“Ibaptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
Father Connaughty poured the final amount of water over the bairn’s head and smiled as his outraged howls filled the chapel. Handing him back to his godfather, the king, the priest stepped away and allowed them a moment of privacy.
“A handsome boy,” Robert said, as he turned and held the babe out to her.
“Aye, sire. He has his father’s eyes.”
Lara dried Philippe’s head and soothed him back to sleep. Sebastien offered to return him to his nurse, but Lara held him. They had spoken often of the first Philippe over these last months and it seemed fitting that they should name their son after him.
“Raise him well, Sebastien. I need good warriors on my side.”
“We will, sire. If he has his mother’s daring—”
“Dear God in Heaven, save us!” James finished the sentiment, although Lara knew it was not what Sebastien had been planning to say.
“I did not know you could enter a church safely, James. There are rumours, you know.” Lara relinquished the babe to Margaret’s willing arms.
He held up his hands in surrender and walked away.
“You will have to teach me that skill, lady. Even beating him to a pulp does not gain his surrender to me.”
“’Tis simple, Sebastien. He has a secret that I know and he fears I will reveal, so he acquiesces to me.”
“And that secret?”
“I cannot say, my lord. Mayhap one day he will tell you himself.”
“Lara, as your lawful husband, I command you to tell me,” he ordered.
She laughed. It was such an inconsequential thing, but always important to men. And she had such fun using it against James. To share it would lessen its power.
“Let us go back to our chambers and discuss this obedience you desire.”
“Oh no, Lara. I know your ways. We will go there, you will seduce me and I will never find out.”
She moved her gaze over his body until it reached the part of him that would react to her words. “And would you like to do that or not?” She licked her lips and he tensed. “The king will be using our chambers this night, but if we hurry…”
“Damn!” he said. “Very well, I will allow you to seduce me then.”
She leaned up and kissed him. “And I will allow you to seduce me the next time.”
The sparkle in his eyes spoke of his passion and told her he knew her game.
“I am always your obedient wife, my lord.”
“Or you let me think you are.”
“Oh, aye, my lord.”
He kissed her then and swept her out of the church to their chambers, where their laughter filled the keep with love.
