Love's Promise Fulfilled
Written by Holly Custer
Copyright © 2000

"Ian? Where are you, love?" I asked walking into the semi-dark stable.

"I'm in the tack room, lass." Ian called.

"Hello, darling." I smiled sitting down next to my husband of three months.

Getting no answer I watched his strong hands rub saddle soap into the dull leather of his saddle. I knew he would speak to me when he was ready. Several minutes later, he spoke up.

"I have some news for ye, lass, and I'm not sure how ye will take it." Ian sighed heavily. "I have been asked by my family to go back to Scotland. There was some dispute over my father's will. Apparently, it was straightened out and now I am Lord of the Campbell holdings in the Highlands."

"Ian? I would love to visit Scotland."

"Ah, lass, ye don't understand. We may be stayin' for good." I was stunned. I didn't know what to say. Leave America? For good? I didn't know if I could do that. Ian said nothing more. On the heel of that news, I decided to start sorting through our belongings to give myself something to do. I also needed to go through things that were in the attic and garage. Ian's family had lived in this house since before Ian was born. There was a lot of junk that needed to be weeded through.

As I dug through boxes in the attic one rainy afternoon, I thought about the upcoming trip to Scotland. I wasn't really sure how I felt about it. It would be somewhat of a culture shock for me. I wished I could stay here. My parents were here. My horse was here. Everyone I loved was here......except Ian. I pushed aside all thoughts about the trip. It was depressing to think about right now.

As I stepped over a pile of old magazines, I caught sight of a small chest sitting against the wall. I went over and picked it up carefully. It was made of cedar and about twelve inches square. It wasn't really heavy. I carefully opened it and found a small black book inside. I took the book out and carried it over to the light. I saw that it was a diary. I opened the diary and found the pages filled with very neat and elegant writing.

On the inside cover was a name written. It was Cordelia Laren Coulter. I looked at the first entry and saw that it was dated 13 June, 1865. I ran eagerly down the steps to the main floor of the house and ran out the front door letting the screen door slam shut behind me. I hurried to the stable where my husband was cleaning stalls.

"Ian! Ian!" I called entering the building.

"I'm here, lassie." Ian answered coming out of a stall with a rake in his hands.

"Look what I found in the attic." I said thrusting the diary at him. He took the book gently in his hands recognizing the age of the little book.

"Ah, me darlin' lass, ye have found a wee bit of my Scottish history. This diary belonged to my great-great-great grandmother." Ian said with a gentle smile. He handed the book back to me and put his arm around my shoulders. "Go and read the diary, lass, maybe it will bring you around to thinkin' kindly of our trip to Scotland."

"Oh, Ian!" I murmured. "You are the most wonderful man I have ever known." I reached up and kissed him passionately. Ian's arms slid around my waist and he pulled me close to him. Next thing I knew we were lying in a pile of clean straw. Our passions were let loose as we made passionate love.

Later that evening as Ian sweated over landholding paperwork from Scotland, I curled up on the sofa in his den and devoted myself to reading the old diary of Cordelia Coulter. The first entry started me on a wonderful adventure:

Dear Diary,

Today, Father and I moved to the vicarage on the land of Lord Douglas Campbell. Such a beautiful land it is. I went exploring today and met Lord Campbell......

......Laren found herself staring up at the largest stone castle she had ever seen. She knew at once that it was Campbell Castle. She sat down in the tall grass with her knees pulled up and her arms wrapped around them. She gazed up at the magnificent stone building and felt as if her destiny somehow lay within those very walls.

Having heard the creaking of well-oiled leather, Laren looked up. She saw a beautiful chestnut mare. On her back was a very handsome, young man. He had curly, auburn hair and vivid green eyes. Slowly, Laren rose to her feet. She reached forward and rubbed the mare's velvety nose. The mare nickered softly.

"Ah, a fair lass. Who might ye be, lass?"

"I-I'm Cordelia Coulter. M-my father is the new vicar." Laren stammered out completely captivated by the good-looking Scotsman.

"Well, Miss Cordelia Coulter, would ye like to come in and see the inside of my castle?"

"Are you Lord Campbell?"

"That I am, lass." He answered with a mocking smile on his full lips.

