Duncan laid the belt down, schooling his face to seriousness, playing his role. He would remain the firm disciplinarian until the punishment was over, although he was as pleased as she was at the prospect of continued punishment over his lap. He loved to see her struggling to take blows in position, or tied up, but he loved more to feel her squirm and tense across his thighs.
He sat on the bed and pulled her unresisting form across his lap. If she noticed he was obscenely hard again, she was far too well trained to let it show.
He marveled at how different she felt already as he held her, that extra softness she carried. He cradled her, holding her secure with one arm across her back. He spanked her, being careful to concentrate the force on the roundest part of her bottom. He felt the delicious conflict of wanting to enjoy every minute of spanking her, and at the same time wanting to rush through in order to impale her on his cock when it was done.
In the end he did both. He didn’t dawdle, but neither did he rush. He gave her ten good, stinging spanks. Her tiny moans and wriggles drove him on.
He thought wryly to himself at the end as he pulled her up and lowered her onto his cock, that these punishments did much more than keep her safe. They did more than keep her obedient, show that he loved her...
For both of them, they did much, much more than that.
Chapter Seventeen
Duncan was at the practice field when he saw Edana ride into the courtyard. Even from his vantage point on the far rise, there was no mistaking it was her. The upright stance, the aura of power—even alone in the wild forests of Scotland, she was absolutely safe.
But not his wife.
His wife was not safe. Her time was almost upon her, and Edana showing up only magnified that fact. Cait seemed healthy and spirited enough for someone in her condition. But Lenore too had been healthy and spirited up until the last hours before she died.
He took his time making his way over to her, feeling each step bringing him closer to the end of this ordeal, his wife’s pregnancy and the inevitable birth.
“Don’t you look surly this morning,” Edana murmured. “Not happy to see your dear mother-in-law?”
“Of course I am happy to see you.”
“Only fretting about the reason I’m here.”
“All husbands fret.”
“Not all,” said the priestess. “But the best ones do. Come,” she said, holding out her hand to him. “Show me to my daughter. Let me see how well she is.”
As they walked down the corridor to Cait’s room, Edana questioned him about her recent habits and activity. “Has she been eating well? Resting? Getting fresh air?”
“Too much fresh air. She’s been gardening, walking about town, climbing blasted trees. I finally ordered her to her room a couple days ago, to preserve my own sanity.”
“It’s better that she’s active. It’s afterward that she must be made to rest. You have a nursery prepared, and nursemaids?”
“Yes, although I doubt Henna will allow anyone else to lay hands on the babe. Even me.”
Edana laughed. “You will have your chance to hold your child, I promise you. It is best if fathers stay involved.”
“Like Cait’s father?”
Edana’s smile faded. “That situation was not average. You should not pass judgment on situations you know nothing about.”
“I judge no one,” Duncan sighed. “I just want this over with. And I want Caitlyn to survive.”
“I promise you, Duncan, I do too. And I tell you again, she will give birth with ease. I am more worried about you making a nuisance of yourself and scaring your poor wife out of her wits with your dire fears.”
They stopped outside Cait’s door. Edana looked at him sternly.
“You will wipe that frown off your face and smile at her and act as if you are at ease.”
“I will not. You may visit her alone. Henna is within. I will leave these matters to the ladies, and return to the fields where I am more useful.”
Duncan stalked away. He knew he’d been rude, but he wouldn’t stay and smile and pretend total confidence when he was miserable with dread. He would smile when it was over, if things turned out all right.
And if they didn’t...well. He was not even able to think about that.
* * * * *
Edana smiled to herself as she knocked on the door. What a singular man, this Devil of Inverness. What a sentimental mess. There was only one man in a hundred who could put aside his own ego and selfishness to love a woman as he ought, and of those, fair few who loved and protected their wives perhaps even more than they should.
Lucky daughter of hers. She pushed open the door to find Cait smiling at her from the bed, surprised and pleased.
“Dearest Caitlyn,” Edana greeted her warmly. “It is almost time, is it not?”
Cait’s eyes shone with excitement. “Is it? I’ll have the baby soon?”
“Yes, you will. Does Henna not tell you as much?” She nodded to the old woman in the corner, her own face alight with excitement.
“Oh, I tell the lass every day her time is near and she must keep to bed, but she won’t,” said Henna with a blustery sigh.
Edana sat at her bedside. “Let me look at this grandchild of mine waiting to be born.”
She drew back the covers and laid her hands on Cait’s swollen belly, pressing here and there carefully. “Head down I see. That’s the best way. Does the baby feel low in your belly? Lower these last few days?”
“It feels low all the time,” said Cait. “And today, the baby presses on my back so that it aches.”
Edana smiled in approval. “It does come shortly then. Within days. Perhaps tomorrow. Perhaps even tonight.”
“Tonight?” Cait echoed. “So soon?”
“It comes when it comes. Do you want a boy or a girl?” Edana said lightly to distract her.
“I want a little girl, although I think Duncan wants a boy.”
I think Duncan will take anything so long as you withstand the birth, thought Edana to herself. “Well, if you wish to get out of bed into the fresh air, the best thing to do now is walk.”
