Cards & Caravans
Page 17
Connor lifted her and carried her to the tub. He kept her awake and talking as he washed her, carefully avoiding the wound on her scalp as he soaped and rinsed her hair. Finally, when they were both clean, they fell together into bed. Connor was grateful for the alarm clock the hotel provided, which he reset every hour until noon the following day. In between waking her to check her pupils, he slept deeply, holding on to Belinda for dear life.
In the early afternoon, a servant brought their laundered clothes, along with a substantial tea tray. After a long, sweet session of making love, they washed again and helped each other dress. Finally, they sat at the small table over the tea and sandwiches.
“Engle is dying of the pox,” he said when she asked. “He won’t be around to bother you or anyone else again.”
Belinda nodded. “I wish I could feel sorry for him, but I can’t. I’m just glad he won’t be able to hurt any other supposed witches.” She told him in detail about Engle’s kidnapping and attempt to murder her. Afterward, she sipped her tea and nibbled lightly at a scone. “Was it the guild, then? Even though they were using magick?”
“Actually, it was some of both. The association of asses was responsible for the attack on the circus. It seems their plan was to get rid of anyone else in the north with any power, so they would have a monopoly. They egged some of the less stable members of the guild into the smaller attacks, to cover their actions. Under questioning, they all gave each other up, so they’ll all end up in prison for a long, long time. Engle and some of the others were guild members, but they believed that magick was the enemy, and fell in with the association’s plans. Most of them were basically innocent. With the other group disbanded, they should be able to rebuild their businesses.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Belinda smiled sadly. “It’s really over, then, isn’t it?”
“It is. Now we can go on that wedding trip we were talking about.” Connor took the lid off a fragrant kidney pie and watched as Belinda’s skin turned a pale shade of green and she bolted for the bath chamber.
Connor followed to make sure she didn’t need help and handed her a damp cloth and glass of water when she was done. While she rinsed her mouth, he left to set the pie outside their door before leading her back into the bedroom and sitting her down on the bed. “Is it your head causing problems, or something else?”
Belinda grimaced. “Something else, I’m afraid.”
“I’d wondered. Your appetite these last few days has been off.” He took her hand and laced his fingers through hers. “So, are we to expect an addition to the family next summer?”
She nodded, her teeth worrying her lower lip. “I think so. The cards hinted at it, but I was afraid to believe it.”
“But you do, don’t you? What you see in the cards is nearly always correct.” He knew that wasn’t important, but he was trying to get his brain to process the news she’d just confirmed. Like her, he’d suspected, but hadn’t quite had the courage to believe it.
“It is,” she said. “And then Micah...” Her voice trailed off.
“Micah?” He sat beside her on the bed. “Wait a moment. What does your late husband have to do with any of this? He is dead, isn’t he? Not hiding somewhere?”
“Nothing like that. I promise you. I’m not pining for Micah, either. I cared for him, but it wasn’t—he was never meant to be the love of my life, my grand passion.” She looked into his eyes, her dark ones brimming with tears. “It’s you I love, Connor, with all my heart. It’s just that Micah was apparently looking out for me—trying to keep me safe until I found you. As a ghost. Nell saw him—she can vouch for my sanity.”
“I believe you.” If Nell saw a ghost, Connor had no doubt it was real. He leaned close and kissed Belinda’s trembling lips. “Now stop worrying. I love you too, Belle. I don’t want to share you with another man, but if your guardian angel is your former husband, I’ll cope with that. Anything to see you safe.” He brushed her hair back off her cheek and blinked back a tear or two of his own.
“He’s gone now.” Sitting there, holding Connor’s hand, she told him a fantastic story about the caravan, her first husband’s voice and his startling revelation the night before, ending with him joining his first wife and their daughter in the afterlife. “So you see, you don’t have to share me at all—except with your son.”
“That’s one person I’ll gladly share you with—him and any brothers or sisters he has in the years to come. As far as other men, however—no. You’re all mine. I love you too much to look the other way.”
“I’d never do that.” She licked her lips. “Why would I turn to another man when I already have the best? But you don’t love me. You’re in love with Wink. It’s all right. I’ll still be a good wife, as long as you don’t take a mistress. I couldn’t bear that.”
“I have no interest whatsoever in taking any lover but my wife,” he said, choking on the lump in his throat. “I’m thrilled about the baby, but you, blackbird, are the most important person in my life. Who told you I once thought I loved Wink? I don’t, not anymore. Firstly, I was wrong and lastly, that phase of my life is over. She’s a friend, married to another friend. Nothing more. The only woman I’m in love with is a beautiful, headstrong gypsy who’s going to be the mother of my children. I love you, Belinda MacKay. No one else.”
With that he drew her into his arms and proceeded to show her just how much.
* * * * *
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About the Author
Author of more than forty popular books and novellas in paranormal, historical and erotic romance, Cindy Spencer Pape is an avid reader of romance, fantasy, mystery and even more romance. According to The Romance Studio, her plots are “full of twist and turns that keep the reader poised at the edge of their seat.” Joyfully Reviewed said her “colorful characters and plot building surprises kept me spellbound,” and Romantic Times magazine says her “characters are appealing, and passionate sex leads to a satisfying romance.”
Cindy firmly believes in happily ever after. Married for more than twenty-five years to her own, sometimes-
kilted hero, she lives in southern Michigan with him and two college-age sons, along with an ever-changing menagerie of pets. Cindy has been, among other things, a banker, a teacher and an elected politician, but mostly an environmental educator, though now she is lucky enough to write full-time. Her degrees in zoology and animal behavior almost help her comprehend the three male humans who share her household.
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ISBN: 978-14268-9522-7
Copyright © 2013 by Cindy Spencer Pape
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