Page 90 of Leila’s Legacy

She beamed up at her husband. He had excelled at his role as Captain of the Guard. Every one of his men respected him, first by his reputation and then by his treatment of them. He did not expect his men to do what he would not do himself.

His experience with reivers in the chaotic world of Liddesdale brought an edge to fighting that Werrick’s soldiers had never implemented before. It made them all better, stronger, more confident. Aye, Werrick Castle was in good hands for such a grand wedding feast, especially with Brodie in charge of the men in Niall’s absence.

“I remember our own wedding.” Niall nuzzled Leila’s face with his, his face scraped smooth. “And our wedding night.” His mouth found hers. “I love ye, mo chridhe.”

“And I love you.” Leila kissed him again. And again. And again. “Nay.” She put a hand to his chest. “We don’t have time.”

“But we will later.” He grinned.

She kissed him once more and strode away. “I have to see to my father.”

Niall winked at her and headed in the opposite direction to finalize his own preparations.

Leila found her father walking out of Rose’s chamber, of all places. He opened his arms when he saw Leila.

“Father, you aren’t supposed to see your bride before the ceremony.” She went into his arms and embraced him.

He released her with a shrug. “I’m too old for convention, Daughter. And she sent a maid for me to come and offer my opinion on her hair. Who am I to deny the woman soon to be my bride?”

“I’m so glad you’ve found such happiness,” Leila said earnestly. It had been a sweet thing to watch the love blossom between her father and Rose. What had come from Rose’s aid while she helped heal him had developed into a beautiful bond that left Rose’s cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling every time Lord Werrick was near.

And likewise, Leila had not seen her father smile so readily in many, many years. One day she noted the sadness that lined his eyes had lightened and she knew it was all Rose’s doing.

“Have you seen Joan and John?” Father asked. “The rapscallions have disappeared.”

“Running about with your wild grandchildren and Bonnie in search of pastries,” Leila replied.

Lord Werrick nodded and chuckled affectionately. “Aye, that sounds like them.”

“Leila,” Cat cried out from down the hall. “Papa! Come quickly! She’s here!”

Leila’s heart gave a leap of excitement. “Marin’s here,” she whispered eagerly. She had delivered a healthy baby boy nearly seven months ago. They’d all kept their distance as the last of the great pestilence died out for fear of bringing danger to their doorstep. After the years Marin and Bran had waited for their miracle, no one wanted to offer the least bit of risk.

Now she was at Werrick Castle and they would meet the babe. Finally.

Leila and her father made their way swiftly to the great hall to find Bran and Marin standing together, gazing down at a bundled babe sleeping in her arms. Anice, Ella and Cat were already there, quietly observing the baby.

Marin had a soft smile on her lips, her attention fixed on her child. The contented joy of Leila’s eldest sister seemed to glow and fill the entire room.

Tears immediately warmed Leila’s eyes.

Marin looked up with the most beautiful smile Leila had ever seen. “Leila, this is your nephew, Nicholas.”

The child in Marin’s arms was perfect. Chubby rosy cheeks, a mouth that puckered in mock nursing even as he slept and a fuzz of downy blond hair on his perfectly round head.

“Oh, Marin,” Leila breathed. “He’s beautiful.”

“I love him so much.” Marin’s voice broke and her eyes misted with tears of her own. “I am so grateful for him every day.”

“I know.” Leila gently squeezed her sister’s shoulders.

A black cat slinked from the shadows and trotted over to Bran to wind between his feet.

“Ach, there ye are, Bixby.” Bran lifted the cat into his arms and a low vibrating purr filled the air. “I missed ye too, ye wee beast.”

Bixby simply lifted his chin and squinted his eyes shut in pleasure.

Niall entered the great hall and made his way toward them. “Ach, what a sweet wee bairn.” He gazed tenderly down at Marin’s new son and cast a secret glance in Leila’s direction.