it. Of my part in it."

Katrina paused, looking out at the land she had come to love as her own. It was all McGrath land, part of Ross' heritage. It would one day belong to his son. Her eyes filled with tears as she thought of all the families that depended on him. She had danced among many of them tonight, had shared their joy. She could not bear to change that, for them to think differently of him than they did now.

Ross watched her silently, unable to speak. How beautiful she looked against the landscape, her luminous eyes reflected by the moon's glow. She truly did resemble the spectral fairy he had often thought her to be. But her loveliness went beyond the physical. It was her selflessness, her concern for him and his family that vibrated in her every word. These were the fears, the unspoken worries that had shadowed her eyes, that had separated them. What an agony it must have been, he thought, wishing to take her pain onto himself.

"And what if your tenants learnt of it?" she continued. "Surely they would be furious. And they would no longer respect or trust you as their laird. Oh Ross, your return here was exactly what they were longing for. What they were hoping for."

She swallowed back the tears painfully, staring down at the peaceful, magical scene below her. But one single tear escaped to slowly slide down her pale, cold cheek.

"This is surely...a bit of Heaven here on earth," she breathed, her soft voice catching slightly at the wonder of it. "I could never bear to hurt you or them like that. No, I could not."

Unable to bear it any longer, Ross came behind her, his arms going about her small waist to settle her against him. His chest was rising and falling rapidly, so moved was he by her words. To have her in his arms again like this, to feel her warm, soft body against him. For a moment, he was overcome with the joy of it, the utter sensation of knowing she was there.

"What if I told you that none of that was of any importance?" he finally asked, his voice husky and tortured. "Katrina, my people have long known of Lawrence's evil ways. He rarely stepped foot in the village. And when he did he only caused chaos and unhappiness. There would be no love lost in their knowing of his fate. Surely you know that Mother gave up hope of his changing some years ago? She and Adam only look upon you with love, my fairy. They know that it was you, and you alone, that caused me to give up my gypsy existence and come home again."

But Katrina would not be dissuaded. She wanted to have her say.

"But Serena," she protested. "It is she they all want you to marry. Her family…it is as old and honored as your own. She was born here as you were. I am a stranger. Surely they would not want me to become your wife?"

Turning her in his arms so that she faced him, Ross' strong fingers cupped her cheek. His fingers stroked the softness of her cheek where the tear had left its mark, his sterling eyes so tender, so fierce with love that Katrina could not move or speak.

"Serena Dunworth would never had befriended Katie Shaw," he told her almost roughly, his other arm lightly holding her to him. "She would never have attended their party tonight. She would not have deigned to hold a little child on her lap for fear of soiling her gown. She would have turned up her pretty nose and acted offended. And you know that."

As if he could no longer help himself, Ross' lips found her forehead, moving over her eyes, her chin, her nose. As if he wished to imprint every facet of her face into his memory for all time. Katrina could hardly breathe, her heart beating fast. She clung to him, savoring the feel of his mouth on her skin.

"You are as much a part of this land, these people, as I am. But it is so much more than that. I have watched you change from a frightened, insecure girl into a brave, compassionate woman," Ross told her softly.

"It has been something akin to watching a beautiful, fiery phoenix arise from the ashes. Every day I longed to hold you, to remind you how much you were loved. But I feared more than ever that I would lose you, my darling, in the process. That you would decide that you no longer needed my love. And it kept me silent for far too long."

She shook her head slowly, her own hand lifting to touch his face, her thumb boldly tracing the line of his firm mouth. A shudder of pure agony, pure pleasure ripped through his masculine frame as she did so. Only her touch could undo him like this. He knew that if he did not kiss her soon he should go mad.

"I shall always need your love," she vowed urgently. "But I did not think you wanted mine any longer!"

"Never!" he swore fervently, kissing each finger of her delicate hand, savoring each one. Claiming each one as his own for all time. He had drawn her against him so that she was close against his body, his very heart. He could feel each breath she took as it filled her lungs.

"I brought you here tonight, my precious Peggy, to show you my world," he finally said, his mouth hovering close to hers. "To tell you that I would give every acre of it up, tear down the Castle, and leave it as rubble to have you as my beloved wife, to hold you in my arms, to kiss your sweet lips, to share your life…my bonnie lass."

Before Katrina could speak, his mouth had claimed hers. A painful thrill erupted inside of her, streaking through every vein in her body. She gave a cry of utter joy as he kissed her thoroughly, his mouth boldly inviting hers to explore and delve deep.