"I would love to see the inside of your castle, milord." Laren said curtsying deeply as she had been taught many years ago by her mother.

"Please, Miss Coulter, none of that. I am no better than ye." Douglas Campbell stated firmly dismounting from the mare. He pulled Laren to her feet with a hand on her elbow. At his touch, Laren felt shivers go up and down her spine.

She gulped and spoke quickly. "Please, milord, call me Laren."

"Laren? I thought ye're given name was Cordelia?" He looked down at the lovely, young woman with a frown.

"It is, milord. Laren is my middle name. I prefer it."

"Call me Douglas."

"Oh, I couldn't, milord." Laren gasped.

"Why not? Ye cannot call ye're betrothed by his given name?"

"What?!"

"Has ye're father not spoken to ye?"

"No, milord." Laren said barely containing the anger that threatened to overwhelm her. She couldn't believe that her father had gone behind her back to betroth her to someone she didn't even know and without her consent.

"I am sorry I spoke out of turn, lass. Please forgive me."

"Of course. I must leave, milord, but I would still love to see your castle soon." Laren said with a smile to the handsome lord.

"I would love to show it to ye." With a smile, Laren turned and walked home. "Father! How dare you betroth me to Lord Campbell without telling me." Laren said storming into the small house behind the chapel.

"Just a moment, dear." James Coulter mumbled holding up his hand to stop his daughter's tirade. With a flounce, Laren sat down on a worn armchair. She waited patiently as her father did some writing then put his quill down. "Now, who told you this and why are you so upset?"

"Father, I met Lord Campbell today. He said that we were betrothed. Is that true?"

"Yes, daughter, it is true. I felt it would be a suitable match for you. Lord Campbell is very levelheaded. He is a good businessman and he has agreed quite willingly to marry you."

"But, Father, I want to marry for love, not convenience."

"Give it time, Laren. You will fall in love with him. He is a special man just as you are a special woman."

"But, Father, I want to marry for love." Laren replied. "Like you and Mama did."

"My dear child, your mother and I were not in love when we married. Our love grew over the years just like yours will. Be patient, dear, Lord Campbell is a good and kind man. Our family has known his for many years. This union between you and Lord Campbell has been talked about for several years. I am sorry I did not mention it to you before." James Coulter said with a smile to his only child.

"Why have I never met Lord Campbell before?"

"You were much too young, child. He is almost ten years older than you." Laren was shocked. She hadn't realized that Douglas was that much older than she. She herself had just turned eighteen three months ago. Laren decided that she would go along with what her father wanted for her. She knew that she could do worse than Douglas Campbell.

The next morning, Laren went for a walk. Not surprisingly, she met Douglas Campbell. He smiled at her and fell into step with her keeping his long strides equal to hers. After a few minutes walk, they came to a small pond with trees round about it. She led the way to a flat rock and sat down on it. Douglas sat down next to her.

"I'm having a ball in ye're honor next week." Douglas said with his thick Scottish brogue. "I need to know if ye are going to marry wi' me, lass. I would like to announce our betrothal at that time."

"Douglas, have you ever wanted to fall in love with the woman you are to marry? Why does it have to be a marriage of convenience?" Laren asked curiously turning expressive blue eyes to the most handsome man she had ever seen.

"I don't know, lass, but that be the way of it." He answered turning green eyes to lock with her blue ones. They stared at each other for a long moment not saying a word. Slowly, Douglas leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers in a gentle kiss. Laren was stunned. She had never been kissed before. She willingly let Douglas kiss her. She also realized how much she liked it. Unconsciously, she reached up and touched his cheek with her fingertips. Douglas pulled away and looked deep into her eyes. "To answer ye're question, lass, I have fallen in love wi' the woman I am to marry.....if she agrees to wed wi' me."

"Oh, Douglas! I will marry you." Laren answered. "I am sure that I will fall in love with you one day." Douglas jerked away from her. "Did I say something wrong?"

"I will only wed wi' ye if ye truly love me." Douglas answered softly.

"I thought you would marry me because it was arranged."

"I was going to, Laren, but I wish us to love one another first."

"I thought you wanted to announce our betrothal at the ball?" She asked her lips tingling from his kiss.

