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She tried to respond but his mouth captured hers in a kiss that sent her senses reeling.
Chapter 27
Lachlan desperately wanted to make love to his wife, but her gurgling stomach advised that food was more prudent. He did, however, want her to know just how much he ached for her.
“I want to make love to you, but our babe has other plans,” he said after ending their kiss.
She sighed with disappointment and it not only pleased him to know that, but made him want her all the more.
“All you have to do is touch me and I want you,” she admitted.
“You sound as if it’s a curse.”
She nipped at his lips. “A pleasurable curse.”
He was elated. Things were going well, slowly but surely, and he was confident they would continue to improve, especially tonight since he intended to make love to his wife for the first time.
“One I will inflict on you often,” he teased.
She returned his playful teasing. “I will counter it with my own.”
“Then I will be on guard.”
She brushed her lips over his. “I will storm your defenses.”
He nibbled at her lower lip enjoying its plump ripeness. “I may be forced to surrender.”
The babe interrupted them with a kick they both felt and they laughed.
“He reminds us that he’s hungry,” Lachlan said.
“As is his mother.”
Lachlan was upset to see that no food had been brought to the cottage, and surprisingly it was Alyce who suggested it was do to the poor weather and that she truly enjoyed the bountiful spread at the keep.
“That hungry are you?” Lachlan teased and Alyce tugged him toward the door.
“Starving!” she claimed.
Lachlan fashioned a tarp of sorts with a winter cloak so that they could make it to the keep without getting soaked; the rain while not a downpour, a steady fall.
They were enjoying the spread the servants provided when Honora and Addie joined them with the twins. Princess crept in alongside Champion, but went directly to Lachlan to lie at his feet beneath the table.
“She’s afraid of storms?” Alyce asked and Lachlan confirmed with a nod.
“Addie and I need to see to some mending while the twins play in the sewing room, if you care to join us once we’re finished here,” Honora offered.
“Alyce doesn’t stitch,” Lachlan answered, recalling her earlier remark and besides he wanted her to himself.
“Then let us know, Alyce, if there is anything you need stitched,” offered Honora.
Lachlan could see that his wife was surprised that Honora had not been offended with her lack of sewing skills. It would be only a matter of time before the Sinclare women won her over and she would feel comfortable with them enough to perhaps even think of them as sisters.
Cavan and Artair entered a bit damp but anxious.
“Trouble brews in the east,” Cavan said.
Honora and Addie took the twins and left the hall, while Alyce remained beside her husband.
“You can join the women,” Cavan instructed.
“I don’t stitch,” Alyce said and stood. “But I will take my leave, after all what could a mere woman offer seasoned warriors.”
Cavan glanced at Alyce as she disappeared down the hall that led to the kitchen then looked to Lachlan.
He shrugged. “Alyce has a mind of her own.”
“Then she will fit perfectly with our wives,” Artair said.
Alyce didn’t know what to do with herself. She had meandered through the kitchen and was offered all sorts of food while the workers saw to their tasks with a sense of camaraderie.
She managed to make it to the stables without getting soaked and found her mare. Bored with an endless day of nothing substantial to do, she grabbed a brush, but before she got started she saw that the stall could use a good cleaning. She found a pitchfork and got busy. Once her mare’s stall was cleaned and the animal brushed and given a ration of food, she decided to do the same for the other horses.
It felt good to be doing something. She hated sitting around and if truth be told, she would much rather be at the table with the men discussing the trouble that was brewing.
She supposed that was why her father had such a difficult time with her. When she was young he had allowed her access to meetings strictly meant for men and it was there she had learned the strategies of battle. However, when she had gotten older and began voicing her opinions, especially the ones that outshone the men, her father banished her with a sound reminder of her place in the clan.
Of course that hadn’t stopped her from objecting and frustrating her father even more, but what had he expected after allowing her to taste the workings of leadership?
She wiped the sweat from her brow then leaned on the handle of the pitchfork, her smile wide. The stable looked great and was fragrant with the pungent scent of fresh hay. She smiled, feeling invigorated and not the least bit tired.
