Lockie had heard every word she said, but he kept silent. He would not leave her. He would not lose all the wealth he had acquired. But if that woman could not bear children then he would find another.
If Lorna died, because of some accident of course, he would inherit everything as her husband. Yes, that was simple. He now only needed to find a wife that would bare his sons.
And he had someone in mind.
Robina’s sickness persisted for another few weeks and due to her almost constant nausea, she could not do the thing she most wanted to—be with Alex.
On her first day without sickness, on a perfect day in late spring, she took a ride in the open air, and she felt wonderful. There was just a suggestion of a little bump on her stomach, which Alex kissed every night before he went to sleep. But tonight, even though she was scared to death, she was going to let him take her all the way to his fulfillment and let them become a true husband and wife at last.
When he came into his bedroom, which they now shared, she was already lying in bed with the covers drawn right up to her chin. They had just had dinner, but she looked very tired, and sighed with weariness, yawning as he began to strip his clothes off. He left his shirt on, as he was accustomed to do, then tried to get into bed, but she put her hand on his chest to stop him.
“All of them,” she whispered, and threw the covers back. Underneath, she was naked, her beautiful white body exposed to his eyes at last. He looked his fill at her, devouring her with his eyes, before taking off his shirt with unseemly haste, almost diving into bed beside her.
“I want to look at you,” she protested.
“Later,” he growled, pulling her into his arms. Skin met skin, and it was the most erotic sensation she had ever experienced. She felt the exquisite fluttering in her secret place that sent thrills into nerve endings all over her body, and when he touched her, she cried out with delight.
He began to rub her and she found the sensation almost unbearably wonderful, but he stopped suddenly, leaving her feeling bereft. She made a disappointed groan.
“Wait,” he ordered, his voice hoarse with passion. His hands were everywhere: her breasts, her backside, the inside of her thighs. He teased her nipples with his tongue and she laughed, then he kissed her fiercely, and she moaned her pleasure against his mouth. He looked deep into her eyes, his own dark with passion, and there was a question in them.
She nodded. “Yes,” she whispered. Then she felt pressure, and a fullness inside her as he entered her, gently and slowly. They became one at last, with no tension or pain. He was laughing softly at the expression of surprise on her face, and she began to move her hips, not knowing why, and he eased into her again and again, slowly at first, then faster.
Something was happening to her, like the fluttering she had felt earlier, only stronger, then stronger still. It was almost unbearably delightful, and a wave of ecstasy overtook her, a sensation the likes of which she had never felt before. She cried out in a long drawn-out howl of pleasure while Alex reached his fulfillment and watched the wonder in her face.
They lay looking at each other for a long time, until he kissed her softly and said, “Is Milady well?”
“Very well, M'laird,” she replied, her voice still full of wonder. “I thought it might be still a little painful, but I am...I feel...there are no words for how wonderful I feel!”
He kissed her forehead and withdrew from her. “I must go to sleep,” he said drowsily, “but I am so full of joy.”
“I love you,” she murmured.
“At last,” he sighed and picked up her hand to kiss it. “I love you too, Robina, my lovely wife.”
Forever after, when she felt sad or alone, she would take that smile from her memory and look at it. It always made her joyful.
8
Gossip
By the end of June, the baby was still not visible unless anyone knew it was there, but it was now public knowledge, and the twin sisters, Cora and Fia, were beside themselves with glee. Both had begun to make baby clothes for the new arrival.
“Isn’t it about time you began sewing?” Fia asked as they sat in the parlor one day. The two sisters were busy with tiny little baby dresses, running them up very quickly, since both were expert seamstresses. Their fingers flew and Robina watched them enviously. “I could never sew like that!” she said enviously. “But I would love to make some baby clothes.”
Fia cast her eyes heavenward. “We will teach you. Never mind baby clothes—you will be running up ball gowns in no time.”
“If you say so!” Robina laughed. “From your lips to God’s ears!”
“Why do you not get a seamstress to do it?” Cora asked. “Or we could.”
“That was the answer I was looking for!” Robina exclaimed.
The next day was market day. Robina went into Glengour to look around, since she had been in the castle for a week and wanted to walk among the stalls and talk to the ordinary folk, which she loved to do. The working people knew who she was, but they were not in awe of her. She was friendly and generous, and would often buy an apple or a plum for a child as a treat. She was well-liked and always welcome.
She became thirsty and sent her groom to a nearby tavern to get her some ale, then she sat down at a table outside to drink it. She had just taken her first sip when a shadow fell over her. She set eyes on a face she had never wanted to see again.
“Good morning Robina,” Lockie Campbell said pleasantly. “You look well.”
