“You do not think me unattractive?”
He stopped for a moment before entering
their bedchamber. “What nonsense is that? I think you
beautiful.”
“But I have grown—”
He interrupted her as he kicked the door
shut. “More beautiful.”
She giggled. “I do not care that you are
blind.”
“I can see perfectly well, and I will see
your beautiful body perfectly naked very soon.”
With her stomach ever expanding, she had of
late attempted to avoid being naked in front of him. He of course
had dissuaded her attempts and made her feel more secure with her
appearance. He was an unselfish man and an unselfish lover.
It never took them long to undress, both of
them always eager to touch and taste each other, though this time
Royce took charge, showering her with such ardent attention that
she melted to his intimate touch.
He had a way with his hands that surprised
Brianna, for who would think that a fierce warrior whose rough
hands caused such destruction in battle could touch with gentleness
and sensitivity?
He lay beside her on the bed, his hard body
warm and her soft body cool to the touch, but not for long.
“I love the feel of you,” he said, his
fingers tracing a delicate path over her chest and around her
breasts. “Your skin is rose petal soft and smells just as
sweet.”
She sighed, his grazing fingers warming her
flesh and spiking her passion, and his thoughtful words touching
her heart.
“You are a tender warrior.”
He placed a finger to her lips.
“Shhh—someone will hear you, and my secret will be out.”
His hand returned to working its magic and
she whispered, “Your secret is safe with me.”
“I know that.” He kissed the tip of her
nose. “That is why I confide in you, for I know without a doubt
that I can trust you.”
Trust.
She had longed for it and had finally found
it and so she said the few words that meant so much to her. “I love
you with all my heart.”
“I know.” He smiled and stole a quick kiss.
“Since I tell you every day of my love for you, now let me show you
how much I love you.”
She giggled softly and shivered with
anticipation.
“You respond like a woman in love, and that
makes me want you even more.”
“Then let us not waste a moment. Let us love
now.”
“Aye, I do not want to waste a moment. I
wish us to take our time and enjoy the pleasure of loving.”
She sighed at the thought, for they often
took their time making love, and it was precious memories she had
of those times and anticipation of the times they had yet to
share.
Her sighs turned to soft moans, his fingers
tracing delicate circles over her warming flesh. Her body
responded, squirming to inch closer to his touch, yet he kept it
faint and teasing.
His fingers traveled down her body,
lingering over her rounded stomach, and then lightly touching her
moist heat. His lips descended over one hard nipple and nipped at
the tender bud while his fingers brought her intimate pleasure.
Her moans turned to groans, and her body
moved in a frantic rhythm. She grabbed at his muscled arm and
squeezed tightly.
“Please,” she said, “I do so want you.”
He kissed her like a man ready to explode,
and she in turn reached down and grabbed hold of him.
“Now,” she demanded.
“Aye, now,” he agreed.
He moved between her legs, ready to satisfy
them both, when a pounding shook the door.
Delia announced with a strong voice, “Ian of
the clan Cameron has arrived.”
“Later we finish what we started,” Royce
whispered a several minutes later in Brianna’s ear as they entered
the great hall to greet her brother and Moira.
Brianna smiled at seeing her brother, and
also because it was the third time Royce had told her that, and she
much agreed with him, for her brother’s timing was poor, though she
was happy to see that he and Moira had arrived safely.
“Ian,” Brianna called out and hurried to her
brother.
He hugged her and then stepped back, his
hands hugging hers. “You look beautiful.”
“I feel wonderful. Royce is very good to
me.”
Royce joined them, greeted Moira with a kiss
on the cheek, and gave Ian a hardy handshake before he walked
behind Brianna and slipped a protective arm around her, his hand
resting on her stomach.
“My sister flourishes with you; this is good
to see.”
“She is well and safe and will remain that
way,” Royce said, wanting Ian to know he need not worry.