The kiss was unlike any other they had ever shared. This time it was the meeting of two hearts, the intertwining of two lives. It was a brave, courageous, loving young woman being kissed by the man who loved her more than his own life, who recognized her strength. Not as the frightened, rescued princess seeking the protection of her warrior knight. He gloried in her passion, in her fire, and she lost herself to his mouth, to his hands, to the strong, frantic beating of his heart. For Ross knew to the depths of his soul that he needed her as desperately, if not more, as she needed him.

Katrina sighed almost impatiently as his mouth found her soft neck, his lips fervently seeking. He was hypnotizing her, drawing her into his ardor. Without the drowning weight of her fears, she was free to love him in return with equal passion, equal freedom. Her arms wound round his neck, her fingers spearing into the hair that curled at the back of his neck. Ross' breath hissed through his teeth as he drew back sharply, the sensation of it almost too much to bear. His control was dangerous close to slipping away.

"Katrina, say you will marry me," he breathed. "I must hear you say it. Please say it!"

Her eyes were shining like the stars that glittered over their heads. Her lips, so soft and sweet, were swollen from his kisses. She seemed to glow with love and Ross' heart overflowed. His sweet fairy, his beloved Katrina. She was like raw fire in his arms tonight, a passionate, glowing fire that singed him everywhere he touched her.

Her voice was hushed with emotion. And her sweet words of assent finally came.

"Yes, Ross, I will marry you."

"My sweet Peggy…"

As if spent, Ross moved to a low, flat rock and lowered them both onto it, fitting her snugly onto his lap so that she was firmly ensconced there. For several breathless moments, they did not speak. To do so would have broken the spell woven round them. But eventually Ross had to give voice to his thoughts. He leaned his forehead against hers, their breath mingling in the cold air.

"I never thought I would hear you say those words," he admitted, savoring each blessed second. "Katrina, can you forgive me for waiting? For not making sure that you knew about Serena. About Lawrence. About everything. I was nearly too late. Too late! I was so afraid you might have left for good. I have never been so terrified in all of my life. And I knew I had caused it!"

Hearing his self-condemnation, Katrina shook her head slowly. "There is nothing to forgive, Ross. I know how busy you have been in setting the estate to rights. I could never have left without word. And I could have insisted on speaking with you. My emotions were so tangled that I did not think properly."

His mouth lingered on the softness of her hair, breathing in the sweetness of its fragrance. "I felt a thousand agonies when Rose told me you had been seen walking East. I thought you might have gone to see Ryan McTeague. And I could not have blamed you if you had. I was not there for you when you needed me."

Katrina closed her eyes, her cheek against his heart. "It never entered my mind to do so," she told him honestly. "Serena's visit had overset me, that I must own. But I only wished to get into the open air, to think about what she had said. Before I even realized it, I found myself standing on Katie's doorstep. She was kind enough to offer me a cup of tea and we chatted a bit. And then I accompanied her to the dance."

Ross nodded. "I thought you might have gone to see her. But I could only imagine the very worst. McTeague has known you longer than I have. He made you laugh. I have never felt jealousy dipping her green fangs into me as I did the night of the ball. And then Elise told me you had gone with him to Seal Cove. It is a favorite spot for courting couples."

"Then you must have felt what I did when I saw you with Serena," Katrina softly confessed. "You danced with her at the ball so many times. She seemed the perfect choice to become your wife. I could not blame you for it. I had not said I would marry you. I had only myself to blame if you loved her."

"I was an utter fool," Ross told her, angry at himself. "I ought to have taken her aside at once and told her she was only setting herself up for disappointment. But her mother was such an old friend of my mother's. I hesitated at doing so. Of causing trouble. I did not think her capable of such behavior. But instead I ended up hurting you. And forced you to endure Serena's waspish tongue."

"That is all over now," Katrina replied fervently, looking up now into his face. She saw the bitterness in his eyes and longed to remove it. "We have found each other again, Ross. Everything else is in the past. There is no blame. No guilt. You of all people must know that after what happened in London. It is now that matters, does it not?"

She reached into her pocket and found the dagger he had given her, the brilliant blue of the stone gleaming in the moonlight. She took his hand and clasped it within hers so that they held it together. "Your heritage is a strong one, Ross, full of courageous men and women who fought to live, work, and die here. To raise their families peacefully. We are a part of that tradition. It rests in our hands to grasp the future and respect the past. It took me far too long to realize that."

