Page 98 of Love Me Forever

Royce and his men were accustomed to harsh conditions and cold weather. She was not and the babe appeared to feel the same way. Her stomach protested in the morning and in the evening. She could barely keep food down even though the men did a fine job of hunting and preparing the game.

She slept much when riding in Royce’s arms and slept soundly at night cuddled next to him on the hard ground. But she longed for the comfort and warmth of a solid shelter.

It did not come until Brianna thought she could stand it no more. She had lost count of the days but she knew it had to be almost three weeks, for she could feel a faint flutter in her slightly rounded stomach.

She was more relieved than surprised when they first approached the village that surrounded Royce’s keep. It was large and thrived with activity. They received a warm and hearty welcome. The clan was truly glad to see them and shouted good wishes to Royce and his new bride.

Brianna wondered what they would think when they learned the truth. She was a married woman, not free to wed, and certainly not free to bear another man’s child.

The keep was twice the size of her clan’s and well maintained. Everyone she met appeared friendly and accepting of her, but they did not know the truth.

Royce took her directly to his bedchamber. The room was immense to Brianna, with a fireplace that consumed an entire wall and a bed that could easily sleep four. Rich tapestries hung from the walls depicting battle scenes, and a table sat covered with a variety of foods, the delicious scents making her mouth salivate.

It was close to dusk, and while she was bone tired and hungry, she felt filthy from the journey. She had washed as best she could, but it was not enough compared to her usual routine. She wanted to bathe before she did anything. Of course there was also the need for clothes, since when Royce took her from the keep; he had not thought to take her clothes along.

She was about to ask him if a bath was possible when he spoke.

“I have ordered a bath to be readied for you.”

“Bless you,” she said with relief. She would have said more, for there was much for them to discuss, but a knock interrupted their privacy, and two men entered followed by several women carrying buckets of steaming water.

She sighed with the thought of soaking in the hot water.

A short, round woman entered last and issued orders that all obeyed. She wore her gray hair braided and pinned to the back of her head, and she had bright red full cheeks that showed a deep dimple when she smiled, which she did when she looked to Brianna.

“An honor to have you here, m’lady. I am Delia and will see to any of your needs.”

Brianna could see that she was a woman accustomed to being in charge, and Brianna was accustomed to doing for herself. She hoped there would not be a problem.

“Thank you, Delia,” she said, thinking the short reply would dismiss the woman.

It did not. Delia took immediate charge.

“Let me get you out of those filthy garments.” Delia walked right up to her, her chubby fingers rapidly working on her garment, while directing the returning servants to hurry with more buckets so that the water would remain hot.

The smirk on Royce’s face made Brianna realize that he was accustomed to Delia’s authoritative manner, though the smirk soon vanished when the woman announced, “A bath is being prepared for you, Royce, in your solar.”

This time Brianna smirked while she watched him about to protest.

Delia was quicker with her tongue. “Go and wash up while I see to the lady of the keep. She looks about to drop from exhaustion, and she looks about starved. Did you not feed her on the journey?”

Royce attempted to respond but never got a chance.

“Lord be praised you are with child,” Delia said, a smile spreading wide across her full face. Her glance went straight to Royce. “And you made this poor woman journey here in her condition and without a woman to tend to her needs. Shame on you! Now, go wash up so that I may give her the proper care she requires.”

Brianna decided that she liked Delia.

Royce thought to object, but Delia gave him a look that warned against it.

He shook his head and looked to Brianna. “I will not be long.”

She grinned and waved at him.

He left, still shaking his head.

“He is a good man, he will do well by you,” Delia said in a no-nonsense manner.

Brianna did not doubt that. “I know I am lucky to have him.”