Page 70 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

“Whatever the reason, I’m blessed to have such a wonderful father for my child. I hadn’t expected it. I thought he’d give my daughter and me a safe place to live and food for our bellies. But he’s given us such kindness. Even when I was not kind to him in return.”

“I’ve never seen Liam angry with anyone. I’m sure he was quick to forgive you. He’s wanted ye for so long.” Dorie laughed then. “It seems your daughter is much like Liam in her kindness.”

Dorie and Evelyn walked closer as Gwennie held out one of her carved rabbits to a little boy. “Do you want one?” she asked, and the boy took it with a wide grin. “Do you want one?” Gwennie moved to the next child.

Soon the bundle of bunnies was down to the final rabbit. Gwennie wrapped her hand around it and looked at Liam. From where Evelyn stood, she could see the black eye, marking this rabbit as the first one he’d given her. It was her favorite and there was still one child who didn’t have one. The little girl with the chubby cheeks.

“Rose has taken a liking to your daughter,” Dorie said of the small girl who teetered on unstable legs while following Gwennie around.

“She’s an angel,” Evelyn said. She’d missed so much of Gwennie’s younger years. It had taken Evelyn much too long to disregard her father’s orders and leave the castle to see her daughter.

“Her da was killed in the battle between my father and brother,” Dorie said, then added, “I should say the McCurdy and his son, since I was not related to them by blood.” The comment seemed significant to her. “Rose’s mother passed just a few weeks ago.”

Gwennie was still holding the last rabbit and looking at the little girl. Evelyn could see the struggle of indecision. She also saw the way Liam knelt down next to her and whispered in her ear.

“Just like this one?” Gwennie said.

“Aye,” he said.

Gwennie put the rabbit in Rose’s dimpled fingers. “This is for you. It’s my most favorite one. Take good care of him. My papa will make me another one.”

In answer, Rose plopped to her seat and began bouncing the rabbit around as the other children were doing.

He’d helped Gwennie do a kind thing, and promised to make her more rabbits. Evelyn’s heart swelled when he looked up at her and winked. He probably didn’t realize how he’d helped shape Gwennie to be a giving person with this simple act.

Playing with her was one thing; any man could do that. But teaching her to be kind was the duty of a father. Just then Rose bounced the bunny on Liam’s leg, and he scooped her up to play with her, making her giggle.

Dorie laughed. “As Kenna would say, watching her husband with the children makes her want more children.”

Evelyn also laughed. “She would’ve said she wanted to make more children with him right then.”

“True. I was attempting to be ladylike.”

Evelyn looked at her husband again and felt the urge to make a child with him, right then.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Through the afternoon and evening while Liam did his best to replace Gwennie’s bunnies, he couldn’t help but notice his wife was looking at him like he was a cool sip of water on a hot day. Her gaze fired his blood and caused his body to respond.

If they’d been back at Dunardry he may have made up a reason to take her to their rooms. But they were guests here at Baehaven, and he hadn’t come up with an excuse to get her alone.

To make matters worse, Bryce kept him longer that night than he wished. Liam enjoyed catching up with his friend, but breakfast might’ve been a better time. Ev and Gwennie had already gone up to their room an hour before him. He feared Ev would be asleep and he’d have to toss about all night with unrest.

But she was awake, and Gwennie was sleeping on a bundle of blankets near the hearth. Far enough away not to see that her mother was not wearing anything when she sat up and allowed the covering to puddle around her hips.

He couldn’t get his boots and clothing off fast enough.

“Ye don’t know how grateful I am to see you awake and ready. I didn’t think I’d make it to morning to be inside of you.”

“I’ve needed you all day. Did you see the way I looked at you at dinner?”

“I did, but I didn’t think you’d want me to tell Bryce I needed to excuse myself so I could go service my wife.”

“If you’d not arrived shortly, I might have gone down there and dragged you to our room by your ear.”

“Mmm. Temptress. I think I would’ve liked that.”

She laughed as he kissed her neck, but the laughter turned into a gasp and then ragged breathing as he moved to her breast and then lower. Soon he’d found her heat. She was whimpering and clutching at him, making it clear she wanted more. She even tugged on his ear.