A Very Highland Holiday - Kathryn Le Veque Page 0,175
in the day, and when their meal was complete, they made love again and again.
When morning finally broke, a slim crack of light was seen through where the wall met the roof, and so they rose with tired eyes. Sarah prayed the weather had waned, and they could be on their way from this tavern of sorrow. And yet, she’d always remember it fondly for being the place where she’d given herself to Thane.
“That sun is a good sign.” Thane climbed from the bed, giving her arse a gentle pat.
Sarah giggled and rolled over. “Ye think we can leave?”
“Aye, we can try.” He tugged back the covers, and she squealed at the cold blast of air.
They dressed quickly and exited the chamber, skipping the porridge in favor of a hunk of bread with butter, and then before the sun had fully risen, they climbed onto Destiny’s back and took off at a trot down the road. Some of the snow had started to melt, and with the morning sun the twinkling white moors took on more of a glistening shine.
Just as they had the night they escaped Campbell Castle, they stopped every few hours to rest Destiny and relieve themselves. They packed their canteen with snow to keep it full. No one seemed to be following them, and indeed they did not pass anyone of note on the road.
In the distance, the clanging of kirk bells could be heard coming from a small village.
“I think we need to make it official,” Thane said.
“What’s that?” Sarah mused sleepily.
“Our union. Would ye, Sarah Campbell, consent to being my wife?”
She sat up a little straighter, nodding as she looked into his quite serious gaze. Though she’d agreed before, the fact that he asked her once more warmed her heart. “Every day for the rest of my life.”
They rode into the village and to the kirk, where they found a priest more than willing to wed them for a small fortune.
“I dinna have a ring for ye.” Thane frowned as they stood on the stairs out front of the kirk.
“Wait,” she said. “I have one.”
Sarah pulled the small box from her satchel, revealing the ring that had once been her mother’s. The rubies glistened in the sunlight. “My ma gave me this. ’Twas hers.”
“’Tis perfect, just like ye.”
Sarah’s face heated at his words. He made her feel so special. She passed the jewelry box to Thane, and when it came time to place the ring on her finger, he did so slowly, eyes locked on hers. So much emotion was conveyed there, so much trust, and anticipation.
They were in this together. Them against the injustices of the world.
She couldn’t help but smile with joy, for even though destiny had brought them together, it would seem the two of them had forged their own path from there on.
When the priest said the groom could kiss his bride, Sarah didn’t wait. She tossed herself into his arms and pressed her lips to his, startling the priest and their witnesses by her boldness. But Thane was not surprised at all. By the way he wrapped his arms around her, she knew he relished her.
“That’s my lass,” Thane said with a chuckle.
They left the kirk and took a room in the village tavern. Regaled by singing and festive games, which they joined in this time, not feeling threatened or haunted, but amid company they could revel in. They feasted on roasted pheasant and stewed turnips in a thick brown sauce that was perfect for dipping bread into. And that night, when Thane made love to her, Sarah felt a deep emotion for him all the way to her soul…
Love. Wholly and passionately. Everything tingled inside and out, and not just from his touch, but his gaze, his presence, the idea of a future together.
As they lay in the dark, fingers and legs entwined, their breaths in sync, she whispered, “I love ye.”
Thane rolled toward her, tugging her close against him. “I love ye, too, lass. I canna believe that I set out to steal ye, and instead, ye’ve stolen my heart.”
Epilogue
Several months later…
The prisoners arrived just before sunset, shackled on top of their mounts, shackled and gagged, so no one had to hear them speak.
“They are here,” Sarah said quietly. Her eyes were riveted on the two men who’d been willing to sell her. The two men who had been responsible for Thane’s sister’s death.
“We dinna have to go through with this.” Thane tucked his arm around her