“Later.” He said and urged her down beside him with a firm hand. “I have waited long and patiently for this moment, and I wish to lie here beside you and look at your beautiful body.”
“I have never spent an afternoon in bed.”
He grinned. “That is about to change.”
She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck, nibbling at his lips. “I do like the taste of you.”
“You can taste me anytime.”
“Be careful what you allow me. I may not get enough of you.”
“Wear me out, lass, I care not.” He laughed and pulled her on top of him.
She rested her head on his shoulder with a yawn, splaying her hand on his chest.
“It looks like it is I who have worn you out.”
“Give me time to refresh and we shall see who wears who out.”
“Rest, then, and I will take you up on that challenge.”
“You will lose.”
“Impossible, lass, I win either way.”
Tarr and Fiona were sitting at the trestle table before the hearth the next morning when Aliss entered through the front doors of the great hall along with the first light of dawn.
“Where have you been?” Tarr asked with concern before Fiona could.
A yawn attacked Aliss, leaving her no time to answer.
“You have not slept,” Tarr said, and stood to assist her to sit.
“I birthed a stubborn babe last night.” Aliss sat with a grateful plunk on the bench, her green shawl slipping off her shoulders as she reached to pour herself a goblet of steaming cider.
Fiona did it for her. “It appears neither of us slept in our bed last night.”
Aliss moved the tankard away from her lips and grinned so wide her eyes appeared to smile. “I am so very happy for you both.”
“Fiona has agreed to wed me.”
“What is this I hear?” Oleg said with excitement as he and Anya entered the hall followed by a smiling Raynor.
Anya rushed forward and hugged Fiona. “We have a celebration to plan.”
“Your help would be appreciated,” Fiona said, “though we wed on Hellewyk land.”
“We could have a fine celebration here,” Raynor offered.
“My thanks,” Tarr said, “but we wed at my home.”
“You do not leave yet, do you?” Anya asked anxiously.
“A week’s time and then we leave, but you are welcome to come and visit at Hellewyk.”
“What if Fiona remained here with us?” Raynor suggested. “She would have more time to visit with our parents and then we would journey with her to your keep.”
To Fiona’s surprise Tarr turned to her.
“What say you, Fiona?”
He was giving her a choice and his considerate gesture swelled her heart to near bursting. It also acknowledged that he understood her need for independence in her life, not something many husbands would allow, let alone value. Her husband-to-be was a special man and she suddenly felt grateful.
Her arm coiled around Tarr’s. “I go with Tarr.”
“Then Aliss can remain with us,” Raynor said.
“She cannot,” Fiona said curtly.
“Is it not her decision?” Raynor asked.
“I know her decision. She would not remain here without me. Right, Aliss?”
Aliss, her elbow on the table’s edge, rested her chin in her hand and fought to keep her drooping eyes open. “What?”
“Dear lord, she looks exhausted,” Anya said, and hurried to her side. “Come, dear, let me get you to bed.”
Fiona nearly jumped out of her seat. “I will take care of her.”
“It is all right, I will see to her,” Anya said graciously.
Tarr reached up and tugged Fiona down beside him, forcing her still with a firm hand. “Thank you, Anya. Fiona and I have matters to attend to.”
A protest hovered on her lips, but one warning look from Tarr told her she best save it for a more private time.
Then his dark eyes softened and shifted to Anya and Aliss.
Fiona’s eyes followed and she realized what he tried to convey to her. Anya for the first time in twenty and one years was able to care for her daughter.
She felt a tug in her heart for the woman as she slipped her arm around Aliss and helped her up, all the while talking gently to her.
“I will have you tucked soundly in bed in no time.”
Fiona watched the pair walk off and was surprised that she found herself close to tears. How Anya’s empty arms must have ached for her twins. How horrible to always wonder if her babies were safe and cared for. She and Aliss had been spared such cruel suffering, never knowing their true parentage and having been lucky to be placed with good, loving