Surrendered to the Highland Brute – Extended Epilogue
Five Years Later
“Mama! Mama, look what I found!”
Isla looked up from the herbs she was cutting to see her four-year-old son, Ewan, racing across the garden with something clutched in his pudgy fist. His dark hair, so like his father’s, was wild with running, and his grey eyes sparkled with excitement.
“What is it, love?” She set down her knife as he skidded to a stop beside her.
“A beetle! A great big one!” He opened his hand to reveal a rather ordinary garden beetle. “Can I keep him?”
“Beetles need tae live outside where they can find food and shelter, remember? But ye can watch him fer a bit before ye let him go.”
“But Mama.”
“Ewan Cameron, what did yer faither tell ye about arguin’ with yer maither?”
Isla looked up to see Seoc approaching with their three-year-old daughter, Catriona, perched on his shoulders. The little girl had her mother’s dark hair and her father’s stubborn chin, and she was currently yanking on Seoc’s hair with gleeful abandon.
“Da said I should always listen tae ye,” Ewan admitted reluctantly. “Even when I think I’m right.”
“That’s because yer maither usually is right.” Seoc lifted Catriona from his shoulders, setting her on the ground despite her protests. “Now, what’s this about keepin’ beetles?”
While Ewan launched into an elaborate explanation of why this particular beetle deserved to live in his chamber, Isla felt a familiar flutter of contentment. Five years of marriage, two beautiful children, a clan at peace, sometimes she had to pinch herself to believe it was all real.
“Me lady!” A breathless servant appeared at the garden entrance. “Riders approachin’ from the south! Fletcher colors!”
Isla’s heart leaped. “They’re here! Seoc, they’re here!”
“About time. Ye’ve been watchin’ that road fer three days.” But he was smiling. “Come on, wee ones. Let’s go greet our guests.”
“Is it Uncle Ualan?” Ewan asked, bouncing with excitement.
“Aye, and yer grandparents, and probably a few others as well.” Isla smoothed her skirts, suddenly nervous. “Dae I look all right? I’ve been in the garden all mornin’.”
“Ye look beautiful.” Seoc caught her hand. “Now stop fussin’ and let’s go see yer family.”
They reached the courtyard just as the Fletcher party rode through the gates. Isla scanned the riders, her eyes immediately finding her father’s golden hair, now streaked with grey, and her mother beside him. But it was the tall young man riding at her father’s right hand that made her breath catch.
“Ualan?”
He’d been nearly ten the last time she’d seen him, still gangly and boy-shaped. Now he was fifteen, tall and broad-shouldered, looking so much like their father it made her heart ache. He dismounted with the easy grace of a trained warrior and strode toward her.
“Isla.” His voice had deepened, roughened. “God, ye look exactly the same.”
“And ye look completely different!” She threw her arms around him, not caring about dignity or propriety. “When did ye get so tall? Ye’re taller than me now!”
“Been taller than ye fer two years.” But he hugged her back fiercely. “I’ve missed ye, sister.”
“I’ve missed ye too. So much.” She pulled back to look at him properly. “Look at ye. Ye’re practically a man grown.”
“Practically?” He grinned, the expression so familiar it made her want to cry. “I am a man grown. Faither’s already got me leadin’ patrols and sittin’ in on council meetings.”
“Has he now?” She turned to find her parents had dismounted and were waiting patiently. “Maither. Faither.”
Her mother embraced her first, holding tight. “Me sweet girl. Let me look at ye.” Jane stepped back, her eyes bright with tears. “Maitherhood suits ye. Ye’re glowin’.”
“That’s probably sweat from chasin’ after these two all day.” But Isla smiled as Ewan and Catriona peeked out from behind Seoc’s legs. “Come here, darlings. Meet yer grandparents.”
Ewan, ever bold, stepped forward immediately. “I’m Ewan Cameron. I’m four years old and I can count tae twenty and I ken how tae ride a pony all by meself.”
“Can ye now?” Alistair Fletcher knelt to the boy’s level. “That’s very impressive. And who’s this shy one?”
Catriona pressed closer to Seoc’s leg, one finger in her mouth.
“This is Catriona,” Isla said. “She’s three, and she’s nae shy once she gets tae ken ye. She’s just careful at first.”
“Like her maither was at that age,” Jane observed. “I remember ye hidin’ behind me skirts whenever strangers visited.”
“I did nay such thing.”
