Chapter 30 #2
Rhys cast a stern glance at Seamus. “You are lucky to have Lady Heather as a friend. The cart takes those to their new home, though tonight Seamus and his family will join the other families, recently taken to a safe area on Macinnes land. There he and the others will remain until the winds of war die down.”
“So, you would like us to believe,” Seamus said, his voice trembling. “The cart takes us to our doom. You get rid of those who cannot serve you. Otherwise, you would be truthful with us and not sneak us off in the dark of night. And what of Glynnis? What happened to her?”
Rhys approached Seamus and he watched impressed as the old man tried to stand tall like the warrior he once was, but age refusing him the dignity.
“I owe you no explanation, but I will give you the respect due a seasoned warrior and tell you that whatever I do, I do for the safety of my people. And as for Glynnis, she is safe and well. Now your family awaits you and you will go with them one way or another.”
Heather turned to Seamus. “You know me, and you know my family. Know that when I tell you that my husband is a good man that I speak the truth. He will not hurt you or your family. He will see you all kept safe.”
Seamus’s shoulders slumped. “The Macinnes I trust.”
“You will see all will be well. I will visit with you when I arrive at Macinnes keep.”
Rhys noticed she did not say home and it filled his heart with joy. He was home to her now and she truly believed it.
Henry stepped out of the shadows. “Come on, Seamus, your family waits.”
Seamus looked at Heather. “I will see you soon.”
“That you will, Seamus,” she assured him.
Once they were gone, Heather stepped close to her husband, wrapped her arm around him and whispered, “How many more of your warriors lurk in the shadows.”
“Enough to stop anyone from taking you. Now what are you doing out of bed. It is the middle of the night, and you need your rest.”
“I did not know the time and I am tired of lying abed all day.”
“It is night,” he said and swiftly gathered her up in his arms, “and you belong in bed.”
“You will join me,” she said with an inviting smile.
“Are you trying to seduce me?” he asked, approaching the stairs.
Heather nuzzled at his neck with her lips.
Stop that,” he ordered sharply. “You have only been free of the fever two days. I will not make love to you until I am sure you are well enough.”
“I am well enough,” she insisted.
He gave her body a tight squeeze and a painful gasp slipped past her lips. “You are not well enough. You will rest until we leave.” He did not dare tell her it would be the day after tomorrow or she would never rest. He was grateful her sisters were there to help.
“I will rest on one condition.”
He eyed her skeptically. “And what might that be?”
“Show me what is in the locked room.”
“Then you will rest?”
“Aye, I will rest.”
Rhys carried her up the stairs to the upper floor and set her down easily on her feet.
Heather laughed lightly. “Do you know what those from the McComb clan believe you have locked away in there?”
“Women.”
Her brow went up. “You knew?”
“Were you not warned when you first arrived here that I have eyes and ears everywhere? My men keep me apprised of all that goes on as well as servants who wish to win favor with me.”
“Another question,” Heather said.
“I thought you were eager to see what was in the room.”
“I am, but as long as I am learning your various secrets tonight, I might as well satisfy my curiosity about another one.”
“And what one would that be?”
“What happened to Glynnis?”
“Now is not the time for that story.”
“Please,” she asked nicely.
“What I tell you is for you only.”
She nodded.
“After the man Glynnis loved died, she attempted to take her life. I found her and saw that she was taken care of and when she healed and had a chance to think of what she had done, she felt ashamed. She did not know how she would face her clan. I offered her a new home where she could make a new start. She agreed and asked that Aggie be sent to join her once she was fully healed. Glynnis and Aggie are both together now and doing well.”
“You are a generous and loving man,” Heather said, a tear peeking from the corner of her eye.
Rhys kissed the single tear away. “Not many would agree with you.” He reached up along the top of the wood door frame and pulled down a key. He unlocked the bolt and the door squeaked as he opened it.
“Wait here,” he said and entered the room, getting swallowed up by darkness.
A light suddenly flickered and grew, and Heather did not wait, she was too eager to see what was inside.
She stopped and stared when she entered the room.
The room was half full of chests with fine silk cloth spilling out of some while other chests overflowed with fine garments.
Gold statues and artfully painted urns sat side by side and large round pillows in bright colors were piled haphazardly on top of one another.
Gold candlesticks, almost as tall as her, stood like sentinels near the window.
She walked amidst the items to stand in the middle and take in all she could, though she surely missed something, there was so much to see. Her eyes landed on her husband. “What is all this?”
“Things I collected in the three months I was a free man. Some I purchased myself with the coins I earned for winning my freedom, some were gifted to me for my bravery, and some were gifts from Haidar.” He walked over to her and took her in his arms. “These are all for you, though it is only half of what awaits you at home.”
“They are all truly beautiful. I do not know what to look at first.”
“Look to your heart’s content and if you see anything that you want to look more closely at, I will get it for you.”
Heather drifted out of her husband’s arms and walked around, stopping now and again to touch or look over the various items, until finally she said, “I found something that catches my eye and I want more than anything.”
Rhys went to her side. “Show me it and it is yours.”
Heather smiled and tapped his chest. “You, I want you. You are worth more to me than all the riches in the world.”
Rhys took her face in his hands. “I do so love you, wife.” He kissed her, intending it to be no more than a light, tender kiss.
Heather would not have it. She did not think, nor did she care that she was still healing.
She had missed her husband and the intimacy they shared, and she let him know it.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, hanging on as if she would never let go, rubbed her body invitingly against his, feeling him grow in strength against her, and kissed him with a hunger that left no doubt what she wanted from him.
Rhys tried to fight it. She was still healing, he reminded himself. He had to get her back into bed, a thought that only fueled his rapidly mounting passion.
Push her away. Send her to her chambers. Take your hands off her. Stop kissing her.
Heather tore her mouth away from his. “Please, please,” she begged, “make love to me.”
“You need to rest,” he argued.
“I need you more.”
“You have not fully healed.” Was he trying to convince her or himself?
“Your love will heal me.”
He did not want to deny her or himself, but it was for her own good. He was about to tell her just that when she stepped away from him and stripped herself bare.