The Age of Knights and Highlanders by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Medieval
Published: 2020-08-26T18:00:00+00:00

THE CURVED BANISTER surrounding the balcony held Mercy steady. She upturned her face to the sun, closed her eyes, and sent a silent prayer. I will be all right now, Mama. Rest in peace.

And she truly believed it. Life had not gone the direction she’d thought it would, but she would take it, relish it, and be thankful.

Illegitimate daughter to the king. Blind wife to an unruly Scot. Mercy pressed a hand to her stomach, still smooth and flat, but according to Madame Zhou, not for long. She had earned many titles in what seemed like the blink of an eye and also rid herself of many burdens. Life was now filled with promise.

“Mercy?”

She smiled at the loving concern she always heard in Graham’s voice. “Here. On the balcony.”

“Sunning again, are ye?” Graham’s arms slipped around her from behind, and he hugged her back against him. Resting his chin on her shoulder, he nuzzled a kiss to her ear. “Ye’re warm as a bannock straight from the oven. Are ye feeling better after your wee nap?”

“Much better.” The meeting with the king had drained her. She had begged to be excused after their talk, feeling too sick to speak to anyone. The many revelations had left her emotionally drained. The quiet rest had done her good. “When do we return to Tor Ruadh?”

“Tomorrow.” Graham chuckled as he hugged her tight, kissed her ear again, then shifted to stand beside her at the banister, his arm still curled about her waist. “Gretna and Duncan are seeing to the packing of the wagons. ’Tis my understanding that ye’ve four trunks of clothing? Is that no’ a bit excessive?” He leaned in close and whispered, his breath tickling her ear, “Even for a king’s daughter?”

Mercy smiled. Wait until he understood why. Perhaps clothing trunks were the best way to introduce Graham to the subject. “Madame Zhou prepared a complete wardrobe for me now, one for later when I am much larger, and a christening gown, as well as the first few months of swaddling and wraps for the baby.”

Graham’s arm dropped from around her waist. He took hold of her and turned her toward him. His hands trembled. Oh, how she wished she could see his face. Unable to resist, she reached up and felt his features. Satisfaction filled her. He had taken the news well.

“A b-bairn?”

“Yes.” She took his hand and pressed it to her stomach. “According to Madame Zhou, we await our first child.”

Graham roared, gathered her hard against his chest, then jerked a step back, still holding her by the shoulders. “Lord. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Did I hurt ye?”

Laughter spilled from her. What a fine father Graham would be. “No. You most certainly did not hurt me.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I am not a fragile flower.”

He tucked his face into the curve of her neck and rumbled against her in a growling whisper, “Nay. Ye’re no’ a fragile flower. Ye’re a rare, fearless woman, and ye’re all mine.

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