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A sudden wave of panic took hold What if Nikolai had taken her out of the parish? “You did marry in Comrie?”
She nodded “Yes I re eh I knew I had to marry him”
Lachlan cupped her cheek “The only logical conclusion is that Nikolai compelled you, and everyone else involved To have a record of the event wouldand, after all I have heard, I doubt he would want to leave a trail of evidence or be lumbered with a burden”
A faint smile touched the corners of her mouth, and she thrust her hands to her hips “So, Lachlan Carrick, you think me a burden”
Lachlan raised a brow “You know that is not what I olden tresses that were in desperate need of a brush Her face looked pale, a little gaunt There were odd ses of dirt, on her cheek, her neck and dress Still, she radiated beauty, and an inner passion he kneould war I have to be with you Not out of obligation, but out of love I love you, Isla I always have”
She stared at hihtened her face almost blinded him “I love you so much my heart aches when I am without you”
He held out his arainst his chest “Worry no ain”
Epilogue
Carrick Hall
“Thank you for staying until after the wedding” Isla held Ivana’s hands and squeezed thelanced at Lachlan, her husband of all but an hour “None of this would have been possible had you not braved the long and arduous journey to bring me the cure”
“I would not have missed it for the world” Ivana retrieved one hand to pat the corner of her eye with a gloved finger “I a in ehthed “But then Leo is not most men”
After spending time with them, it was obvious Leo adored his wife “He loves you,” Isla said “He knohat a special lady you are Indeed, I have often caught hi at you with an expression of awe and wonder”
Isla expected the cole, but a solemn expression darkened her friend’s countenance
“I lost him once” Ivana’s melancholic tone revealed a depth of pain Isla knew only too well “Like you, I lived without thehi all sorrowful thoughts, and said a littleof husbands, Lachlan looks rather dashing in his Highland attire”
Isla stole another glance at theBeneath his tartan, she ihs She sed If only they could leave their guests and sneak aithout anyone noticing The idea of joining with her husband was the only proht in her mind