Spring had finally arrived, much to the delight of everyone in the castle. The gardens were coming into bloom, fresh leaves were forming on the trees, and snow was melting on the highest peaks of the mountains in the distance.
Edward gazed out of his study window with a sense of satisfaction as he took it all in. He could say he was lucky to be where he was, but there were many things that had taken far more than luck.
Indeed, luck had brought Evelyn into his life, but it had taken hard work and determination to get her to break down the walls she had built around herself and to trust him. It had also taken more than luck to integrate himself into a clan that resented him, given it was a member of his family who had killed their laird. Nor had luck been on his side when Laird Wallace had arrived at the gates, wanting to battle for clan Campbell’s honor.
No. He had been thrown into a situation that could easily have overwhelmed him. Instead, he had made his own luck, and things had fallen into place. He had received letters from both James and his father over the last months. With his father’s sound advice, Edward had managed to set the clan’s finances in the right direction. It was going to take some time to get them entirely secure, but he was making great headway.
His father’s last letter had bolstered Edward’s confidence, as well as given him a sense of pride. Particularly his father’s parting words.
Ye cannae ken how proud I am of ye, me son. I ken ye didnae think ye were ready fer this role. And perhaps ye were right. But then, nay man is ever ready. If we waited until we were, naething would ever get done.
Instead, ye took the mantle o’ responsibility, unsure o’ the outcome. That is how a man is formed, how one gains courage, and how one learns and realizes their strengths. Ye have brought great honor tae me as a faither, fer I couldnae be prouder o’ ye.
And his father was not wrong, for Edward certainly had not felt ready for the role he had been forced into. Not then, at any rate. Facing the obstacles put before him had shown him his true character, and for that, he would always be grateful.
Evelyn wrote regularly to Freya and Morgana. While she did not tell him all that the lasses discussed in their missives, she was eager to share news if she felt he might want to hear it. Like, how Freya had begun implementing some of the healing techniques she had learned from Fergus when she had stayed at the castle. Or how Morgana had decided she might someday want to visit France, and had thus begun learning the language.
“Perhaps we could go with her,” Evelyn had said at the time. “I think France would be a delightful adventure.”
“And who would look after the clan if we left?” Edward had smiled.
“Och, Edward. The councilmen are capable enough. Besides, we wouldnae be gone forever.”
Clearly, she desired to go, and thus, Edward had agreed that as soon as he had the financial status of the clan back to what it ought to be, they would sit down and make a plan.
The castle had settled back to normal, but even better. Gilroy was now left under the watchful eye of Craig, who reported faithfully to Edward. However, being the easily led man Gilroy was, he was eager to please, and willingly did anything that Craig asked of him.
Since the battle that day, the man had not set a foot wrong. He also continued to apologize to Edward at every opportunity afforded to him. The Council, however, had agreed with Edward, that the man had to be stripped of his privileges as a councilman. As apologetic as Gilroy was, Edward still did not trust him with the private decisions that were made there.
Instead, he had been put to work in the stables with the horses..
“Ye’ll be glad tae ken,” Craig said one afternoon last week, “that our favorite traitor seems tae be fitting right intae his new role.”
Edward lifted his eyebrows with interest. “Go on.”
“I was down at the stables this morning, like every other morning, doing me usual checks on Gilroy. Before I found him, the stable master pulled me aside. He looked determined tae talk tae me.”
“What did he say?” Edward pressed.
“Apparently, Gilroy is a natural with the horses. He praised his hard work with the mundane jobs like mucking out and stacking hay, but he also said that the beasts seemed tae love him. His exact words were, ‘he has a way with them.’ Which,” Craig smirked, “came as quite a surprise tae me.”
“Indeed,” Edward replied. “Well, sometimes the gods have a way o’ getting us tae where we need tae be.”
Craig grinned widely at that remark, for both men knew Edward was referring to far more than Gilroy’s abilities with horses.
“Indeed, they dae,” Craig agreed.
Since the battle, Edward had also received a letter from Laird Wallace. It had been clear, at the end of that horrible day, that the man was humble enough to know when he was in the wrong, and he had been profusely remorseful for his actions and for believing Thomas and Gilroy with no other evidence.
It appeared, however, that the laird was still struggling with his decision, for his letter was full of regret and apologies.
Laird Campbell,
I have felt compelled tae write tae ye since me return, fer though I acted on information I was sure tae be true, it is now clear tae me that I ought tae have investigated further before taking such determined steps.
As it happened, the letter ye told me ye wrote did arrive. Only it got tae me too late. Me army had already left after receiving word from Thomas that ye had ignored me warning and were continuing on with the wedding feast regardless.