“Ye absolutely did.” Her mother moved to Catriona, crouching down with a gentle smile. “Hello, sweet one. I’m yer grandmaither. Would ye like tae see what I brought ye?”
Catriona’s eyes widened as Jane produced a small wooden doll from her bag. “Fer me?”
“Fer ye. And I have somethin’ fer yer braither too.”
“What is it?” Ewan was immediately distracted from the beetle still clutched in his hand.
“Why dinnae we all go inside,” Seoc suggested diplomatically, “and we can dae proper introductions over refreshments? The journey from Fletcher lands is nae a short one.”
They moved into the great hall where servants had already laid out food and drink. The children were settled with their grandparents while Ualan attached himself to Isla’s side.
“Tell me everythin’,” he demanded. “Yer letters are good, but they cannae tell me everythin’. What’s it like, being lady of a castle? Dae ye get tae make all the decisions? Does Seoc let ye carry a sword?”
“Slow down!” Isla laughed. “One question at a time. Being lady of the castle is… complicated. I make many decisions about the household, the supplies, how things are organized. But it’s nae like I’m in charge of everythin’. Seoc and I work taegether.”
“That’s nae how Faither and Maither dae it. Faither makes all the big decisions.”
“Well, that’s nae how we dae things here.” She glanced across the hall where Seoc was showing Ewan how to properly hold a practice sword—wooden, sized for a small child, but still making her son’s face light up with joy. “We’ve learned that we’re stronger taegether than apart.”
“Sounds strange tae me. But then, everythin’ about married life sounds strange.” Ualan made a face. “Faither keeps hintin’ that I should start thinkin’ about marriage. I’m only fifteen!”
“Aye, ye have time yet.” She studied her brother’s face, seeing both the boy he’d been and the man he was becoming. “But ye’ll find someone eventually. Someone who makes ye want tae be better than ye are.”
“Is that how ye feel about Cameron?”
“Every day.” She watched as Seoc caught Catriona when she tried to climb onto a chair that was too tall for her, swinging her up into his arms with practiced ease. “He makes me want tae be braver, kinder, stronger. And I like tae think I dae the same fer him.”
“Ye dae.” The voice came from behind them. They turned to find their father standing there, a cup of ale in his hand. “Seoc Cameron was a good warrior when ye married him, but ye’ve made him a great laird. Everyone can see the change in him.”
“That’s nae all me daeing, Faither. He was always capable. He just needed tae believe it.”
“Perhaps. But ye gave him that belief.” Alistair settled into a chair beside them. “Ualan, go see tae yer maither. She’s tryin’ tae manage both yer niece and nephew at once, and she could use help.”
“Aye, Faither.” Ualan squeezed Isla’s hand before departing.
“He’s grown so much,” Isla said softly. “I’ve missed it all.”
“That’s the cost of makin’ yer own family. Ye miss the growth of the one ye left behind.” Her father’s expression was understanding. “But ye’ve built somethin’ good here, daughter. I can see it in every corner of this castle.”
“Thank ye, Faither.” She felt tears threatening. “I ken this marriage wasnae what either of us wanted initially.”
“But it became what ye both needed. I can see that now.” He took a sip of his ale. “When we first arranged the betrothal, I worried we were sacrificin’ yer happiness fer political gain. But ye’ve found both. That’s a rare gift.”
“It is.” She watched as Seoc caught her eye across the hall and smiled, that private smile meant only for her. “I’m happier than I ever imagined I could be.”
“Good. That’s all yer maither and I ever wanted fer ye.” He stood, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Now, shall we join the others? I want tae hear more about me grandchildren’s adventures.”
The afternoon passed in a blur of conversation and laughter. Ewan demonstrated his sword skills for his grandfather, still clumsy, but enthusiastic. Catriona sat in her grandmother’s lap, playing with the wooden doll and asking endless questions about Fletcher lands. Ualan regaled Seoc with stories of his training, clearly hoping to impress his brother-by-marriage.
It was late afternoon when Isla found herself alone with her mother in the solar, both children napping after the excitement of meeting their grandparents.
“This is a lovely room,” Jane said, running her fingers over the embroidered cushions. “Did ye dae this work?”
“Some of it. Though most I learned from Seoc’s mother’s journals. She had wonderful ideas fer makin’ a cold castle feel warm.”
“Ye’ve certainly succeeded.” Her mother settled into a chair by the window. “Tell me truly, daughter. Are ye happy? Nae the happy ye show everyone else. The real happiness underneath.”
