“Your belly with grow large with our child and I’ll miss every moment of it.” Still kissing her lips, he slid his hand under the hem of her tunic and softly caressed her skin. “I’ve already missed the first precious month. Have you been ill? When you arrived, you said you’d eaten little this day, and what you do consume does no’ always stay put.”
“Aye, but in truth, my desire for food has been gone since the day you left. Being parted as we have been hurts terribly, until I cannae see a way past the pain anymore. I miss being your wife, to the depths of my soul.” Speaking the truth eased a little of her heartache, and having him this close, even more so. “Why are we allowing the MacDonald to control our actions, as well as the direction of our future?”
“To ensure the safety of your kin. Your grandparents live on Skye, right within his reach. Should he discover that we spoke handfast vows, he’ll come after them, as well as Ethan and your mama. His need to retaliate right now is too strong.” He slowly lowered to his knees, pushed her tunic up higher and rubbed his cheek against the bare skin of her belly.
“What if we all lived together, right here?” She’d be uprooting her kin, every single one of them, tearing her grandparents from their home on Skye and Mama and Ethan from their beloved village. Although keeping her child and its father apart was a thought she could barely tolerate.
“I cannae ask that of you and your kin.”
“I believe I was the one doing the asking.”
“They’d be forced to give up all they love and adore, their home and their clan.” He shoved to his feet, hope burning bright in his eyes. “Although I’d offer them Ardan House as their own, my clan here as theirs. If I asked them to stay, would they agree? There is now a child to consider.”
“We’ll all be safe here, correct?”
“Aye, I’d ensure it.” He searched her gaze. “If they agree, then I’m going to send for a priest immediately. I will wed you proper, then lock you in my chamber until I’ve loved every single inch of you, in every single possible way.”
“I will certainly never speak handfast vows with you again, no’ since you broke your last vow. A proper marriage it would have to be.” Her heart lifted with the possibility of remaining right here with him, of never having to leave this place or her chosen one, to have all her loved ones so very close as well. “We’ll ask them together.”
“We’ll ask them now.” He scooped her up in his arms and strode downstairs with her, his muscles tight and his body so very tense.
“Walk slower.” She wanted to hold onto this moment forever, for in these few heartbeats of time she finally held hope as she hadn’t in one very long month. Either her greatest desire would soon be granted, or completely stolen away from her.
He slowed his step then halted in the great hall with its vaulted ceiling and high wooden beamed rafters rising to an imposing height. A sliver of moonlight shone through the tall windows and sprinkled across the wooden floorboards. Beside the blazing fireplace, two dogs snoozed and Duncan trod with her held close to his chest as he weaved around the perimeter of the hall filled with dozens of trestle tables.
Her heart expanded, barely containing the love she held for him within it. “Kiss me.” One fiercely whispered command. “I want to be your wife.”
“I want to be your husband, to raise our child right here at Ardan.” He slowed, captured her mouth with his and kissed her, with a passion that made her head spin and made her wish they could return to his chamber and bolt the door.
When he broke their kiss, she wanted to demand he kiss her all over again but her kin awaited them at the dais. All were seated and partaking of a late evening meal, platters of breads, meats and cheeses gracing the center of the long table, a dish of pastries and small cakes too.
Mama waved her over. “Come, sit and eat. I’ve just met Hamish and he’s spoken of some most interesting things he’s just seen within a vision.”
“As in?” Duncan asked as he carried her to the high platform and pulled out a chair. He eased down into it and settled her on his lap, bound his arms tightly around her waist.
“Mayhap Hamish should elaborate.” Mama grinned at the fae seer.
Eyeing Duncan, Hamish popped an apple pastry in his mouth and chewed. “I informed Ella’s kin of what I saw unfold while the two of you spoke just now, and of course of the bairns I saw Ella carrying. Provided they agree to remain here, in just under eight months Ella will give birth to a son named Hacon and a wee daughter named Beth. They will be your first and second-born, twins just as you and Coll are, and both gifted in the way of the fae.”
“I’m carrying twins?” Shock and immense joy collided within her.
“Aye, my sweet.” Mama hugged her, her smile wide. “And provided we all agree to remain at Ardan, then all will be well.”