Page 73 of The Lone Wolf's Bride

‘Shed your tears for him, Ilene. I will leave you in peace.’

She got up and grabbed his arm. ‘They are not just for him. Murray, please don’t go.’

There was a desolate look on his face.

‘Do you love him still? Do I have to battle a ghost now Ilene?’

‘I’m sorry that Aidan is dead. I cared for him once, so very much. But Murray, I had forgiven him a long time ago for abandoning me because if he had not done so, I would never have found you. I haven’t loved him for a long time, and what I felt for him back then was nothing, compared to the love I have for you. Don’t you know that by now?’ I would not have been able to go on if you had died on that moor.’

‘Hush now,’ he said, softly stroking her hair and pulling her into his arms. ‘We are here together. In spite of everything you have cost me in pride and anguish, I am thankful for it. And if I am a fool to feel that way, if I am your slave, then so be it. I’ve but one heart to give Ilene, and you have it, you have always had it. I will never hurt you again I swear. From now on, you will have only kindness from me.’

‘Oh Murray, in truth, that is all I ever had. You kept me safe when most men would have turned their backs on me. You were kind when you should have hated me. You sought me out when it was better for you to lose me forever and you have been loyal when I did nothing to deserve it. And most of all, you have found a way to love me when I had given up hope of that. What I feel for you is real Murray, and you may depend on it from this day forward. I love you and I will not stop.

‘So you think we can overcome the past and all the mistrust and bitterness that lay between us.’

She took his hand in hers and brought it to her lips.

‘Ilene, I’ll not force you to come back to Shillinglaw with me. Stay here with your family, in your home, safe and happy.’

‘My home is where you are Murray, I have no other now.’

‘So even after all that has happened you trust in us enough to go on? You think it’s possible for us to be happy together?’

‘Anything is possible Murray,’ she said, taking his face in her hands and kissing him gently. ‘Anything is possible if you want it enough.’

***

Murray was in the stables, grooming his horse when Ailsa found him.

‘So, you take your leave of us in a few days. I will miss you so.’

‘Aye, but don’t fret, I will make sure Ilene gets home safe.’

She looked about the place to make sure they were not overheard.

‘Duncan told me Aidan Grant said something about Ilene before the battle. It made Duncan angry just to repeat it to me, for he blackened her good name.’

‘The Grants said some things of no consequence, to rile us up, don’t fash yourself with it.’

‘From what Duncan told me, it was more than just idle words and lies.’

‘Ailsa they were just trying to pick a fight is all.’

‘I don’t believe you. My husband said that too, and I didn’t believe him either.’

‘Tis nothing, trust me, a lie that is all.’

‘Oh Murray, men may be stronger than us in many ways, but we women know how to look something in the eye and see it for what it is. Now tell me what it is you did for my daughter.’

‘I did nothing Ailsa. I merely convinced her, probably against her better judgement, to marry me. And I am thankful she did for Ilene has given me everything worth having in my life.’

‘So you won’t tell me.’

‘Nothing to tell…ever.’ Murray replied evenly.

She pulled him swiftly into a hug, standing on the tip of her toes to reach his ear. ‘I think I know what you did for Ilene’s sake, and I thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You are a fine, good man Murray and I love you.’

He held on tight for a moment as Ailsa’s heart ached for him.

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