"My fair charmer," he echoed softly, thinking that he had never seen her as beautiful as she was now, her eyes full of love for him, her hair mussed and her lips full of promises. Eyes that were no longer clouded by fear or doubts. "We have a new horizon facing us, a new journey to undertake. But this is one adventure I cannot accomplish without you. You have said you will marry me. When, my sweet Peggy?"

"I would say tomorrow, but I think the staff would require a little more time than that, as it is a holiday," she murmured happily, thinking she would always remember this moment. "And I should love it above all things for Frederick and Anne to be with us. And little Bethany. And Sophie and the Admiral. And Elise and Ian. And the Stennings. My goodness, that is quite a list!"

"You are a demanding little package, but I find it my greatest pleasure to indulge your every wish," Ross remarked, without an ounce of rancor in his voice. "They shall all come to Scotland for our wedding. I am yours to command. Say the word and 'tis done, my fairy. But I have no doubt that you will be the loveliest bride to ever grace Castle McGrath."

"Oh, Ross," Katrina protested. "You must not say such things when they are not true."

But he shook his head as he kissed her forehead. "In this, I will have my way, little one. When we return from our honeymoon, I am going to arrange for you to have your portrait painted. After painting and drawing the faces of others, you shall no longer be neglected. It should have been done months ago."

Katrina drew in her breath in combined surprise and delight, her hands holding fast to his shoulders. "You cannot mean it! Me?"

"Yes, you, my fairy," he told her, touched by her reaction. "Of course, I shall be forever distracting you whilst he paints you. You are going to have to grow accustomed to my making a fuss over you, Katrina. For it shall only grow worse when we are married. Can you endure it?"

Thinking of just how wonderful that would be, Katrina answered softly, "I think I can just about manage that."

Just then a rather strong gust of wind rippled over them and Ross was jolted into awareness that it was near growing quite cold on the mount.

"What a tyrant I am to force you to endure the winds assailing us here on the Mount! I do not wonder you will catch your death of cold. And that I could not endure. We must fetch Ranulf and head back to the Castle."

"You are keeping me wonderfully warm at the moment, Major," Katrina breathed, her eyes gleaming softly in the moonlight. Ross felt his head going black with want of her, wishing against all that was sacred that he could make love to her. That he could complete their union this very night. But it would have to wait.

"If you continue gazing at me in such a fashion, the village will condemn us both for all eternity, Miss Wentworth," Ross murmured against her ear. "Come now and we shall ride home to Castle McGrath before an icicle grows on the end of your charming nose. I have no doubt Mother is frantic with worry by now. And Rose and Elise. But I should not have missed this night with you at the village dance—or here—for all the gold in the Exchequer."

"Nor I, Ross," Katrina sighed contentedly, thinking herself indeed the most blessed woman who had ever walked the hills of Scotland as he drew her up from the rock. Even more blessed than Elise. Or dear Anne. "Nor I."

Chapter 47 ~ Conclusion

Posted on Tuesday, 20 April 1999

"Katrina, we must not let Bethany ruin the train of that lovely gown!"

Laughing, Katrina looked up at her sister-in-law. Her niece was happily sitting on the floor, a handful of the satin train clutched in her tiny fingers as she gazed up at them. She looked quite content where she was.

"Anne, I doubt if anyone shall notice," she remarked candidly. "There are far more interesting diversions for them to feast their eyes upon today. No doubt their eyes will be on you!"

Glancing about the small, elegant room, one would hardly guess from the demeanor of those inside of it that one of the most eagerly awaited weddings of the year was soon to take place. The laird of McGrath was to take the fair Katrina Wentworth as his bride. And nearly everyone from around the county would be present for the event.

Anne Wentworth swept up her only daughter with loving arms. She, Sophy, and Bethany had traveled to Scotland two weeks ago to assist in the last-minute preparations. Her husband and Captain Croft had arrived two days ago and only added to the merriment that had swept over the castle.

"You are determined to spoil this child," Anne said indulgently, kissing her daughter's soft head. "She is already so attached to you that she cannot bear to be out of your sight."

Seated on a cushioned gilded chair before a large, ornate mirror, Katrina said, "I must make up for the last months, Anne. I have not seen my niece and must spoil her to make up for my absence. Surely there can be no harm in that? 'Tis my duty as an aunt."

