Three weeks later

“Maira, they’re here! Hurry!” called out Morag, rushing down from the battlements of Durham Castle holding up the hem of her gown.

“Morag, be careful or you’re going to hurt yourself.” Maira walked across the courtyard to meet her.

“Ye are too protective, Maira.” Morag pushed past her and ran to the gate, waiting for the small entourage to enter. Maira expected her mother and father but she didn’t know her cousin, Willow, and Willow’s new husband, Conrad, would be with them. Her mouth fell open when she saw her cousin, Fia, with her husband, Alastair, and their new baby girl, Oletha, as well.

“Fia!” cried Morag, running across the drawbridge to greet her sister. Maira ran after her to meet them as well. They were all escorted by Maira’s father, Rowen, who had gone back to get the rest of the family. Maira’s uncles, Rook and Reed, were with them.

“Mother,” called out Maira excitedly, hopping up onto the wagon to hug her mother, Cordelia. Maira’s youngest brother, Michael, was there as well and Maira reached over and hugged him and kissed him on his cheek.

“Maira, stop that,” complained Michael, making a face and wiping off his cheek with the back of his hand.

“Maira, I must say I like seeing this side of you,” laughed Cordelia. “You are more like a lady and less like a warrior with all this kissing and hugging.”

“Our daughter will always be a warrior,” stated Rowen, riding up on a horse next to the wagon that was being driven by a servant.

“Father, she’s not a warrior, she’s only a girl,” said Maira’s ten-year-old brother. “But I’m going to be a mighty warrior someday, just like you.”

“Where are William, Philip, and Theodore?” asked Maira, hoping to see the rest of her brothers. “I had hoped they’d be here, too.”

“Now Maira, you know your brothers are being fostered. I’m sorry but they couldn’t make it,” said Cordelia.

“William is training for knighthood in a few years,” said Rowen proudly. “And Philip and Theodore have just been made squires.”

“How exciting,” said Maira, glancing across the courtyard to see Branton and Jacob heading in their direction. Jacob’s leg was still in a splint, but he was able to walk much better now.

“Welcome,” shouted Jacob, waving a hand over his head.

“Is that your husband?” asked Maira’s mother, stretching her neck to see him. “He’s very handsome.”

“Aye, he is.” Maira helped her mother off the cart. “Mother, I would like you to meet my husband, Jacob.”

“Sir Jacob Quincey at your service,” said Jacob, kissing Maira’s mother on the back of her hand.

“Did you say, Sir?” asked Rowen, dismounting.

“Aye, Father,” Maira explained. “With word from the Bishop of Durham and also the help of Jacob’s brother, Father Frank, the pope has reversed the excommunication and Jacob has been cleared of the false charges.”

“That’s wonderful,” said Rowen, shaking Jacob’s hand. “Congratulations.”

“I’ve also reclaimed my title,” explained Jacob.

“That’s right,” said Maira, slipping her arm around Jacob’s waist. He pulled her closer in a hug. “Jacob is once again Sir Jacob and not only the new Lord of Durham Castle but also the new High Sheriff.”

“And I’m his new squire,” said Branton proudly.

“That’s right,” said Will. “And I’ve been knighted, so Branton will take my place.”

“So you’re a squire at last. It’s about time.” Willow sauntered over with Conrad to greet everyone. Fia and Morag walked over arm in arm and Fia’s husband, Conrad, approached holding their baby daughter.

“Sir Jacob has given me a new sword,” said Branton proudly, holding it in the air to show them.

“Dinna point that thing at me or my family or ye’ll find yer head severed and lyin’ on the ground,” warned Alastair, still sore since Branton had tried to kill him at one time.

“I’m sorry about that. It won’t happen again,” said Branton, quickly lowering the sword and slinking away to the back of the crowd.

“So, I hear ye are already married,” said Fia, greeting Maira with a hug.

“Aye, and you are all just in time for the celebration,” Morag broke in. “We have the great hall decorated and Cleo has cooked up somethin’ special. Haggis!”

They all laughed.

“Who is Cleo?” asked Willow.

“She’s not only a cook but someone very special,” said Maira, planning to tell the girls later that Cleo was also a Follower of the Secret Heart. “Here she comes now with her son as well as Jacob’s son, Ricker.”

Cleo approached, holding the little boy’s hand. Tommy was right next to her, smiling from ear to ear, wearing a pair of his new shoes. Maira had kept her promise to Tommy, giving him not one but three new pairs of shoes. The servants and villagers were also happy since Jacob was the new lord and cared for them well.

