"Aye but I strive to overlook them.” He nuzzled her breasts.
"How gallant ye are."
"I ken it."
"And vain."
"Vain am I? I should punish ye for such harsh words."
"And what form shall this punishment take?"
"An ye stay awake for a wee while, I will show ye."
She found it easy to stay awake as she reveled in the passion he gave so freely.
When she woke in the morning to find him still in her arms she was both delighted and dismayed. It would be nice to spend a little time with him but she feared he would discover her pregnancy before she was ready to reveal it to him. Her sickness in the morning had become erratic, a sign that it was leaving her, according to Storm. She could not be sure, however that she would be fine each and every morning. There was, she realized, some advantage to his absence.
"Iain,” she gasped, startled when the man she had thought asleep suddenly acquired some very busy hands, “I thought ye were sleeping."
"I am,” he growled against her neck. “I am dreaming."
"Ye have some verra lively dreams then."
"Lass,” he murmured as he moved to crouch over her, “ye dinnae ken the half of it."
The day was half over before they left their bed. Islaen quickly sought out Storm. She felt guilty for not being there to help the woman with all the work that needed doing.
"Not to worry, Islaen. Ye have helped immensely and I know you will again. Take time with Iain. ‘Tis important."
"I just feel guilty leaving ye to do it all alone."
"Do not. I have done it these past ten years and will do so again when ye move to Muircraig. Best I do not get too accustomed to your help. Does Iain stay long?"
"Nay, I think not. He gathers supplies now. He suddenly recalled that that was his excuse for coming here,” she drawled.
Storm laughed but then said carefully, “Islaen..."
"Nay, ye dinnae need to say it. I ken that seemed a wee bit bitter, but I didnae lie when I said it passes quickly. I have promised myself that in the hours he is with me he will ne'er find an excuse for his neglect in my behavior. I fear that means I swallow so many words that they but spill out on occasion. Please be patient with me."
"I understand completely. Ye are not the one who needs patience. The more I see of Iain's actions the more I am amazed at your tolerance. I should sorely have bruised Tavis by now for such hurtful nonsense. If ye feel a need to spit out the bile that builds up whilst ye must hold your tongue, I am willing to hear it. I think I would have choked on it by now."
"'Tis a near thing. If ye hear a crash in the night, dinnae fash yourself. ‘Tis but me giving into the urge to kick him out of bed."
Laughing softly, Storm shook her head. “'Tis not truly funny. Come, soon winter closes in and he must stay home. Travel is treacherous and no work can be done at Muircraig. How fared ye this morning?"
"I wasnae sick. Mayhaps I shall be lucky and not be all the while he is here. ‘Tis too soon for him to ken that I carry his child. I suddenly kenned this morn that, for all it pains me, there are advantages to his staying away so much."
"Aye. He is not there to see all the changes."
"And, because he believes I work to remain barren, my being with child isnae the first thought in his mind.” She sighed and shook her head. “I but hope that I willnae be adding to his burdens."
"Enough of that. Do not let his fears taint ye. There is fear in all women with child but ye must not let the ones that Iain carries draw your own out. They could do ye much harm and I think ye know it."
"Ye are right, of course. I mean to take the darkness from his heart, not take it into my own. I must work to remember that. As ye say winter comes. Soon there will be no hiding my condition from him and then I fear t'will be a verra great battle."
"Aye, his fears will be strong then. Ah, there, he looks for you. Go on now."
"Are ye certain, Storm?” Islaen asked as she watched her husband from the granary door.
