Page 94 of Sighs of the Highland Wind

“Why not?” Colin asked solemnly. His face was only inches from Cameron’s, and he stared at his father with eyes that were identical to his own.

“Because they have to grow,” Cameron replied.

“Where do they grow? Do you put seeds in a garden and they grow like turnips?” Colin put his finger into the dimple in his father’s chin, and his face was so earnest that Cameron almost burst out laughing.

“No,” Cameron answered, quite at a loss as to what to say next.

Fortunately, Ava intervened and picked Colin up from his seat on his father’s lap, then kept him in her arms while she walked over to one of the stables to see his father’s horse. “Jimmy!” he cried excitedly, clapping his hands. He had always been fond of the big horse, and the feeling seemed to be mutual as Jimmy whickered softly and messed Colin’s hair up with his nose. Jimmy was very old now, but he was still a much-loved member of the family.

Colin giggled, then resumed the topic of conversation from a few moments before. “ I want a baby brother,” he stated firmly.

“I will see if I can find one,” she promised.

Cameron felt an even greater urgency for his wife that night. Ever since their marriage, except for the few days of Ava’s monthly courses and during the last few weeks of her pregnancy, they had made love every day. They had deliberately stopped another pregnancy by means of Cameron withdrawing from her before climax, so that Ava would not conceive until they were ready to welcome another child. Lately, however, by unspoken agreement, they had let the practice lapse.

Cameron thrust inside Ava with uncharacteristic force that night, and she cried out, not with pain, but with delight as she felt the whole weight of his passion bearing down on her. He had imprisoned both of her hands in one of his and was kissing her with a fervor she had not felt since their wedding night. After subjecting her to what seemed like an eternity of sweet totrure, he spilled his seed inside her with one last frantic thrust. He cried out her name, even as Ava’s climax hit her and waves and waves of bliss rolled over her.

“What was that?” she asked, breathless, as she lay in his arms. This was the moment she enjoyed most, when she felt loved and secure in her husband’s arms, safe from the troubles of the world.

“You are different tonight,” he whispered. “Somethin’ has changed.”

“What is it?” she asked, smiling mischievously.

“Are ye hidin’ somethin’ from me?” His voice was suspicious, but there was an undertone of amusement in it.

“I have a secret to tell you,” she whispered, then stopped speaking.

Cameron could not wait a moment longer. “Out wi’ it!” he cried, laughing.

Ava took a deep breath. “I am with child,” she said quietly, watching Cameron’s face as he took in the news.

“I knew it,” he murmured, as a broad grin spread across his face.

Ava could see tears glinting in his eyes. “We will have a daughter this time,” she whispered. “I am sure of it.”

And six months later, they did. They called her Emilia Dalziel-Lewis, but Cameron called her his princess.