“I’m feeling very well taken. You have my thanks.” Sated, she rolled over onto her back and stretched.
“Then ’tis time for you to go.” He jiggled her breeches up her legs, pulled her tunic over her head, laced her boots and grabbed her cloak and held it out to her. “Now, and never return. Do we have an understanding?”
“Aye, we have an understanding.” Mayhap she shouldn’t have come to Ardan House after all, but she’d never regret this moment, of taking back her words of anger and ensuring he knew her true feelings. Heart still breaking, she swung her cloak over her shoulders and walked out his door, traversed the long length of the gloomy passageway and halted at the top of the stairwell. Aye, their situation was no different to how it had been when he’d last left her on Skye, except for one glaring issue. She now carried his child and—oh drat. She’d clear forgotten to tell him.
She turned around and lost her breath. He stood outside his door, his leather pants hanging loosely on his hips, his feet and chest bare and his blue eyes blazing with need.
“Go!” He stormed back inside his chamber and slammed his door shut. The harsh sound bounced off the stone walls, the wind rippling over the single candle burning in an iron wall sconce beside her.
The flame died out and she sank back into the darkened niche across from the stairs, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. Embracing the dark, she took a few necessary moments to breathe deep and clear her thoughts. Mayhap she’d tell Ivor about the babe instead. He could pass the message along to Duncan for her. As long as Duncan knew of the child, it mattered little who he learnt the truth from.
“Ella!” Duncan’s door crashed open and he raced past her hidden spot, a mere blur as he bounded down the stairs still yelling her name.
Never could she give him up the way he’d given her up. She wiped her tears away with the collar of her cloak, his shouts continuing to echo, although they now seemed to be coming closer. Clearly he wished to make certain she was gone.
“Ella!” Footsteps pounded up the stairs and she stepped out of the niche as he made the top step. Half bent over, hands grasping his knees, he lugged in a deep breath. “Ivor said you hadn’t left yet.”
“I’m on my way. There’s no need to tell me to leave yet again.”
“I’m sorry.” He straightened, raked one hand through his messy black locks and tumbled them about even more. “I shouldnae have spoken so harshly to you, have never done so with another woman afore, and I’ve certainly no desire to start now.”
“I should be the one apologizing. I arrived unexpectedly, and you did expressly forbid me to come.” She shoved her hands behind her back, wrung her fingers together. “You likely dinnae wish to hear this either, but I did come for a reason. If ’tis a boy I carry, I shall name him Hacon after my papa, and if a girl, Beth after your mother.”
“Pardon?”
“There is to be a child born from our time together while handfasted.”
“You’re expecting?” His face paled.
“I am, and should you wish to see the child once born, then send a messenger to my village with the place and time you wish to meet. I will never deny you the time you need with our child. We will come, unless of course you wish only to see the child then Ethan can travel in my stead. Whatever you desire can be arranged.”
“You’re truly expecting?” His shock dispersed and sheer wonder coursed across his face. He caught her arms, pressed her back against the wall, his gaze roaming down her body to her belly. Gently, he spread his hand over her stomach and went completely still. “Truly?”
“Aye, I’m certain, although it took both Mama and Grandma to make me see the truth.”
“My mother passed away during labor.” Pained words and they made her heart ache with the desperate need he laced within them. “I cannae lose you that way.”
“I would never allow death to take me, no’ from you or our child, no matter we’ve parted ways.” She looked into his eyes, wanting only to kiss him, for him to say he wanted her just as badly as she wanted him. “I could even compel myself to remain alive if need be.”
“You can do that?” He kissed the tip of her nose then both cheeks before trailing down and nibbling on her lips.
“It cannae hurt to try,” she mumbled between his kisses.