She smiled and smoothed her hands down either side of his face before tracing the scowl on his brow. “Dinnae be angered with me. I’ve been hoping to tell ye this news for a while and it has killed me to keep it quiet until I was certain.”
He stilled. Every muscle went tense. She imagined the realisation seeping into his expression. “Ye dinnae mean…”
“Aye, I’m carrying yer bairn, Blane.”
A few heartbeats of silence followed then she was lifted off her feet and twirled around. Ceana laughed when he pressed his face against her neck and held her tight before putting her down. He flattened his forehead to hers and reached between them to feel her stomach. His palm warmed her skin.
“I started feeling sick yesterday,” she explained.
“Another bairn,” he murmured. “What could I have done to deserve this?”
“Everything, Blane. Ye deserve it all.”
“Have ye told yer family yet?”
“Nay, I wanted to tell ye first.”
“I dinnae know what Bella will think of having to share the attention.” Ceana heard the smile in her voice.
“If our daughter is a fiery Scots lass, ‘tis only yerself ye have to blame. Ye spoil her so.”
“Aye, she deserves it. But I think some of that fire comes from her ma.” His stomach growled and he chuckled. “Come, let’s see to our bonnie wee daughter before she gets into any more trouble with yer mamaidh and eat.”
“Och, and here I thought ye were to take me to bed.”
“A highlander needs to keep up his strength to please his lass.”
“Come then, let us get ye fed.” Ceana walked through the corridor toward the hall. She could hear her mother’s laughter and a giggle from Arabella. Her heart warmed at the sound of it. Looking after a bairn had not been the easiest of challenges but with Blane’s help and after the things they’d faced together, motherhood had been far less frustrating than she thought it might be. “Bella will be happy yer h—”
The feel of tiny hands and a little body pushing past her followed by a cry of delight cut her off. She heard Blane’s oof as their daughter barrelled into him. Against the torchlight behind them, she could just see him scoop her up and hold her tight. Ceana feared her heart might burst with happiness.
“Da,” the child cried.
“Ye shouldnae run up on yer mamaidh,” he scolded lightly. “Ye know she cannae see ye properly in here.”
Ceana shook her head. “Yer just excited are ye no’, Bella?” She leaned forward and gave her daughter’s tiny hand a kiss where it clasped Blane’s plaid. “It doesnae matter.”
“Seanmhair says we are having a feast,” Arabella said.
She heard Blane’s groan and her smile expanded. Her mother’s singing was at least pleasant so they had to be grateful for that, even if she did like to make them dance for everyone.
“She says ye must dance while she sings. Ye will dance will ye no’?”
Blane lowered their daughter to the ground and reached for Ceana. “I think that depends on what yer mamaidh says.”
“I’ll dance with ye for the rest of my days, Blane Ross.”
He wrapped his fingers around hers and pulled her close to him. “Tell yer seanmhair that we shall dance,” he said to their daughter before leading Ceana farther into the hall.
Blane touched her face and moved her into his embrace. Only faint glimmers of gold edged into her sight but she knew her family would be watching them. Her mother started up a slow ancient song of love and they moved together. Ceana could see little but feel everything. Love, contentment, happiness. Here, in Blane’s arms, she had everything she could ever want.
Arabella made a disgusted noise as they kissed and around them applause and a few bawdy comments rang out.
“I love ye, my wildling,” Blane said, coming in for another kiss. “I’ll dance with ye always.”
THE END
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About the Author
Samantha lives in a small village in England with her twin girls and a Dachshund called Duke. She has been writing for a living for over three years now and enjoys being able to use it as an excuse to wear pyjamas during the day. While the heroes in her books are very much fictional, she likes to draw inspiration from the history around her. Living near several wonderful castles, she can never fail to be inspired.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Epilogue
I Left My Heart in Scotland Page 31
