When they had had one small fight, she thought back to how he would have responded when they’d first met. He had been defensive, violent, and even cruel. While he never would have struck her, his words might have.
Now, Francis was docile. He was still strong and brave and had all the ability in the world to be that frightening man. However, he chose not to be. He had changed. His anger had vanished along with his uncle. Now, when he was upset, he would sit down and ask Arabella to explain anything that was causing him to struggle. If it made sense, he would easily admit that he had seen things from a false perspective.
It was quite remarkable, really. Arabella thought she could not love Francis any more now. He was greater and better than she had ever dreamt to find in a husband.
The women continued to chat, to play with the children, and to enjoy their lunch, but it was clear that all three were eager for the men to return, eager to see their husbands again. No matter what had happened in any of their marriages thus far, they were all utterly committed and determined never to let the flame of their love die.
Arabella was grateful for what she could learn from her friends and all of their experiences. She was glad to be with them. When the sound of horses came, they knew that it was time they got up and made their way to Colla’s home, where dinner would be prepared.
Crossing even the short distance with children in tow was not easy and Arabella admired her friends for their strength. She began to wonder when she and Francis might start their family, something they had decided to hope for soon enough.
When they arrived at Colla’s home and the twins cried constantly, Arabella wondered if maybe it would be alright to wait a short time.
Yet, as they sat that evening around the fire, with all the children asleep inside, and she looked at Francis from across the flames, she knew that she would love nothing more than to raise his children.
They left the next morning and returned to the family estate. Francis could not stop talking about how much he had enjoyed the time he spent with Douglas and Beiste and that he had been grateful to get to know them better after only brief conversations at the wedding. Arabella nodded and listened, but her thoughts were elsewhere.
“Would ye like to go for a ride?” she asked Francis.
He seemed taken aback but nodded anyway, and said that it would be delightful.
Arabella smiled and went outside to prep the horses.
After a short time, she called for him to come and Francis joined her. They road into the woods at a leisurely pace and continued until they were at the other end. Beyond the small forest was a hill and they made their way up, enjoying the sea air that was suddenly washing over them. When they reached the top of it, they saw that they had come upon cliffs and out just beyond them were a series of stacks in the North Sea.
“I think it’s the most bonnie thing I’ve ever seen,” Arabella noted.
She felt Francis’ eyes on her face.
“No, lass, it’s not the bonniest. Ye ken exactly what the bonniest thing is in this world. I’m looking right at her,” he insisted.
Arabella grinned and turned to face him. “Do ye really believe so?” she asked.
“Aye,” he confirmed.
Arabella dismounted and let her mare graze. She walked toward the cliffs with the wind whipping her dress around her. It felt like a sense of freedom previously unknown.
She heard Francis dismount and come up behind her.
“What is it, lass? What’s on yer mind? Ye’ve been distracted all day, but I didnae want to bother ye. Will ye tell me?” he prodded.
Arabella was quiet, thinking about how she could tell him what she was thinking after the previous day. How could she ask him for something they had no control over? How could she feel such a need without being able to choose when they met that need?
“I suppose I can tell ye, but ye might think I’m being silly,” she finally said.
“Then be silly, lass. I would love nothing more than to hear all yer thoughts, even the silly ones,” he promised.
Arabella turned to face Francis with her back to the cliffs behind her. She stared into his eyes and worked up her courage. “I want to have a child with ye. I ken we’ve no say if or when it will come, but I want it. I want to have a little lad who looks exactly like ye and wants to follow in all yer footsteps and become the laird one day. And I want a little lass who I can raise to be a strong woman, who kens how to cook and who kens that love is worth fighting for no matter how great the obstacles may seem. I think we would make marvelous children and I would love nothing more than to start our family as soon as possible,” she told him passionately.
Francis merely smiled at her, as if he were soaking in her words and pondering them slowly. “Well, me love…We dinnae have any control over when it happens, but I do ken what might increase our chances. There is something that, if done often enough, will certainly help,” he teased vaguely.
Arabella laughed, grateful that he seemed so resolved to fulfill her desire as best he could. Perhaps soon, with Francis’ very manly strategy, they just might have a family.
Francis took Arabella in his arms the way she always loved for him to do. The feeling of safety within them was her greatest delight. Then she allowed her body to follow his as he lay down in the grass on the cliff and brought her down beside him. They lay still for a moment, staring up at the sky in this opportunity when a single, thick white cloud shielded their eyes from the damage of the sun.
Before they began to start their family, Francis rolled over and placed a tender, sweet kiss on Arabella’s lips.
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ALSO BY BRIDGET FREYA
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Ladies of Dunmore Series
Book 1 Link -> Highland Secrets Revealed
Book 2 Link -> Loving A Highland Enemy
Book 3 Link -> Kidnapped Highland Bride
Book 4 Link -> Love Saves A Highland Spy
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Acknowledgement
Thank you for taking your time and energy to read “Love Saves A Highland Spy”. Without your continuous support, I would not have written this book.
Wherever you are, I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart. I also want to thank my wonderful Facebook fans, my advance copy reviewers and beta readers in advance for making this series a success.
~ Bridget
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Publisher’s Notes
Copyright © 2018, 2019 by BRIDGET FREYA
This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to real or dead people, places, or events are not intentional and are the result of coincidence. The characters, places, and events are the product of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the author/publisher. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
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Love Saves A Highland Spy: Ladies of Dunmore Series (A Medieval Scottish Romance Story) Page 19
