Chapter Thirteen #3
The bed shook as he closed the distance between them with such determination.
His body was large and welcomed. She didn’t feel overwhelmed by his frame anymore.
His strength gave her comfort. She caught the hint of his scent and it made her sigh.
The few months away from him now felt like an eternity.
She reached for him, just her fingertips making contact with his chest. A soft sigh passed her lips and he flinched.
“I swear I’ll nae be soft with ye. Murry is going to trail ye like a hungry colt and I’ll nae tell the man to give ye any peace. It’s the truth that I’m going to tell him to bring along a few other men to make sure the job of guarding ye is done.”
He suddenly scowled. “What is yer name?”
“Anne.”
He snorted, but cupped her chin. “Why did ye leave Sterling? Why did ye place yerself in harm’s way?”
He was such a proud man. Her cheeks colored as she cringed on hearing what her flight had reduced him to. By leaving Sterling, she had left him.
“Because I love you.” His large body shook. “I couldn’t steal the dowry from you. It was the only way.” She hugged the baby tightly. “The only way to keep our son from being born illegitimate.” She took a ragged breath. “Like his mother.”
She tried to look down but Brodick’s grip was solid. His eyes flickered with frustration.
“Och, I dinnae know what to do with ye, woman.”
The small bed shook as he leaned further across it, his hand sliding over her cheek and into her hair. “Tis ye I love, no matter the details of yer birth.”
“But the dowry—”
“Will still be mine.” He cupped the back of her head. “Ye are the daughter of the Earl of Warwickshire and ’twas his wife that presented ye to me and my men. Ye were pure and ye have given me a son. That’s the best definition of wife that I’ve ever seen.”
The earl was speaking, the hard authority in his voice edging his words. But his face softened and the hand resting on the back of her head softly soothed her.
“Leave the legalities to me, lass. I’m nae blind to the reason why ye fled. What I want to know is, why didn’t ye run to me?”
Need glistened in his eyes, so sharp and needy, that tears fell down her cheeks.
“I love you, Brodick. I couldn’t see you disappointed even if it meant I had to sacrifice my own heart. I love you too much for that.”
A smile appeared on his lips. The hand in her hair tightened. Pleasure shone from his eyes and she knew without a doubt that life would have been miserable without him.
She wasn’t even sure she would have survived very long.
“’Tis glad I am to hear it…Anne.”
A tiny smile graced her lips as he spoke her name.
Her name.
Their son nuzzled her breast in his sleep and a shudder shook her body. She was suddenly so tired, her eyelids felt heavy. Her arms shook around the baby.
“Take…take the baby…” Her voice shook. She couldn’t seem to stay awake, her body sinking back into the bedding. Her entire body ached now and she wanted to escape it in slumber.
Brodick lifted his son from her arms and she smiled as she surrendered to her fatigue.
Brodick had never held so tiny a babe in his life. He wasn’t even certain he’d seen one so young before.
“Cradle him, my lord, or he’ll fuss and wake my daughter. She needs rest now.”
Druce had a hand on the woman, keeping her in the doorway. But she spoke softly, mindful of Anne’s need for rest. Her face looked similar to Anne’s. She lifted her arms, showing him how to hold his son.
“Are ye Anne’s mother?”
There was a harsh note in his voice that she didn’t miss.
“Yes, and I knew nothing of this until Philipa locked me in this solar with Anne.” She shrugged, but Druce didn’t release her until Brodick nodded approval. Leaving the bed, Brodick moved toward her to allow his wife to rest.
“I’d have turned myself out before seeing my own child suffering for my choices.” She shook her head sadly. “But Anne has a pure heart. It’s better than I deserve for allowing her to be born out of wedlock.”
“I dinnae care.”
Anne shifted, muttering in her sleep. Brodick stepped through the doorway, Anne’s mother following.
“You’re a good man then. ’Tis grateful I am to you.”
Brodick grinned as the baby opened his puffy eyelids, showing off blue eyes. Brodick could feel the heartbeat against his forearm, could see the tiny chest filling with the breath of life. It was by far the most touching experience he’d ever had.
“Then there is something you may help me with, madam.” Brodick looked at Druce and Cullen.
“Assemble the staff and retainers. Bring Mary. I’m going to make sure there’s no doubt about the fact that she didnae birth this child.”
It was harsh, but no more than the noble daughter deserved.
“As you say, my lord.” Ivy lowered her head before leaving the chamber.
Druce grinned. “Well now, let me look at the laddie.”
Cullen joined him as they chuckled and teased him about being old enough to have a family.
If having a family meant he was old, he was content with his lot.
Anne awoke in Brodick’s arms. He cradled her body as surely as he had their son.
“Easy, lass, I’m sorry to disturb ye, but ye’ll nae be sleeping in that room that served as yer prison.”
Anne didn’t have any energy to reply. Her hand pressed against his chest and she smiled when she felt his steady heartbeat.
A few moments later he swept her into another room.
One of the large chambers that had been empty for as long as she could recall.
Her sleepy brain awoke as she noted all the fine touches added.
Carpets and scented candles. She could smell rosemary in the air now.
It was always used after a birth to help the mother gain strength.
No one knew why, only that it had always been that way.
“This is a much better bed. One that disnae look at walls that ye had to see as a prison.”
Brodick settled her in a lavish, double-sized bed with a canopy and curtains. The fireplace was lit with a cheery blaze that warmed her nose. A cradle was placed at the foot of the bed but she heard her son fussing as her mother brought him into the room.
“Here now, Anne, your son is hungry.”
Brodick pushed a few plump pillows behind her back as Ivy placed the baby in her arms. Ivy looked at Brodick for a moment.
“I’m nae leaving, woman. This is something I’ve been waiting to see for three years. Me family.”
Anne gazed into his eyes when Ivy settled the baby near her breast. There was nothing but happiness, nothing else at all.
If that meant she was insane, so be it.
She was in love.