Page 67 of Sleeping with her Highland Enemy
“Dear child, dinnae be sad. Dying in his sleep was the most peaceful way fer me dear husband tae leave us. If I ken him well, he’s still thanking the heavens for granting him such passage.”
“Aye, me lady.”
She hugged Grace and walked briskly from the hall. Grace listened to Sheena and her mother bicker and felt that she was in every sense, a part of the family. She might not have a mother, but this one had welcomed her warmly into her home.
Possessed by a need to see her husband, Grace traipsed out to the courtyard, through the main exit. He was easy to spot among the ten-something boys he was training. Or playing with. Most of them ran around him, laughing and waving their wooden swords above their heads.
Grace leaned her body on the pillar and watched him, the warmth of his laughter, the infinite patience with which he treated the children. One of them was Archie. His grandfatherhad passed shortly after the attack and the child and grandmother had come to the castle for help.
She had been standing there for about five minutes when he turned and looked in her direction. His grin almost split his face in half. Kilt swinging, he jogged to her side. Grace’s heart swelled with love. She blinked rapidly to hide her tears before he reached her. But the more she tried, the harder the tears fell.
“What is it? Are ye okay?” He questioned, expression darkening. Yet his fingers as they traced and wiped the line of tears from her face remained gentle. She’d planned something elaborate for the evening. Now, she could not wait.
She pressed that hand to her cheek, “nae, I am fine. These are for joy. I love ye, Duncan.”
He grunted, “My god, laugh when ye’re happy, woman!” he chided. But his eyes also glistened. He also tried to cover it by coughing and turning away. Grace just wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
He moved her behind the pillar, out of the children’s view. “Ye sure? Naethin’ happened?”
She placed her forehead on his and they whispered to each other. “I promised. I’ll ne’er hide anythin’ from ye again.”
“Okay.”
“Ready for the hunt?”
“Aye, the boys should be here soon. I hope they learn quickly.”
“Did ye learn fast? During yer training hunts.”
He kissed her, lifted her from the waist and swung her around. Grace shrieked her pleasure. “What do ye think? Ye husband is the most capable man in all of the clan, of course.”
“Ah, then ye will train our sons the same.”
“Aye, and daughters.”
Grace stopped laughing and held her belly. “Which do ye want first?”
A whirlwind of emotions swept Duncan’s face. He staggered back, opened and closed his mouth. “Y-you…”
“Aye,” Grace said, nodding. Duncan dipped his head and kissed her. She opened herself to him. Once, it had been impossible to allow this flow of emotions. Now, she vowed to live her best life with this man who loved her more than life itself.
