Epilogue
 

Dunlyon, Roro, Perthshire, Scottish Highlands, Late Summer 1324

“Yap, yap, yap, yap … yap!”

The frantic barking at her heels made Cate start to giggle—in spite of her current position with her back up against the door and her legs wrapped around her husband’s waist.

Gregor put his forehead to hers exhaustedly and swore. “Damned dog. Add better latches to the list of things to do in the new tower.”

They’d started the stone castle a few years after Gregor had returned to Roro permanently at the end of the war—or mostly permanently, as her father still used his “Phantoms” for “delicate” situations—and it would be completed soon. Cate had convinced Gregor to pick up his bow again and continue the fight for her father’s crown, albeit for fewer missions. He spent much of his time at Roro with her, but whenever the king needed him, he was ready.

Hands still cupping her bottom, he gradually eased her down. Cate needed a moment to find her feet, her limbs weak from the force of her release. Even after nearly twelve years of marriage and the birth of five sons—blast him!—to add to the five “foundlings” they’d added to their large brood, Gregor never seemed to tire of surprising her in storerooms.

Not that she was complaining. At three and forty, he took her breath away even more than he had at one and thirty. She’d been right. The crook in his nose only added to his appeal—as did the craggy lines of time and battlefields. There might be other claimants to the title, including some close to home, but to her he would always be the most handsome man in Scotland.

She shook her head, readjusting her gown and hair, which had barely been disturbed. Twelve years of practice—not to mention a few innocent questions by children about why mummy’s cheeks were flushed and hair mussed every time she went to the storerooms—had taught them something.

She shook her head. “I think you are going to have a hard enough time explaining all those extra storerooms as it is.” She laughed. “Besides, at least Berry waited for you to finish this time. The poor thing is just jealous. He doesn’t like it when you don’t pay attention to him.”

Gregor shot the dog a glare. “He’s a nuisance, that’s what he is.”

Cate bent down and scratched the little terrier’s head. “Don’t listen to him, Berry—he loves you.”

Berry was the name Pip had given the tiny pup all those years ago, when he heard about the botched attack at Berwick Castle from Hawk. Not surprisingly, as they shared the same sense of humor, Pip and the seafarer had become fast friends. Much to Gregor’s annoyance over the years. Indeed it was Pip who’d come up with her name—Crush—for what she’d done to women’s hearts and men’s pride (namely Hawk’s, after he landed on his backside again on their rematch).

Gregor grinned wickedly. “It’s a good thing the blasted beast did wait. I need another son.”

Cate wasn’t so out of practice that she couldn’t flip him on his backside when she needed to, so he wisely moved out of her reach. She didn’t spend as much time on the practice field these days, but when the girls needed her she would be there. Even at four and ten, Maddy could defend herself if necessary. The pretty young girl might look like a porcelain poppet on the outside, but she was tough. She had to be with all these men about.

“Don’t you even jest about it—I just finished weaning your last son. I swear, Gregor, if you don’t give me a daughter, I’m going to put a lock on our door! Maddy and I would have had to move out long ago without Beth and Jeannie.” The two little girls—sisters—had come to live with them two years ago after the death of both their parents from a fever. “Living with all these lads is like living with a bunch of noisy pigs. How is it that every one of them has been born with the inability to pick up clothes off the floor?”

He shrugged, not bothering to hide his amusement. “Life is a never-ending mystery.”

“Never-ending mystery my—” She stopped before the word fell from her lips. “If I’m sick the entire way to Scone it will be your fault!”

He sobered. “Ah hell, Cate. I didn’t think about that. I wish you didn’t suffer so every time.”

She hadn’t meant to upset him. “I was jesting. It’s not so bad. It only lasts a few months. Besides, in the end it is worth it.” Her eyes filled with tears as the memory of her mother swept over her. It didn’t seem fair that her mother had struggled for so long to have another child, yet all Gregor had to do was look at her and Cate found herself with her head in a basin. But she knew how happy her mother would have been for her to be surrounded by so much love.

She had more family than she’d ever dreamed of, including a new, much anticipated half-brother who was the reason for their journey. After ten years as the undisputed King of Scotland and the release of his queen from captivity, Robert Bruce finally had his legitimate son. David had arrived in March, and the king and queen were planning a celebration unlike any that had taken place in Scotland for years. The country—and the throne, with the birth of David—was stronger than it had been since the death of King Alexander III.

They were taking the entire family, even baby John. For the first time in years, they would all be together. As had Pip before him, Ruadh (she’d given up that Eddie battle years ago) was being fostered with Arthur Campbell, and Pip had been a knight in her father’s army for almost five years now. Who would have believed that the skinny, funny-looking urchin could have grown up to rival his father in good looks? A foot of height, a few stone of muscle, and a face that grew into the nose had made Pip a heartbreaker. It didn’t hurt that he was one of the best horsemen in Scotland and highly skilled with a throwing spear, thanks to his foster father.

He also had a wicked sense of humor—for which Gregor blamed Hawk. One of his favorite things was to introduce his mother to the young women who couldn’t seem to leave him alone. Cate had to admit it was fun to watch their faces as they looked back and forth between them, trying not to show their shock. As Pip grew older, they looked even less than their six years apart.

Gregor must have known what she was thinking. He gazed at her tenderly, brushing a lock of hair from her forehead. “I’m sure they are as anxious to see you as you are to see them.”

“I can’t wait. It will be good to see all the Phantoms again, and their families. I think Arthur and Anna’s eldest daughter has her eyes on Pip. Not that he seems to notice.”

Gregor frowned. “The lass is only …”

“Fifteen, and he’s seven and twenty.” She lifted her brow, daring him to say anything. “Sound familiar?”

He laughed, shook he head, and pulled her into his arms. “He won’t go down easy.”

“They never do.”

But when they did, they fell forever. Cate ought to know.