“I guess this is home now?” I whispered.

“Aye, darlin’. This be our home now.” Ian answered. I looked up at him and saw a brilliant gleam in his green eyes.

Ian led me up the stairs and to the front door. He didn’t want to just barge in so he knocked loudly. A few minutes later, the door was opened by an elderly man in a formal suit.

He stared at Ian for a long moment, then I saw the light of recognition in his dark gaze.

“Master Ian! Ye have finally arrived!” He ushered us in and Ian introduced me to him. He welcomed me, but seemed a bit cool towards me. It was probably because I was American. I prayed this wasn’t the way of the rest of the household.

We were taken to the drawing room. Shortly, a maid brought us a tea tray and some cookies.

Just as I reached to pour the tea, several people entered the room. Ian and I stood up and turned to greet them.

“Ah, Ian! How wonderful to see you again.” A lovely older woman said going over to my husband and kissing him on the cheek.

“It is wonderful to see ye again, Aunt Meredith.” Ian answered softly. “I would like you to meet my wife, Jillian Campbell.” I reached out my hand with a warm smile on my face. She stared at me for a long moment and turned away to talk to Ian. My hand dropped to my side and I sat back down on the love seat. I folded my hands in my lap and lowered my head. I held the tears in not wanting to shame Ian. I slowly gathered my composure. It would never do to show these people I had hurt feelings.

Ian turned to me with a concerned look, but I sent him a small smile. He smiled back but I knew he wasn’t convinced that I was all right. I wasn’t either, to be honest.

Later, I realized I had not heard the names of the other relatives. Although, I felt I knew who they were. There had been a handsome young man with dark hair who was probably Ian’s cousin, Anthony. There had been a young woman who had clung to Anthony’s arm. I knew from what Ian had told me that she was Anthony’s sister, Amelia. Anthony and Amelia were Meredith’s children. I had also heard that her husband had been ill recently and had not come down for that reason.

I looked around the room I had been taken to and realized that it was a very feminine room. I suddenly realized that I had been taken to the former Lady’s bedchamber. With determination, I stalked to the connecting door and yanked it open and, like I thought, I had just entered the Lord’s bedchamber. The butler whose name I found out was Lockerbie was putting Ian’s clothes away.

“Excuse me, madam, but your chamber is beyond.” He said crisply waving his hand towards the open door.

“I will be sleeping with my husband in his bed.” I answered shortly. “This will be my chamber as well.” I crossed my arms over my bosom and waited as he stared at me glaringly.

“Very well.” He stormed from the room.

With a sigh, I finished putting Ian’s clothes in their proper place. I undressed and laid down on the bed exhausted and lonely. I had so hoped for a better welcome. Ian had warned me that there could be some hard feelings towards me. I hadn’t expected this kind of hostility though.

I must have fallen asleep, because sometime later I awoke. I was pressed up against my husband’s side as he sat and watched me sleep.

I smiled up at him. He reached down and pulled me into his arms. His kiss was warm and passionate. His hands were strong and gentle. I sighed happily as he pressed me down into the mattress and made passionate love to me.

At a knock on the door, Ian pulled on his jeans and answered it.

“Ian, dear, dinner is ready. I wanted to welcome you and walk with you to dinner your first evening home.” Aunt Meredith said. She glanced past my handsome husband and saw me laying in the bed. The look in her eye was murderous.

“I will see you downstairs, Ian. I assume you wish to walk with Her to dinner.” Aunt Meredith harrumphed and turned and left.

“Why does she hate me so?” I whispered as Ian came over and sat down on the bed next to me.

“Aw, lass, I dinna know the answer to your question, except that ye dinna have Scottish blood runnin’ through ye’re veins.” Ian said brushing my hair back and kissing my bare shoulder. “Come, lass, we must not be late to dinner.” He stood up and held out his hand. I sat up and placed my hand in his. He pulled me up and into his arms. He leaned down and kissed me passionately and warmly. “Just know that I love you, darlin’.”

“I know, sweetheart.” I murmured. “I love you, too.”

We dressed for dinner and went downstairs hand-in-hand. Ian was met with enthusiasm and love. I was tolerated and ignored.

As we entered the dining room, I noticed that Aunt Meredith was sitting at the foot of the table where I rightfully should sit. Ian squeezed my hand and murmured in my ear that he would speak to her. I nodded slightly and sat down to the left of my husband, the Lord of Campbell castle.

The meal for me was long and drawn out. Ian was the only one who spoke to me and I realized that it would be a very lonely life if something didn’t change. I ate my food silently and took in all the conversation learning as much as I could about these people who were now my family as well.

finally, the day was over. Ian and I walked together upstairs to his bedchamber. As we proceeded to walk into his room, Aunt Meredith stopped him.