"I will if it is all right wi' ye." Douglas said. "If ye don't fall in love with me eventually, I will call off the engagement."

"All; right, Douglas." Laren asked knowing she couldn't help but fall in love with this wonderful man......

"Jillian, sweet lass, it is very late." Ian said pulling me back from the nineteenth century and into the twenty-first century.

"Oh, I know, Ian. I hate to put it down though. It's like reading a romance novel." I said hugging the book to my chest.

"I know, love, but ye need ye're sleep. You can have all day tomorrow to read. Besides, me love, I need ye wi' me tonight." Ian murmured pulling me to my feet. I realized that I needed to spend time with my husband. There would be time to read more about Laren and Douglas later.

"Ian, breakfast is ready." I called. I set the kitchen table. I placed a pile of hot pancakes in the center of the table. Next to them were maple syrup and butter. There were also a bowl of strawberries and bananas on the table. Ian and I had a lovely breakfast. We talked about his family history and some of what I had read in his great-great-great grandmother's diary. I was eager to get back to reading, but I needed to get the house straightened up first. Ian left for his work and I started mine. I rinsed the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. I wiped off the counters and table. I swept the floor. Next, I went to the living room and dusted and vacuumed. Our bedroom was next. I made our bed and straightened up the bathroom. My work was finally done.

I went down to the den and snuggled down into the sofa. I picked up the diary and began to read once again.

Dear Diary,

Tonight is the ball that Douglas is giving in my honor. I can hardly wait! Father allowed Douglas to take me to town and he bought me a lovely pale blue satin gown. There are slippers to match and a bag and everything!......

Laren laid down her quill pen and gazed with a sigh at the beautiful gown. It was so beautiful and Douglas had bought it for her. She turned back to her diary and picked up her quill pen once again.

Dear Diary,

I love him so much. He is the most wonderful man I have ever known. He is so handsome and kind. I can hardly wait to marry him! This last week has been the most wonderful week . Douglas and I did so many things together. I really got to know him and I have fallen in love....

At that moment there was a knock on the door. Laren went and answered it. Standing there was a girl about her own age.

"Lady Laren?"

"Yes?" Laren started at the unfamiliar address of respect.

"My name is Maggie. Lord Campbell sent me over to help ye dress for the ball." Laren stepped aside with a smile for the young maid.

"It's nice to meet you, Maggie."

"I hope ye like me, milady. I am to be ye're personal maid once ye are wed wi' Lord Campbell." Laren smiled and led the young maid up to her bedchamber.

Later that evening, Laren and Douglas stepped out on to the terrace for a quiet moment and a breath of fresh air. Douglas pulled Laren out away from the brilliantly lit ballroom into the shadowy garden. He turned her to him and leaned forward. He pressed his lips to hers in a gently passionate kiss. Laren melted against his strong, lean body. As their lips parted, Laren whispered loud enough for Douglas to hear: "I love you, Douglas."

Douglas looked down into her blue eyes. "Do ye mean that, Laren?" He asked softly. Laren nodded with a soft smile playing about her full lips.

"Yes, my love, I do."

That was the end. I couldn't believe that the diary ended there. Slowly, I walked out to where Ian was sitting. He looked up and patted his knee. I sat down on his lap and laid my head on his shoulder.

"The diary ended before they got married, Ian. Do you know the rest of the story?" I asked cuddling up in my husband's arms.

"Aye, lass, I do. Laren and Douglas were married shortly after they were betrothed. On the honeymoon Douglas was killed. He was run over by a runaway carriage. Laren was never the same after that. The family name was carried on by their son who had been conceived on their wedding night. The child's name was Blair Douglas Campbell."

"Oh, Ian, how sad!" I looked down into my husband's face and wondered how I would feel if I lost him to a tragic accident. I knew it would kill me. "I love you, Ian, with all of my heart." Ian looked up at me and gave me a warm smile.

"I love ye, lass."

"Let's go to Scotland, Ian. I want to see your homeland."

As I sat with my husband that night, I knew that love's promise had been fulfilled. My heart belonged completely and wholly to Ian Campbell. I would go willingly with him no matter where he went. Where he was, that would be home.

THE END