Love Me Forever (28 page)

“And be sentenced to imprisonment along with
Arran? For she will never be free as long as he remains alive.”

“I understand your concern,” Ian said,
remaining calm.”But Arran will not be able to tolerate imprisonment
for long, and he will make an unwise move.”

“Until then you expect Brianna and me to
wait?”

“I ask for patience from you both.”

There was no patience in Royce’s response.
“Your sister carries my child; time is limited.”

Brianna could not prevent the strong yawn
that attacked her, and she suddenly felt weary and wanted nothing
more but to seek her bed. She rested her body against Royce.

He felt her weariness and grew concerned,
scooping her up into his arms. “She has had enough for one
day.”

Ian nodded. “I agree. She should rest. We
will talk tomorrow.”

‘Tomorrow,” Royce said and left the room,
hugging Brianna close to him.

He placed her on her bed, tucking a wool
blanket around her. “I will return in a few moments and help settle
you for the night.”

She yawned again. “I do not wish to sleep
alone, not tonight.”

“I will return, I promise.” He kissed her
cheek.

Brianna fell into a troubled sleep, drifting
in and out of wakefulness. She wanted Royce to return; she missed
his warmth and the comfort of his body beside her.

A sound alerted her to his presence, and she
waited for him to join her.

“Brianna,” he whispered in her ear.

She turned from her side to her back, and as
soon as she did so, she was scooped up into his arms.

He held her close. “It is time for us to
leave.”

By the time Brianna roused herself enough to
respond, Royce was carrying her out of the keep.

“What are you doing?”

A cloak was thrown around her just before
they left the keep, muffled voices followed them, and the cold
night air stung her cheeks.

Having received no answer, she asked again,
“What are you doing?”

“We are leaving here.”

“I cannot—”

“I can,” Royce said with a strength that
sent a chill through Brianna, though she preferred to think it was
the cold night air that gave her the shivers.

“Royce—”

He gave her no time to object. “We leave
here now. I will have it no other way.”

How did she make him see reason? How could
she convince him this was not a wise choice?

They approached the area where his men
camped, and they were all mounted and ready to take their leave.
Royce wasted no time, he handed Brianna to one of his men, mounted
his mare, and she was handed up to him.

He placed her securely across his lap,
wrapping his fur-lined cloak around her and grabbing the reins.
“Sleep,” he ordered. “We ride most of the night.”

“You cannot do this.” She attempted once
more to convince him that this was not right.

“I can and I have,” he said, directing his
horse away from the village, his men following.

She suddenly realized the quiet that
surrounded them: not a horse whined, not a man spoke, not a sound
stirred except for the winter wind. She was astounded by the
group’s ability to remain silent when there were so many.

They truly were remarkable warriors.

Her voice was soft and could be heard by
none but Royce. “My brother will not like this.”

“He will understand and possibly be
relieved.”

“Why? Why do you do this when you know it
will solve nothing?”

“I will see you suffer no more. Now rest, we
have a long journey.”

How could she rest when this was not what
she wanted? Running from the problem was no way to solve it.

“Why do you not give me a choice now when
you have always given me one?”

He needed no time to answer. “Your choice
would be made out of duty and would not be a wise one.”

“Is it not for me to decide, wise or
not?”

His hand moved to her stomach. “Not with my
child nestled inside you. I have a right to decide my child’s
fate.”

“My brother would have handled this
well—”

“In time,” Royce said. “I do not wish to
wait. We belong together. I wish to watch you grow round with my
child, I wish to be there when our babe is born and know that you
and he are well. And while I agree with your brother that it is
only a matter of time before Arran does something stupid, I do not
want to wait an hour, a day, a week, or a month.”

The fur slipped from her shoulder, and the
cold wind raced across her. She shivered and snuggled against his
warmth. He adjusted the fur around her, tucking the end under his
arm so that he could keep the cold away from her.

He favored the feel of her nestled against
him. It was where she belonged and where she would remain. He would
allow no one to take her away from him. He would kill for her, and
he would die for her if necessary. His love for her was that
strong, and he was that committed to a life with her.

Since she did not respond he asked, “Are you
angry with me?”

‘Truthfully, I cannot be, for I feel the
same as you. I do not wish to be apart from you, and I wish you
beside me when our babe breathes his first breath.” She paused,
reluctant to continue but knowing she must. “I have a duty whether
you or I like it or not. And now my brother will be left to deal
with the consequences of actions that were not of my choosing.”

“Your brother is a brave and skillful
leader.”

“Where was my bravery in running away?”

“You did not run away; I abducted you.”

Her yawn irritated her. She was tired and
wished to continue this debate, but she felt sleep creep over her,
and she knew that soon her eyes would close no matter how hard she
tried to keep them open.

“We can talk of this later. You need to
rest.”

“This was not right, Royce.” Her voice
sounded as drowsy as she felt.

“Feel as you must, for I did what was
necessary.” He was not sorry; he was firm in his convictions, and
no one would make him feel otherwise. He loved her and he would
love her forever.

Brianna fell asleep with all intentions of
continuing this discussion at a more appropriate time. That time
was longer than she had imagined.

The journey was not an easy one, at least
for Brianna.

Royce and his men were accustomed to harsh
conditions and cold weather. She was not and the babe appeared to
feel the same way. Her stomach protested in the morning and in the
evening. She could barely keep food down even though the men did a
fine job of hunting and preparing the game.

She slept much when riding in Royce’s arms
and slept soundly at night cuddled next to him on the hard ground.
But she longed for the comfort and warmth of a solid shelter.

It did not come until Brianna thought she
could stand it no more. She had lost count of the days but she knew
it had to be almost three weeks, for she could feel a faint flutter
in her slightly rounded stomach.