When I think of the pointless loss of life on that day, me heart aches at me foolishness. And yet, what is done cannae be undone. Still, I am writing once more tae tell ye how much I regret me decision, and tae offer me apologies fer me actions.
It is me hope that now the misunderstanding is over, Clan Campbell and Clan Wallace can retain and build upon the alliance we have shared fer many years. In fact, I freely offer any help ye need, fer I have since been informed that Thomas and Gilroy were hellbent on putting yer clan intae financial ruin.
As an olive branch, I will dae whatever I can tae assist ye in regaining a steady footing in this regard. Me offer comes with nay ties, and I hope ye consider it. In fact, it would please me greatly if ye and Lady Evelyn would tae and visit us. I would be honored tae get tae ken ye better under far calmer and more welcoming circumstances.
I look forward tae receiving yer reply.
Laird Wallace
Edward had shared the letter with the Council, who, like himself, had been both impressed and relieved. Clan Wallace did indeed have a formidable army. They were a strong and tightly bound clan. And, as Michael said after Craig had read the letter out to the councilmen, “I’d sooner be beside them than against them.”
A notion that was shared by all the men present from their murmured agreements and nodding heads.
Edward had replied to Laird Wallace, thanking him for his kind missive. He had also relayed that he and Evelyn would be delighted to visit him, and that he would arrange that in the coming months.
And so, still gazing out into the gardens, Edward was satisfied that peace now reigned. More than it ever before.
He turned and was about to sit at his desk to address some paperwork, when a knock came on his study door.
“Enter,” Edward called out.
The door opened and Craig entered the room. He had a frown on his face, as though confused.
“What is it?” Edward said.
“I came looking fer ye. Are ye nae meant tae be at the stables?”
In a great rush, he remembered that he and Evelyn were taking a ride out.
“God’s teeth,” he said, eliciting a smirk from Craig as he hurried around his desk. “Where is she?”
“Lady Evelyn is where she is supposed tae be,” Craig teased, following a hurrying Edward out of the study. “At the stables. Waiting upon ye.”
Evelyn was sat upon her mare when Edward hurried across the cobblestones toward her.
“Did ye forget about me?” she grinned down at him.
Edward took the reins from a young stable hand and mounted Archer, before turning to look at her contritely. “I’m sorry, little bird. I got lost in me own head.”
She smiled lovingly at him then. “Well, I suppose there’s nae finer place tae get lost, I suppose. Are ye ready?”
“I am now,” he quipped back.
Pulling on her reins, she giggled at him, and then the two proceeded towards the castle gates.
It was a beautiful day, a rare occasion in the Highlands of Scotland. The sun beamed from a light blue sky, and though it was still cool, it was comfortable. They rode out of the castle and took the horses up and across the glens.
“I’ll race ye,” Edward said.
But Evelyn shook her head. “I cannae race ye. Nae this day.”
Looking confused, he said, “Why nae?”
She smiled at him and said, “I want tae just enjoy the day as it is.”
Edward nodded. “As ye wish, little bird.”
They rode for another hour, the soft breeze pulling at their clothes and hair. As they reached a small group of trees, Evelyn said, “Let us rest here. I am feeling a little tired now. Besides,” she nodded at the babbling brook, “the horses could dae with a drink.”
Once dismounted, they led the horses to the brook, and then both of them settled on the grass beside it. They were high up on a hill with land spread out before them for as far as they eye could see. The glens and trees were every color of green and brown, with soft hues of purple where lavender and thistles grew wildly.
“It is so very beautiful here,” Evelyn sighed, gazing out across the land.
Edward pulled his eyes from the scene ahead of them and looked over at his wife. With her soft smile, and the bloom in her cheeks from the ride, she positively glowed.
“Nae as beautiful as the woman who sits beside me,” he murmured.
Turning to him, her gaze was full of tenderness. “It has certainly been a journey, Edward.” The green of her eyes seemed to sparkle as she continued. “And now, we have secured the Campbell’s future.”
Her words were a little strange, and hitching his eyebrows, he said, “Indeed we did that when we entered the chapel and spoke our wedding vows.” He shook his head a little. “So much has happened, it feels like a life time ago now.”
Evelyn then moved her hand and placed it on her stomach. “It daes. And we did. But now,” she gazed down at her belly, eliciting a gasp from Edward at his sudden realization of her actions, “it is even more secure.”
“We are going tae have a child?” he blurted, his eyes as wide as saucers.
She laughed softly at his reaction and nodded. “Aye, me love. Ye’re going tae be a faither.”
Tenderly, he lifted his hands and held her face. Bringing his lips to hers, he planted the softest kiss on her mouth.
“Have I ever told ye how much I love ye?” he cried, his heart so full of love for her, he felt it was about to burst.
“All the time,” she murmured back.
The End.
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