Smiling in agreement, Anne shook her head. "Your logic is too fitting to counter, so I shall say no more on the subject. Is this room truly where all the McGrath brides have prepared for their weddings? It is quite grand."

Nodding, Katrina looked about the turreted room. "Indeed it is. Or so Lady McGrath tells me. It has been used for this very purpose for the last three centuries. Although I do hope that none of them had to suffer through a December wedding. While it is indeed charming, it is a trifle drafty!"

Chuckling, Anne moved across the room to look out the high, narrow window to scan the view below. She had sailed with Frederick and done a small amount of traveling in her time. But nothing could compare to the breathtaking landscape sprawling out before her eyes now.

"It is like a fairy land," Anne remarked with wonder, holding Bethany against her hip as she chewed on her fingers. "Never in my wildest imagination did I dream of such a thing for you, my dear. I am so glad that God proved to be the imaginative Creator that he is. You shall be quite happy living here, I have little doubt of it."

"It is quite out of another time, is it not?" Katrina remarked, smiling to herself. "But I must confess…I should not care. As long as I am with Ross, that is all that truly matters to me."

"I felt much the same about Frederick. But Ross is the laird of a great land," Anne reminded her, glancing over her shoulder. "I know you are exactly what he needs. You will keep his feet grounded in his people and his heart working hard to improve their lives."

Standing, Katrina carefully stepped over the wedding gown that was draped over the dressing screen. "It is a daunting task, indeed. Anne, at times it makes me quite dizzy to think of it. There are so many people depending on him. And I shall be the next Lady McGrath! I do not want to let him down in any way."

Anne turned from the window, regarding her sister-in-law with affection. "You must not let your anxieties get the better of you, Katrina. 'Tis fear of the unknown that robs us so very often of our joy. And Ross has every confidence in you, to be sure. I do not believe I have seen a happier groom in all my life. And not every Scottish laird invites all of his subjects to his wedding!"

Katrina smiled, drawing in a great breath. "We discussed it for quite a long time. They were all instrumental in bringing us together, in their own way. To not invite them would have been unforgivable. And the weather has proven fair, truly a blessing from God!"

There was a knock at the door then and Rose entered, flushed and happy. "I come to take Miss Bethany below, Mrs. Wentworth. Lady Stenning says she wants to dress 'er for t'weddin'. Insists on it, she do."

Shaking her head in wonder, Anne carefully handed Bethany over to the maid. "This child will surely grow spoiled if we remain in Scotland much longer. She is fussed over day and night by everyone!"

"She does not seem to mind it," Katrina commented with amusement, noticing how true Anne's words were. The castle had not hosted an infant in some years and the staff, as well as the guests, was eager to hold her and play with her.

When Rose had gone, Anne grew more serious and moved over to the fine mahogany dressing table. A small box that Katrina had not noticed earlier was resting there. Anne took it up and opened it, revealing a pair of pearl earrings.

"Oh, Anne, those are so lovely!" Katrina murmured admiringly. "Are you wearing them today?"

Then Katrina realized that they were her mother's. Sophy had worn them when she had married the Admiral. Sudden, sentimental tears came to Katrina's eyes as she remembered that day. And that her mother had not been alive to see that wedding either.

"I think you know that these belonged to your dear mother, Amelia Wentworth," Anne softly said, her hand on Katrina's shoulder. "Sophy wanted you to wear these today. They have been worn by most of the Wentworth brides over the years. Sophy was kind enough to let me wear them on my wedding day, knowing I had no mother…to lend me hers. We have been saving them for you, my dear. "

With trembling fingers, Katrina took the earrings from Anne. She had wondered why Sophy had written to her soon after the engagement was announced to not trouble herself about earrings. She had just the thing, Sophy had said. Now as she looked at them, she smiled. Sophy was down below, issuing orders to the staff along with the housekeeper concerning the wedding breakfast. Sentimental moments were not Sophy's strong point.

"They are precisely…the proper thing," Katrina managed to say, choking back her tears. "Oh, Anne…thank you for being here with me today. For helping me. I could not have done it without you. All of you."

"I am certain you would have managed somehow," Anne assured her, but glowed with a pleased blush. "Frederick and I are so very proud of you. He will tell you so himself. But you are also very special to me, Katrina. Even after you are married and holding court here in this fairy land, I will be your sister and will always be eager to see and hear from you."