Brianna sensed that the two men wished to
talk, and she doubted that they wanted her present, but she did not
wish to be kept ignorant of the situation.
Moira stepped forward. “I am famished and
there is so much to tell you about Duncan and Anne. Anne is with
child.”
There was excitement in her voice but there
was something else there as well, and Brianna was wise enough to
understand that Moira wished to speak with her alone.
“That is wonderful. I wish to hear
everything. Let us leave the men to talk. I will have food brought
to my stitching chamber, and you can tell me of all the news,”
Brianna said, eager to be alone with Moira.
“I will see to it,” Delia said, not standing
but a few feet away from Brianna.
With a quick kiss on the cheek to both
husbands, the women hooked arms and walked off.
“Why do I feel they are up to something?”
Royce asked.
“Because they are, and if you tell yourself
that, then you are never surprised by their actions.”
Royce smiled. “You have learned well how to
deal with your wife.”
“When a woman is as intelligent as Moira, it
is necessary for a husband to be well aware of her words, actions,
and definitely her whereabouts, for she can get into the damnedest
situations.”
Royce laughed.
“Do not laugh,” Ian warned with his own
laugh. “She has taught Brianna well.”
Royce raised a brow. “Sometimes I think it
is easier facing battle than dealing with a woman.”
Ian slapped him on the back. “Are you only
just discovering that?”
Royce shook his head. “It is time for a
drink.”
The two men sat down at a nearby table that
held a full pitcher of ale to drink and to talk.
~ ~ ~
The women settled themselves in the
stitching room. Comfortable chairs sat around a fireplace, a small
fire burning to chase the damp chill away. Night was near to
falling, and while spring warmth had dominated the days, a chill
continued to settle over the night.
Hot cider and a platter of meats, cheeses,
and bread sat ready for them, and while they enjoyed the cider, the
food remained untouched. They were much too engrossed in their
conversation to pay heed to the tempting fare.
“I know you have things to tell me,” Brianna
said with a sense of excitement. “But tell me of Anne first. I am
thrilled for her. I know how much she wanted a child.”
Moira hugged the tankard of cider and
smiled. “Anne still marvels at the thought that she is to be a
mother. The babe is expected with the winter and Blair is”—she
paused as if in search of a fitting word—”stunned and proud, and he
refuses to allow Anne to do a thing. She suffered terribly from the
morning sickness for two straight weeks, and your brother and I
thought Blair was going to die watching her.”
Brianna laughed. “He will make a good
father.”
“If Anne does not kill him before the child
is born. He follows her around, watching her every move, and Anne
does love her freedom. That is one of the reasons she wed Blair—he
understood her spirited nature.”
“They will do well I am sure.”
“They are at least entertaining the keep and
the village. Everyone is placing a wager on whether or not Blair
will survive the birth.”
The two women laughed, and when the laughs
faded, the conversation turned serious.
“I felt that your brother and Royce wished
to protect you from the truth, especially with you being with
child. Men feel the need to constantly protect. They do not seem to
understand that women have strength and courage of their own. That
is why I wished to speak with you alone. There is much for you to
know.”
Brianna nodded. “I am grateful for your
insight. I would fear more and feel more vulnerable if I was not
informed of the details. Tell me all you know.”
“I must first tell you that it was Anne who
discovered most of the information. Ian was stingy in regards to
the matter, knowing full well I would supply you with all I
knew.”
“Then please extend my appreciation to Anne
and tell her I will pray for a safe and easy delivery for her.”
“Let me start with what Ian told me. He
learned that Arran had formed a group of men, men who had no faith
or allegiance to any particular clan.”
“Men of little virtue,” Brianna said.
“Their virtue is coins, which is what Arran
promised them.”
“But he had no coins of his own. It was a
false promise.”
Moira seemed reluctant to continue, but her
hesitancy passed quick enough. “Arran planned to return to the
clan, beg your brother’s forgiveness, speak of his duty to you, his
wife, and win Ian’s approval for a second chance. Whether he was
granted it or not made no difference. He intended to kidnap you and
demand ransom from Ian for your return.”