“Walk?”
“Yes, dearest, and I’ll happily walk with you. Henna, help me pull her up.”
* * * * *
Cait felt that she was waddling more than walking, but she tried to keep up with Edana as they toured Gordon’s garden plots. Cait showed her the various plants and flowers she enjoyed tending, but she felt silly because she was sure Edana knew more of gardening than she could ever dream. Still, her mother listened and nodded in approval, taking time to congratulate Gordon on his crops. She pointed out helpful plants and flowers for use in healing and other household tasks.
“How do you know so much?” asked Cait.
“Years of training and study.” She looked down at her daughter. “You might have studied the priestessly arts too, but you were a terribly sensitive child. I felt it was not the life for you. You were so shy, so retiring. I knew early on that you did not have the guile or hardness of conscience to be high priestess after me. Do you regret it? Would you have liked to study?”
“I don’t know.” Cait shrugged. “I like being Duncan’s wife.”
“And you’ll be a mother soon as well. You are fortunate, much more fortunate than most women. Your husband loves you very much.”
“Don’t all husbands love their wives?”
Edana laughed. “Oh, you are an innocent indeed. I should say not. Some husbands at least care for their wives. Some do not even do as much as that. No, my Cait. You are one of the few to know love with the one you’re wed to.”
“Did my father love you?”
Edana blinked, but quickly composed herself.
“Well, you know, we were never wed, your father and I.”
“But did he love you? Did he care about you?”
“We...I... We were like strangers on the night you...that we...the night you were conceived. But we understood one another at once.”
“Unders
tood one another? What does that mean?”
“Do you understand your husband?” Edana asked, turning the question back on her.
“I...I suppose I do. Yes. I understand him. What he wants. What he needs.”
“I understood your father in the same way, although we were never so fortunate to find love.”
“I know I am lucky,” said Cait after a long pause. “I don’t know why he loves me so much.”
“Don’t you? It seems clear enough to me. You have given your heart to him without reservation. You have loved the Devil just as he is, flawed and rough. He is no fool. He appreciates what you give to him so freely. He had another wife who was not nearly so kind.”
“She died,” Cait said quietly.
The two women walked a bit longer in silence.
“Are you afraid?”
“Yes,” said Cait. “But I can’t say so. Duncan is worried enough.”
“Duncan will survive this birth, and so will you. I promise I will not leave your side until your healthy babe lies sleeping in your arms.”
Cait’s back ached again, and she stopped, leaning over.
“It hurts here?” Edana rubbed the exact spasming spot.
“Yes,” Cait said tightly. “It really hurts. But that feels...that feels better when you rub it that way.”
Her mother’s knowing touch somehow made the excruciating tightness bearable again.
“Do you promise? Do you promise you won’t leave me?” she whimpered through the pain.
“It would be better, perhaps,” said Edana, “if we made our way back to the keep.”
* * * * *
God, the screams. He couldn’t bear them. He paced the corridor, his men wisely keeping out of his way. There was the scream, over and over, and then the bitten off effort to stifle it. He wanted to tell her to go ahead and scream.
What he really wanted was to go back to nine months ago and leave her be, but he couldn’t. It was far too late now. Even if he could, then she would now likely be bearing his father’s child, which would have been even more impossible to take.
“Perhaps if you go to her,” suggested Connor.
“Shut up.”
“Just poke your head in and check on her. I assure you this is all perfectly normal.”
“Shut up!”
Connor had five healthy children to his name, and sat placidly in the corridor while Duncan paced. “The louder she gets, the closer she is,” Connor said. “I’m sure it would comfort her to see you.”
With a furious noise, Duncan turned and went to the stairs. Another bitten off scream propelled him faster.
“Where are you going?” asked Connor.
“Away! Downstairs!”
He couldn’t bear the screaming any longer. It turned his stomach. It seemed like yesterday that Lenore had screamed, Devil, get away from me! He didn’t want to be in earshot when Cait began to scream the same recriminations. He should be with her, but there was no way he could set foot in that room. He wanted to comfort her, but he couldn’t bear for her to scream at him. He couldn’t bear to see her suffer for what he’d done to her.
He was nearly to the hall when Edana’s voice halted him.
“Duncan! You are needed at once!”
“Why?” He spun in a panic. “What is it? Why?”
“Your wife is calling for you. Don’t you hear?”
He turned his head to the stairs, listening.
Duncan! Duncan, come to me!
“I can’t go. You must understand, Edana— I can’t bear it—”
“I do not care to hear what you can’t bear,” she snapped impatiently. “What of Caitlyn? How is she to bear it when the husband she needs, the husband she calls for is too selfish to come to her side?”
“Edana—”
“Come now. The baby will be born within the hour. Come to your wife’s side and help her cope. The pain is terrible. She’s tired. She’s frightened. She needs your strength now.”
With a stifled curse, Duncan headed back to the stairwell. From the look on Edana’s face he thought she would drag him herself if he didn’t, and find success.
“Duncan! Duncan!” Cait cried his name between screams. “Duncan, where are you? Come to me!”
Devil, get away from me!