Katrina could not help but laugh, brushing away the salt drops. "And I you. Your presence here today means more than you can know."

"I would not have missed this for the world," Anne reminded her, grinning. "Now I shall send Rose back to you to help you into your gown. She has something else for you, I believe. I must needs get into my own gown."

Kissing her cheek lightly, Katrina watched her go and then turned to gaze at herself in the mirror. She did not recognize the stranger who stared back at her today. Even in her chemise, she looked different. Earlier that day, Rose had done her hair. It was dressed in an elegant style, piled high and woven with small, diamond stars. They had been leant to her by Lady McGrath. She resembled a fairy princess.

"You are taking part in some mysterious, heavenly dream, my girl," she murmured to herself, touching her cheek.

If only Elise could be here, Katrina thought, remembering the only cloud on her horizon. But Elise was far away on her own honeymoon with Ian, having married three weeks ago. She and Ross had happily attended the small ceremony, notable for its lack of pomp and circumstance. The Stennings had come and remained to attend her and Ross' wedding.

"Thankfully, I am not the laird of the county like Ross," Ian had told Katrina gleefully. "Obscurity has its benefits. Neither Elise nor I favor grand affairs for our own special day. Family and a few friends are all that we require."

The couple was now enjoying a month in the Shetland Islands, spending it in a small house owned by Ian's Uncle Randall. It was in a secluded, picturesque spot. Precisely what the newlyweds desired. Katrina knew her best friend deserved her happiness. She knew in her heart that it truly did not matter that she could not attend her wedding. But she still longed for hear Elise' ready laugh and soft smile, especially today of all days.

As she adjusted the train of the gown, Katrina comforted herself with the fact that when she and Ross returned from their own honeymoon on the island of Iona, Elise and Ian would be there at home waiting for her.

Katrina's eyes fell on the small card lying on the dressing table and she lifted it, her eyes going moist yet again. Ross had sent it up with a small box first thing that morning along with a note:

My dearest Peggy:

You cannot know how highly irritating it is to be restricted by nonsensical tradition. Anne and Frederick insist that I not be permitted to see you before the ceremony because it shall bring about bad luck. Do they not understand that it is quite unlucky for them to both suffer broken limbs? Their logic quite robs me of adequate speech at times, your relations!

All such malevolent thoughts aside, I could not continue without expressing my thoughts to you this morning as I watched the sun rise over the loch. How I wish that I might have brought you with me!

The mist was rising and the air was still, save for a few birds that had awakened. As I sat there quietly thinking, a doe came from between the trees. How graceful she was as she drank from the loch. Her eyes were inquisitive as she watched me, and yet she was not afraid of me. Could I not help but think of you? How I long to see your beautiful blue eyes look up into mine as we are finally joined as companions and lovers for life.

Mother is bringing you the appropriate jewels for the ceremony, but I wanted you to have something from me to mark this special, priceless day in our lives. I had the jewelers make it for you as soon as you agreed to marry me two months ago. As you wear it against your heart, know that you shall always be the keeper of mine.

Think only happy thoughts today, my sweet fairy, as our dreams come true.

Love, Ross

She carefully fingered the locket around her neck, felt the thick chain cool against her skin. It was made of pure gold with a small sapphire imbedded in the filigree work, the design reminding her of the dagger he had given her. Inside were engraved the words "To my sweet fairy" along with the date.

Katrina's heart glowed as she contemplated the importance of it, of the loving care that had created it. It was special because it was not a family heirloom. The locket represented something new…their life as a wedded couple.

She had already sent him her own gift, chosen with care and Lady McGrath's sage advice. It was a silver stickpin with a small amethyst in the head, something very like what his father had once worn.

There came a knock at the door and Katrina did not bother to look up, still looking down at the locket. "Come in, Rose!"

The old oaken door creaked as it opened and a feminine voice exclaimed:

"Katrina Wentworth! Do not tell me you are sitting here gazing like a lovesick schoolgirl at that locket when you are to be wed in less than an hour's time?"

Katrina's eyes flew up to meet the dancing green ones of her best friend. Standing in the door in a dusty traveling gown was Elise, a gamin grin lighting up her pale features.

Katrina flew into her arms, nearly weeping with joy. "You have little room to talk wearing a rumpled gown like that on the most important day of my life," she countered halfheartedly, laughing. "How on earth did you manage to arrive in time? You are supposed to be on your honeymoon!"

