Page 96 of My Notorious Highlander

The meal was served and Torrin ate as much as he could. His appetite hadn't returned fully, but he was feeling stronger every day. Mostly, he wanted to take Jessie and escape the great hall.

Tarts and various kinds of sweets were served at the end of the meal. Torrin didn't want any, but he enjoyed watching Jessie consume the blueberry tart. Torrin was also glad to see Aiden take up his violin and head to the center of the room.

"For Lady Isobel!" Aiden announced over the loud roar of conversation, then he launched into a beautiful tune, his bow flying over the violin strings. Isobel clapped, a broad smile upon her face. It must have been her favorite song.

Once the dancing started a few minutes later, Torrin told Jessie, "I think I'll speak to Dirk and Isobel, then retire for the evening."

"Oh." She frowned. "Are you in pain?"

"No more than usual. Just tired." He pushed his chair back and stood. "Would you like to accompany me?" He hoped she would; he wanted a few moments alone with her while everyone else was occupied.

"Aye," she said, rising from her seat.

They made their way to Dirk and Isobel. Torrin offered Dirk his hand. "Congratulations, my friend. You will both make excellent parents."

Dirk gave him a firm handshake. "I thank you. And I want you to know I consider you a good friend and a strong ally."

Minutes later, Torrin and Jessie entered his chamber, and she closed the door.

"I'm truly happy for them," Torrin said. "And I hope you don't feel badly in any way. I pray that one day, we'll be able to make such an announcement."

She gave him a sad smile, tears glistening in her eyes. "I'm thrilled for them, too, of course. But, aye, I can't help but be a wee bit envious. I shouldn't be, for Dirk and Isobel have been married for seven months, and she's been worried the entire time about not conceiving more quickly. But you remember that Isobel was poisoned last winter from the tart."

"Aye, of course."

"Some thought that might have been the reason for the delay."

He nodded and drew Jessie into his arms. She slid her hands over his shoulders and around his neck.

"I don't want you to worry over it." He kissed her forehead.

She shook her head. "I won't."

"I don't believe you, but you're making a good effort."

She gave him a defiant smile. "I'm glad you were able to eat supper with us downstairs. It shows how much you've improved."

"Aye. Tomorrow, I may be well enough for jousting."

She snickered.

"What I truly want to be well enough for is… a different kind of sport." He lifted a brow, hoping she grasped his meaning.

She narrowed her eyes, but smiled all the same while her cheeks turned rosy.

"Bedsport," he clarified.

"I'm well aware of your meaning, you rogue. But you are certainly not well enough for that yet."

"Nay, but 'haps tomorrow," he said.

She shook her head. "You're growing insensible. You'd best get into bed and drink some of Flora's tea."

"I'll need a kiss first. The real kind." Over the past few days, she had given him some affectionate kisses on the forehead when no one was looking, and he'd kissed her hand as often as he could grasp hold of it, but he was now ready for the kind of scorching kisses they'd shared before he'd been injured.

"Just a kiss. That's all," she said, stern but with a playful gleam in her eye.

"Though I hate to admit it, 'tis all I'm capable of at the moment." A certain part of him was willing and able, but 'twas the muscles of his abdomen that could not handle the task.