He sheathed his rapier and held out his arms. Katherine rushed into them. She laughed now, burying her face against his chest while he held her, hard. Then he turned her against his side, so that they faced the earl of Leicester together. Dudley was staring at them.
His mouth twisted in a smile that was sardonic and biting. “I will leave on the morrow. But beware, O’Neill. I do not take lightly losing what is my due.”
Liam trembled, but Katherine gripped his arm tightly, in warning, and he remained silent as Leicester turned away. Gerald now rushed forward, appearing far more sober than before. He threw an arm around the earl, leading him back to the table, speaking rapidly, thinking to appease him, no doubt.
“We have just made an enemy,” Katherine said in a hushed tone of voice, shaking now that the confrontation was over.
Liam held her close. “Leicester is shrewd. He may think himself our enemy now, Katherine, but in the end he will remain our grudging ally here in Ireland—for he hates Ormond far worse than us, as they vie with one another for the queen’s favor.”
He stroked her back, her hair, and finally cupped her face. His gaze held hers. “Will you return to me, Kate? Rest at my side, keep my home, bear my children, live with me—love me?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes!”
He laughed, the sound rich and rough and free, and thentheir lips caught and held in a deep, melting kiss. When he raised his face he was smiling. “I have brought you something, darling.”
Katherine froze, gripping his shirt. “Our son!”
Liam’s smile was gentle and tender. He nodded, glancing past her shoulder.
Katherine whirled, and saw a woman standing by the door, holding a bundle in her arms. Crying out, Katherine lifted her skirts and ran to her.
She felt faint. Tears poured down her face. The woman smiled at her, handing her the babe. Katherine clutched the small, warm body to her breasts, gazing down at the sleeping child. “My son,” she whispered, choking.
Liam stood beside her. “Her Majesty did not name him,” he said. “’Tis your choice, darling.”
Katherine sobbed, kissed the baby’s downy cheek, rocking him. The baby stirred, and his lashes fluttered open. Their gazes suddenly met. Mother and son, for the very first time since the child had been born.
Katherine wept harder, in joy. “How beautiful you are—like your father.” She blinked at Liam. “I wish to name him Henry—in honor of the queen’s father—in honor of the queen.”
Liam laughed. “Why, Kate—you have become political!”
Katherine laughed, then, too, their voices blending together, as Henry O’Neill yawned.
Moonlight filled the dark stone chamber.
Katherine and Liam paused in its center. Her heart pounding, already weak-kneed, Katherine sent Liam a long, sideways glance.
Instantly she was crushed in his embrace. His mouth claimed hers. There was nothing gentle or soothing about his kiss. It was frantic and hungry, long and deep.
His hands molded and crushed her breasts. Katherine tore the laces of his shirt open, thrusting her hands inside. His chest muscles jumped beneath her fingertips. He tore his mouth from hers. “Greedy wench,” he rasped, stripping off his shirt and tossing it aside.
Katherine laughed, the sound throaty and wicked. “I am very greedy this night, my lord, with just cause,” she whispered. Her fingers slipped below the waistband of his breeches, brushing the heavy erection straining there. “I do not think you can possibly please me.”
His eyes widened while his flat stomach tensed. Liam murmured, “A challenge, mistress? Do you not know that pirates love to duel?”
“Indeed?” She smiled seductively, caressing the area of his navel with her thumb. Her palm brushed his swollen tip again.
Liam growled a low warning and then Katherine found herself flat on her back on the bed. She shifted restlessly as he loomed over her, his gray eyes glittering. “Come to me,” she whispered.
His mouth curved, but he ignored her soft entreaty. His glance was dark and bold, holding hers, and then he worked her bodice down, bringing her chemise with it, baring her breasts. Katherine tensed in expectation, breathless.
Liam smiled at her, and ducked his head.
The moment his tongue touched her nipple, Katherine arched up off the bed, crying his name, gripping his head. As he suckled, his hands were pulling her skirts up high around her waist. Katherine half laughed and half sobbed when he ripped the linen drawers off her body and cupped her slick, slippery sex.
His thumb rubbed up against her cleft immediately—expertly. Katherine thrashed, moaning, swelling.
“I cannot please you this night, darling?” he whispered, bending over her.
