Page 191 of Taming the Highland Misfits

“You are cold,” Ramsay observed, as he laid Ailsa down tenderly on the bed and ordered her a glass of mulled ale and a hot stone for her feet. He drew the blankets over her and wrapped his arms around her to hold her against him and warm her up.

“I love you so much, Ramsay Ormond,” she said warmly. “I cannot imagine my life without you.”

“It is the same for me, my Ailsa,” he whispered. “You rescued me from a life of utter misery and gave me our two wonderful children. I will love you forever.” He sighed. “My only regret now is that I cannot show you how much until after the baby is born.” Since she had first told him about her pregnancy, Ramsay had found that Ailsa was even more desirable than she had been before, because she was carrying the fruit of their love inside her.

At that moment the ale and the blanket-wrapped hot stone arrived, and Ramsay went to the door to collect the items. He set the ale down on the table beside the bed and placed the stone under the covers at Ailsa’s feet.

Ramsay bent to kiss her. “My darling,” he whispered. He gave her a glass of ale and smiled lovingly at her before raising his own glass in a toast. “To us, Ailsa. Slàinte Mhath, my beautiful wife.”

“Slàinte Mhath, Ramsay.” She held up her own glass. “Get into bed, please. I can only sleep if you hold me.”

“What about putting on your nightclothes?” he asked, frowning.

Ailsa sighed. “Get into bed, Ramsay,” she said wearily. “If you feel strongly about it you can put them on me later. I have no need for them yet. Your arms will do.”

Ramsay climbed into bed and wrapped his arms tenderly around his wife, and a few moments later they were both asleep.

* * *

Six weeks later Ailsa gave birth to a healthy baby girl. They called her Nessa.