His breath fell near her ear, his lips rested upon her wet cheek, and his arms were warm and comforting. His words were spoken with a silkiness that made her shiver. “Did Rolfe speak the truth… you love me truly?”
It was an arrogantly phrased question, one that left little room for denial. But there was no need to deny it any longer—not when she had spent months praying for the occasion to tell him... not when she carried his child in her womb... not when her every thought was centered on him and her body pleaded for his touch. Nay, she would not deny it.
“I do.”
Choking on his emotion, Weston lifted his wife into his arms and kissed her soundly before setting her upon his destrier to take her home. Hoisting himself up to sit behind her, he slid his arms about her waist, patting it gently as though to acknowledge his babe, before placing a tender kiss on the pate of her head. A smile broke upon his lips, rivaling the brilliance of the morning sun as he issued his command.
“To my lady’s home, one and all!”
Epilogue
Elizabeth Adelaine lay in Janelle’s arms more quietly than a five-month-old babe should. The old maid’s eyes misted, looking down into the sweet face. Although her eyes were just as dark as her mother’s, she truly hoped the babe would bear Adelaine’s temperament instead, for Chrestien was ever a most willful child.
By all that was holy, she did not even dare to wonder what she was about in that donjon tower today.
Two days hence, Weston had gone to retrieve her grandsire from Caen and she had set to work at once… up there, with all that clatter.
Janelle’s eyes were drawn to the ceiling, wondering what devilry had her carrying on up there. The sounds were ungodly.
But she sighed in resignation, peering down lovingly into the face of Chrestien’s sweet babe. In truth, she couldn’t be more proud were she the child’s own blood. She only hoped Aubert would someday find himself a lady to wed and bring her more children to love and cherish.
She smiled at that, for Baron Grey had turned out to be quite an honorable man. Without question, he’d accepted Aubert, despite that he knew full well Aubert was not his daughter’s true issue. And he had petitioned Henry to name him as his heir and Janelle could hardly credit the turn of their luck.
For her part, Chrestien would be so thrilled to finally meet the baron—if she didn’t kill herself up there first.
A sound, like rolling thunder reverberated from above and she crossed herself and prayed. “That’s your dear mother,” she told the babe in her sweetest voice and the child cooed and laughed and slapped her smartly in the face.
“Mayhap you are like your mother after all,” Janelle suggested with a lift of her brow.
Up in the tower, Chrestien’s work was nearly complete.
This room had too long remained in disuse.
Weston had told her about the night he’d come here with Aubert and how they had discovered the amulet together upon the floor, only to realize the roses were an overlooked clue—all a bit too convenient to her mind; she couldn’t help but believe in some sort of divine intervention.
Of course, there were many things that defied explanation, but that didn’t make them a mystery. Although she realized the amulet’s presence here was nothing supernatural, for Adelaine had abandoned it here first, and after discovering it, so too had Chrestien. But by now, too many had spied the vision of her lady mother for Chrestien to doubt her presence here and she felt for certain that, like a guardian angel, her mother would watch over her babe… and any other children she and Weston would make together.
She smiled privately, wondering what he would say about her news.
He was bound to be surprised. Once more she peered about the room, quite pleased with her handiwork. She’d had the lord’s bed brought here, as well as all their belongings. Now all that was left to do was to have a new crib built.
She patted her belly and her cheeks heated fiercely, somewhat chagrined that another child would be born so soon after the first.
Her husband was a lusty man—and, in truth, she’d have it no other way. Even now, she couldn’t wait for his return, so they could christen their bed here in this room.
The chamber downstairs they could use for guests and her old bower she would give to Janelle, so she could remain nearby to help Chrestien with the children. In time, she would turn it into a nursery and Janelle may have to return to her own home, but they would figure it out as they went.
As she gave the room a last sweep, she wondered idly if her grandsire might find Janelle comely, for she knew Janelle was not entirely immune to the man. Chrestien had heard naught but words of praise for the distinguished Baron Grey. But, one thing at a time.
