In Bed with a Highland Virgin – Extended Epilogue
Four months later
The clang of steel still rang in Evander’s bones as he left the yard, sweat cooling fast on his skin beneath the autumn wind. The men had scattered already, some laughing, some limping, each dismissed with a word and a clap to the shoulder. Training had been fierce that morning, his blade arm aching from hours of drilling, but he found no peace in it. His body was spent, aye, but his mind had wandered elsewhere every chance it got, back to the healer’s chambers, to the lass he had not seen since dawn.
It was foolish. He knew it even as he stripped the padded vest from his chest, as he slung it careless over the fence rail. They had been wed only four months, and still he carried himself like a lad chasing his first sweetheart, missing her after only a handful of hours apart. He’d kissed her forehead in the hall that morning, watched her slip off with Kenina to her duties, and now it felt as though half the day had passed in shadow without her near. What had she done to him?
His boots carried him quicker than his thoughts did. When he reached the healer’s door, he slowed, breath easing into something quieter. He meant only to lean in, to catch a glimpse before she noticed him, to let the sight of her settle whatever restless coil wound tight in his chest.
But the door was ajar, and what he saw stopped him in his tracks.
Marian stood in the middle of the chamber, her back half-turned to him, skirts brushing the rushes. Kenina was in her arms, the older woman holding her tight, her mouth moving low against Marian’s hair as though speaking some blessing. Marian’s head was bowed, her eyes closed, her hands gripping Kenina’s sleeves with a reverence that made Evander’s heart stutter.
He frowned, pulse quickening. What in God’s name—?
He pushed the door open with his shoulder. The wood groaned, both women turning toward him at once. Marian’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes brighter than usual, and Kenina’s expression shifted quick as a hawk’s, sharp and assessing.
“What’s this, then?” Evander asked, his voice easy, though the tightness in his chest betrayed him. He looked from one to the other, brow cocked. “I leave ye two alone a morning, and already secrets are bein’ kept from me?”
“Naething’s wrong,” Marian said at once, too quickly, her smile tugging at her lips as if she meant to soften the words. She smoothed her skirts, chin lifting. “Truly, Evander. It was only—”
Kenina cut her off with a snort, bustling toward the shelves as though neither of them existed. “Och, ye’ve nay need tae explain tae him, lass. The man’ll learn soon enough. Now off wi’ ye both—I’ve herbs tae sort, and I’ve nae patience fer lairds hoverin’ like restless bairns.”
Evander blinked, baffled, his gaze darting between them. “Learn soon enough? What in God’s name is that meant tae mean?”
Kenina ignored him flat as stone, her hands already buried in a basket of dried roots.
Marian’s laughter bubbled up then, soft and mischievous, and it hit him square in the chest, stealing whatever indignation he’d meant to muster. She shook her head at him, her braid slipping loose over one shoulder, her eyes alive with something he could not read. “It’s naething, Evander. Truly.”
He stepped closer, crowding her gently, his brows knit. “Dinnae tell me it’s naething when I saw ye weepin’ in Kenina’s arms.”
Her cheeks warmed, her smile deepening. “I wasnae weepin’. And it’s nae trouble, I promise.”
“Then what was she whisperin’ tae ye? I heard it clear—sounded like a blessin’ tae me ear.”
Marian only laughed harder, her hand brushing at his damp tunic as though to chase him out. “Ye’re too curious fer yer own good.”
Evander scowled, though the edge of it faltered when she looked at him like that, eyes bright, lips curved. God, she could unman him with naught but a smile. Still, he wouldn’t let it go. His chest was already tight with wondering, his mind turning restless circles.
“Marian.” His voice dipped low, firmer now. “Tell me what it is.”
She tugged his hand toward the door, her skirts swishing, her braid catching light as she moved. “Come,” she said. “Let’s go where nay one’ll overhear.”
His boots followed before his mind caught up, his thoughts spiraling fast as a hawk in storm winds.
He watched her hips sway as she led him down the stairs, her fingers light in his but her step quick, and he near cursed aloud. She was torturing him, and she knew it. She glanced back at him, her grin wicked, her cheeks flushed
He let her lead, though every step twisted his gut tighter. Down the passage, up the stair, until they reached their chamber. She pushed the door closed behind them, and he was grateful for the thick oak that barred the world away.
The room was still as ever, yet the air felt charged, as though some unseen current had shifted the ground beneath his feet.
She turned to him, her hands folded before her, and for one wild instant he thought she meant to tell him she regretted the vows they had spoken. His throat closed at the thought, his heart hammering so hard he thought it might split his ribs.
“Tell me,” he demanded, harsher than he meant.
Marian tilted her head, her smile tugging like a secret she savored. “I’ve decided something.”
He frowned. “What thing?”
She drew a breath, steady, certain. “I’m quittin’ me apprenticeship.”
The words landed like a stone dropped in still water, rippling out in his chest. Quitting? He blinked, sure he’d misheard. “Ye’re… stoppin’? The herbs, the healings, all o’ it?”
“Aye.”
