was no doubt she loved Aedan, hadn’t thought she could love anyone more with her heart and soul, but she was wrong. As the sweet cherub face scrunched and cried up at her, Abby knew she’d never love another more. She’d die before allowing anything to happen to this little sweetheart.
“Has Aedan returned?” she asked, not taking her gaze from their child.
“I’ll go and check,” Gwen said, standing and kissing her cheek quickly. “Congratulations, Abigail. She’s beautiful.”
“Isn’t she?” She sniffed, sitting up a little when the clan healer said she was okay to do so. Abby opened the wadding to check her daughter had all ten fingers and toes. Her little face scrunched up in annoyance at being unwrapped and she quickly covered her again lest she become cold.
The sound of shouts from outside, followed by banging doors and yelling downstairs made her start. She lifted her little girl up and kissed her, giving her a little cuddle just as her bedroom door burst open.
Aedan stormed into the room, his face one of worry and despair.
“I missed it,” he said, coming to sit beside her on the bed and kissing her quickly on the temple before gazing lovingly at their daughter. “Are ye well, lass? Is there naught anyone can do for ye?”
“I’m fine, Aedan. I’ll be sore for a few weeks, but otherwise, it looks like I survived my first childbirth.” She handed the baby over, chuckling a little as her brute of a husband made an awkward attempt at gentleness.
“What shall we call her?” Abby asked, reaching over to touch their little girl’s soft cheek.
“It’s a girl?”
He sounded surprised and she nodded. “Yes, it is. We’ll have a boy next time.”
“Just as long as you’re healthy, I don’t care what we have.”
He met her gaze, and her heart thudded hard in her chest. How she loved him so. Over the past year, he’d ensured her transition to Highland life was one of ease and enjoyment. And certain situations had improved since being here. She’d certainly showed them a few new ways to live, hints stolen from the future and put into practice here.
Abby watched him get to know their daughter, her little eyes looking at him, even though she wouldn’t be able to focus on anything for some weeks yet. “So,” she said, nudging him. “What shall we call her?”
“She’s as perfect as a pearl, how do you like Maisie?”
Abby clasped her daughter’s little hand, marveling at how small and precious she was. “I love it, and I love you. Thank you for making her with me.” Tears fell unheeded and she welcomed the comforting arm Aedan wrapped about her.
“You’re everything to me, Abigail. My life has never been more full or happy since the day you landed at my feet. And I promise ye, I will never let harm come to you or Maisie in my lifetime. I promise ye that.”
“I know you will.”
And Aedan kept his promise. Always.
Afterword
When setting out to write this series and To Conquer a Scot in particular, I wanted to use historical events of the past to add adventure, action, and tragedy to the story. The battle between the MacLeod and O’Cain clans was based around the real life disputes between Clan MacLeod and Clan MacDonald.
These clans had long disliked the other, and it is true that in a show of peace the laird of Clan Macleod offered his sister to the then laird of Clan MacDonald in a handfasting ceremony. After a year, when the MacLeod sister at the MacDonald stronghold produced no heir, she was sent back to her home, blind in one eye, on a one-eyed horse, with a one-eyed dog and one-eyed servant. The insult infuriated the Laird MacLeod and eventually, war was declared.
It was known as the last clan battle in Skye.
Thank you for taking the time to read To Conquer a Scot! I hope you enjoyed the first book in my Time-Traveler’s Highland Love series.
I adore my readers, and I’m so thankful for your support with my books. If you're able, I would appreciate an honest review of To Conquer a Scot. As they say, feed an author, leave a review!
If you'd like to learn about book two in my Time-Traveler’s Highland Love series, To Save a Savage Scot, please read on. I have included the prologue for your reading pleasure.
Alternatively, you can keep in contact with me by visiting my website or following me online. You can contact me at www.tamaragill.com or email me at