Despite that the shutters were closed, she heard the shouts beyond the bailey, from the men upon the wall and she knew her husband had returned. Her heart jolted and her hand fluttered to her breast, excited beyond measure.
Taking one last look about the room, admiring the warmth it now exuded, the little things that made it their own, she couldn’t wait to show it to her husband. Her eyes lit upon the amulet that hung from a hook above the coffer Aleth had been kind enough to give to her—full of Adelaine’s beloved treasures. She had no need to see her mother’s or her sister’s spirits to know they remained here with her always… in her heart. But for a moment, while the gate was being opened, she let her gaze linger there in that little corner before walking out of the room and hurrying down the stairs to greet her husband and finally meet her grandsire.
The very instant his wife emerged from the keep, into the bright sunlight, Weston dismounted, eager to hold her. She ran to him and he lifted her into his arms, spinning her about exuberantly. “I’ve missed you!” he swore.
There was a smile in her eyes. “And I you!” Everyone else was forgotten as the two stared lovingly into each other’s eyes, lost.
“I have news to tell you,” she said and Weston tilted her a look, half dreading her announcement. His wife was always up to some mischief. But he loved her fiercely. “But later,” she teased.
“Will I need to spank you?” he asked her with a wink.
She grinned. “Perhaps.”
He shook his head, thinking of her pert little bottom, wanting nothing more than to place his hand there now and follow it with his lips. He was hungry for the taste of her. “I will,” he promised, “And I will do so quite passionately,” he promised, lifting her again and kissing her mouth.
“Tell me, my love… did your father beat you much when you were a child?“
Chrestien giggled, shaking her head. “Never.”
“Alas, there is no hope for me,” he said, “For now there are two of you!”
Her smile deepened, unable to keep her secret. “Mayhap three…”
She laughed at the startled look he gave her and she assured him, “But you needn't worry about Lizzy as Janelle says she bears Adelaine's temperament.”
“Thank God!” Weston exclaimed, and Chrestien gently slapped his arm, laughing. “Damn, you are brutal!” he complained.
“If you wanted someone gentler, you should have married elsewhere,” she chided happily.
“Nay,” he whispered huskily. “I'd not have one such as that for wife… with all due respect to your sweet sister. Now cease your prattling and kiss me again, my dearest wife!”
Chrestien bit back a sharp retort and obeyed.
There was something to be said for compliance and she gave herself up to Weston completely, heart and soul.
Up in the highest tower window, the shutters both creaked open to the breeze, lingered a long moment, as though to spy out on the lovers below, and then, without a trace of wind, the two shutters gently closed…
* * *
THE END
A Heartfelt Thank You!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading Angel of Fire! There are literally millions of titles out there, and I'm honored you decided to read one of my books.
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Also by Tanya Anne Crosby
The Highland Brides
The MacKinnon’s Bride
Lyon’s Gift
On Bended Knee
Lion Heart
Highland Song
MacKinnon’s Hope
* * *
Guardians of the Stone
Once Upon a Highland Legend
Highland Fire
Highland Steel
Highland Storm
Maiden of the Mist
* * *
The Medievals Heroes
Once Upon a Kiss
Angel Of Fire
Viking’s Prize
* * *
The Impostor Series
The Impostor’s Kiss
The Impostor Prince
* * *
Redeemable Rogues
Happily Ever After
Perfect In My Sight
McKenzie’s Bride
Kissed by a Rogue
* * *
Anthologies & Novellas
Lady’s Man
Mischief & Mistletoe
Married at Midnight
The Winter Stone
* * *
Romantic Suspense
Speak No Evil
Tell No Lies
Leave No Trace
* * *
Mainstream Fiction
The Girl Who Stayed
The Things We Leave Behind
Redemption Song (1/2018)
Everyday Lies (8/2018)
About the Author
Tanya Anne Crosby’s novels have graced numerous bestseller lists including the New York Times and USA Today. Best known for stories charged with emotion and humor, and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She lives with her husband, two dogs and two moody cats in northern Michigan.
For more information
www.tanyaannecrosby.com
[email protected]
Angel of Fire Page 23