“Ian, I wish to speak to you...alone.” She said pointedly as she inclined her head in my direction.

“Certainly, Aunt Meredith.” Ian turned to me. “I will be in in a moment, lass.” He kissed my forehead. I smiled up at him and went into the bedchamber. I closed the door and then quietly opened it a tiny crack so that I could hear what was being said.

“Really, Ian, it is not proper for a husband and wife to sleep in the same room together, unless they are, er, making an heir.” I almost laughed at the embarrassment I heard in her voice,

“Well, Aunt Meredith, whether we are making an heir or not, I prefer having my lovely wife laying next to me.” Ian said firmly, but kindly.

“Well, Ian, you are the laird now, whatever you wish to do.” Meredith said softly, although I did hear the hard tones in her voice. I knew she was going to try and tear us apart.

I went to the bed and undressed folding my clothes laying them carefully on a chair. I climbed into the huge four-poster bed and sighed deeply as I relaxed in the warm depths of the soft mattress.

I waited and watched as Ian came into our room and undressed. he laid down in the bed next to me and pulled me into his arms.

I didn’t mean to do it, but the tears began falling and I couldn’t stop them. The comforting embrace of my husband had done me in.

The next morning, I donned a pair of jeans and a sweater and pulled on my riding boots. Ian had already gone down to breakfast. I headed reluctantly to the dining room and was relieved to find my husband all alone.

I greeted him warmly and kissed him. I sat down next to him and reached for a croissant. I buttered it liberally and took a bit out of the warm bread. It was heavenly.

“Where be ye off to this mornin’, m’love?” Ian asked as he drank his coffee.

“I thought that I would go riding...if that’s all right with you.” I answered taking a sip of coffee.

“That would be a good idea, lass. I have business to tend to in Edinburgh. Ye will be all right, won’t ye?” Ian asked a little concerned.

“Will you be gone long?” I asked anxiously.

“I shouldna be gone for more than a day and a night.” He answered.

“I will miss you, sweetheart.” I said brushing his cheek with gentle fingers.

“I will miss ye as well, my fair lassie.” He said softly taking my hand in his and kissing the palm.

Ian pulled me out of my chair and on to his lap. We kissed passionately until we were interrupted by his cousin, Anthony.

“Sorry to intrude, Ian,. but my mother is requesting an audience with you.” Ian sighed deeply. He set me on my feet and stood up.

“I’m sorry we were interrupted, lass. I will see ye tomorrow mornin’.” We kissed one last time and Ian followed his cousin up the winding staircase.

I walked on out to the stables and found that not all Scottish people were rude and surly. The boss of the stable was an older man with a gentle smile and the same kind of spirit. His name was Macgregor and he was kind and helped me find a lovely, spirited, young stallion that I would enjoy riding. I was soon on my way on a handsome beast named Sampson.

I had a wonderful ride through the fields of my new home. I ran across a small village that I assumed were Ian’s new tenants and the people that worked the land for his family.

They all seemed to know who I was and for the most part I was greeted warmly. As I rode through, I did hear some crude comments from some of the young men. I ignored them and rode back towards home.

After my ride, Macgregor wouldn’t allow me to care for Sampson, but I did stay and watch him. He was a wonder with the horses and dogs who lived in the stable.

I finally resigned myself to going back to the castle. I needed a bath badly. Horsy smell was rather unbecoming. I was pleased to note that although the castle was old and very 18^th century, modern conveniences had been added to it. We had a small bathroom off the Laird’s bedchamber complete with shower and Jacuzzi tub.

I took a leisurely bath soaking in the Jacuzzi with the jets running easing aches and pains from my body. I climbed out and toweled off with a big, fluffy towel. I pulled on my silk bathrobe and went into the bedroom.

I decided to read for a while before dinner. When I read, I am usually so engrossed in the story that I notice little going on around me. As I read, I noticed a shadow fall across the pages. Slowly, I looked up and saw Ian’s cousin staring down at me.

“What do you want, Anthony?” I said putting my book down and feeling very uncomfortable that this man was in my bedchamber.

Without a word, Anthony came over to me and kissed me pressing me down into the bed. I struggled trying to get him off of me, but he was very strong.

“What is going on here?” Anthony jumped away from me at the sound of his mother’s voice.

“You, tramp! How dare you seduce my son! What would Ian say?” Aunt Meredith stood staring at me with hatred and distaste in her face. I sat up trying to pull my robe over my body. Before I could tell what had happened, Aunt Meredith had pulled Anthony from the room and slammed my door shut.

