Page 182 of Moon Craving

hands shook as she extended them to take the baby. Emily relinquished her daughter

with a smile.

Abigail tucked the baby close. "She is beautiful." She smiled down at the infant.

"Hello, sweeting. I am your aunt."

The baby reached up to pat her aunt's face.

"We call her Gail," Emily said.

"Oh, that's lovely."

"Her doting papa started it. He said Abigail Caitriona was too big a mouthful for

such a small body."

Abigail choked on a watery laugh. "I should think so."

She looked at Talorc, letting her desire to have their own child shine in her eyes.

He looked back with a tender heat that caught at her heart.

Emily stared at both of them with nothing less than shock. "I would never have

guessed Talorc had it in him."

"What?" Abigail asked.

"Love."

Then Emily's eyes widened and she shot a chagrined glance at her husband.

She sighed and looked at Talorc. "I am sorry, that was unkind. It's just that, while

my sister's letter said she was happy with your clan, I never imagined she could be this at

ease. My own experience was so different, but there is no denying Abigail's contentment.

She is glowing with it."

"They all know my secret, and for the most part, no one cares." Abigail ignored her

sibling's allusions to Talorc being in love with her. She knew it was not true, but if she said

so to Emily, her big sister would no doubt get defensive on her behalf. Abigail wanted

nothing to mar this visit with Emily, particularly not the troubles that nipped at the edges of

that contentment she so clearly rejoiced in.

"We are proud of her cleverness," Earc said. He had been watching over her as

she gardened and had held back from his usual peppering of curious questions quite

manfully thus far.

"Aye, the entire clan is proud," Talorc affirmed, evidently willing to overlook Emily's