Ella struggled to open her eyes. But she couldn’t. She tried to move through the darkness, but a strong arm was holding her down. She tried to push away, but the grip tightened. Bile rose up in her throat. He couldn’t have won. He didn’t… “NO!” was the only word that would pass from her lips. Evans found her. He found her and took her from the keep, now she was trapped in his arms.

She thrashed and whimpered, begging to be let go. Another strong arm clasped around her.

“Shhh… hush now lass, yer safe, I’ve got ye.” Lucas, it was her husband. Her breathing slowed. Her heart beat calmed. “I love ye lass, quiet now. Shhh…” He was rocking her gently, back and forth as she faded back into oblivion.

Ella realized it was morning, she opens her eyes. Her head is throbbing, but she looked to her right and saw Lucas. She pushed her body to sit. He looks devilish while he sleeps, she thought. His beard had grown in, flecks of red and blonde covered his chin. I rather like him with a beard.

Evans. The memories of what happened in the stable come flooding back. She instinctively placed a hand against her head, feeling the bandages. He knocked her to the ground, but she stabbed him. Oh god, did I kill him? she thought. It was entirely possible. She remembered the blinding rage, she couldn’t let him torment her forever. If he was dead, she would not shed a tear. She looked down at her husband. He looked peaceful at rest. She was unsure of what happened but she knew Lucas was alive, next to her, living and breathing. Well snoring actually. But that didn’t matter. She reached out and placed a hand on his cheek. He slowly opened his eyes. Shining green. He slowly smiled as he sat up.

“Yer awake,” he whispered, taking her hand into his own and kissing it.

“Yes.”

“I thought I may never see ye awake again, lass. Ye gave us all a scare.”

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” she began to sob, she couldn’t help it. Lucas smiled at her. She had never seen such a brilliant sight. How could he be smiling like such a fool with everything that had happened.

“Lucas, tell me– did I kill him?”

“Nay, lass. I did. Commander Evans will ne’er bother us again.”

“Am I ok? What about the babe?”

“I think ye’ll both be fine. But you and I, we have some things we hae tae discuss. Important things.” Ella began to shake.

“What do we have to discuss? Are you upset about the baby? I planned to tell you, but you never came home, and I thought you had taken a mistress, and Oh Lucas I was so heartbroken. I love you so very much, but if you don’t want me and the babe, I understand. Now that Evans is dead, I’m sure I can go safely back to England. No one has to know. I’m sure Kelly and Milly will stay quiet…” Her words came out in a rush. Every fear, every misgiving. She was a runaway carriage of words and emotions.

“Shhh... Shhh now lass,” He gently pulled her close and brought his lips down to hers. His kiss was warm and giving. She melted into him. He pulled away too fast. She tried to bring him back to her, but he took her hands in his and kissed the insides of each.

“First, let me tell ye, I’m so verra sorry. I’m sorry for letting ye think I didn’t love ye. I love ye more than I ever thought possible to love.” He punctuated each sentence with another kiss to each of her palms. “When I thought I lost ye, I was beside myself with grief. I shouldn’t of kept ye in th’ dark about Evans and for that I can only hope ye forgive me.”

“Wait, you love me?” She was having a hard time keeping up. But he had said it. He had just said he loved her more than he thought was possible. Could it be true?

“Aye lass, I’ve loved ye from the first moment I laid eyes on ye. I was just tae stupid tae realize. I dinnae mean tae not come tae yer bed, I was in the woods. I had become crazed with the thought of Evans getting tae ye somehow and I needed to think. I was comin’ back tae tell ye everything when he ambushed us.”

“I was coming to the stables to yell at you for leaving me alone in our bed. And to tell you I was carrying your child.” At the mention of the child, Lucas bent his head and placed a delicate kiss on her stomach. Her insides went weak at the soft touch of his lips right over where their baby would grow.

“Do you think the baby will be ok.”

“I think so lass, it’s so early. I don’t think the fall did much damage to yer insides. But we’ll hae tae be careful. You may need to stay a bed until yer fully healed.” Ella couldn’t believe how stubborn they both were. To have almost lost everything. She began to cry again.

“Och, lass please don’t cry.”

“Oh Lucas, I love you so much. I can’t help it.”

“I love ye too lass, forever.”

“Forever,” she said, and kissed him deeply. He was her savior. Her highland savior.