Chapter Thirty-Four

T he lightness Garrick experienced after unburdening his feelings of guilt remained with him still. Knowing he had a strong ally at Loughmoe added to his feelings of contentment.

Two months had passed since the day he and Jillian bared their souls to one another. Swollen with his babe, he marveled that she grew more beautiful with each passing day.

Looking over at her, pride swelled within his breast for the auburn-haired beauty who captivated not only his heart, but his very being. He saw her frown. "What are you thinking?" he asked.

"MacInness has been talking about going to Scotland." Worry creased her brow. "He'll have to go, won't he?"

"Aye, love. 'Tis his home. Besides, he will not rest until he is certain his mother and sisters are safe."

"What if it turns into another Uprising?" she asked. "What if the Normans storm through Scotland, laying waste to all in their path?"

"You should not worry about what might not happen wife. It cannot be good for the babe." He placed his strong hand atop her growing belly, then a kiss.

"Do you feel up to a walk this morning?" Garrick asked.

Jillian stood before her husband and tipped her head back to look him in the eye. "But I'll not stop worrying just because we are out walking in the woods."

"The change of scenery will do us both good." Garrick touched the curve of her cheek, marveling at the smoothness of her skin. His wife . Her courage and loyalty would rival that of his most trusted vassals. He had been well and truly blessed the day she asked him to marry her.

Walking arm in arm, they followed along the path that wound past the new stone wall of the keep, around to a dense glade. Sunlight filtered down through the trees. Shafts of bright beams shone on the rocks and stumps littering the forest floor.

They walked to the lake and watched the mist rise off the still cool surface. Pulling her closer to his side, they silently paid homage to nature's bounty. The swift flight of a grouse rising from its hiding place startled them both into laughter. The keening sound of a hawk as it split the early morning quiet; they paused to watch it fly.

"Come, I want to show you something." Garrick's face lit up like a boy as he dragged Jillian off the path deeper into the woods.

Lifting a low-hanging branch, he pulled her into a small clearing. A large, flat rock sat in the center bathed in full sun. The air was still crisp with the morning chill, but where the sun touched was warm.

Leading her over to the rock, he took off his cloak and spread it on top of the smooth surface. He reached out and undid the brooch at her shoulder and added her cloak to his. Leaning over, he tested the softness of it with a tentative hand. Smiling, he took her hand in his, leading her over to the rock.

The heady scent of pine filled the air around them as the sun caressed the needles. With as much tenderness as possible, he laid her down upon the makeshift bed.

"Let me love you, Jillian."

Jillian's heart leapt with joy, and she reached up to enfold him in her arms, pulling him down on top of her. Their lips met, the sweetness of the kiss rivaling the sugared cakes he favored.

With slow, sensuous motions, Garrick slid her gown from her shoulders, baring her creamy white breasts. He dipped his head, drawing her engorged nipple into the heat of his mouth. She wondered if their babe would derive half the pleasure her husband did suckling at her breast.

All thoughts fled as his knowing hands caressed and teased her willing body into a peak of frenzy. She reached up and tried to yank the tunic from him, but had not the strength. Garrick smiled, as if he knew it was the power of his loving that had left her weak.

"I cannot wait—"

Garrick freed them from the rest of their garments. He poised above her as if waiting for a signal from her.

Jillian reached up and took hold of his hips, guiding him home. She rose to meet his powerful strokes, again and again.

He swallowed her cries of ecstasy with his mouth, robbing her of air. Garrick wanted to be gentle with her and take his time, but the overwhelming need to bury himself in her warmth drove all other thoughts from his mind.

Jillian grabbed hold of him, pulling him deeper still. They slipped over the edge of awareness, reaching fulfillment together. As they did, the sun burst in the sky, showering them with sparks of light that danced before their eyes.

Later, as they lay entwined, a blessed peace stole over them, lulling the lovers to sleep. The heat of the sun on her face woke Jillian. She was safely wrapped in her husband's arms, right where she wanted to be. Smiling to herself, she laid the palm of her hand against her belly. The thought of a babe with hair the color of flax, eyes a deep blue, brought tears of joy.

Blinking them away, she buried her face against Garrick's broad chest and listened to the steady beat of his heart.

"Come, Jillian, or we will be missed." Retracing their steps through the trees and back to the path, they walked toward the keep, lighter in heart, deeper in love.

When they reached the path just outside the gate, a voice hailed them, "We searched the keep top to bottom looking for you." Dunstan gave them a censorious look.

"We were not in the keep," Jillian answered sweetly.

"Is there news?" Garrick's voice had gone quiet.

"Aye." The brothers shared a meaningful look.

"You'd best tell me too, Dunstan," Jillian said.

"Aye, brother, my wife is strong enough to bear whatever you have to say."

"Owen has been summoned to London to answer charges that he withheld revenues from the king."

"'Tis a serious charge, is it not?" Jillian asked.

"Aye, love. If proven, he could be stripped of his land, and that is the least of what might happen." Garrick pulled her closer to his side.

"You knew nothing about this, husband?" she asked pointedly.

He shrugged, "Owen cheated many people. We simply made our king aware of Owen's duplicity."

"Well then, we'd best send someone trustworthy to London to be there when it all comes out." She pretended to consider who would be best to go, all the while pointedly looking at Dunstan.

"'Tis the least I could do to ease the mind of my brother's lovely wife." Dunstan bowed low over her hand.

"I'll pack something for you to eat on your journey." Jillian headed toward the kitchen.

*

"I have to go, mon," MacInness stated what was painfully obvious to Garrick.

"I know you do." He slapped a hand to his vassal's shoulder. "God be with you, then. Watch your back. There are those who might not understand."

The two men clasped hands. When they withdrew, Garrick spoke, his voice rough with emotion, "Take Sean and Eamon with you."

"Take them where?" Roderick asked coming up from behind them, surprising them.

"'Tis not your concern, brother," Garrick answered, ever anxious to protect him.

"When will you stop treating me like a lad of five and ten?"

MacInness nodded his agreement. "Aye…when?"

Garrick sighed, knowing it was past time to give his youngest brother another chance. He knew Roderick still blamed himself for letting Jillian and their mother be kidnapped. 'Twas time to stop holding him back and let his brother redeem himself.

"MacInness rides to the Highlands to be with his mother and sisters. William plans to ride to Abernathy—"

"Does he plan to subdue King Malcolm?" Roderick interrupted.

"I think that is his plan." Garrick was pensive. "It will be dangerous, brother. If you are caught, no one will take the time to ask why you travel with a Highlander. Take every care to come home in one piece." He wrapped his brother in a bear hug, praying it would not be the last time he laid eyes on him.