The morning of the wedding dawned unusually sunny for a Scottish day in December. Ainsley had hardly spoken to James and he had stopped trying, but his eyes followed her whenever they were in a room together. She sincerely wished he would try harder but that was a choice he had to make. Honestly it had gotten a bit uncomfortable.

Not that she would think of James today. She wouldn’t. Today was about Agnes and Keiran. Ainsley hurried through her own preparation so that she might help Agnes get ready.

As she entered the room, Clarissa was already there, and she and Agnes both looked up. Their eyes immediately began asking questions even if their voices didn’t.

“I haven’t forgiven him, we haven’t spoken.” She straightened as she said the words, not wanting to be questioned.

They did anyway. Clarissa started. “He hasn’t asked for your hand yet?”

Ainsley waved the question away. “He asked before and I replied maybe. He said the next time he asked, it would be the last. I imagine he’s waiting until he thinks I will say yes or he has decided he no longer wants…” She stopped. What if he didn’t ask again? What if he’d decided she wasn’t worth it?

But Agnes nodded. “That makes sense. And I know we said you shouldn’t forgive him too soon, but perhaps it’s time?”

“Why?” Ainsley huffed. “He’s the one who betrayed me.”

Agnes’s voice was gentle. “Someone has to teach him how to love. And a big part of that is forgiveness.”

Those soft words pushed the air out of her chest. Agnes was right.

She spent the next hour helping Agnes get ready and then she slipped out to find James. She wasn’t ready to say yes to his proposal but she did want to talk with him at least. And one of them had to get better at sharing their feelings if they ever hoped to have a future.

She found James in the morning room with Callum as they sat silently together. Both looked up at her in the doorway. She gave Callum a smile and he returned a sad one that didn’t reach his eyes. But he stood as she entered. “Good morning, Lady Ainsley.” He crossed toward her as James stood. “Ready for this morning’s event?”

“Yes, thank you.” She held her hand to him. “How do you fare?”

He gave her a nod. “Very well,” he looked to James and then back at her. “I won’t be heading north with Captain McPherson.”

She blinked in surprise. “Where will you go? Home?”

“Most likely, but first I am accompanying Ewan south to England. He has a cousin he’d like me to meet.”

She raised her eyebrows in surprise and looked to James. She wouldn’t ask Callum more, he’d tell her when he was ready but she had to admit to being curious. “I wish you luck.”

Callum nodded. “You as well. If you will excuse me, I’ll see to the ship before the ceremony.”

Ainsley watched Callum leave, not looking at James, who she was now alone with. But she felt him move closer until his warm breath fanned her cheeks.

“Why is Callum going to England,” she asked, avoiding the real reason she was here.

“Ewan’s cousin is a lady whose father has left her penniless. Callum is hoping she’ll discuss a match with him.” James sighed. “Why he is in such a hurry to marry, I couldn’t say.”

“And you are not.” It burst from her mouth before she could hold it back but now that it was out, they might as well discuss it.

“I am in a hurry to marry you, there is a difference.” His hand came to her waist. “But I was wrong to go to Ewan like that.”

Some of her anger melted away and her hand came to his arm. “I’ve been wrong to avoid you. We’ll never get anywhere if we don’t speak to one another. But I am not a woman who likes to be left out of decisions.”

He gave a nod and his nose dipped down to touch hers. “I know that. I also knew if I waited for you to decide, you might not have chosen me. I was trying to force your hand. I should have known that would never work.”

“Why?” she asked, searching his face for answers.

“I’m not worthy of your love.” The words were so quiet, she almost didn’t hear them. “Everyone who has ever tried to love me has gone.”

Her heart broke. No wonder he was so distant. She wrapped her hands around his waist and pressed her lips to his. As she pulled away, she looked deep into his eyes. “I am not saying I won’t ever get mad at you again. But I won’t leave. You should know that I will push you to open up. I won’t take less than your love.”

He kissed her again, long and deep. As the kiss ended, his fingers stroked her cheek. “I am counting on it.”

Warmth filled her as he held her close, running his nose against hers. “You can ask me again, if you’d like.” It was bold of her to say but in this moment, she could only be herself.

He didn’t seem to mind because the next words out of his mouth were, “Ainsley McDougal, will you be my wife?”

“Yes,” she breathed, her insides fluttering. It was as though she was jumping into the unknown and it was exhilarating and frightening all in the same moment.

“When do you wish to wed?” He drew back a little. “It’s not that I want to rush you, but I wish to have it done.”

She could see the uncertainty in his eyes. “I don’t need anything big, James, but I do want my father and my sisters there. Try to understand.”

He gave a tight nod. “You won’t change your mind?”

Her heart melted to the floor. He really was afraid she’d stop loving him. “I swear it.”

A noise on the other side of the door made them both look up as her mother burst into the room. She made to jump away from James, but he held her.

Her mother stopped, her eyes looking up and down the two of them.

“Good morning,” Ainsley said, not sure what else to do.

“Good morning,” her mother replied. “I’ve news but I think you’d better begin.”

Ainsley looked to James, who gave her a wide grin. The cad was trying to force her hand again, but at least this time she understood why and it made it easier to forgive. “James has asked for my hand, Mother. I’ve accepted.”

