Page 83 of The Highlander's Dangerous Bride

“Nay. I’d only just got ye back. The last thing I wanted tae dae was leave ye again. But ye see, I decided I couldnae risk Thorsten’s life by refusin’ tae believe Struan had him. I had nae choice but tae hand mesel’ over tae him if there was the remotest chance it was true.

“I thought about tellin’ ye, but every time I tried, I couldnae bring mesel’ tae dae it. I kent it would destroy ye, and ye would go rushin’ in tae try tae get him back. I was terrified ye’d be killed and that I might end up losin’ both of ye. I was eaten up with guilt, because it seemed like it was all me fault fer endangerin’ ye both by gettin’ ye mixed up with that evil man.

“Also, I was certain that if I told ye about the meetin’, ye’d stop me from goin’. I couldnae risk that either, fer Thorsten’s sake. That’s why I left ye the letter, askin’ ye tae wait a while and then follow me, tae find out if Struan was lyin’ about havin’ Thorsten.

“He told me himself when we were back on Barra that it was all just a bluff, a cruel trick tae scare me intae givin mesel’ up tae him. Thorsten was safe at home the whole time, thank God.”

Arne groaned and rubbed his head. “I was a fool. I should have read the letter when ye asked me tae.”

Raven laid a gentle hand on his arm. “I’m so sorry fer nae tellin’ ye, Arne. I hated mesel’ fer lyin’ tae ye again, but I didnae ken what else tae dae. I never thought ye would nae read the letter, but I understand why ye didnae want tae.”

Arne’s heart was aching when he took her hand in his and raised it to his lips, pressing a small kiss on the delicate skin on the inside of her wrist. He looked into her eyes. “I’m sorry fer nae trustin’ ye, Raven. Can ye forgive me?”

Her smile warmed him even more than the whisky. “There’s naethin’ fer me tae forgive. ’Tis me who must ask fer yer forgiveness once again. Can ye forgive me?”

In reply, he enfolded her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. “There’s naethin’ fer me tae forgive, now I understand why ye did what ye did. I think ye’re the bravest, kindest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, and Thorsten and I are lucky tae have ye. I love ye, Raven, and I always will.”

Beneath her bruises and swelling, her happiness shone out. She held him tight and hugged him. “I love ye too, Arne, and I always will.” They hugged as if they would never let go of each other.

She felt so much lighter of heart now all the misunderstandings between them were cleared up and they were free to simply love each other and live together as a family with Thorsten. It was like a dream she could never let herself fully believe in before. Now, it was becoming real, and it was thrilling.

“Let’s get intae bed,” he told her, flipping back the covers invitingly. They climbed in and snuggled up together, perfectly content but both so exhausted by the night’s events that within a very short time, they fell fast asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.

EPILOGUE

Castle MacLeod, one week later…

Raven sipped at her goblet of wine and smiled happily as she looked about her at the happy party seated around the table, sharing a private dinner in the cozy parlor. Haldor was at the head of the table, his fearsome appearance softened by the grin that seemed to have taken up permanent occupation of his stern yet striking features since their arrival on Harris earlier the previous day. Raven knew he was a good man and that she could trust him.

To his left was the petite Sofia, with her delicate beauty and dark hair, who seemed to radiate joy. Her cheeks were pink with laughter as she chatted with them all, clearly thrilled to have everyone there. Raven already thought of her as a trusted friend.

Her brothers were sitting opposite her and Arne, both looking carefree and relaxed, now they were free from Struan’s threats. She watched them fondly as they talked to Haldor and Sofia, laughing smiling, cracking jokes, eating and drinking heartily. It felt like a holiday to see them so at ease.

Despite them having been parted for so long, she still felt very close to them both, and she looked forward very much to making up for lost time. They were already proving to be fine uncles to Thorsten. She was thrilled that he had taken to them right away.

She looked down at the mop of coal-black hair to her right and reached out to ruffle it. Thorsten turned his face up to her and grinned, his bright silvery-blue eyes that were so like Arne’s shining with glee.

“I’m so glad ye and Da are home. I thought ye’d be gone a long time. This is fun, is it nae, Ma?” he lisped through the coating of custard around his mouth. Pure joy welled up inside Raven every time she heard him call her “Ma.”

Her mind flicked back to the journey to Castle MacLeod. On the boat, she and Arne had discussed how to tell the little boy that she was actually his mother. “I’m so worried about how he’s gonnae take it, Arne,” she had confessed. “He thinks I’m dead. What if he rejects me?”

Arne had put his arms around her and tried to reassure her. “I’m certain it’ll nae come tae that, Raven. He’s already taken tae ye and he is too young to really understand or get angry. We just have tae try tae find the right words tae help him understand.”

“I ken, but it seems very hard,” she had replied, hoping he was right. Nevertheless, the anxiety had nagged away at her the entire way.

But as it turned out, she need not have worried at all. The previous afternoon when they had arrived at the castle, Thorsten had been waiting with Haldor and Sofia to meet them.

“Da!” he had cried, his face lighting up with excitement as soon as he set eyes on Arne, running towards him with his little legs.

“There ye are, me wee man, I’ve missed ye,” Arne had said, scooping him up and whirling him around a few times, making Thorsten shriek with laughter as he hugged his father’s neck. “Me too, Da,” he giggled.

Then, to Raven’s delight, Thorsten reached out his chubby arms to her, beamed at her, and said, “I missed ye too. I’m glad ye came back again. I want tae hug ye too.”

Bursting with joy, Raven had taken him into her arms and hugged him tightly against her. “I missed ye very much too,” she told him, raining kisses on his cheeks and head. “’Tis so good tae see ye.”

After the initial greetings and introductions had been made and they had enjoyed some refreshments, she and Arne had taken Thorsten for a little walk in the gardens. They had decided between them that it would be best to get the difficult business of telling him she was his mother out of the way as soon as possible.

They walked along, with Thorsten between them, swinging him along in the way he liked. Despite their laughter, Raven was feeling nervous.

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