Page 109 of Love Me Forever

Brianna smiled at seeing her brother, and also because it was the third time Royce had told her that, and she much agreed with him, for her brother’s timing was poor, though she was happy to see that he and Moira had arrived safely.

“Ian,” Brianna called out and hurried to her brother.

He hugged her and then stepped back, his hands hugging hers. “You look beautiful.”

“I feel wonderful. Royce is very good to me.”

Royce joined them, greeted Moira with a kiss on the cheek, and gave Ian a hardy handshake before he walked behind Brianna and slipped a protective arm around her, his hand resting on her stomach.

“My sister flourishes with you; this is good to see.”

“She is well and safe and will remain that way,” Royce said, wanting Ian to know he need not worry.

Brianna sensed that the two men wished to talk, and she doubted that they wanted her present, but she did not wish to be kept ignorant of the situation.

Moira stepped forward. “I am famished and there is so much to tell you about Duncan and Anne. Anne is with child.”

There was excitement in her voice but there was something else there as well, and Brianna was wise enough to understand that Moira wished to speak with her alone.

“That is wonderful. I wish to hear everything. Let us leave the men to talk. I will have food brought to my stitching chamber, and you can tell me of all the news,” Brianna said, eager to be alone with Moira.

“I will see to it,” Delia said, not standing but a few feet away from Brianna.

With a quick kiss on the cheek to both husbands, the women hooked arms and walked off.

“Why do I feel they are up to something?” Royce asked.

“Because they are, and if you tell yourself that, then you are never surprised by their actions.”

Royce smiled. “You have learned well how to deal with your wife.”

“When a woman is as intelligent as Moira, it is necessary for a husband to be well aware of her words, actions, and definitely her whereabouts, for she can get into the damnedest situations.”

Royce laughed.

“Do not laugh,” Ian warned with his own laugh. “She has taught Brianna well.”

Royce raised a brow. “Sometimes I think it is easier facing battle than dealing with a woman.”

Ian slapped him on the back. “Are you only just discovering that?”

Royce shook his head. “It is time for a drink.”

The two men sat down at a nearby table that held a full pitcher of ale to drink and to talk.

* * *

The women settledthemselves in the stitching room. Comfortable chairs sat around a fireplace, a small fire burning to chase the damp chill away. Night was near to falling, and while spring warmth had dominated the days, a chill continued to settle over the night.

Hot cider and a platter of meats, cheeses, and bread sat ready for them, and while they enjoyed the cider, the food remained untouched. They were much too engrossed in their conversation to pay heed to the tempting fare.

“I know you have things to tell me,” Brianna said with a sense of excitement. “But tell me of Anne first. I am thrilled for her. I know how much she wanted a child.”

Moira hugged the tankard of cider and smiled. “Anne still marvels at the thought that she is to be a mother. The babe is expected with the winter and Blair is” —she paused as if in search of a fitting word— “stunned and proud, and he refuses to allow Anne to do a thing. She suffered terribly from the morning sickness for two straight weeks, and your brother and I thought Blair was going to die watching her.”

Brianna laughed. “He will make a good father.”

“If Anne does not kill him before the child is born. He follows her around, watching her every move, and Anne does love her freedom. That is one of the reasons she wed Blair—he understood her spirited nature.”