I sat on my bed and started to cry still feeling Anthony’s hands and lips all over me. I didn’t know what to do. Ian wasn’t going to be home until tomorrow morning and in the meantime, I was here all alone with these crazy people.

Eventually, I went to bed. I didn’t sleep very well and I was glad when the sun came up over the horizon.

I dressed quickly in riding clothes and went downstairs to wait for Ian. I knew I had to speak to him first.

I was thrilled when I saw his car coming down the drive. When he stepped from the car, I ran into his welcoming arms.

“I am so glad you are home, Ian.” I said looking up into his handsome face.

“I am glad to be home, Sweet lassie.” Ian said leaning down and kissing me warmly. I snuggled up against him and enjoyed the warmth and strength of his body against mine.

“Ian! You’re home, dear boy!” Meredith exclaimed sailing down the front steps. She just sniffed when she saw me. “Has she been telling you what has gone on since you left? How she seduced my poor boy, Anthony?”

“Excuse me?” Ian said looking at me in confusion.

“Ian, I can explain what happened if we can have a few minutes alone.” I said turning a scathing look on Meredith.

“Go on upstairs then. I will be up in just a wee moment.” Ian turned to the car to get his briefcase and overnight bag.

I reluctantly left his side and did as he wished. I sat on the window seat in our chamber and waited for him to join me. Instinctively, I felt something wasn’t right. I hoped and prayed I was wrong. I heard the door open and then close quietly. I turned and looked up at my beloved husband. There was no expression on his face at all. My heart sank just knowing Meredith had gotten to him.

“Explain to me what happened, love.” Ian said quietly sitting down on an overstuffed wing chair.

Slowly, I turned to face him and spoke clearly.

“I came up here after I went riding yesterday morning. I took a hot bath and soaked for a while. I got out, dried off and pulled on my robe. I lay down on the bed and was reading my book when a shadow fell over it. I looked up and Anthony was standing there. I wasn’t fast enough to get away from him. He pinned me to the bed and started kissing me. It was horrible, Ian! Then, Meredith walked in and, of course, assumed that her son was the innocent.” I sat down on the bed and lowered my face to rest in my hands. I was exhausted. Living with people who hated me was very difficult. I prayed that my husband believed me.

I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. I looked up and Ian was standing there with a very grim look on his face. My heart dropped and I just knew he was angry with me and didn’t believe me.

“Come, darlin’, we will go speak with my aunt and cousins. I will not have my wife treated like this any longer.” He pulled me to my feet and hand in hand we walked down to the drawing room. Ian rang for Lockerbie the butler. He ordered him to bring the rest of the family into the drawing room immediately.

I sat in a wing chair with Ian standing next to me. His hand rested on my shoulder lightly. He waited until everyone was seated, then he spoke surprising even me.

“First of all, ye all have seem to have forgotten that I and my wife are the Laird and Lady. You have treated me as such, but ye’r deference to my wife has been somewhat lacking….”

“But, Ian, she is American.” Meredith said with great distaste and in a loud whisper.

“Aunt, that is enough.” Ian said sternly turning to her with a reprimand in his voice. “I wanted to say that due to the ill will you have treated my wife that you all will be moving to the Campbell Dower House immediately. You will have a monthly allowance deposited to each of your accounts for the rest of your lives as long as you leave us alone. Consider that your inheritance.”

“Very well, Ian. As you wish, but you will regret….”

“You will lose everything if you finish that sentence, Aunt. It is on my good will that you now depend. Please, just make whatever arrangements you need to get moved quickly. All you take is what precisely belongs to you. I am extremely distressed that this has to be done, but I refuse to see my wife’s efforts to be part of this family pushed aside as if she were an interloper. I had hoped to be one united family, but I guess that will never be.” He gently pulled me to my feet and put his arm around me. He then turned back to his family. “I hope you all will be happy. We will be leaving for the States in the morning. I will have guards posted here until you leave. We will be back for the holidays. Good-bye.” We left the room and went up to our chamber.

“Ian, are you sure about leaving? I hope it’s not just for me you are leaving Scotland.” I said looking up into my husband’s face.

“No, lass. I had decided not to stay before we even left America. I took care of business and now it is time to go home.” He smiled down at me and pulled me into his warm embrace. His kisses enflamed me and we soon were making passionate love.

The measure of love’s promise showed through in Ian’s desire to make me happy. I had never known anything so powerful as this man’s love for me. It was amazing and I reveled in it knowing we were together forever.