Page 17 of A Savior for Branwen (The Welsh Rebels #2)
M atthew stared at the ceiling above, feeling blessed above all men. In just a few days, he’d gained a father, a brother, a nephew, a sister-in-law, a mother-in-law, and a wife. In other words, a complete family. It was a bewildering development and he had never felt happier.
He looked at Branwen, lying on her stomach by his side, her glorious hair fanned over his pillow. His heart constricted in joy at the notion that this woman was now his to comfort, pleasure, and protect. His to love and be loved by. They had been married for three days and had barely left his room or gotten dressed in that time. The only exception had been when Connor had informed him that he had finally unearthed the traitor who had freed Bryn from his cell. Matthew had been only too glad to punish him, as it was none other than Eric, the guard who had used Branwen so selfishly at the back of the stables.
She was right, it was better if they went away from all the men who would remind her—and him—of all she’d been through.
He’d promised her he would take her to England and Sheridan Manor, and he would honor his promise, but he’d been unable to find the time or energy to organize anything. He’d been too busy making up for lost time, discovering all the treasures his wife had to offer in bed and showing her what her body could feel. At this rate, he didn’t doubt they would welcome their first child before the end of the year.
He smiled to himself. All the better if they did. He could not wait to give her what she had never thought to have.
“Matthew?” Branwen stirred.
“ Cariad ?” Since he’d started learning Welsh in earnest, he always made a point of using the endearment in that language, especially when they were in bed.
“Is it morning already?”
“It is.” He chuckled when she groaned. She sounded exhausted, and no wonder. Last night’s lovemaking had been particularly vigorous. It had not taken him long to learn some mastery over his body and ensure he rode her until she couldn’t utter a sound.
“Do I have to get up?”
He placed a kiss on her naked shoulder. “No. You stay here, have something to eat, and I will go see about the arrangement for our ride back home.” She made a face he could not quite decipher. “You still want to go?”
“Yes, but …”
“Tell me.” Had she changed her mind? He nuzzled the crook of her neck, inhaling her skin where both their scents lingered. “Please, do not hesitate to tell me what’s on your mind. Ever.”
“I would like to ask Mam to come with us as well,” she said in a rush. “You know she’s not my real mother but she’s looked after Eirwen and me since we were young. She might say no and prefer to stay in Wales, but I’d rather ask her in case she could not bear the idea of us both?—”
“I will come with you to the village to ask her,” Matthew said, cutting her fumbled explanations short. He should have thought she would want her mother with her. “I will not deprive the woman of her two daughters and not even ask for her permission beforehand. You know my father will be coming to live with us as well. We cannot have me reunited with the family I always wanted and have you be without the only mother you’ve ever known.”
“Matthew.” She sighed as she nestled herself closer to him. “Why are you being so good to me?”
“Because I love you. Because you are being good to me too. Because I only ever want to see you happy.” He could have given a thousand reasons, none of which could have explained the fact. “And who knows? Maybe our two parents will find an accord. They are of an age.”
“It would be difficult. Mam doesn’t speak a word of English.” Branwen giggled. “And I assume your father can’t speak Welsh?”
“No. But people can learn, you know,” he answered in his new language.
“They can. I love you, husband, you know that?”
“Fortunately for my sanity, I do. Now kiss me, wife.”
When he came to lie on top of her, she took in a sharp inhale of breath. “I thought you wanted to go and see about our departure?”
“I do and I will.” He gave her nipple a long, luxurious lick until it was as hard as the shaft between his thighs. He would go and get everything ready in good time. For now, though, he had other plans, plans that involved making his wife swoon with pleasure. “Later.”
A Second Chance for Carys
Read about Carys and James