Kennan groaned, scratching the stubble on his chin. “Mayhap it would be best to wait until we drop anchor off Hades. I can think of no better place for the swindler to spend a year or two pondering his lot.”

Her hips swayed as she stepped into him and cupped his face in the palm of her hand. “Ye are a wise man, Sir Kennan.”

“All wise men are inspired by wiser women,” he whispered as he moved his lips closer to her ear.

Divana closed her eyes, releasing an enormous sigh as he slid his fingers around her waist. “Och, I feared I’d never see ye again.”

His arms felt like heaven, even if they were sailing through the isles of Hell. “If I had to spend the rest of my life searching, I wouldn’t have given up. God, you are my world.”

Her heart swelled so much it nearly burst. “I ken ye cannot marry me, but I love ye with my heart and soul. It drives me to the brink of madness to think that one day ye’ll belong to another.”

“No.” He grasped her shoulders firmly and focused his gaze on her eyes. “I will marry you this night. The Highland way, if you’ll have me.”

“But what about your da—your clan and kin?”

“If they do not love you as I do, then they can all join Vane in hell.” He dropped to his knee and took her hand gently between his large palms. “Divana Campbell, I ken in my heart there will never be another woman as caring, smart, brave, or as bonny as you. I beg you as a man to accept me with all my imperfections. Please, please, please, will you be my wife?”

Good glory, perhaps this was all a dream. Perhaps she’d died and gone to heaven. She might believe it if his hands weren’t quite so warm. A tear spilled from her eye. “Ye—ye want to marry me?” she whispered. “Are ye certain? But what about your da?”

“I’ve never been surer about anything in all my days, and no one’s opinion matters except yours.” He squeezed her hand. “Say yes. I’ll give you my solemn oath as our forefathers did, and once we reach Scotland, we’ll have the grandest wedding you’ve ever dreamed of.”

“Aye. I will marry ye, and none other—but I need no grand wedding, I only need your love.”

“And you have it.” In one powerful motion, Kennan rose and swept Divana in his arms. “This day when we join as one, I will be claiming you as my wife in the eyes of God.”

“And ye will be mine for all of eternity?” she asked, her head swimming as he rested her on the bed.