“Too lazy at night,” he teased, then pressed a kiss to her stomach only to pause, noticing that it was not quite as flat as before.
Gytha’s passion began to ebb as she prepared to inform Thayer of his impending fatherhood. “I think the true problem may be that I am too busy at night.”
“What do you mean?” He gently pressed his fingers against her stomach finding it oddly hard.
Smiling crookedly, Gytha decided there was nothing romantic about a man prodding at your body while he tried to sort out exactly what was different about it. “Careful,” she drawled. “You would not want to bruise him. Or her.”
“Him? Or her?” Thayer sat up slowly, his gaze fixed upon her stomach. “There is a babe in there?”
“Aye.” She tried and failed to hide all her amusement over his reaction to the news.
“I am to be a father.”
“You are one.”
“Aye but I was not there when Bek was born.”
“Where are you going?” she asked when he leapt from the bed to throw on his robe.
“God’s beard, woman, I must tell someone,” he cried even as he bolted out of the room.
“I do hope poor Roger is awake.” She giggled when the door slammed behind Thayer. Then she slipped out of bed. She could hear Thayer’s footsteps echoing down the hallway.
Bursting into Roger’s chambers Thayer shook the man awake. “’Tis no time for you to be sleeping.”
Roger sat up with a start. “Trouble?”
“Nay.” In his exuberance, Thayer shook his confused friend some more. “I am to be a father.”
“You are one.” Roger eyed his friend a little wanly.
“I mean with Gytha. Gytha is to have my child.” Thayer was astounded that his body could contain the wealth of emotion that surged through him at the thought of sharing a child with Gytha.
“Congratulations.” Roger grinned, understanding Thayer’s odd behavior now and finding it amusing. “When?”
Blinking, Thayer stared at Roger a little blankly. “When?”
“Aye. When is the child due?”
“God’s teeth.” Thayer slapped the palm of his hand against his forehead. “I forgot to ask.” He dashed out of the room, paying little heed to Roger’s laughter.
Having used the brief moment of privacy to visit the garderobe and then to wash, Gytha slipped on her chemise. Just as she poured herself a glass of wine, Thayer burst into the room. Although she was highly amused by his distraction, she tried to hide it.
“When?” Thayer wondered if she ought to be out of bed, then lost track of his thought.
“When what, Thayer?”
“When is our baby due?”
“Ah—in five months’ time.” She laughed as he raced out of the room again.
Slamming into Roger’s room, Thayer announced, “Five months.” Then he groaned, sitting down heavily on Roger’s bed. “God’s toenails. Five months. I will be an old man for the waiting.”
“Most men need wait nine full months.” Roger laughed at the look of horror on Thayer’s face.
“Sweet Jesu, do you think she has her time amiss?”
“Nay, nay. She is but four months along already, that is all. Near half your waiting is past and gone. Be thankful for it.”