Maira scooped up Ricker from Cleo’s arms and kissed him on the cheek. “Mama,” said Ricker.

“Mama?” Willow asked, exchanging glances with Fia. “So you are already a mother.”

“She’s goin’ to be a mother again soon,” blurted out Morag.

“You are?” asked Jacob.

“Morag, you can’t keep a secret,” spat Maira. “I haven’t even told Jacob yet that I’m pregnant.”

“We’re going to have a baby?” Jacob whooped aloud and pulled Maira and Ricker to him in a hug.

“She’s no’ the only one havin’ a baby,” said Morag.

“Morag, I just told you that information. I wanted to be the one to tell Maira,” complained Willow.

“You are pregnant, too?” asked Maira. “This is wonderful. All the cousins are going to be mothers.”

“No’ all of us,” said Morag, sulking.

“You’ll have your time, too,” Maira assured her. “You don’t need to feel left out.”

“The food is ready if anyone is hungry,” said Cleo.

“What is that brooch you’re wearing?” Willow asked her.

Cleo’s hand covered the heart brooch and she looked over to Maira.

“It’s all right, Cleo. There is no need to keep it a secret. I was going to tell my cousins later and I’ve already told Jacob about the Followers of the Secret Heart. Willow and Fia, Cleo is a member as well.”

The girls were surprised and walked over to meet Cleo.

“It’s snowing,” called out Michael, opening his mouth to the sky, trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue.

“Did I hear somethin’ about haggis?” Reed, the red-haired triplet, came forward with his dark-haired brother, Rook.

“I say we all get out of the cold and get something to eat,” stated Rook. “I’m starved.”

“I hope someone brought some Mountain Magic,” said Reed, talking about the potent whisky that was brewed by the old Scot, Callum MacKeefe.

“Faither, now that my cousins are married, do I still have to stay in Rothbury?” asked Morag. “With Branton a squire for Sir Jacob, if I go back, I’ll be all alone.”

“That’s true,” said Rowen. “But when the earl left to campaign for the king, he told me he didn’t want to be guardian anymore.”

“Then ye’ll come home to Scotland with me, Morag,” said Reed. “Yer mathair will be happy to have ye home.”

“Ye can help me with the baby,” said Fia.

“Everyone is married and havin’ babies but me,” scoffed Morag. “When will I have a turn? I am always forgotten.”

“Mayhap, if ye’d stop spillin’ everyone’s secrets, a laddie might want ye someday,” said Reed.

“I dinna think anyone will ever want me,” pouted Morag.

“That’s not true,” said Maira. “There is always a chance. After all, I never thought I’d marry and, yet, here I am.”

“Wife, I’ve been meaning to give you this,” said Jacob, pulling the jeweled dagger from his waist belt and holding it out to Maira. Maira put Ricker on the ground and took the dagger with both hands.

“But Jacob, this is the dagger that used to be your mother’s. I know how much it means to you.”

“Isna that the dagger he gave his last lover?” asked Morag. “Ye ken who I mean. Lady Catherine. Ricker’s mathair who is dead.”

“Morag, haud yer wheesht,” said Fia under her breath.

“And you wonder why no man wants you? How insensitive of you to say that,” grumbled Willow in her normal haughty manner.

“I’m sorry,” said Morag, looking to the ground. She seemed as if she were going to cry.

“It’s all right, Morag,” said Maira giving her a half-hug. “I don’t let things of the past bother me. And I am honored that Jacob loves me enough to give this to me. Thank you, Husband. I will cherish it always.” She tucked the dagger into her waist belt, loving the weapon. “However, now that I’m Lady of the Castle and soon to be the mother of two, I think my warrior ways are going to be reserved only for protecting my family and those in my care.”

“I appreciate that,” said Jacob, pulling her to him and kissing her passionately in front of everyone. “And I also appreciate the fact that you told me your secret of being a Follower of the Secret Heart. However, I don’t ever want you to stop being who you are. As a matter of fact, I think my new squire is going to need all the practice he can get. Mayhap, you can keep him in line for me.”

“Branton will make a wonderful squire and doesn’t need my help,” said Maira, throwing the boy a smile. “And I promise to always be open and honest with you, Jacob. With you as my husband and at my side, I know I will no longer hold any Rebellious Secrets.”