“I am pleased to see that you have accepted this wife and pleased with Bliss for honoring our agreement,” Rannick’s father said, smiling as he walked out of the woods, his horse following beside him and Lawler behind him.
A few weeks ago, Rannick would not have been pleased with his father’s presence or that he brought warriors with him, several making their way out of the woods to flank his father’s sides. However, now with the threat to his wife’s life, he was glad to see them there.
Bliss stepped out from behind her husband, fearful of what Lord Lochlann would do when he discovered that his son continued to refuse to produce an heir. She took hold of her husband’s hand not realizing how tightly she gripped it.
Rannick saw the worry in his wife’s eyes and felt it in her tight grip. He slipped his hand out of hers and the worry on her face twisted at his gut, but she relaxed some when his arm went around her waist to ease her against him.
“You made a fine choice, Da, and it will not be long before you have an heir to the Clan MacClaren,” Rannick said and felt his wife go limp against him in relief.
Bliss rested her head on his chest and whispered, “I am grateful.”
Rannick returned the whisper, “Aye, so am I.”
Her head shot up, wondering what he meant, but his eyes told her nothing. They were focused intently on his father. Still, she wondered what he meant. What was it he was grateful for?
His father approached, Lawler following at his side and his warriors fanning out along the edge of the woods their eyes as intent on their surroundings as Rannick’s were on his father.
“When Lawler told me how well things were going with you and Bliss, I did not believe him and had to come see for myself,” his father said, his voice strong with authority.
“It is good that you did, Da,” Rannick said. “There have been several attempts made on my and Bliss’s life and it is imperative that we return to the safety of the keep.”
His father faltered in his steps as he drew closer. “Attempts on both your lives?”
Rannick explained. “Not at first, but that changed quickly enough. I assumed the news that I had taken another wife spread rapidly.”
His father stopped in front of his son. “I thought the nonsensical talk that the cursed clans must be brought to an end had stopped.”
“There is more for us to discuss,” Rannick said.
“We can discuss everything once we return to the keep and you and your wife are safe,” his father commanded.
“This cannot wait,” Rannick said. “Lawler, go help my wife gather her things.”
Lawler nodded and stepped forward.
Rannick’s arm reluctantly left his wife’s waist. “Go and make ready for our departure.”
Bliss nodded, though wished it was not necessary for them to leave here. She liked their time alone together. Once at the keep, she would be Lady Bliss and she was not ready for that role.
Rannick waited until his wife entered the cottage before saying, “Walk with me, Da, there is something you need to know.”
“I am glad to see all goes well,” Lawler said once Bliss shut the door.
Not knowing what to say to him, she chose something that would make him understand the situation. “Did you bring what he asked?”
Lawler stared at her a moment, then nodded. “He says what his father wishes to hear?”
“He does so to protect me,” she corrected.
A smile touched his lips as he nodded. “That is a start.”
“He is adamant,” she said.
“You have made a difference in him. He said more words to his father today than the whole time since his return home. And that he wishes to return to the keep, to see you kept safe and protected, means one thing—he cares for you. You have miraculously touched his heart.”
If only that were true. She would like to think it was, but she was doubtful. Maybe in time…
She shook her head. “His heart needs to heal.”
“And you are a healer,” he reminded, “an exceptional healer to have warmed his heart that had turned cold. Now let me help you gather what you need so we may be on our way.”
Bliss glanced around the cottage as Lawler set to work arranging the logs so the flames and heat would die off. It hurt her to see it. She had planned to make soup for the evening meal and spend a quiet evening with her husband. She even hoped, foolish as it was, that he would tease her alive with passion and in so doing lose his own to her and consummate their marriage, leaving her with a chance she could get with child.
She had struck a bargain and wished to keep her word, not let the lie continue and worry about her sisters’ fate. Yet another part of her found that she wanted to defy the curse and everyone who condemned her husband to a loveless life and bear Rannick a child. Or was it just that she wanted desperately to make love with her husband?