"And miss your wedding?" Elise asked, embracing her happily. "Do you truly think me a half wit? I would as soon attempt to draw your portrait! I could not miss your wedding, dear girl. Not when you are marrying my favorite cousin, I could not! And especially after all the labor I put into carefully bringing the two of you together!"

Drawing back, Katrina beamed like a newly lit candle. Elise looked glowing herself, her cheeks rosy and her hair shining. Marriage clearly agreed with her. "Ian is a saint to grant you such a request, Elise. Are you certain he is not angry with you for dragging him home so very soon?"

"He knew that if he did not that the remainder of our time at his uncle's house would be unbearable. I must confess, he was quite happy to oblige me. It seems my husband enjoys indulging his foolish wife's every whim. A lamentable fault, but one I am quite patient to endure."

"I can scarcely believe it," Katrina murmured in awe. "Now my day is truly complete…now that you are here, sweet girl. Thank you for coming."

"I have come to assist you into this grand confection of a wedding gown, and Rose is to help as well," Elise announced, moving over to the dressing screen to survey it. "Ah, it is a lovely thing. Was it Lady McGrath's?"

"Yes, it was," Katrina echoed, still overflowing with joy. "Of course, it had to be altered to fit as I am not nearly as tall as Ross' mother. I feared she might grow angry that it would be so changed. But she would not hear of me wearing anything else."

"That is very like her," Katrina agreed, fingering the fabric lovingly. "She has eagerly awaited this day longer than even Ross has. She has long hoped of him marrying a lovely, intelligent girl with a heart for the people. And now he will."

"You must not talk like that or I shall weep," Katrina insisted, smiling. "Is all in readiness below?"

"Nearly so," Elise reported with an enigmatic expression. "Yet more guests are arriving by the moment. I fear one of them has caused quite a stir among the crowd. And I am sworn to secrecy as to that guest's identity, so do not attempt to get it out of me!"

Then Rose entered the room and there was no longer time to talk.

There was a hushed rustle of satin and lace as Katrina came to stand on the landing, her train rippling like a living waterfall behind her. Elise was not far behind, straightening it. A strong, gloved hand confidently reached for her arm as she looked up at her eldest brother.

"This is a red-letter day, indeed, my dear," Frederick told her quietly, the affection and dignity vibrating together in his voice. "You do me proud, Katrina. But then you always have."

Katrina had stopped counting the times she had swallowed back happy tears that day. Her brother was dressed in his full naval dress uniform, his hat tucked under his arm, gold braid and medals decorating his broad chest. She could even see the high gloss of his boots reflecting the sunlight pouring in through the window. She had never seen him more handsome in his life, more awe inspiring. It was little wonder he had commanded respect and admiration on his ship.

"You look like Mama today, with her earrings, with the sun on your hair," Frederick murmured softly, his own dark eyes hinting moisture as he remembered their mother. "You must know that she and Papa are watching you today, that their blessing rests upon you and Ross. As does Anne's and mine. We could not be happier."

"Your happiness…has ensured mine," Katrina told him, her voice catching. "I dreamed as a girl of the day you would escort me down the aisle. You cannot know…how glad I am that you are here with me to do so. Thank you."

He smiled, nodding, before he kissed her cheek. "The honor is all mine, I assure you. Now let us go. There is one final task to perform before we can take that little stroll you mentioned. Come with me."

Katrina wondered what mystery her brother was conjuring up as they made their way down the staircase into the Grand Hall. Hundreds of guests were waiting impatiently outside. What more was there to be done?

Her eyes fell upon a small group of people awaiting them at the doors. She saw Lady McGrath standing among them, as were Sophy and the Admiral, along with a few important-looking gentlemen she had never met before. Standing slightly apart was a rather plump, short, little man whose cravat points were amazingly high. He seemed familiar somehow. Where had she seen him before?

"Frederick, who is that man?" she whispered furtively as they reached the bottom of the stairs. "Why is he waiting for us?"

"'Tis only the Prince Regent, my dear," Frederick whispered back, his dark eyes giving away nothing. "He has come all the way from Sandringham to attend your wedding! Is that not astonishing?"

In later years, Katrina would tell her children that she did not quite recall all of the next moments that followed. How she managed to continue walking down the red carpet to the Prince Regent. That her legs had nearly crumpled beneath her, and how their uncle's strong arm had held her up. It was a story they would request to hear over and over.

