Enticing the Weary Warrior

by Tammy Jo Burns

  Her sobs reached his ears. “I’m sorry, so sorry.”

  “Meg, this wasn’t your fault.”

  “I thought you’d left,” she tilted her head back to look up at him as he rejoined her.

  “No. I’ll never leave you again. Williams was a sick bastard that preyed on women. I’m just thankful that I came upon him attacking you that day, or else you might not be here now. You were not the only one he attempted to rape, but thankfully with you and Jacqueline he was unsuccessful. I can’t say that for anyone else, and I’m sure there were others. He had an evilness deep within him. I’m also thankful for Grantham’s help today, or I might’ve lost you forever.”

  She sniffled, took a corner of the quilt, sopped up her tears and dabbed at her nose. Megan watched Liam approach her and pull her to her feet. “I promised myself the next time I held you in my arms I was going to be totally truthful with you. That and the nightmare is why I haven’t made love to you since we left the hunting lodge. There were things that I had to deal with, things that I had pretended were not as bad as what they were.”

  “Such as?”

  “Many of the things we discussed in London. And other things…”

  “Liam…”

  “It’s over. That part of my life is over and I’m weary of it ruling me….us. Perhaps one day I’ll be able to share everything with you, but don’t be upset if I can’t.” He paused and took a deep breath before continuing, “I want to be a husband to you and a father to Paddy and any other children we might adopt in the future. Five years ago, I wasn’t ready for fatherhood and marriage. I thought I was, and I had every intention of going home and marrying you. I thought to explain what I was doing and see you between assignments, but then I was in London and it was exciting and I began thinking of what it would be like to be tied down, to never go anywhere again, and I ran.

  “I’m not proud of that fact, but there it is. I regret leaving you, but at the same time I know that somehow, despite everything, I believe I’m a better man for it. I hope you consider yourself a better woman. I know there were tragic consequences and for that I will always feel guilt.” When he saw her start to speak, he quickly amended the statement, “We will always feel guilt.” He cupped her face and swiped at the silver tracks sparkling on her cheeks with every lightning flash. “Megan, I’ve faced my demons and admitted my sins, and now I can move on with my life…with our life. I want to spend the rest of our lives taking care of you. I want to be a husband you can cherish and love. I want you to be my wife in every way. Will you?”

  “We’re already married, why are you asking me now?”

  “Because I believe every woman has the right to decide who she wants to be tied to the rest of her life. I know that you want more children, that you want your own children. All I can promise you is that we can adopt as many children as you want and that this house will hold, after we rebuild it. If you want more than that, I will walk away right now so that you can have it.”

  “Where would you go?”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “You would do that?”

  “Meg, I’m going to be totally and completely honest with you. It would absolutely kill me to live without you again, but if that’s your choice, I will accept it. And I can promise you that I will live a life so reckless that my death will not be a fabrication this time.”

  “You can’t,” she argued.

  “But I will if that’s what you want, because it wouldn’t matter to me. Without you, I would be dead of a broken heart.”

  “Truly?”

  “You make the air I breathe fresher and the sun I see brighter. Being around you is like always being in the midst of a storm, you’re so full of energy. You make me forget all the horrors I saw and lived through. You’re what I was missing for so long and you are what kept me alive in those bleak days when it would have been so much easier to give in to their punishment and die.”

  “Oh, Liam,” she sighed breathlessly.

  “Meg,” he bent down and gently kissed her lips, groaning softly against them. He pulled away slightly, still cupping her face. “Megan Elizabeth McTavish, I love you with all of my being. Please say you will stay with me and continue to drive me utterly and completely mad.”

  “Liam James McTavish, there’s nothing else I wish to do more than remain in your arms for the rest of our lives. You’re my everything, and I promise to continue to give you silver hairs throughout our years together. I love you, my weary warrior.” She wrapped her arms tightly about him and whispered against his ear, “It feels so good to have you home at last.” Megan kissed him deeply as she was crushed in his arms. “Love me, Liam, here and now.”

  She let him gently set her aside while he pulled the cushions and pillows from the benches to the floor. She looked outside and saw the first fat raindrops hit the glass. His back was still to her as she slipped out of her robe and pulled her nightgown over her head and let it gently fall to the floor. He turned around just as a lightning strike illuminated the conservatory.

  “Meg, I’ve wanted you for so bloody long.”

  “Why have you waited?”

  “I had demons to wrestle.”

  “We could have wrestled them together.”

  “From now on we will, I promise.”

  “I’m sorry I went to Jack for help.”

  “I don’t know if I was more upset with that or the idea that you talked to another man about my lack of being able to be the man you needed me to be.”

  “I suspected as much,” she answered.

  “You did?”

  “The night I mentioned Jack, you puffed up like an adder and turned your back on me. I was tired of the way you jumped to conclusions, so I didn’t work very hard to explain the situation to you. We’ve been doing this dance around one another for too long. I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too,” he replied.

