Page 52 of Kilty Until Proven Innocent
The King nodded solemnly. “So be it. I have decided Lawrence is ready to retire. I will provide him with a simple estate and a young wife.”
“Larry the butler?” blurted Brigit at the same time Avaline shrieked, “That auld man?”
“Craig?” The King beckoned the other man forward. “Take Lady Avaline to the dungeons. The wedding will happen soon, and we ought to give her a taste of the alternatives in the meantime.”
As Craig led the other woman away—spitting and cursing—Their Majesties turned to Drum and Brigit, standing before the altar.
“For whatever part I have played in this, I am sorry,” Drum formally offered with a slight bow.
The King chuckled. “It seems as though ye are the one owed an apology. I am sorry I ever doubted yer loyalty, Drummond Kennedy. Ye are a good man and I regret I was manipulated into thinking aught else.”
“We all were,” his wife said, laying her hand on his forearm. “I am sorry as well.”
Drum accepted the apologies with another nod, then glanced down at Brigit. Thinking he was hoping for another apology, she opened her mouth…but was halted when he spoke.
“And I am sorry, Brigit, that I ever doubtedyerloyalty.”
Loyalty to the Crown.
Loyalty tohim.
She smiled softly. “I love ye, Drummond. I will always be loyal.”
Surprise flashed in his eyes, then joy settled into his smile. “Truly, Brigit? Ye love me?” His hand found hers, fingers twining together.
She nodded. “I’ve cared for ye for a long time, but this adventure has shown me ye are a good man, a brave man, a loyal man. One Scotland is lucky to have. And…” She ducked her head, peeking up at him through her lashes. “One I’d be lucky to have.”
“Och, lass, ye’ll never have to doubt if yehaveme again. I—I love ye so much.”
Love ye so much…love ye so much…
The refrain repeated in her mind until Brigit couldn’t hear aught else. She stared breathlessly up at him, unable to speak, unable to breathe.
He tugged her closer until they stood chest-to-chest. She was so much smaller, but still felt his equal.
“I’ll stand beside ye, Drum,” she whispered, uncertain she was making sense. “I’ll guard yer back. Together.”
His fingers tightened around hers. “Together. I’ll protect ye, Brigit, and ye protect me? Our strength is more powerful together.”
“Together,” she repeated faintly.
As if from a distance, she heard the tinkle of the Queen’s laughter. “Well, darling? It seems we have a new sort of protector.”
“An Angel and a Hunter?” the King mused. “As our bodyguards? I think this will work well. I think we ought to make them partners.”
“Make them?” the Queen chuckled. “Darling, they’re already partners!”
Brigit’s gaze hadn’t left Drum’s. “Partners?” she whispered.
He was already leaning closer. “Always.”
Equals.
They were both grinning when their lips met.
Epilogue
Drummond frowneddown at the flimsy cards he clutched in his hands. The numbers and suits ran together and he wasn’t certain if ‘twas because hestilldidnae understand this infernal game the Arabs invented…or if he was drunk.
