Page 114 of Love Me Forever

“Then I wish for a speedy ending so that no more suffer,” she said before resting her head on his shoulder.

He rubbed her back, hoping to soothe her worries. “Fear not, it will end. I will see to it”

“I fear it will be a night of endless concerns.”

“He will do no more this night, his attempts to separate us having failed. He will now seek other means.”

She trembled.

“You are safe.” His arms tightened around her.

The doors to the hall opened again, and Ian and Moira entered, followed by William and several other men.

“Your man does well,” Ian informed Royce.

“Your healer is remarkable. Brianna will do well with her when her time comes,” Moira said.

Brianna stepped away from her husband to stand next to Moira. “Martha is wise in her ways, but I had hoped that you would be here for the birthing.”

Moira smiled. “I had hoped you would ask me.”

They hugged and the two men smiled, for a moment of sanity had finally intervened.

Brianna raised her hand to cover the yawn that attacked her as she returned to her husband.

“Time to retire,” Royce said and took his wife’s hand.

“Ian, join me early in the morning; there are some things I wish to discuss with you.”

“And I with you.” Ian looked to his sister. “Rest well. You are safe.”

Brianna smiled a lazy smile, for that is how she felt: lazy and wanting nothing more than to seek her bed.

The keep seemed exceptionally quiet as she and Royce walked to their bedchamber. They passed several men who acknowledged them with a nod, and it amazed her that the paired guards remained silent, not exchanging a word. She recalled their quiet departure from her brother’s land and had to inquire about it.

With the close of the bedchamber door she turned to Royce. “Your men keep silent when they travel and guard. Is this something you expect from them?”

He began to disrobe. “I learned when I was young the wisdom of remaining silent. In silence you are more aware and hear much more that goes on around you. When traveling the roads the silence alerts us to unwanted company, the same in the keep. If the men talked, they would not hear an intruder’s approach.”

Brianna removed her garments slowly. “It must take practice to remain silent.”

Royce laughed. “It takes patience, and patience is an acquired skill in itself.”

“So first they learn patience and then silence.”

Royce walked naked over to her and pushed her hands aside and finished undressing her. “They practice both together.”

“That must be difficult.”

His hands were gentle, his touch intimate, and even though weary, Brianna responded with her body, warming to his touch.

“A determined person can accomplish it without much difficulty.”

“Is that a challenge?” she asked.

“Only if you accept it.” His hand swept down to cup her naked bottom.

She gasped lightly, her hands grasping his shoulders.