Epilogue

“I’ve no idea what it’s all about,” Shay said, from the second office desk. “He only said that he’d like us all gathered at the main offices when he arrived back on the island.”

Roan was seated on the edge of his desk, with Tessa leaning back between his legs. Graham was standing by the window, keeping a lookout for Blaine. Katie had her head bent over Kira’s hand, studying her engagement ring.

“It’s beautiful,” she gushed, then glanced over at Shay. “You’ve marvelous taste,” she said. “It suits her beautifully.”

Shay nodded and Kira smiled. It was a week into the new year, but it felt as if a whole new life had begun. The plans for the school had been approved, with interior renovations already under way. They’d break ground on the additions in the spring, and hoped to have the entire operation running by the summer tourist season.

She and Shay had gone to Edinburgh over the holidays after all, and spent the week between Christmas and Hogmanay with Tessa and Roan, though they’d missed Blaine, who’d begged off at the last moment. It had been a magical time, seeing the city through his eyes, and a truly grounding time for the two of them as well. She’d loved getting to see the other part of his life, and him in his element there. She had been introduced to Shay’s business associates and had a newfound respect for why he did what he did.

They’d initially talked about the idea of his cutting back his time in the city, or leaving the practice entirely. But the more they’d talked about his cases, the more she’d come to realize that he really did have a passion for what he did. It was never a happy time for his clients, but he did his very best to make sure they were able to move forward, claim their new lives as whole as possible. Divorce happened, and Shay knew he was helping those he represented. And Kira knew they were very lucky to have him on their side.

Shay had turned one of the bedrooms in his city flat into a studio for Kira, so rather than spend so much apart, she could accompany him to the city and work there. That would change when the school opened, but she was already enjoying the chance to get away from the island, and reclaim the things she loved about living in the city.

“I wish I knew what the big deal was,” Tessa was saying. “Why couldn’t Blaine have just told you whatever it was on the phone?”

“I couldn’t get it out of him,” Katie said. “And if I couldn’t, you know it couldn’t be done.”

Blaine Sheffield was Katie’s childhood friend, and, very briefly, her fiancé. It had been a prearranged marriage made in hell and Katie had been wise enough, at the last minute, to bail out . . . and run off to Kinloch with Graham, instead. Blaine had followed, but not to win Katie back. It was more a joint retreat to get as far away from the Sheffields and the Annapolis-based McAuleys as he could. At least until he figured out what to do with his newly disowned self for having the nerve to be outed on his wedding day, literally in front of God and everyone, and—Kira was fairly certain—for not manning up and going ahead and marrying Katie anyway.

From what Kira understood, Blaine had started working for Roan, doing some digging on Iain McAuley, who had presented an obstacle, a rather critical one, this time, in Katie’s attempt to marry Graham. The wedding had gone off, but the mystery surrounding Iain McAuley had continued, and Kira knew Shay had wanted no loose ends, so he’d kept Blaine on it. He’d even done work in the city for Shay on some of his cases there. Turned out the man could ferret out anything. So . . . Blaine had found his niche. And he’d stayed.

Roan turned to Shay. “If this is still about the inheritance issue, you’re going to need to officially call him off. I canno’ see how Mr. McAuley has any claim here now or what possible harm—”

Eliza, Roan’s secretary, took that moment to stick her perfectly pinned and coiffed gray head into the office. “Mr. Blaine has arrived.”

Graham turned to look back out of the window, having looked away while Roan was talking. “Sorry. I must have missed it.”

“Well, have him come in already,” Katie urged, smiling. “Why so formal?”

“Oh, I believe that will be made clear momentarily,” Eliza said, eyes twinkling.

The door swung wider and Blaine strolled in, quite natty in a cutaway black jacket and silk striped trousers. A tartan cummerbund and bowtie finished off the look.

Kira thought, with his blond good looks, he pulled it off rather gorgeously, as if he’d been born wearing just that.

“Hullo, Blaine,” Roan said, with zero reaction to Blaine’s state of dress.

“Don’t spoil it,” Blaine said, pointing a finger at Roan, but there was clear affection in his tone.

And despite Roan’s rolling of eyes, Kira knew he liked and respected Blaine, it was just their way. Kira winked at Shay, who gave her the smallest of smiles in return, but otherwise kept his own council, remaining behind the far desk.

“Thank you all for coming,” Blaine announced to the room at large, clearly enjoying his dramatic entrance, but then, from what Kira knew, when didn’t he?

Personally, she thought he was charming and rather adorable.

“As you all know, I’ve been putting my quite extensive and tirelessly dedicated skills to discovering what the real story was regarding one Mr. Iain McAuley.”

“Have ye solved it then?” Graham asked.

“Yes, I have.”

“Thank the Lord,” Roan murmured. “We can all get back to work now. The fear and panic can finally be put to rest.”

Blaine ignored him. “As it happens, there is a simple solution to the mystery of his arrival on Kinloch, and his attempt to usurp the clan lairdship and island chiefdom.”

“Put us out of our misery already—”

“Roan,” Graham gently chided. “Blaine, what is it you’ve found? Anything for us to be concerned about?”

“No, quite the opposite. That is, as long as you don’t mind the fact that Iain will be returning to Kinloch. In fact, he’ll be staying on here.” Blaine pushed the office door completely open. “With me.”

Kira remembered Iain from his brief but very memorable stay on Kinloch the previous fall. He’d have been memorable anyway, with his white smile and dashing good looks.

“Oh my, he’s gone and borrowed from Blaine’s closet,” Roan said.

Kira might have kicked Roan’s toes herself, but then Iain entered, decked out in full, formal clan regalia and she was too busy gawking to kick. He really was quite stunning, though the rows of lace on the front of the white shirt peeking out from the jacket front and at the cuffs wasn’t something traditionally seen. At least on Kinloch.

Iain’s smile was a bit abashed, but he kept his head up. “Hullo, everyone. I appreciate the welcome.” His gaze strayed briefly to Roan, but settled on Graham, then Shay. “I’m sorry for any upset I caused during my last visit. Rest assured, I intend to remain a benign presence from this point forward.”

“Benign?” Blaine said. “I hardly think so.” Then he slid his arm through Iain’s, and looked at the group. “I mean . . . look at him.” The two smiled at each other . . . and the light finally dawned. On everyone.

Blaine faced the group again. “Turns out our stories are somewhat similar. We both come from rich, controlling families. And we both almost made very ill-advised marital choices rather than reaching for our own true happiness.” The two shared another look.

And Kira knew that look.

Roan started to say something, but this time Tessa elbowed him in the stomach . . . and started clapping. “Has there been a wedding?” she asked over the din, as everyone else started clapping for the happy couple as well.

“Well,” Blaine said, “we don’t dress like this every day.” He and Iain grinned again. “Though I think we totally should.”

Everyone laughed and Eliza came in carrying a cake. There were two grooms on top.

“You knew?” Roan said. “How on earth did you know?”

“I always know,” Eliza answered.

Shay came around his desk and tucked Kira by his side as a champagne bottle appeared and everyone started talking at once.

Kira leaned close and whispered, “You’ve been quiet. What do you think of all this?”

“That we should elope?”

Kira laughed and turned in his arms, and kissed him. “What? And deprive Blaine of planning our wedding?”

They were married in the abbey, on Valentine’s Day. There were doves. A carriage drawn by six white horses. A gilded and pillared cake that was slightly larger than Kira’s Fiat.

And a bride and groom who lived happily ever after.