No, this wasn’t at all the same.
He ran suddenly, ran to her as fast as his legs would carry him. He burst into the room to find Henna supporting her as she plodded unsteadily across the room.
“Why isn’t she in bed?”
“Duncan! Help me!” Cait cried.
“Why aren’t you in bed?”
“Just help me! The baby’s coming—” Again she groaned, bearing down at Henna’s urgent cries. Edana knelt to check beneath the blanket Cait clutched around her shoulders.
“Hold her, Duncan,” Edana said. “Support her so she can push the baby out. In a moment, Cait, when you feel the urge, you need to push, and you shall have a babe.”
“I can’t. I’m tired,” she sobbed.
“You can!” Duncan ordered. “You will.” He braced her with his arms and held her when the next scream came. At Edana’s urging, Cait ground her teeth and bore down.
“Carefully, carefully,” said Edana, guiding the baby out. “There now,” she said. “Duncan, help her to the bed. Let her lie down and rest while I tend to your beautiful new baby girl.”
“My new baby girl?” Duncan echoed in amazement. “Cait, we have a daughter.”
Cait looked back at him, proud and exhausted.
They had all survived.
* * * * *
Duncan watched in fascination as the women tended the baby. She was so weak, so tiny, although they insisted she was hardy as a soldier. They laughed fondly as she screamed at the top of her lungs.
“Listen to that temper,” Henna said. “I remember a certain earl who wailed the exact same way when he was born.”
Duncan smiled and pulled his sleeping wife closer into the shelter of his arms. “She may have my temper, but she is Caitlyn’s daughter through and through, is she not?”
Edana stroked the baby’s black shock of hair. “She has Cait’s hair, but her eyes favor yours, I think. She is a fine baby, healthy as the day is long. Your wife did well,” she said with a hint of mother’s pride. “Even you managed to survive the birth somehow.”
Duncan barely registered her teasing comment. He was preoccupied by Cait sleeping in his arms, warm and tired and well and beautiful. She had survived. She had borne his child easily. Well, not easily. It didn’t seem that way to him, although Henna and Edana went on and on about how smoothly the birth had gone.
The next one will be even easier, Henna had promised. The first is the hardest.
The next one? It was far too soon to think about it, but Duncan was glad to hear it would never be so difficult again.
Henna swaddled the baby girl and she finally quieted. She brought her to the bed, lying her gently down between Duncan and Cait.
“What will ya call the wee lass?” asked Henna.
Duncan looked at the tiny miracle between them. “I don’t know. I think I had better wait until Cait awakens. I don’t know much of girlish names. And I’m sure she’ll want a say.”
The baby squirmed and turned her head insistently, then just as quickly fell back to sleep.
“She can’t decide if she wants to sleep or eat first,” said Edana.
Duncan laughed. “Just like Caitlyn, sleep wins.”
The low rumble of Duncan’s laughter awakened Cait, and she looked around in confusion. “Where is the babe?”
“Right beside ya, lass,” chuckled Henna. “She’s as tired as you are.”
Cait looked down at her with a mother’s wonder. Duncan watched the emotion flit across her face—surprise, adoration, and deep joy.
“Oh, Duncan,” Cait breathed, looking up at him.
“She’s perfect, isn’t she?” he whispered.
“Oh yes. Worth the wait.”
&n
bsp; Cait was too busy admiring her new daughter to notice the blush rising in Duncan’s cheeks at that reminder of his foolish fears and delays.
“She looks just like you, doesn’t she?” He smiled. “All that black hair. And her eyes are blue.”
“What are we going to call her, Duncan?”
“I rather thought I’d leave that up to you. You’ll need a bonny name for such a bonny lass as she.”
“I’ll have to consider on it a while,” she said, yawning.
“And how are you, Cait? Do you feel all right?”
“I feel...perfect,” she answered drowsily.
“Perfectly exhausted,” teased Duncan. “Go back to sleep. I’ll watch our daughter. You should rest.”
“Okay, I’ll try. But I’m really almost too excited to sleep.”
Duncan laughed as her eyes began to shut again before she even finished her words.
“Duncan, thank you,” she managed to murmur through the haze of sleepiness.
“Thank you? You’re thanking me?”
“For coming to me when I called you. I needed you, Duncan, and you came. I need you with me, always. Forever.”
He stroked her face tenderly. “Not nearly as much as I need you.”
Chapter Eighteen
The baby was fed and changed and swaddled tightly, lain to nap in her tiny cradle.
“Sweet thing,” crooned Henna as she rocked her to and fro. Cait smiled. The old woman could hardly abide to be away from baby Bonny for a moment, even now that nearly two weeks had passed.
“She sleeps, Henna. Go now and have some time to yourself.”
“Oh, I don’t mind watching her for ya. You go ahead. I’ll come for you when she needs to be fed again.”
“But you have watched her all day.”
“Run along now,” Henna insisted. “Go and visit with your husband. He’ll be wanting to spend time with his wife.”
Cait blushed.
“No, not that kind of time,” Henna chuckled. “You don’t let that man touch you that way for at least another month.”
“Another month?” asked Cait with dismay.
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