Katrina swept into a low curtsey, her eyes slowly rising as she herself rose to regard her future king. Somehow she was able to do so without falling over her voluminous skirts.

The Prince bowed over her hand gallantly. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you, my dear," he said, a slight drawl to his voice. "When I caught wind of the news that you were marrying McGrath, I simply had to be present . You did your country a great service, my dear, and I had to make certain you knew it personally."

Katrina nearly started, so startled was she. She had received a short missive from the Prince months ago during her illness in London. He had thanked her then for her heroism in recovering the stolen artwork and in capturing Lawrence. The gesture alone has surprised her. Capturing the future king of England's notice was a thought she had never entertained. To see him here at her own wedding was too much to put her mind round.

"I shall throttle Frederick for not warning me," she thought dazedly. "This cannot be happening!"

"Your Highness," Katrina finally said, choosing her words with care. "It is I who must thank you…for taking the time to grace Ross and I with your presence…on this our wedding day. I am overwhelmed, too full to speak. I simply did what anyone would do for her country. I can say nothing more on the subject."

For a few painful moments, Katrina suddenly thought of Richard. How she wished he could be here to share this day. But then the world righted itself again and she smiled.

The Regent smiled in return, clasping her hand lightly in his. He had always possessed a keen eye for a pretty woman and his admiration of Katrina was apparent.

"Your actions went beyond the call of duty, Miss Wentworth. And for that I am in your debt. As are many others who are grateful for your actions. But I have said more than enough. It is indeed your wedding day, and I shall delay it no further."

He then leaned over and kissed her lightly on the cheek. "May I wish you both great joy, Miss Wentworth."

Katrina curtsied again and then Frederick was leading her down the carpet. But now Katrina's feet barely touched the ground as they emerged from the castle and slowly moved down the incline toward where the next long carpet awaited her. She truly was walking in a dream!

The sun was shining in a cloudless sky, and the sound of the McGrath standard flickering in the wind was all she could hear. And then the music of the pipes began to play.

Anne was walking down the aisle now on the Admiral's arm, his craggy face beaming like a beacon at sea. Following soon after was little Maggie Shaw, her fingers scattering rose petals as she went. In her white satin dress, she looked almost like another child. Her mother stood close by, smiling broadly.

Then someone must have looked up because a voice murmured, "There be the bride!"

Frederick squeezed her hand over his arm as they began the long walk. Katrina's eyes searched for Ross and found him, standing next to Adam at the end of the aisle. Even from far away, Katrina's heart leapt. His eyes were on her face, beckoning her to him, shining with pride and love.

She felt as if she were ship in full sail moving across the sea, slowly, majestically. Somehow she knew that her entire life had only been a prelude to this moment, that this was God's plan for her life from the day of her birth. She had been moving a little closer toward it each day, never knowing when or where she would arrive. There had been numerous storms and moments of fear along the way. But at the end, the sun had parted the clouds and she had found her way home.

Katrina did not notice the eyes that followed her as she moved, nor did she hear the exclamations of delight and admiration. There were also a few of surprise. She had not chosen to wear a veil, wanting to be able to see Ross from the moment she left the castle. As she drew closer, she saw he was wearing the stickpin in his cravat.

But it did not shine nearly as bright as his sterling gray eyes, his dark hair slightly ruffled by the wind. He was wearing the McGrath dress tartan, his black velvet coat fitting tightly to his chest. Over his shoulder was thrown the matching plaid. Never had he seemed more gallant or more a leader of his clan than he did today.

As they reached the bottom of the hill and Frederick moved aside, Katrina felt a sudden warmth invade her body and soul unlike any other. As Ross' strong fingers entwined with hers, she felt as if their hearts were joined as well.

"My sweet fairy," he murmured for her ears alone. "Tha gaol agam ort, my Katrina."

"And I love you, Ross," she whispered in return as they turned to the priest.

A single candle guttered low beside the bed curtains, casting shadows against the fabric. While the rest of the castle's occupants slumbered, two remained yet awake.

"I must rise and stoke the fire, my Titania," came a low, reluctant voice. "I cannot have you turning to ice in my arms. Not on our wedding night. It simply will not do."

"Ross, do you truly think me in danger of such a plight?" Katrina murmured, her ear against his heart. Its powerful rhythm fascinated her as nothing had before. "I should be colder still if you left…our bed."