Isla considered the question carefully. “Aye, Maither. I truly am. It wasnae always easy. Those first weeks were difficult, and the battle…” She shuddered at the memory. “But we Seoc and I came through it. Taegether. And now…” She gestured around the solar. “This is me home. These are me people. This is where I belong.”
“I can see that.” Jane’s eyes glistened. “Ye’ve found what I always hoped ye’d find. A partnership. Someone who sees yer worth and values it.”
“The way Faither values ye?”
“Aye. Though it took him years tae realize that me counsel was just as valuable as his warriors’.” She smiled. “Seoc seems tae have learned that lesson much faster.”
“He had good motivation. The clan was failin’ under his faither’s leadership. He needed tae try somethin’ different.”
“And he chose tae trust ye. That shows wisdom beyond his years.” Her mother leaned forward. “Are ye… is there…” She gestured vaguely at Isla’s stomach.
“Am I with child again? Nay. At least, nae that I ken of.” Isla smiled. “Why? Are ye eager fer more grandchildren already?”
“I’m eager fer ye tae have whatever makes ye happy. If that’s more children, wonderful. If nae, that’s wonderful too.” Jane’s expression grew more serious. “Ye’ve given the clan an heir and a spare. That’s all anyone can demand. Dinnae let pressure from the Council make ye feel otherwise.”
“The Council here is actually quite supportive. They see how hard Seoc and I work fer the clan, and they respect that.” Isla paused. “His faither used tae be the problem, but he retired tae Glen Orchy a years ago. Things have been much easier since then.”
“I’m glad tae hear it. Every young couple needs space tae find their own way without interference from the older generation.” Jane stood, moving to embrace her daughter. “I’m so proud of ye, Isla. Of the woman ye’ve become, the maither ye are, the lady this castle needed.”
“Thank ye, Maither.” Isla held tight, breathing in the familiar scent of lavender that had always meant home. “Thank ye fer everythin’.”
Jane pulled back, cupping Isla’s face. “Now, shall we wake those children and see about gettin’ everyone fed? I imagine yer husband will want tae take yer faither on a tour of the defenses.”
“Probably. Men and their walls.” But Isla was smiling as they left the solar together.
That evening, the great hall was filled with laughter and music. The servants had outdone themselves with the feast, and the Fletcher party seemed delighted with the welcome they’d received. Isla sat beside Seoc at the high table, watching as Ualan taught Ewan a simple dance step while Catriona tried to copy them.
“Thank ye fer this,” she said quietly to her husband.
“Fer what?”
“Fer invitin’ them. Fer makin’ them feel welcome. Fer…” She gestured at the hall full of happy people. “Fer all of this.”
“They’re yer family. Which makes them me family too.” He caught her hand under the table, lacing their fingers together. “Besides, I like seein’ ye this happy. Ye’ve been glowin’ all day.”
“That’s what Maither said.” She leaned against his shoulder. “I love ye, Seoc Cameron.”
“And I love ye, Isla Cameron.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “More with every passin’ year.”
“Even when I’m difficult?”
“Especially then.” His eyes sparkled with mischief. “Where would be the fun in a docile wife?”
“Naewhere, I suspect.” She smiled as Ewan successfully completed the dance step and pumped his fist in triumph. “Our son has yer determination.”
“And yer stubbornness. God help us all.”
They sat together, watching their children play, surrounded by family and friends and the life they’d built together. Outside, night was falling over Cameron lands, stars beginning to emerge in the darkening sky.
But inside the great hall of Loch Lochy, there was only warmth and light and love.
And as Isla looked around at everything they’d created—the clan at peace, the children healthy and happy, the castle thriving—she thought about that frightened girl who’d been handed over at Glen of Leny five years prior.
That girl had been so certain marriage would be a prison. Instead, it had become freedom. The freedom to be fully herself. To love and be loved. To build something lasting and precious.
And she wouldn’t change a single moment of the journey that had brought her here. Not one.
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This was a wonderful read and Seoc and Isla love story was hard to put down.
This means so much to me Gari, thank you! ❤️
This was beautifully written Juliana!
Laurie, I can’t thank you enough for your lovely comment & support 🩷
Absolutely wonderful! What an incredible journey of learning, love and adventure. I love the characters. What a beautiful love story, so much thrilling adventure, and suspense. WOW! I just couldn’t put it down. I absolutely loved. Great story.
Thank you so much my dearest for your lovely feedback & support! 💜