  Megan took a step to him and slowly slid the buttons on his shirt free of their moorings. She rested her hands at the waistband of his pantaloons and let her thumbs lightly skim several of the scars that dotted his body. She took a step closer and breathed deeply the scent that was Liam and would always be, the scent of leather and sandalwood. She ran her hands up his defined abdomen up to his chest. The pelt of hair covering his stomach and chest curled around her fingers in a lover’s caress.

  The rain began to fall in earnest now, no longer merely a drop here and there, but a true summer thunderstorm. Lightning continued to be the only light that illuminated the two lovers. Megan felt herself being lowered to the cushions. She hooked her hands about Liam’s neck, forcing him to join her on the way down. She meshed her mouth to his, and gently nibbled at his lips. Soon he was deepening the kiss, and she felt like she was being pulled under waves, losing her footing and being pushed deeper out to sea.

  “I’m going to tell the world how I feel about you,” he said.

  “You are?”

  “I love you,” he whispered in her ear.

  “I thought you were going to tell the world,” she laughed.

  “I did,” he replied, and took her lips once more in a passionate kiss.

  This time when the tears stung her eyes, she did not fight them and finally they were not tears of anger, hurt, or misery. These were tears of pure, unadulterated joy. “I love you, too,” she whispered back.

  He continued to love her, keeping in tempo with the thunderstorm. He slowly kissed his way down her body, paying homage to every peak and valley. Liam gently rolled her over and did the same from the nape of her neck to her toes. Megan felt as if every inch of her skin were on fire. She rolled back over onto her back and looked him up and down.

  “You’re wearing entirely too many clothes, Lord Brookdale.”

  “Oh, you think so, my lady?”

  “Yes,” she said slightly breathless as he began to slowly unbutton the placket of his pantaloons. “Faster, Liam,” she ordered.

  “The best things come to those who wai
t,” he said.

  “And we’ve waited weeks upon weeks,” she said as she sat up and brushed his hands out of the way, taking over the job. His erection sprang free as she finished and pushed his tight breeches down his hips. She brushed along its length with her knuckles.

  “You’re killing me, Meg.”

  “And you’ve been killing me, for weeks. Love me, Liam, make me yours for now and always.” He bent over and kissed her as he entered her welcoming heat. “Welcome home, my love,” Megan said breathlessly, a smile flitting about her lips.

  “That’s exactly what it feels like, isn’t it? I’ve come home at long last.”

  “Love me, Liam.”

  “Always and forever,” he whispered before he brushed her lips. As the storm hit its ferocious peak, so did the two lovers. They called out their love for one another, over and over until, finally replete, they collapsed against the cushions.

  Megan fished with her toes for the quilt and somehow managed to pull it over them without moving any part of her body other than her leg and an arm. “I do believe this is my favorite place now,” Megan said, kissing Liam’s shoulder.

  “My shoulder?” He asked teasingly, linking their fingers together. His dreams were coming true, slowly, but steadily pushing away the nightmares.

  “The conservatory, silly,” she said as the rain continued to fall gently now, the worst of the storm having passed. “Though, I must say, your shoulder is quite comfortable.”

  “Thank you for that.” They lay in silence, holding one another, each lost in their own thoughts. “I forgot to tell you something very important.”

  “What would that be?”

  “When I went looking for you, I went to the stable and spoke to Hamrick, thinking perhaps you were there.”

  “Very intuitive of you, darling, for that is exactly where I was going when that cretin abducted me.”

  “Yes, well, Hamrick doesn’t think Lady Belle is breeding that English sire’s foal.”

  “No?” Megan propped herself up and looked down on her husband. “Well, I suppose we can always try to breed her again.”

  “Oh, she’s breeding,” Liam corrected her.

  “But you said—”

  “That it was not the English sire that did the job.”

  “Well, who does Hamrick believe it was?”

  “Legend.”

  “Legend?! No, it couldn’t be. Could it?”

  “Hamrick seems to think so.”

  “And how long did the Club suspend us from racing?”

  “Three years.”

  “Just in time for Legend’s foal to make a name for himself.”

  “Yes. But you have to promise me one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You won’t ride in anymore races.”

  “Trust me when I say my racing days are over,” Megan said. “Well, almost,” she whispered wickedly as she climbed astride her husband.

  “I do love you, you wicked woman.”

  “And I love you, my weary warrior.”

  Epilogue

  Four years later…

  Megan stood within the doorway of the study, looking on with contentment. Liam, her husband, her best friend, and her soulmate, sat at the desk working diligently. She didn’t know for certain what had him so engrossed, but she could guarantee it had something to do with government matters. He had become quite the advocate in Parliament for soldiers and their widows and orphans. He also occasionally assisted Director McKenzie with screening agents and tactical issues. It had taken her some time, but Megan had warmed to the man, and now their families were friends, as Liam had wanted and needed.

  Liam had only grown more handsome over the years and now glints of silver could be seen in his dark hair. She often told him it made him look refined, and he would in turn tell her that she caused almost every one of them to appear. At that moment, he looked up and winked at her before returning to the papers in front of him.