Ross' heart thrilled to the sound of those last two seemingly-trifling words. "Our bed," he echoed with relish, his fingers tracing patterns slowly, unerringly down the soft skin of her back. "I have my orders, then, and shall not disobey them. Despite the fact that you are only wearing a single item to protect you from the cold. Much as I love my ancestral home, the rooms grow cool at night."

Katrina lifted her locket, holding it against her lips. Even in the darkness, it shone. "I shall treasure this locket always, Ross. What a day it was! I do not think I shall believe it all happened until tomorrow. When we are traveling to Iona, only then will I believe it fully."

Ross' mouth was against her hair, pulling the heavy coverlet over them more closely. He fully understood her amazement, because he shared it. She was his miracle, his life. They had finally surmounted every obstacle and their paths had become one.

"Which part, my love? When you met the Regent? Or when everyone applauded when we were pronounced man and wife?"

"Those memories I shall not soon forget," she admitted, those scenes flashing in her mind. "But I truly think I shall remember most the moment when little Maggie Shaw told the Regent he was too fat and she carried his plate away at the wedding breakfast."

Laughter rumbled low in Ross' chest as he pulled her a little closer to him. "There is little doubt anyone who was there will forget that," he remarked dryly. "What was your favorite memory, my fairy?"

She pretended to think about it at length, slightly distracted by her husband's soft breath on her neck. "I would have to say it came when Elise informed me that Serena Dunworth was betrothed to the Rev. Digby Smithers, a man some 20 years her senior with a living in Penzance. Yes, that would have to be it."

"You dreadful girl," Ross murmured with a decided lack of malice. "You shall forever tell lies. Although I must admit the news had me feeling drunk as a lord myself. How on earth did Elise discover such a delightfully naughty snippet of gossip?"

"I believe she is acquainted with a certain Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy of Derbyshire," Katrina answered blithely, snuggling into her husband's side. "It appears that Mrs. Darcy is a friend of the wife of Rev. Smithers' cousin, a Mr. Collins of Rosings. According to Mrs. Darcy, I am to be assured that Miss Dunworth's fate is now decidedly chosen."

"I do not believe Serena to have sat through an entire sermon in her life," Ross commented, smiling to himself. "She slept through them even as an adult. No doubt, then, that her matrimonial future will markedly change her habits."

Katrina turned in his arms then, her arms twining about his neck. She no longer wished to talk about Serena. She wanted to savor the pleasure, the sheer bliss of being alone with her husband, the man she loved with all of her heart. Ross' fingers were combing through her hair, which hung like a silky banner over her shoulders. Such actions made it difficult for her to speak.

"As my habits have now altered forever," she softly said, her eyes lambent in the candle's glow. "Ross, what was your favorite moment? I should like to know."

For a moment, Ross did not speak, gaining his greatest contentment from simply regarding her as he did now and feeling her body against his. Then his eyes glowed and darkened as his thoughts turned to when they had slowly mounted the stairway to their room. How beautiful she had looked, he thought. And then the moments that had followed as the door shut behind them.

As if reading his mind, Katrina's cheeks flushed in the darkness and she lowered her eyes.

"It is much too late for maidenly blushes now, my Peggy," Ross softly murmured, thinking her rosy hue the loveliest sight in all the world. With one finger, he stroked the softness of her cheek. "Making love to you…making you my truly my wife…I shall never forget. You are so soft, so utterly adorable. Just as I knew you would be. I fear I shall be forever seeking your embrace, my darling. Even when we are old and gray, I shall be tugging you into bed with me."

"I think…that shall cause the servants…to be greatly shocked," Katrina managed to say but his words sent a shiver of delight through her entire body. Ross had proven articulate in his feelings during their engagement, but amid the shadows he had whispered loving words to her over and over, some in English, some in Gaelic. The memory lingered and shimmered in her heart.

Her fingers were twining in the curls resting at the base of his neck, her words low and full of promise, "But I am willing to fulfill every request my husband makes. I have vowed to do so before God this day."

"Truly now, a biddable wife?" Ross asked, but his teasing tone did nothing to hide his desire for her. "I have found a rare treasure to have wed such a woman. If that is the case, I shall begin making my wishes known right away. An toir thu dhomh pòg?"

As his lips hovered over hers, Katrina closed her eyes and murmured sweetly, "Yes…and a thousand kisses to follow, my husband…"

The End