Her mother gave a squeal of delight. “Your sister, Emilia, has gotten engaged as well.”

That surprised Ainsley. Her sister was so quiet. And she’d never shown any interest in any of the local men. In addition, she’d been alone with their father, how had she accomplished any courting at all? “To whom?”

“A ship captain, apparently. Your father has approved the match. But we’ll have to hurry home. She wants the wedding by Christmastide.”

Ainsley blinked. “I am going to be the last to marry.” It didn’t give her the pang she thought it might, having to wait until after her sister. Somehow, she didn’t mind her sister getting the attention first. Emilia deserved it.

“You are the youngest, dear.” Her mother nodded. “How fortunate, Lord Rotheport was already escorting us home. He can meet the family and attend the wedding.”

“Another wedding,” he rumbled next to her, his voice dropping low to express his sarcasm. “How fortunate for me.”

She bit back a smile, knowing that this was not his idea of fun. “Will Fiona be there?” She turned to him. “That is my eldest sister.”

“Yes, she will.” Her mother hummed as she turned to leave. “What a wonderful day.”

“I truly am glad to get to meet your family.” He leaned down to brush his lips against her forehead. “I must confess to avoiding such events until now.”

“You might want to get used to them. Being part of a big family, there is rather a great deal of weddings, funerals, and general gatherings.”

He groaned and she laughed a little. “I will brace myself. Now tell me about your father and your sisters. I know Fiona is the feisty one and Emilia the quiet sister.”

She talked as they made their way to the property church where the wedding would take place. He listened and asked questions and it was so…normal. Too good to be true.

The wedding was lovely as Keiran held Agnes’s hand. She could see the love shining in their eyes and it was made even more special with James at her side.

He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I am glad you want to wait to have the wedding at your home. You deserve this.”

More than anything he’d said to her, that made her heart catch. He knew her, understood, accepted her for who she was. Even more amazing, he seemed to appreciate it. “I don’t need this, but I do want my family.”

His hand reached for hers and held it.

The ceremony ended and everyone filed into the parlor for the wedding breakfast.

Ainsley noticed that Ewan and Callum had their heads bent together. “What are those two conspiring?” she asked with a smile.

“Their trip to meet Callum’s perspective bride. I think they will leave shortly, because Clarissa has so much help at the moment.” James gave her a wink.

“Wonderful news,” she gushed feeling happier than she had in a long time. It was a perfect day.

At least that was the last thought she remembered having as a servant rushed into the room and crossed to Ewan.

She saw them whispering, watched Ewan wave Clarissa over. James’s hand came to her back. “I don’t like the look of this,” he whispered under his breath.

She had to agree but as Clarissa’s eyes met hers, she knew she was about to be involved. Clarissa gave her a tiny wave and Ainsley didn’t hesitate even as James cursed under his breath. “Bloody hell.”

Reaching the couple, her hands clasped together as she asked. “What’s happened?”

Clarissa grimaced. “One of the guests has fallen ill.”

Ainsley shuddered, normally it fell to the lady of the house to care for a sick guest. “How bad?”

“High fever, cough…” Clarissa grimaced. “I don’t think my mother is up for taking my place after what she went through on the journey and your mother is leaving tomorrow. I’m not sure I have a choice but to care—”

“You can’t,” Ainsley said before Ewan could. “It puts you and Ava at risk.” She bit her lip. Even knowing she was supposed to leave tomorrow, have her wedding, she couldn’t put Ava in that kind of danger. “I’ll do it.”

“No,” James said behind her. “We’re leaving to get married.”

She turned to him then. “I have to, for Ava.”

“Your mother,” James started but Ainsley held up her hand.

“Needs to be with my sister. Emilia deserves this time. And I know you know that I have to do this. Being part of a family means that even vain little peacocks put their own wishes aside to take care of their families.” She gave him a soft smile. “I need you to take my mother home and return for me as quickly as you can.”

He blinked a couple of times. “You’ll need an escort for me to take you home. Who will do that?”

This part pained her. She hated it but it had to be done. “We’ll go to the smithy and marry today. Then you can take me home without anyone from my family travelling with us.”

She heard the gasps around her, but she ignored them as she stepped closer to him. “You did this to me.”

“What?” He squinted at her in confusion.

“You’ve gone and made me realize how important it is to care for others, to give instead of taking. Forced me look at things in a new light. Thank you for bringing out the best in me.”

He dropped his forehead to hers in front of the entire assemble. His breath was ragged as his hand came to her waist. “You don’t mean that.”

“Every word.” She wanted to kiss him to show him how true it was.

“I swear to you, if it takes me my entire life, I’ll prove myself worthy of those words and your love.” And then he kissed her, in front of everyone.

For a moment, she sank into it, but he pulled away, his hand coming to her cheek. “We have to hurry. I’ll see if I can catch the priest who performed Agnes and Keiran’s wedding. If I can’t, Ewan will have to perform it. You go see the patient. Clarissa, can you send for the doctor?”

Everyone nodded in agreement. With one last brief kiss, he was gone. A nervous flutter filled her chest. She was getting married today.