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“Only because he thought she was going to have his son. But she’s not. I am.”

“I don’t like it. I don’t like him. This is crazy.”

She hugged him again. “I know. I’m weirdly glad you’re here with me. Now, whether you like Angus or not, you’ll have to get along with him because I am going to marry him.” She locked eyes with him. “All right?”

He shook his head. “I still don’t accept your explanation. And if he does anything to hurt you, I swear I’ll take him down.”

“Sure. Now, let’s go and get me married.”

They came back to the entrance of the church and David stood protectively by Rogene’s side.

“Do I have yer blessing, lad?” Angus said with a soft chuckle.

“No,” David said.

“He’s fine,” Rogene said and took Angus’s big, callused hands in hers. “Father Nicholas, please… I’m ready.”

“Come here, lad,” Raghnall said. “It looks like we’re going to be brothers.”

He gestured for David to come closer. Puzzled, David went to stand next to him. Catrìona leaned over to him and said something quietly, and David nodded with a smile.

Father Nicholas raised his thin eyebrows and smiled kindly, the skin around his eyes wrinkling.

“Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here to marry Lord Angus Mackenzie and Lady Rogene Douglas. Are the parties present here on their own accord and nae forced into this marriage?” he asked.

“Yes,” Rogene said.

“Aye,” Angus echoed.

Her head spun. She felt light-headed and so deliriously happy she thought her heart would burst. Her brother was with her, and she was marrying the man of her dreams.

“Do ye, Angus Mackenzie, take Rogene Douglas as yer wedded wife?”

“Aye,” Angus said solemnly, like a vow.

Rogene’s heart gave a lurch.

“And do ye, Rogene, take Angus to be yer wedded husband?”

She paused, her hands shaking. She realized that this was the moment when she’d forever be bound to the man she loved. The moment that would make them one. The moment when they would become a team, and when neither of them would be bound by duty but rather blessed by desire…by love.

She looked at David, as though asking for his blessing one last time. He caught her eyes and gave her a nod and a smile. She knew that even though he was worried about her, he wanted her to be happy. And he saw that she was.

She turned to Angus, feeling like she were floating.

“I do,” she said.

“Then I pronounce ye husband and wife. Ye may kiss the bride, Lord Angus.”

And as cheers and hoots sounded around them, Angus took her into his arms and kissed her. She was back in the safe confinement of his lips, inhaling his masculine scent. He picked her up, cradling her like a real groom carried his bride.

He stopped the kiss and leaned back a little, staring at her with eyes wet and sparkling like the night sky.

“What is it?” she asked.

“I love ye, lass,” he whispered against her lips.

“I love you, too, Angus. Even though I never knew it, you and this baby are everything I ever wanted.”