Bliss that shone bright then faded before he stepped away. He helped her set her clothing to rights. He kissed her and kissed her, and then he bowed himself out.
He left.
But that night in her dreams, he did not. Instead, he carried her in his arms to the couch, where he laid her down and settled between her knees. He was impressive as he unbuttoned his clothing. And when his falls fell open, his cock sprang free, thick and proud.
Then he leaned over her, kissing her as he did so well, lifted her knees, spreading her as he positioned himself.
And then he thrust.
She was pierced. She was taken. She was filled.
Even in her dream, she climaxed. Waves of ecstasy as he filled her with his seed. And because it was a dream, she soon grew large with his child. And she was filled with such blissful joy that she could not contain it.
So when she looked up and saw her mother floating above her, she was not afraid. She was not even angry. She was fierce.
“I love him, Ma. He will be my husband, and I will love his babes with all my heart.”
The banshee wailed. It contorted its pale face into a hideous blood-red maw. Even in her dreams, she could not see her mother in a kindly light.
Or so she thought.
This time, the wail did not pierce her through. It was sound growing more distant by the second. And the red-tipped claws receded while the creature’s hair settled from its wild torment.
No longer a banshee, the ghostly figure became her mother. It wore a sour expression, as always, and yet there was fondness in her eyes.
“A Sassenach?” she hissed.
“Aye.”
“And if he leaves you as all men do?”
“He will not. But if he does…” Sadie set her hand to her belly. “I will love his children and we will grow in joy because he loved us.”
“You do not know that.”
Didn’t she? He’d never said the words, but she’d felt it.
“It doesn’t matter. I love him and his girls. We will be happy.”
Her mother’s form settled on the floor in front of her. Her feet touched down and she appeared almost as she had in life before her injury.
“I believe you,” her mother said. “You are so much stronger than I. You see things clearer.”
“Ma…” Sadie mouthed the word, shaken to hear the words she’d wanted, but never received.
“I am proud of you, Sadie. So very proud.”
And then she was gone, and Sadie jolted awake.
She didn’t scream. She wasn’t afraid. But she was crying, and she couldn’t have said why. Except, perhaps, that she had foundpeace with her mother. Finally, in a dream, she had laid her mother to rest.
And now, in waking daylight, she was determined to find a resolution with Lord Heath. That was what a fierce Scotswoman would do, especially with someone she loved.
Chapter Ten
Sadie did notsee Lord Heath the next day. She did, however, receive an apology because he would not attend that night’s ball. Sadie was disappointed, but not surprised. Especially when he added that today’s vote was absorbing all of Prinny’s attention and that the logistics for Prinny’s visit to the park tomorrow were proving challenging.
It was a reminder that Lord Heath owed his time to the acting monarch. Fortunately, that gave her time to settle into her new feelings for him. Was this a fleeting fancy borne of last night’s liaison? Or was it true love?
