“God’s Bones, lass,” she said, helping Caria yank her clothing off. “Let me help ye before ye tear yer head off.”
Caria was far too excited to get into the bath with the other girls, and when Jordan stripped her down and put her in, she squealed with delight and immediately started splashing. Both Thomas and Maitland watched with a grin.
“It seems that everyone is having fun for bath time,” he said to Maitland, his smile fading as he looked at her. “Do you have a moment to spare me?”
Maitland could see he meant a private conversation, away from little ears. She mouthed “always”before replying aloud.
“Of course,” she said. “Lady de Wolfe? May I leave you with the children for a moment?”
Jordan waved her on and she followed Thomas into the corridor outside. She shut the door softly behind them, shutting out the sounds of frolicking children and splashing water.
“Your mother has been so kind,” she said quietly. “I hate to impose on her, especially with your father’s injury.”
Thomas lifted his eyebrows. “She told you about that?”
“She did. How is he faring?”
“Much better. He was able to sit up in bed a little just now as I told him of our grand adventure.”
“That is good news.”
He grunted, wearily rubbing his eyes. “I have not spoken to you since we returned with the children,” he said, looking at her. “I have so many questions about what happened, but that will have to come later. At the moment, all that matters to me is that you are safe and the children are safe.”
Maitland gazed up at him, seeing that he was a man with much on his mind. She wanted so badly to wrap her arms around him. “There is time to speak of everything later,” she said. “Do not be troubled. We need not speak of it now.”
Thomas shook his head. “I must,” he said. “But before I do, may… may I hold you?”
Maitland fell against him, her arms around his neck as he wrapped his big arms around her and held her tightly. Feeling his strength, his great and solid body, undid Maitland and tears sprang to her eyes.
“I was so frightened I would never see you again,” she whispered. “I was so frightened for the children, but I am selfish in that I was mostly frightened for me without you. Does that sound terribly selfish?”
His face was buried in the side of her neck. “Nay,” he whispered. “For I was fearful of the same. You cannot know thehorror I felt when I came across Dyana and she told us that you had been taken away. Utter and complete horror.”
“Desmond told me everything. It is a miracle she found you.”
“It is, but I am sorry about Tibelda. I know she was your friend.”
That only made Maitland hold him tighter. “She was,” she murmured. “I shall miss her terribly, but the children are safe. That is all she would have wanted.”
Thomas held her a moment longer before loosening his grip so he could kiss her. It was a sweet, tender kiss, one of great power and longing. The kiss grew increasingly amorous until he backed off, knowing this was not the place. But he licked her lips and kissed her again before setting her to her feet.
“I have just come from my father,” he said quietly, holding her hand and lifting it to his lips as he spoke. “So much has happened since we last spoke that I do not even know where to start. I suppose the first thing I must do is ask you a question.”
“What question?”
“You once said you would take my heart and never give it back. Is that still true?”
She nodded, her eyes warm with sincerity. “More than ever.”
He lifted her hand and kissed it again, a painfully sweet gesture. So much had happened in the short time they’d been apart– his father’s trip to Kyloe and subsequent injury, his continued determination that Thomas should marry Adelaide. That hadn’t changed. Maitland didn’t know about Adelaide’s murder streak or anything else about the woman beyond what Thomas had told her. She knew that Edmund de Vauden was dead, but certainly none of the politics behind Thomas’ rush to marry Adelaide now.
There simply wasn’t any reason to tell her.
But the situation was breaking his heart.
“That is good to hear,” he whispered. “Because I have given you my heart for always. I thought I was in love before, once. I have spoken of Tacey and of my feelings for her, but with you… I realize that mayhap I wasn’t truly, deeply, and madly in love. Tacey gave me a taste of what I was capable of feeling, but you have brought out the best in me. I never knew I could love someone the way I love you, Mae.”
She looked at him with wide eyes. “Oh, Thomas,” she breathed. “I have never loved a man, not ever. That gift has been reserved for you, my love. I will love you until I die.”
