“You…you love me?”
His eyes drank her in. “How could I not love ye? I thought ye knew, thought ye’d figured that out. I’ve been in love with ye since ye first crossed the threshold at Dunnhaven. Perhaps even longer. Ye’re lovely, lass. But there’s more. Ye’re courageous. Ye protect what ye love. And ye love with a fierceness I cannae get enough of. But I couldnae find the right words. Couldnae find the right time.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I was a fool to let ye get on that train. I should’ve told ye then…in Inverness. I love ye, Johanna.”
“Oh, Connor.” The words escaped her lips as a whisper. The crowd had hushed, as if transfixed by this most unexpected declaration.
Connor dropped to one knee. If he’d transformed to a dragon before her eyes, Johanna might have been less stunned. Joy infused every breath and her heart stuttered wildly, just as it had that first night when he stormed into the tavern. In his hand, he held a small box. He opened it slowly.
He slid an emerald ring over her finger. “I love ye with all my heart. All my soul. If ye give me a chance—if ye become my bride—I’ll prove it to ye.”
“But how…you know I can’t stay here. I have to think of Laurel. She needs family. She needs stability.”
“The girl is strong. And spirited. She’s a part of ye now. Ye’re mother to the lass.” He stood, rising to his full height, watching her with a subtle smile curving his mouth. Gently, his fingers swept through Johanna’s hair. “I’ll be a father to Laurel. If ye’ll have me.”
Ah, how she adored him. There was no denying that. Her pulse raced. How could she allow Connor to forsake the homeland that was such a part of him? Her love for him would not permit such a sacrifice. “I cannot ask you to leave Scotland behind.”
“We willnae, sweet Johanna. Not forever. We’ll spend time in America. And with my kin, in the Highlands. Laurel will experience life in the city. And with my clan. She’ll become part of us…of my family. There’s so much we can show her. Together.”
“Yes, Auntie Jo. That would be wonderful.” Excitement colored Laurel’s sweet voice.
Johanna’s breath caught. Her happiness was a heady thing, almost tangible. But she needed time to think.
Adoration beamed over his features. “If ye dinnae love me, I’ll walk away and never trouble ye again. Ye’ll always have a claim to my heart. But if ye love me, tell me now. Ye’ll give me the finest gift a man’s ever received.”
“Connor, I love you. But—”
“Marry me, Johanna. We’ll have a grand life together.” He pressed a kiss to her hand, just above the spot where his ring adorned her finger. “But first…first ye must say yes.”
Emotion choked her. A rebellious tear streamed down her cheek. She glanced at Laurel. The girl’s head bobbed in enthusiastic approval. At her side, Serena brushed away a fat droplet that toppled from her lashes.
Johanna took Connor’s hands in hers. She loved this man more with every beat of her heart, this man whose kiss turned her knees wobbly, this man whose touch kindled sparks of pleasure through her body. This was the man she’d cherish until her last breath.
“Oh, yes, Connor. Yes.” She looped her arms around his neck and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. “I will marry you.”
Epilogue
Dunnhaven Castle, Scottish Highlands, One Year Later
Nestled on a settee in the library of Connor’s ancestral home, Johanna luxuriated in the warmth of a roaring fire. Content in her husband’s arms, she rested her head against his shoulder. In the days since they’d returned to the Highlands, Johanna had basked in the welcoming love of the MacMasters family, but most of all, she cherished these moments after sunset when she was alone with Connor.
“’Tis a miracle, sweetling.” His voice rough with emotion, Connor stroked a hand over her still-flat middle, his strength restrained, his touch achingly tender. Reverent. Loving. “Yer body nurturing our child—our bairn.”
“It won’t be long before I’m round as a hot-air balloon.” She placed her hand over his. She’d only confirmed that she was expecting a fortnight earlier, after the wretched mornings she’d attributed to sea sickness had persisted for days after their steamship had moored at the port of Invergordon. When they’d arrived at Harrison’s home in Inverness, the physician had deduced her condition almost immediately. Come the summer, the MacMasters clan would gain its youngest member.