Epilogue

“ L et me help you.”

With a smile, Esyllt accepted Matthew’s hand to negotiate her way down the steps. Her eight-month-old belly made the undertaking more hazardous than she would have liked and she was somewhat unsteady on her feet. She was so heavy she often wondered if she was not carrying twins. But the midwife insisted she could only feel one babe.

“Thank you. Who would have thought a few months ago that my dour English brother-in-law would have turned into such a thoughtful escort?” she teased.

“No wonder my brother fell in love with you, lady. You are just as unbearably smug as he is.” The gruffness in his voice was not enough to mask the affection in his eyes. “But be careful, don’t push me too far. I am not as soft as Connor. I will not hesitate in putting you back into your place.”

Esyllt smiled to herself. Could Connor be called soft? Mm. Perhaps, where she was concerned.

“Oh, I have no doubt you will snap one day, and I am looking forward to it. I will enjoy watching Connor reduce your pretty face to shreds if you dare lay a hand on me or even speak to me the wrong way.”

“Pretty face!” Matthew almost choked on the words. She had known the very feminine compliment would hit him more than an insult would.

“Yes, pretty face. Don’t tell me you haven’t seen the effect you have on women?” Her included. If she weren’t head over heels in love with her husband, she might well have fallen for the rogue’s charm. “Now, before you commit the irreparable, would you please run ahead and inform my friend, Branwen, that I shall be with her presently? In my condition I’m afraid I cannot move as fast as I wish, and I have kept her waiting for long enough.”

With a nod, Matthew vanished in the direction of the great hall.

“I know exactly what you’re doing, you she-devil.”

Esyllt gave a startled laugh as Connor appeared from the shadows behind her. He leaned a shoulder against the wall and pursed his lips.

“What would that be?”

“Do not play the innocent with me, my sweet. I know you are not as inconvenienced by your belly as you would have Matthew believe. There was only one reason for you to send him ahead to Branwen. You have, like me, come to the conclusion that a Welsh bride is the very thing to make my stubborn brother see that your countrymen—or should I say women —are not all devious schemers.”

“How very ambitious of me if that were true!”

“Yes. But you have chosen your weapon well. Branwen is lovely. Eyes like dark honey and skin like cream.”

“In other words, good enough to eat.” Esyllt’s eyes narrowed. Connor was so handsome and so many women lusted after him that she could not help but feel jealous and vulnerable, never more so than now, when she was huge with child.

“Yes, good enough to eat.” He let one hand slide lovingly over the curve of her stomach. “Thankfully, I’m not hungry in the least. I’ve everything I need at home, and I’ve never felt more sated.” He kissed her full on the mouth, lingering long enough to send her knees wobbling. “Mm. Perhaps on second thoughts, I could be convinced to have a bite of my delicious wife.”

“Connor! Not here!” she giggled, fully reassured. Big as she was, her husband only had eyes for her, as he proved most nights.

“No, not here, of course,” he said with a seriousness that did not stop his eyes from sparkling. “But it would not take me long to carry you over to our bed where I could devour you whole.”

“You are jesting,” Esyllt said, rendered breathless by the fire in his eyes. “You would carry me, heavy as I am?”

“I would carry you if you were twice as heavy. You have never looked more glorious, my love. So stop provoking me,” he growled.

“I’m not sure I should if the punishment for it is you devouring me. I rather like it when you do, if you must know. Or hadn’t you noticed?”

“Esyllt, I swear you will send me mad.”

“I am well on the way, or so it seems,” she answered with a meaningful glance at his bulging groin.

“Father, there you are!” Two little girls’ excited screams reached them from the other side of the courtyard. Connor ran his hand through his hair and positioned himself behind Esyllt before Jane and Sian could reach them.

“Is something the matter, husband?” she murmured, mightily amused.

“You know perfectly well there is. And I am trying not to frighten our daughters,” he answered through gritted teeth.

“Oh. It must be hard.”

“Hard, indeed.” He gave a snort. “Just be thankful that your emotions don’t show as easily. I wager you’re not better off than I am right now.”

She gave a sigh. Indeed, she was hot all over, and slick with need. But the proof of her arousal was hidden safely under her skirts, thank the Lord.

“Guess what, we have just seen Uncle Matthew kiss a woman!”

“On the mouth !”

The two little girls dissolved into scandalized laughter.

“My, that was quick work!” Connor laughed in turn.

“Will they be married before our baby sister is born, do you think?” Sian asked excitedly. She had taken Matthew’s word that the baby would be a girl as nothing less than truth.

“I don’t think so, for the babe will be born before too long, you know.”

“Oh. But perhaps in the new year?” Jane asked hopefully.

Esyllt and Connor looked at each other and smiled. “Who knows? Perhaps.”

Coming Soon:

A Savior for Branwen