Page 61 of Bride of Fire
She expected him to deny his relationship to the babe. He clearly wouldn’t want her to know Miles was his, lest she try to ransom the child.
But Morgan was too enrapt with Miles’ expression to even realize he’d revealed himself with his silence.
Fortunately for him, she had a well-developed sense of chivalry. It was unconscionable for her to put a babe in harm’s way, no matter what could be gained from it. Children were weak and vulnerable, not to be preyed upon.
But a Highlander probably didn’t know much about chivalry. All he knew was that Bethac and Cicilia had left his captive alone with his son. That explained why he’d rushed in the way he did.
She levered up on one elbow to look down at the babe. “He likes you, I think.”
Morgan couldn’t hide the joy in his face. He straightened with pride. “Aye?”
She nodded. His pleasure melted her heart at once.
And just as swiftly broke it.
If Miles was the laird’s son and heir, there was no way he was going to leave the lad behind when he returned to the Highlands.
“May I?” he asked, indicating the bed.
She nodded, and he sat on the edge.
“He’s quiet now,” he remarked.
“When the mood suits him,” she quipped.
Now that she could get a closer look at both of them in calm tempers, she was amazed she’d overlooked the resemblance. Miles’ eyes were the same elusive color as Morgan’s. His hair was a similar shade. And it hadn’t been flattery to say they shared the same smile. It was a beaming, brilliant thing that felt like it illuminated the whole chamber.
“He’s always quiet when he’s in your arms,” Morgan observed.
He couldn’t know how his gentle words shot like a bolt into her chest.
A part of her had known it was folly, mentally creating a destiny for herself with the babe. She now realized that destiny was impossible.
The Highlanders might indeed be forced to leave.
She might win command of Creagor.
But she was never going to raise Miles to manhood.
She’d never teach him honor and chivalry and loyalty.
Never watch him become a capable knight.
Never see him grow into the role of the Laird du Lac.
She had only herself to blame for the sinking pain in her chest. She should never have begun daydreaming about the future.
In the end, she might have the will to battle a whole army of Highlanders. But she didn’t have the heart to steal the son from their laird.
Chapter 31
Jenefer was drowsing on the bed, only half-awake, when she remembered where she was. How much time had passed since she’d come to the nursery, she didn’t know. The fire had burned low, but it was still dark in the room.
Feeling Miles, soft and warm and nestled against her in the bed, made her smile. He smelled like a bowl of fresh blancmange. Or maybe it was only hunger that made her think that.
She was lying on her left side with her left arm stretched out above Miles’ head and her right arm curled around him.
But a strange, heavy weight pressed down on her right hip. The fingers of her left hand were tangled in hair that was too thick to be Miles’. And the back of her right hand rested against someone’s body.
