He would not be the first man to be fooled by a whore’s feigned attentions. And not the first old fool excited by a young, comely woman. Was that all there was between them? As though to confirm his doubts, Robena turned in his embrace and slid her hands between them.
She met his stare as her hands covered his erection. The layers of woolen plaid and linen shirt mattered not as she stroked and massaged his length. When she gathered the plaid and slipped her hands beneath, touching his cock, he surged once more in her grasp. He clenched his jaws closed but did not move his gaze from hers as she drove him to madness. As always, she knew the point of no turning back, and released him then.
He allowed her to guide him back to the pallet and watched as she undressed him and then pushed him onto the bed’s surface. The blankets were still as they’d left them from their last encounter. When she would have taken hold of him once more and drawn his release with her hot mouth, clothed and distant, he shook his head at her.
“Take me, Robena. As ye will.” He smiled then, returning the wicked one that lay on her lips. “If ye want.”
“Aye, Iain,” she whispered as she unlaced and dropped her gown and shift once more. He looked his fill as she knelt at his side. “I want ye. God Almighty, forgive me, but I want ye.”
He had only moments to consider those strange words before she began to ply her ministrations. Minutes or hours later, he knew not which, they lay sprawled across the pallet together and Robbie’s words came back to him.
She likes ye, Iain. Have a care there.
Mayhap he did not need to doubt the affections she showed him? Mayhap her words about wanting himweretrue? She whispered then in her sleep, and he tried to understand what she said. He heard his name and smiled. There was time to sort this out. Time to discover if the daft and, aye,dangerousidea that had plagued him over these last weeks and on his journey could be possible.
She likes ye, Iain.And she wanted him, too. Promising things to know.
And weeks to determine what the fates planned for him.
The soft knock woke her.Forcing her eyes to open against the brightness, Robena noticed several things almost at once. If her eyes did not deceive her, the sun had been up for some time, and it was later in the morning than she usually rose. In spite of the probable time, Iain snored loudly at her side, sleeping soundly through the sun’s risingandthe knock at the door.
Iain gave no sign of leaving.
Creeping from the pallet, she pulled on her gown as quietly as she could before opening the door a scant inch to see who waited there.
“Mam says she needs ye, Robena,” a soft voice whispered from outside. Daring to push the door a bit more, she found the midwife’s youngest daughter standing there. “Anna’s and Margaret’s bairns are coming and Mam needs to be with Anna.” Two young women giving birth to their first bairns, and themidwife could only be with one—the one who needed her skills more.
Robena glanced over her shoulder to where Iain slept. Though he’d never remained here after a night together, he showed no sign of waking or leaving now. Torn between angering him or ignoring this call for her help, Robena nodded at the lass.
“I will go to Margaret’s,” she said. The girl scampered off down the path, returning to her mother with word of Robena’s attendance where she was needed.
Closing the door as quietly as she could manage, Robena picked up her clothing and dressed. Gathering her hair up, she wove a braid to keep it under control during the coming hours. Looking around, she knew there was nothing more to bring. If the birth went as it should, only water and cloths would be needed.
A snore echoed, reminding her of the man in her bed.
Deciding not to wake him, she grabbed her cloak and left quickly. She made her way through the village and down the path to Margaret’s cottage, and found the young woman inside with her husband Conran and her sister-by-marriage. Nodding at those two, she untied her cloak.
“How do ye fare, Margaret?” she asked, tossing her cloak over a chair and walking towards her. One glance at the young woman told Robena what she needed to know.
“Torra, how long has it been?”
“Since last night after supper,” Conran offered first. His nervous gaze flitted from his wife to Robena to his sister, and then back to Margaret.
“Conran, this may take time,” Robena said, taking hold of the man’s arm. “Mayhap ye should go about yer business and we can send word when it is time?”
“If ye think . . .” The man’s expression showed both fear and relief at her words. “Margaret?”
“Aye, Conran. Go.” Margaret gave a trembling smile to her husband and nodded at the door. “Robena will see to things here.”
Conran, bless him, rushed to Margaret and kissed her before leaving. His whispered words of love were loud enough for them all to hear and made Robena’s eyes water with emotion. Then the young man rushed out so quickly that they just stared at the door for a moment before laughing.
“Will it take long?” Margaret asked as Robena went to her and helped her to the pallet.
“Nay, but I thought it best to make Conran think so.” A hand on Margaret’s belly warned her of the contraction within and told her of the strength and duration of it. “I suspect this bairn will be born before midday.” Margaret frowned and glanced at Torra, who shrugged in reply. “What is the matter?”
“Robena, ’tis past midday now. Mayhap ye meant sunset?”
Stunned, she sat back on her heels and shook her head. “It canna be. I never sleep past sunrise.” Now Margaret and Torra smiled knowingly at her.