Brianna sat silent for a moment. “He will
not stop until he has what he wants.”
“That is what Ian believes, and that is why
he sent William here as soon as Arran had escaped.” Moira paused to
sip her cider. “Anne learned that when Arran discovered that Royce
had taken you away, he grew furious.”
“Because I had spoiled his plans.”
“Aye, now he had to devise an alternative
plan, and he certainly had not considered having to face a
legendary warrior.”
“Royce frightens him,” Brianna said with
pride.
“And for good reason; the man would put fear
in the devil himself.”
Brianna was quick to defend Royce. “But he
has a gentle soul.”
“I have no doubt. Love often tames the
wildest beast.”
“Not so with Arran,” Brianna confided.
“Love only tames when love is shared. Arran
loves nothing but himself.”
“Why could I not see that?” The thought that
she was blind to Arran’s obvious flaws continued to torment
her.
“We do not always make wise choices in life.
It is not a sin; the only sin is if we do not learn from them.”
“You make sense of the senseless. I envy you
your knowledge.”
“Everyone has knowledge,” Moira said. “It is
easy to remain ignorant, but with a little effort knowledge is
yours.”
“How do I use my knowledge to combat
Arran?”
“First, do not give in to your fears, Arran
counts on that.”
Brianna nodded. “You are right. After a
while in my marriage I feared everything.”
“And he used that fear to control you. As it
is easier to remain ignorant, it is easier to remain fearful. You
are strong; use that strength.”
“How?”
“You must be ready for anything. Arran is
devious and will stop at nothing to have what he wants.”
“As was his way,” Brianna said.
“Aye, and you know he has not changed, so
you must be prepared. Do not take chances. Do as Royce tells you
and make certain a guard remains with you at all times.”
Brianna winced.
“I know it is not easy, especially after a
taste of independence, but this is most necessary. And now you not
only have yourself to think of, you have your child.”
“You are right; I have been selfish in my
thoughts.”
“It is difficult to have someone constantly
following you about.”
“I forget it was the same for you,” Brianna
said with regret. “I am so sorry my husband caused my family so
much distress, particularly you.”
“It is not your fault. You have nothing to
apologize for. You need to concern yourself with you now. You know
Arran will attempt to take you from Royce.”
Brianna nodded. “I have no doubt he will
make an attempt. Royce has prepared well for any intruders. The
whole clan has.”
“You sound doubtful.”
“If Arran penetrated my brother’s
defensives, why could he not penetrate these?”
“That is why you must be vigilant to all
that goes on around you. Pay special heed to your senses, for they
will alert you to possible problems.”
“The question is what if Arran succeeds?
What then is my fate? Royce believes he wishes me dead.”
“The ransom would only be exchanged when you
stood in front of Royce or your brother.”
“Much can happen in between that time,”
Brianna said and shivered.
“Then build your strength and your
confidence. It may not be needed, but it will be ready if
necessary. Arran will be expecting the weak woman who once was his
wife. He will not know how to deal with you if you show him
strength and courage.”
“I had not thought of that, but you are
right. If I do not cower but defy him, he will not know how to
respond to me.”
“It may never come to that. He could be
discovered and his plans thwarted.”
“But it is better to be prepared, and it
will help to chase my fears.”
“That it will,” Moira agreed with a smile.
“Now I am hungry; shall we eat and speak of more pleasant
things?”
“Aye, I am famished and feeling much better.
Thank you yet again for your help. It is wonderful to finally have
a sister.”
The two women hugged and set about enjoying
the food.
~ ~ ~
The men continued their talk in the great
hall. Ale flowed freely and food was brought out in intervals.
“There is no more to do but wait. A game I
do not favor,” Royce said, dusting crumbs off his hands from the
bread he had enjoyed.