Then, the storm calmed. Hugh collapsed onto his uninjured side, pulling Anna against his chest. His lips against her hair, he murmured, "I love ye, Anna."
"And I love you," she replied, melting against his body, content to spend the rest of her life right there in his arms.
EPILOGUE
Anna's chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, morning sunlight scattering soft kisses across the gentle curve of her cheeks. Hugh reached forward, brushing a strand of hair from her face so he could really see her. Freed from the strain of money troubles and the cruelty of the rumor mill, she'd only grown more beautiful. Lately, it even seemed as if a quiet glow surrounded her.
It hadn't taken long for Hugh to repair the damage Callum's plot had done to Anna's reputation. The staff adored her, and the villagers looked forward to every visit she made. Once the money was accounted for and the ledgers were balanced, Hugh had finally been able to begin the maintenance the castle so desperately needed.
She made a soft noise, turning toward him, seeking his warmth. He couldn't pinpoint the exact date that she had moved into his chambers, but now he couldn't imagine waking up anywhere but beside her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her sleep-soft body against his chest.
"I don't want to get up yet," she murmured, burying her face against his neck.
"I'm nae askin' ye to," Hugh said, chuckling quietly. The more time he spent around her, the softer he felt himself getting. He'd still protect her with his life, kill anyone that dared to endanger her life, but she was teaching him to embrace intimacy. "I'm just makin' sure ye stay warm."
"What excuse will you use when summer arrives?" she asked, relaxing into her.
"The nights are still cool," he argued, dropping a kiss to the top of her head. "And it will still be warmer under the covers than it is outside of them."
She giggled, tilting her face toward him. He connected their lips, giving her the affection she was so clearly asking for. When they parted, she hummed, pulling back enough so that she could look into his eyes.
"I've got something to say," she said quietly, a shy smile affixing itself to her lips. "And you must keep your wits about you."
"Are ye accusin' me of nae bein' level-headed?" he asked, returning her grin.
"I'm not accusing you of anything. I'm just giving you a warning."
"Well, now I'm curious," Hugh said, rubbing his hand up and down the length of her spine. "What is it that ye have to tell me, me Lady?"
Her face turned a pretty shade of pink, but she didn't duck her head. Instead, she said, "I'm with child."
It took a moment for Hugh to process the words. When his brain made sense of it, made sense of the fact that Anna was carryinghischild, he pulled her back against his chest. His hand tangled in her hair, the old injury twinging with the speed at which he did.
"Ye're sure?" he asked, squeezing her tightly then loosening his hold when he remembered she was with child. "We're havin' a bairn?"
"We are," she confirmed, giggling against his mouth when he leaned in to kiss her fiercely.
He put all the love that he felt for her into the movement. His fingers tightened in her mused hair. She kissed him back, mirroring his sentiment, returning the attention with just as much fervor as she received it.
"Ye must get dressed," Hugh said when they parted, resting his forehead against Anna's. "We must tell me maither and Marcus and Arianna. They'll be so pleased."
"This is why I warned you before I told you," she whispered, allowing him to bring both of them to an upright position. "I knew you'd be excited."
"Of course I'm excited," he replied as he helped her out of bed. "Me wife is pregnant with our first child. This is cause for celebration."
"I don't need anything extravagant," she said with amusement, watching as he hurriedly dressed. "Just having my family around is enough."
Hugh paused, turning his head to lock eyes with her. He felt himself soften, his feet carrying him across the room once more so he could press his lips to her cheek. She tilted her head, leaning into his touch.
"Then ye'll have yer family," he assured her, his large palm coming up to cup her jaw. "We're all here to take care of ye, Anna. I would do anythin' for ye."
"I know, Hugh," she said, her affection overflowing into her words. "I've never felt more accepted than I do here with your family. Withourfamily. Even when I was with my father, it always felt like there was something missing."
He gave her another promising kiss before stepping back. She smiled up at him, more beautiful in the mornings than she was at any other time. Some days he longed to keep her here, to alternate between making love and talking about every subject under the sun. Soon, before their child was born, he'd have totake her on a holiday with a day dedicated to luxuriating in each other's presence.
"Come now, Anna," he said, offering her his hand. "Ye should have a warm meal. And we must share this news with everyone."
When her small hand slipped into his, he squeezed it. She returned the pressure, allowing herself to be guided from the warmth of their shared bed. He held her close for another beat before reluctantly letting go.
