Page 63 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

Soon they were smiling up at the trees catching their breath.

“You’ve scared off the birds and animals with your shouting,” Liam said with a smug grin on his face.

“I blame you for making me shout.”

He kissed her and handed over her shoes as they dressed. “Should I apologize?”

“No. I know you wouldn’t mean it.”

“You know me too well.”

It was true, she’d come to know him well. She knew he was kind. She’d remembered that trait from the time he’d escorted her home years ago, but she knew it to her bones now. But now she realized other things about her husband. He was brave, as war chiefs were required to be. He didn’t give up. He’d asked for permission to marry her even after being turned down before. Which also proved he was honorable.

At least when a woman didn’t show up in the stable as he was doing the honorable thing by leaving and sway him into running away with her and marrying in secret.

“I’ve been nothing but trouble,” she said out loud without realizing it.

“You’ve been a fair amount of trouble, but it’s been worth it.” His smile told her he was teasing.

“I’m serious, Liam. You should have turned me down in the stables and left me there.”

Liam looked surprised. “It wasn’t possible. I fancied myself in love with you and had been pining over you for years. Even if you’d been standing there with Gwennie and ten other children I would have agreed to take you as my wife. I would have regretted it the rest of my life if I’d turned away from you.”

She frowned and he lifted her chin.

“We may face a bit of trouble with your father, but I still don’t have any regrets for marrying you. Having you as my wife is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

“How can you still think that after I pushed you away?”

That smile had returned. “It’s just the way I feel, and you’ll not change my mind.”

She laughed at his answer as he led her back to the castle. He stayed with her when she went to the solar and Gwennie came running. Liam scooped her up.

“There’s my lass,” he said. “Did you have fun today?” Their coloring couldn’t be more opposite. Gwennie’s hair and eyes were dark where Liam’s were light. But if not for that, anyone would think he had sired her the way he treated her as his own.

Gwennie nodded in answer.

“I can’t imagine it could have been very much fun without Davey,” he said.

“Who’s Davey?”

He pulled a wooden rabbit out from behind his back and held it up. “Why, he’s a pirate rabbit. See his patch and his wooden leg?”

Sure enough, the carving had a normal bunny leg on one side and a peg leg on the other. Gwennie laughed as Liam made the rabbit talk in a thick pirate brogue. He was wonderful with children. She couldn’t have picked a better father for her daughter. Or the other children they might have.

She placed a palm against her stomach, hoping for something she’d once feared.

…

“Why are ye smiling,” Colin asked with a frown as he stepped away during a drill.

“I’m sorry. Try it again,” Liam urged the lad. But he felt the smile return when the other warrior drew his sword. He had happy news to share with his family that night and couldn’t wait to tell them.

“You’re doing it again.”

“I’m sorry, Colin. It’s not you. I’m just happy.” There was no denying it. His wife had become insatiable over the last few weeks and, while he knew there was more to marriage than the physical parts, he was beyond pleased with those physical parts.

“Let’s stop now. Get your meal and we’ll pick up later,” Liam gave the command to his men after the morning drills were completed.