He shifted, unsure what he felt—confusion, aye, but also the strange urge to laugh at himself. All his spiraling, all his fear, and this was what had her whispering with Kenina? “Marian, if that’s what ye want, then it’s well enough. Ye’re a laird’s wife now. Ye needn’t work another day in yer life, if ye dinnae wish it.”
Her lips curved, that teasing smile back again. “Och, Evander, ye didnae even ask why.”
The breath caught in his throat. A cold prickling ran down his spine. He narrowed his eyes, suspicion rising fresh. “Why, then?”
She bit her lip, laughter spilling in her eyes, and said softly, “Because I’m carryin’ a bairn.”
For a moment the world stopped. No sound, no air, nothing but her words echoing through him. Carryin’ a bairn.
He stared, struck dumb. His knees near buckled beneath him, his chest seizing with a fierce joy.
“A bairn?” His voice was hoarse, unbelieving. “Our bairn?”
Her laugh broke free then, sweet as bells. “Aye, Evander. Our bairn.”
The sound that left him was half laugh, half groan. He caught her up in his arms, crushing her to him as though he might never let her go. His mouth found hers, frantic, grateful, desperate, kissing her with every bit of love that thundered through him.
She clung back, her hands warm on his shoulders, her laughter muffled against his mouth.
When he drew back, his forehead pressed to hers, his voice broke low, rough with wonder. “Saints above, Marian. I cannae believe it. Ye’ve given me more than I ever thought tae ask.”
Her eyes shone, wet with tears, though her smile never faltered. “It’s true. I fainted this mornin’, mixin’ the potions, and Kenina guessed at once. She checked me herself. Said it was certain.”
He cursed soft and fierce, his hand cupping her cheek. “Fainted? Saints, lass, ye shouldnae be standin’, never mind workin’ wi’ herbs. Ye’ll need tae rest. Bed, every day. I’ll bring ye breakfast mesel’ if I must. Nay—Noah can fetch it. And ye’ll nae be climbin’ stairs or—”
“Evander.” Her laughter broke through, shaking against him. “I’m wi’ child, nae stricken wi’ plague.”
But he only scowled, his mind racing too fast, already counting dangers. “It changes everythin’. Ye’ll nae lift a basket, nae go out in the frost. I’ll speak tae Katriona—nay, tae Kenina—ye’ll have broth and bread by yer bedside each mornin’, and if—”
She kissed him quick, cutting him off, her smile pressed warm to his lips. “Hush. I’ll be fine.”
He groaned, burying his face in her hair, breathing her in as though it might calm the storm in him. “I’ll nae be fine, lass. I’ll be a wreck till the day I see ye holdin’ the bairn in yer arms.”
Her hand rubbed soothing along his back, her voice low and amused. “Then ye’ll learn patience, husband. I told ye—it’s a good thing. The best thing.”
He pulled back, cupping her face in both hands, searching her eyes as though to see the truth written there. He found it, shining bright as the dawn. His heart almost broke from the sheer force of it.
“I am tae become a faither,” he whispered again, awed.
She nodded, tears slipping free down her cheeks. “Aye.”
He kissed them away, one by one, his hands trembling though he tried to hide it. “God help me, Marian, I dinnae ken what tae dae wi’ all this joy.”
Her laughter shook with tears, her arms winding round his neck
He pressed his brow to hers and he kissed her again, slower this time, reverent, as though sealing a vow.
When they parted, she leaned into him, her hand resting against his chest where his heart still thundered. “We’ll be all right, Evander. Kenina said so herself.”
He let out a long breath, his smile breaking through at last. “Kenina says many things. I’ll nae believe it till I see our bairn in yer arms. But till then, I’ll guard ye as if the whole world sought tae steal ye from me.”
Her eyes softened, her lips curving with love. “And I’ll remind ye every day I’m stronger than ye think.”
He laughed then, low and fierce, and pulled her against him once more. “Aye, but I’ll never stop me tryin’ tae shield ye. That’s the curse o’ lovin’ ye this much, lass.”
Her smile trembled, tender as she whispered, “And the blessing.”
He held her there, the world narrowed to the warmth of her body, the steady beat of her heart against his. For years he had fought battles, borne wounds, carried weight enough for ten men. But this was the fight he wanted, the weight he welcomed. To be her husband, to be the father of her child.
It was more than he’d ever dreamed he’d be given. And by God, he would make himself worthy of it every day.
The End.
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Great story. Loved them all.
Thank you so much my dear Maria! 🧡
What a wonderful story about fighting for love.
Thank you so much for your kind words my dearest Terry! ❤️
What a heartfelt ending (or beginning…) for the happy couple. Thank you for sharing their wonderful adventure, Shona!
Your comment really made my day dear! Thank you so much 🧡
Great read from beginning to end. Thank you for taking me on such an amazing journey to love.
This means so much to me my dear Mel! Thank you so much for your support 🙏
Loved the struggle and triumph achieved by a laird, his clan and the love of his life; followed by joy and family celebration.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment my dear Diane! ❤️
I’ve loved everything about this story from beginning to end, from the prequel chapter to the extended.
Thank you so much my dearest, this means so much to me! 🧡
Loved the story!
What courage and Love can accomplish.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment Nancy! 🧡