“You spared us both, Abbott Thomas,” Arran corrected.
Uncomfortable with praise, Abbott Thomas looked to Purity. “Before I return to the monastery, I would like to talk more with you and get to know you better.”
“I would like that and I also would like for you to visit with us often. While we can’t make up for the time lost, we can at least enjoy the time we now have with each other and also for you to get to know the many grandchildren Arran and I will give you.”
“She plans on being an extremely dutiful wife, Abbott Thomas,” Arran said and turned a smile on her. He should have known better than to think he could teasingly embarrass her.
“He better be an extremely dutiful husband, Da, and see that I’m often with child,” she said and choked back tears when her father’s tears fell more heavily down his cheeks.
“You truly make me proud, Purity, and I know your mum would have been even more proud of the spirited, loving, wise, and kind woman you’ve become,” Abbott Thomas said.
“Will you tell me about my mum?” she asked eagerly. “No one spoke about her and I’d like to know more about her.”
“I will tell you everything, but know you are much like her. You share your love of animals with her.”
Purity felt a swell in her chest. “That makes me happy to know.” It also made her realize that it was why Galvin had deprived her of any animal. It reminded him that she wasn’t his daughter.
The sudden tiredness that crept over her da worried her and she squeezed his hand. “You need to rest, Da. I’ve only found you. I refuse to lose you.”
“I feared this day and looked forward to it and it has turned out much better than I ever imagined,” Abbott Thomas said.
“It is one of the best days of my life,” Purity admitted. “The day I wed Arran being the best of all,” she said and turned with a smile to her husband.
It did Arran’s heart good to hear her say that, to know their wedding day was the best day ever, but he couldn’t help but tease. “And it was also your lucky day, getting me as a husband.”
Purity jabbed him playfully in the side with her elbow and he winced, though she knew it hadn’t hurt him in the least. She was happy that the old, playful Arran was showing himself more and more.
“You two are perfect together,” Abbott Thomas said.
“We are, though it took him a while to realize it,” Purity said with a smug grin.
“She’s right, though once I did realize it, I made sure she was mine forever.”
“Forever,” Purity confirmed with a whisper and met her husband’s lips when they reached for hers.
“You should retire for the night,” Abbott Thomas said with a smile.
“Not until I see you tucked comfortably into bed,” Purity said and stood. “And tomorrow we’ll have a long talk.”
“I look forward to it.” Abbott Thomas went to stand, cringing at the soreness in his shoulder.
“Let me help you, Da,” Purity said, never having called Galvin, Da, only Father, but somehow calling Abbott Thomas Da sounded and felt right.
Arran assisted Abbott Thomas to his room and Purity made sure he was settled comfortably for the night. Only then was he sure his wife would be comfortable when they settled in their bed.
It didn’t take long once they were in their bedchamber to strip and hurry into bed.
Arran wrapped himself around her naked body, loving the warmth and softness of her and the way she snuggled against him as if she couldn’t get close enough to him. He toyed with her breast, enjoying the feel and thickness of it in his hand.
He nibbled along her ear, then whispered, “When did you plan on telling me that our bairn nestles inside you?”
She turned with a flourish to face him, a look of surprise on her face. “How did you know?”
“Your breasts are heavier in my hand and you shy away from food in the morning, looking pale, and you’ve not had your monthly bleed.” He kissed her quick. “Don’t be surprised. We make love almost every day. It would be easy for me to know such things.”
She kissed him gently. “And would you continue to make love to me with the same vigor after learning I was with child?”
“Is that why you haven’t told me? You worry I won’t make love to you while you’re with child?” he asked, not able to hide the surprise in his voice.
She poked him in the chest. “That’s not what I said, husband.”
He scrunched his brow until he realized what she meant, and he chuckled. “You think I would be too gentle with you?”
She slipped her hand down between their bodies to take hold of his shaft, already thick with desire. “I like when you thrust deep and hard inside me. It feels as if we join as one, that nothing can separate us.”
“Nothing. No one. Can ever separate us.” He kissed her as if sealing his words with a promise. He smiled when the kiss ended. “Now it’s time we get serious in claiming victory over my brother and his wife when it comes to who has the most bairns. Maybe, just maybe we can make two bairns instead of one.”
Purity chuckled. “What are you waiting for?”
Arran laughed and rolled her on her back. “I do love you, wife.”
“I thought I’d only ever hear those words from you in a dream,” she confessed.
He brought his lips near her ear. “I will whisper I love you to you every night before you sleep so that my words follow you into your dreams and I will repeat them when you wake so that you forever know how real my love is for you.”
“I never knew such happiness could exist… until you.”
“You mean until I finally stopped being a fool and realized the woman who was always meant for me was right in front of me.” He kissed her softly, though not for long and her moans soon filled the quiet of the night.
There was no one to pay heed to the sneaky cat that approached the bed, cautious, silent steps he took, positioning himself and waiting for that perfect moment to… POUNCE!
“I’M GOING TO KILL YOU, KING!” Arran yelled.
And if a cat could laugh, King’s laughter would be heard echoing through the keep as he made his way under the bed to sit and lick his claws!
* * *
Don’t miss
Highlander Oath Of The Beast
Raven and Wolf’s story
coming January 2021.
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Also by Donna Fletcher
Highland Promise Trilogy
Highland Oath (Prequel)
Pledged to a Highlander
Entrusted to a Highlander
Oath of the Beast
Cree & Dawn Series
Highlander Unchained/Forbidden Highlander
Highlander’s Captive
My Highlander
Cree & Dawn Short Stories
Highlander’s True Love
Highlander’s Promise
Highlander’s Winter Tale/Highlander’s Rescue
The Pict King Series
The King’s Executioner
The King’s Warrior
The King and His Queen
Also by Donna Fletcher
Macinnes Sisters Trilogy
Highlander’s Stolen Heart
Highlander’s Rebellious Love
Highlander: The Dark Dragon
Highland Warriors Trilogy
To Love A Highlander
Embraced By A Highlander
Highlander The Demon Lord
Warrior King Series
Bo
und To A Warrior
Loved By A Warrior
A Warrior’s Promise
Wed To A Highland Warrior
For a complete list of Donna’s titles, visit her website.
Entrusted to a Highlander: Highland Promise Trilogy Book Two Page 29
