"We're trapped," he said, turning back to Bella, his expression bemused.
She was sitting up in bed, the blanket clutched to her chest, watching him with wide eyes."'Tis strange that the mist and storm came out of nowhere.The sky was clear just moments ago."
"Aye."Boyd returned to the bed, his skin cool from the brief exposure.He gathered her close, his arms wrapping securely around her."I suppose 'tis best to remain here till it passes."
Bella settled against him with a small smile."What a terrible fate.Trapped in bed with my husband."
Boyd chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest."Truly unbearable."
They lay in companionable silence for a moment, listening to the storm rage outside their small sanctuary.The firelight flickered across the walls, casting dancing shadows, while the rain continued its relentless assault.
Boyd shifted, arranging Bella so she was draped across his chest, her head tucked beneath his chin.He pulled the blanket over them both and kissed the tip of her nose.
"Tell me what happened," Boyd asked quietly."After the tavern.After I—" He couldn't finish the sentence, the shame of it still too raw.
So, Bella told him.She told him about her father's rage when he'd discovered what happened, how he'd called her a whore and a disgrace.About Bryce's cruel satisfaction at seeing her ruined.How she'd been cast out of the only home she'd ever known.
She told him about her life at the abbey.How she'd tried so hard to forget him.
Boyd held her through it all, his arms tightening with every painful detail.His heart broke for what she'd endured.
"I looked for ye," he confessed when she'd finished, his voice rough with emotion."Some months later.I wanted to ken if there was a child."
Bella's hand moved instinctively to her stomach, her eyes widening."What?"
"From our stolen nights at the forge and the cottage by the smithy," Boyd clarified, his own hand covering hers."I realized ye might be carrying my bairn.And even thinking ye'd betrayed me, I could not stand the thought of my child growing up without knowing me or worse yet, being raised by another man.Without my protection."
Fresh tears spilled down Bella's cheeks."My courses came two weeks after...after everything.I was heartbroken, Boyd.Because despite everything, I'd wanted it.Even knowing the world would shun me, even knowing I'd be raising a bairn alone, I wanted a part of ye with me."
Boyd pressed his face into her hair, his own eyes burning."I made inquiries.Heard there was no bairn.I could not find yer friend Una Murray and part of me was devastated because it meant I had no excuse to see ye again.No reason to seek ye out that wouldn't make me look like a fool."
"We've been such fools," Bella whispered, her voice breaking."Both of us.We let them tear us apart."
"Aye," Boyd agreed, his arms tightening around her."But we're here now.We ken the truth.And the marriage is well and truly consummated."He pulled back to look at her, his eyes fierce."No one can take ye from me again, Bella.No one."
He shifted, rolling to pin her beneath him, and Bella felt his arousal already returning, pressing insistently against her thigh.
"What are ye doing, Boyd?"she asked breathlessly, though her body was already responding to his nearness."Surely ye cannot mean to have me again?Ye're insatiable."
"Making up for lost time," Boyd growled, lowering his head to nuzzle her neck."Years, Bella.I have ten years to make up for, and I plan to start now."
Bella laughed, a sound of pure joy that filled the small cottage, and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer."Then by all means, husband.Continue."
They made love through the afternoon and into the evening, the strange storm keeping them isolated in their small sanctuary.Between bouts of passion, they talked, really talked.Boyd shared about the scars on his body and the battles he fought for the king as Bella kissed each one with reverence.She shuddered to think that she could have lost Boyd to war and never known of his true love for her.
They spoke of the time they'd lost, acknowledging the pain but refusing to let it poison their future.They made peace with the past, grieving for what might have been while celebrating what they now had, a second chance, hard-won and precious.
As night fell and the storm continued its vigil outside, they finally slept, wrapped in each other's arms, the sorrow of the past finally lifting from their shoulders.
The future stretched before them, uncertain but bright.
But this time, they would face it together.
***