She was more relieved than surprised when
they first approached the village that surrounded Royce’s keep. It
was large and thrived with activity. They received a warm and
hearty welcome. The clan was truly glad to see them and shouted
good wishes to Royce and his new bride.

Brianna wondered what they would think when
they learned the truth. She was a married woman, not free to wed,
and certainly not free to bear another man’s child.

The keep was twice the size of her clan’s
and well maintained. Everyone she met appeared friendly and
accepting of her, but they did not know the truth.

Royce took her directly to his bedchamber.
The room was immense to Brianna, with a fireplace that consumed an
entire wall and a bed that could easily sleep four. Rich tapestries
hung from the walls depicting battle scenes, and a table sat
covered with a variety of foods, the delicious scents making her
mouth salivate.

It was close to dusk, and while she was bone
tired and hungry, she felt filthy from the journey. She had washed
as best she could, but it was not enough compared to her usual
routine. She wanted to bathe before she did anything. Of course
there was also the need for clothes, since when Royce took her from
the keep; he had not thought to take her clothes along.

She was about to ask him if a bath was
possible when he spoke.

“I have ordered a bath to be readied for
you.”

“Bless you,” she said with relief. She would
have said more, for there was much for them to discuss, but a knock
interrupted their privacy, and two men entered followed by several
women carrying buckets of steaming water.

She sighed with the thought of soaking in
the hot water.

A short, round woman entered last and issued
orders that all obeyed. She wore her gray hair braided and pinned
to the back of her head, and she had bright red full cheeks that
showed a deep dimple when she smiled, which she did when she looked
to Brianna.

“An honor to have you here, m’lady. I am
Delia and will see to any of your needs.”

Brianna could see that she was a woman
accustomed to being in charge, and Brianna was accustomed to doing
for herself. She hoped there would not be a problem.

“Thank you, Delia,” she said, thinking the
short reply would dismiss the woman.

It did not. Delia took immediate charge.

“Let me get you out of those filthy
garments.” Delia walked right up to her, her chubby fingers rapidly
working on her garment, while directing the returning servants to
hurry with more buckets so that the water would remain hot.

The smirk on Royce’s face made Brianna
realize that he was accustomed to Delia’s authoritative manner,
though the smirk soon vanished when the woman announced, “A bath is
being prepared for you, Royce, in your solar.”

This time Brianna smirked while she watched
him about to protest.

Delia was quicker with her tongue. “Go and
wash up while I see to the lady of the keep. She looks about to
drop from exhaustion, and she looks about starved. Did you not feed
her on the journey?”

Royce attempted to respond but never got a
chance.

“Lord be praised you are with child,” Delia
said, a smile spreading wide across her full face. Her glance went
straight to Royce. “And you made this poor woman journey here in
her condition and without a woman to tend to her needs. Shame on
you! Now, go wash up so that I may give her the proper care she
requires.”

Brianna decided that she liked Delia.

Royce thought to object, but Delia gave him
a look that warned against it.

He shook his head and looked to Brianna. “I
will not be long.”

She grinned and waved at him.

He left, still shaking his head.

“He is a good man, he will do well by you,”
Delia said in a no-nonsense manner.

Brianna did not doubt that. “I know I am
lucky to have him.”

Delia looked at her with wide dark eyes.
“And he is lucky to have you. You will be good for him.”

“I hope so,” she said on a sigh, worried
that all would not turn out as well as she hoped.

“He protects what is his.”

She knew Delia attempted to reassure her,
but the woman did not know that she did not actually belong to
Royce. She was another man’s wife.

“And
you are his
,” Delia said firmly.
“The clan understands this and will do what is necessary.”

Brianna also understood then that Delia was
aware of the situation and wished her to know that she was
accepted.

“Thank you,” Brianna said, grateful for the
support.

The bath proved heavenly, and Delia gave her
time alone to relax and soak in the heat of the hot water. The
woman returned with several garments, including a dark green velvet
robe that once worn Brianna did not think she would ever want to
take off. It was warm and cozy, soft to the touch, and the fit was
just about perfect.

“It belonged to his grandmother,” Delia
said, her eyes misting. “She was a good woman. These other garments
I will have fitted for you, and I will make certain one is done for
tomorrow.”

“I do not wish to make unnecessary work for
anyone. I can see to it myself.”

Delia looked startled. “You are the lady of
the keep and will do no such thing.”

Royce entered the room. “She is ordering you
about already. I thought she might wait until tomorrow.”

“That would be wasting precious time, and
the Lord knows there is never enough time,” Delia said, pulling out
one of the chairs at the table. “Now, come eat, m’lady. You and the
babe need nourishment.”

Brianna did not argue; she hurried over to
the table.

“What about me?” Royce asked with a thump to
his chest.

“You are capable of taking care of
yourself,” Delia informed him and made certain Brianna’s plate was
filled high.

Royce joined Brianna at the table, mumbling
beneath his breath.

Delia picked up Brianna’s soiled garments
and walked to the door, looking at Royce. “She needs her rest
tonight.”

Royce almost choked on the piece of cheese
he had in his mouth.

Brianna covered her mouth, hiding her
smile.

Royce pointed to the door and swallowed the
cheese. “Out of my bedchamber, woman.”

His order did not disturb her in the least.
“Mind what I say.”

He shook his head after the door closed. “I
do not know why I tolerate her.”

Brianna knew. “She was a dear friend of your
grandmother’s, and she loves you as much as your grandmother
did.”

“Aye, that is true,” he said with a smile,
“and that is why she rules this keep.”

Brianna broke a piece of dark bread from a
fresh loaf. “The people know we are not wed?”

“Our situation is known. It is necessary.”
He would say no more, but Brianna understood and did not like the
thought.