Page 37 of Love Me Forever (Highland Duo #2)

B y the time Brianna roused herself enough to respond, Royce was carrying her out of the keep.

“What are you doing?”

A cloak was thrown around her just before they left the keep, muffled voices followed them, and the cold night air stung her cheeks.

Having received no answer, she asked again, “What are you doing?”

“We are leaving here.”

“I cannot?—”

“I can,” Royce said with a strength that sent a chill through Brianna, though she preferred to think it was the cold night air that gave her the shivers.

“Royce—”

He gave her no time to object. “We leave here now. I will have it no other way.”

How did she make him see reason? How could she convince him this was not a wise choice?

They approached the area where his men camped, and they were all mounted and ready to take their leave. Royce wasted no time, he handed Brianna to one of his men, mounted his mare, and she was handed up to him.

He placed her securely across his lap, wrapping his fur-lined cloak around her and grabbing the reins. “Sleep,” he ordered. “We ride most of the night.”

“You cannot do this.” She attempted once more to convince him that this was not right.

“I can and I have,” he said, directing his horse away from the village, his men following.

She suddenly realized the quiet that surrounded them: not a horse whined, not a man spoke, not a sound stirred except for the winter wind. She was astounded by the group’s ability to remain silent when there were so many.

They truly were remarkable warriors.

Her voice was soft and could be heard by none but Royce. “My brother will not like this.”

“He will understand and possibly be relieved.”

“Why? Why do you do this when you know it will solve nothing?”

“I will see you suffer no more. Now rest, we have a long journey.”

How could she rest when this was not what she wanted? Running from the problem was no way to solve it.

“Why do you not give me a choice now when you have always given me one?”

He needed no time to answer. “Your choice would be made out of duty and would not be a wise one.”

“Is it not for me to decide, wise or not?”

His hand moved to her stomach. “Not with my child nestled inside you. I have a right to decide my child’s fate.”

“My brother would have handled this well?—”

“In time,” Royce said. “I do not wish to wait. We belong together. I wish to watch you grow round with my child, I wish to be there when our babe is born and know that you and he are well. And while I agree with your brother that it is only a matter of time before Arran does something stupid, I do not want to wait an hour, a day, a week, or a month.”

The fur slipped from her shoulder, and the cold wind raced across her. She shivered and snuggled against his warmth. He adjusted the fur around her, tucking the end under his arm so that he could keep the cold away from her.

He favored the feel of her nestled against him. It was where she belonged and where she would remain. He would allow no one to take her away from him. He would kill for her, and he would die for her if necessary. His love for her was that strong, and he was that committed to a life with her.

Since she did not respond he asked, “Are you angry with me?”

‘Truthfully, I cannot be, for I feel the same as you. I do not wish to be apart from you, and I wish you beside me when our babe breathes his first breath.” She paused, reluctant to continue but knowing she must. “I have a duty whether you or I like it or not. And now my brother will be left to deal with the consequences of actions that were not of my choosing.”

“Your brother is a brave and skillful leader.”

“Where was my bravery in running away?”

“You did not run away; I abducted you.”

Her yawn irritated her. She was tired and wished to continue this debate, but she felt sleep creep over her, and she knew that soon her eyes would close no matter how hard she tried to keep them open.

“We can talk of this later. You need to rest.”

“This was not right, Royce.” Her voice sounded as drowsy as she felt.

“Feel as you must, for I did what was necessary.” He was not sorry; he was firm in his convictions, and no one would make him feel otherwise. He loved her and he would love her forever.

Brianna fell asleep with all intentions of continuing this discussion at a more appropriate time. That time was longer than she had imagined.

The journey was not an easy one, at least for Brianna.

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.”

Delia looked at her with wide dark eyes. “And he is lucky to have you. You will be good for him.”

“I hope so,” she said on a sigh, worried that all would not turn out as well as she hoped.

“He protects what is his.”

She knew Delia attempted to reassure her, but the woman did not know that she did not actually belong to Royce. She was another man’s wife.

“And you are his,” Delia said firmly. “The clan understands this and will do what is necessary.”

Brianna also understood then that Delia was aware of the situation and wished her to know that she was accepted.

“Thank you,” Brianna said, grateful for the support.

The bath proved heavenly, and Delia gave her time alone to relax and soak in the heat of the hot water.

The woman returned with several garments, including a dark green velvet robe that once worn Brianna did not think she would ever want to take off.

It was warm and cozy, soft to the touch, and the fit was just about perfect.