Page 110 of In Search of a Husband
Kate had found a family and a purpose, and this perfectly frustrating Highlander who loved her with a depth she had never experienced.
And she wouldn’t change anything if it all led her back here, once more under the Scottish stars, in cold so raw her breath danced around them in a thin, lacy veil.
Once more.
And always.
“Yes,” she said.
CHAPTER 30
Gabriel tuckedMaisie into bed and turned around, watching as Kate did the same to Lorna, and his chest ached.
Having watched her walk away.
Having feared he’d lose her forever.
Knowing she would now always be his to love.
“Rest well, lasses.” He squeezed the aching muscles by his shoulder and tilted his head. It had been the longest day of his life, and he was sure he would sleep any other time, but not tonight.
Kate glanced up, her eyes full of promises.
He never wished for her to leave again, and he would do whatever he could to see her well and truly loved for the treasure she was.
His.
“Sweet dreams, ladies. It has been a day, but I promise we are safe and well. And you are loved.”
She rose from the mattress and stood beside Gabriel, reaching for his hand. She held it tightly in hers. He was struck then how it fit so well in his.
“Is Finn going to heaven with Da?” Maisie asked.
Gabriel was about to answer before Kate softly said, “Your aunt is far too stubborn to allow Finn to be rid of her so easily.”
He wasn’t certain then if she was only speaking about Finn and Elsie.
Lorna yawned, nestling down farther into her pillow and drawing the quilt up to ears. “Love ye,” she mumbled.
Kate’s head came to rest against his shoulder, and the pair waited a moment as the girls, beyond exhaustion, fell asleep.
“Should we tell them in the morning?” Gabriel whispered, drawing Kate out into the hallway. He checked his timepiece, frowning at the late hour. “That we’re to be married?”
“No need to worry about the time now, love. Pay it no mind.”
When he had arrived at Dunsmuir Castle, time was what he didn’t have enough of. And he feared he still wouldn’t. But could he love her enough for that not to matter?
Kate tugged on his hand and drew him farther down the hall, away from her parents, the marquess, from Elsie pacing the floor of Finn’s sickroom. Drawing him closer to his room as if keeping him a secret.
But beneath the exhaustion etched on her face, he understood it wasn’t that. Not truly. He felt the same bone-deep uneasiness of what could have been lost between them. And the answering ache that rang hollow in his chest.
He would sleep another day. She was right. Time had no control over this moment with her. Nor in the days ahead if he didn’t allow it. For far too long, he feared not having enough time, and in turn, he had missed much of his life because of it.
No more.
No longer.
“Do ye wish me to draw ye a bath, lass?” he asked, closing his bedroom door behind them both. “I ken ye’ve bruises. Let me make them hurt less. Let me?—”