  The cold had settled in quickly this year, but this room was deliciously warm. Childish giggles drew her attention to the floor in front of the roaring fireplace. A pair of towheaded boys, Will and Sam, ages five and six respectively, were playing with tin soldiers, taking turns destroying each other’s lines. Paddy, now almost ten, sat at another desk, devoutly studying, because he so desperately wanted to impress his Papa. Curled up on the floor with Thunder, was two-year-old AnnaBeth, with light brown hair. At that moment she was oblivious to all that was going on around her because both she and her companion were busy napping. The newest edition to their family, Emily, sat curled in a large chair, reading. She was twelve with black hair and snapping green eyes, and was still trying to find her way in this rambunctious household.

  “Emily, would you keep an eye on everyone? I need to speak to your Papa.”

  “Yes, Ma’a…Mama,” she stumbled over the word. Megan smiled warmly at her oldest daughter, knowing that one day she would become comfortable calling her by that name.

  Megan waited for Liam to join her then took his hand and led him to the conservatory. She had asked that the fireplace be lit so that the room would be warm. It was unusual, and extravagant, to have a fireplace in a conservatory, but Megan so enjoyed it here that for their second anniversary Liam had surprised her with one. They made use of it often, since through the years it had become their special place. Liam had taken extra care adding other unique touches that he knew would please her.

  After he stepped inside, she closed and locked the door. She shut the drapes, turned, then leaned against the cloth covered windows behind her. Excitement coursed through her body whenever she looked upon him. After all they had been through, all the secrets and betrayals, they had somehow found their way back to one another and for that she would always be thankful. Liam was her everything and she would never let him go again.

  “You have that look about you again. You’ve discovered another foundling in need of a home, haven’t you?”

  She merely bit her lip and nodded her head.

  “Where are they? Shall I leave now to pick them up? Is it a boy or girl?”

  “No you don’t have to leave now, and I’m not sure what it is yet. In fact, we have several months before you can rescue this one.”

  “I don’t understand. You usually have more information than this.”

  Every year for the last four years, they had added an orphan to their family. The first year, of course, had been Paddy. Then the brothers, Will and Sam. Next it had been sweet little AnnaBeth. This year it had been Emily. With Paddy and the younger ones calling them Mama and Papa from the beginning, it made it easier for the older ones to do so, but Megan and Liam made certain the children never forgot their real parents. All of them, except for Paddy, were orphans of soldiers or former soldiers and their wives, which made them even more special to the couple.

  “This next foundling is a little closer to home,” she said, approaching him cautiously.

  “Is it someone we know?”

  She nodded enthusiastically before taking one of his hands in hers. Megan placed a kiss on his palm and then gently pressed it against her lower belly, unshed tears of joy shimmered in her eyes. She watched as his eyes brightened with understanding. He started shaking his head in the negative, but Megan was nodding hers positively. She could feel a fine tremor in the large hand beneath her own.

  “No,” he said, shock lacing his voice. Tears made silver tracks down his scarred cheeks.

  “Yes. I waited until I was absolutely sure. It has been almost four months since my last courses.” She paused and took a deep breath, finally verbalizing her news. “Liam, we’re going to have a bairn,” she whispered as tears of joy finally spilled over her lower lashes and raced down her cheeks as well.

  “When?”

  “I suspect it was the night we celebrated Legend’s Legacy winning the Triple Crown. It should be born in late May.”

  “That was quite a night.”

  “Liam McTavish, are you blushi
ng?” she asked between a sniff and a laugh.

  “The Earl of Brookdale does not blush,” he sniffed, offended.

  “But Liam McTavish does,” she teased.

  “The other children…”

  “This babe may or may not be your heir, but the others, and any we might add, whether our own blood or not, will never be treated as less just because they’re adopted. They will all be equal to us.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” He cupped her face and kissed her in the most exquisitely gentle, yet sensuous way he ever had. “I can’t believe that God blessed me with another chance with you and now a babe. How do you feel?” he asked, resting his forehead against hers.

  “Wonderful. I had a few dizzy spells early on,” she placed a finger against his lips when he started to speak. “I told the midwife and Mingzhu about them and both said it was perfectly normal and not a side-affect from the accident.” In fact, she had only had to have a few more treatments from Mingzhu, after the accident, before the dizziness had gone away completely.

  “We should leave for London immediately. You need the best—”

  “Liam, stop.” She slipped a finger over his lips halting his speech. “I’ve spoken with the midwife and she says I’m in perfect health and should deliver a healthy bairn. Not in London, but right here.”

  “But…”

  “No buts. No hows. You came back to me a weary warrior in need of love and acceptance. Now look at all that we have. Miracles, Liam. We’ve been given so many miracles. I feel like we are the luckiest people alive.”

  “We are and I dare anyone to say otherwise. I love you, Meg.”

  “I love you, too. We are each other’s heart and life, always and forever.”

  “Always and forever,” he seconded, before swinging her up in his arms.