Page 22 of The Highlander's Dangerous Bride

“And what color is his hair? He had a lot of hair as a wee baby. Is it still black?

“Aye, black as a raven’s wing,” he said without thinking. Raven’s delighted smile at the expression he had used heightened her beauty, making his breath catch in his throat as he stared at her, unable to tear his gaze away.

“Still black like mine,” she said, nodding. “So, he has his da’s eyes and his ma’s hair.”

“He does, and he has rosy cheeks, and freckles across his nose. He’s a bonny wee beggar, always runnin’ about causin’ mischief, always laughin’ and gigglin’.”

“He clearly has an inquirin’ mind. That shows he’s clever. Och, me boy!” The proud mother breathed, her face aglow with pleasure and pride, and… longing. Just looking at her was enough to make Arne warm to his subject.

“Aye, and he’s mad about horses and dogs, and he even likes tae feed the castle cats. I havetae take him on me rounds with me when the weathers fair or he throws a tantrum. He likes tae play soldiers, and he loves the snow.”

He was slightly alarmed when Raven suddenly put her fingers to her lips and gave a gasping sort of laugh, as if she were crying and laughing at the same time. She leaned over slightly, one hand resting on her belly, suggesting she might be in pain.

“Och, I cannae wait tae see him. When can I see him, Arne?”

She turned her dark, imploring eyes upon him. They shone with unshed tears, and on top of everything else, the sight cut Arne deeply, for he realized how much she really craved to see their boy.

CHAPTER NINE

“Itold ye, I’m thinkin’ about it. Let’s get back tae the castle first,” he told her brusquely, chiding himself for having softened towards her and telling her so much about Thorsten.

Suddenly, Raven let out a small moan. With her hand still resting on her belly, she backed into chair and sat down.

“Are ye all right?” he asked, wondering if it was a ruse to get him to agree to let her see Thorsten. But he saw her face had gone deathly pale, and she was sitting hunched over in the chair, clutching her belly. “Raven, what’s wrong?” he asked with genuine concern.

She shook her head dismissively. “’Tis just a wee pain in me belly, is all. It just caught me unawares. I think ’tis likely from all that seawater I swallowed.”

“Aye, maybe,” he agreed with a nod. “Perhaps ye should have some of that willow bark tea as well. ’Tis good fer any sort of pain.”

“Aye, we’ll see. It might go away by itself.” She looked over at him. “Maybe I need tae eat somethin’. Are ye hungry?”

He had not thought about it. “Aye, I suppose I am.”

“I’ll get them tae bring some food up here.”

Arne sighed, feeling like an invalid.

She clearly divined his thoughts and reminded him of Meg’s instructions. “She said ye should try tae rest yer leg as much as possible before ye try tae ride.”

“Aye all right. I’ll eat up here,” he finally agreed, having already resolved in his mind to leave for the castle on the morrow, come what may.

“We’lleat up here,” she said. “I’m keepin’ ye company, remember?”

How could I forget?

With that agreed, in due course, Raven went down to the main bar and ordered dinner. It was duly brought up on a tray by a maid. Raven smoothed an area of the counterpane next to Arne and told the maid to set the tray down there. Once the girl had gone, she sat on the edge of the bed and poured them a mug of ale each. Arne had a long drink and found the malty flavor of the beer far more refreshing than the bitter tasting willow bark tea.

He sipped it, watching while Raven dish up a large helping of the beef and greens, with a hunk of bread, and handed him the plate along with a fork.

“There ye go, that should put some strength intae ye,” she told him, starting to make up a plateful for herself. He remembered that though she was slender, she had curves in all the right places and had always enjoyed her food.

“Thanks,” he replied, the smell of the beef and onions suddenly making him realize he was famished, having eaten nothing since breakfast. He took a mouthful of the beef, and it melted in his mouth, just the way he liked it. “That’s good.”

She gave him a small, almost shy smile as she picked up her fork and prepared to eat. “I remembered ye like beef. And there’s a fruit tart as well. I ken what a sweet tooth ye have.”

On the one hand, Arne was touched that she should recall such personal details about his likes and dislikes. On the other, it annoyed him that he should care about it, so he said nothing.

Raven ate some of the beef, and her eyes lit up as she chewed. “Och, the gravy is delicious,” she said after she had swallowed. “I hadnae realized that I’m actually starvin’!”

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