In Bed With A Stranger(53)

"I dinnae care."

Anne shifted, muttering in her sleep. Brodick stepped through the doorway, Anne's mother following.

"You're a good man then. 'Tis grateful I am to you."

Brodick grinned as the baby opened his puffy eyelids, showing off blue  eyes. Brodick could feel the heartbeat against his forearm, could see  the tiny chest filling with the breath of life. It was by far the most  touching experience he'd ever had.

"Then there is something you may help me with, madam." Brodick looked at Druce and Cullen.

"Assemble the staff and retainers. Bring Mary. I'm going to make sure  there's no doubt about the fact that she didnae birth this child."

It was harsh, but no more than the noble daughter deserved.

"As you say, my lord." Ivy lowered her head before leaving the chamber.

Druce grinned. "Well now, let me look at the laddie."

Cullen joined him as they chuckled and teased him about being old enough to have a family.

If having a family meant he was old, he was content with his lot.         

     



 



Anne awoke in Brodick's arms. He cradled her body as surely as he had their son.

"Easy, lass, I'm sorry to disturb ye, but ye'll nae be sleeping in that room that served as yer prison."

Anne didn't have any energy to reply. Her hand pressed against his chest  and she smiled when she felt his steady heartbeat. A few moments later  he swept her into another room. One of the large chambers that had been  empty for as long as she could recall. Her sleepy brain awoke as she  noted all the fine touches added. Carpets and scented candles. She could  smell rosemary in the air now. It was always used after a birth to help  the mother gain strength. No one knew why, only that it had always been  that way.

"This is a much better bed. One that disnae look at walls that ye had to see as a prison."

Brodick settled her in a lavish, double-sized bed with a canopy and  curtains. The fireplace was lit with a cheery blaze that warmed her  nose. A cradle was placed at the foot of the bed but she heard her son  fussing as her mother brought him into the room.

"Here now, Anne, your son is hungry."

Brodick pushed a few plump pillows behind her back as Ivy placed the baby in her arms. Ivy looked at Brodick for a moment.

"I'm nae leaving, woman. This is something I've been waiting to see for three years. Me family."

Anne gazed into his eyes when Ivy settled the baby near her breast. There was nothing but happiness, nothing else at all.

If that meant she was insane, so be it.

She was in love.





Chapter Fourteen


The bells rang near noon the next day. The riders approaching rode with  the banners of the Earl of Warwickshire. Brodick boldly met the man on  his own front steps. The older man didn't lack any strength. He  dismounted and yanked his riding gauntlets off with a snarl.

"Where's that bitch I'm married to?"

His voice bounced off the walls. Everyone froze, never having heard the master of the house publicly curse his wife.

The earl looked up. "McJames, I owe you a great deal for ferreting out  this scheme. I swear I'll do right by the dowry." He climbed the steps,  stopping to offer his hand to Brodick.

Brodick stood for a moment, feeling the eyes of the estate on him. He  clasped the man's wrist and there was a mutter of approval from those  watching.

"I suppose ye'll nae be cross with me for locking yer wife and daughter  up. I wanted to make sure they didnae manage any more mischief before ye  arrived to deal with them."

"I'd not have cared if you drowned them like the demon felines they are."

"I'll leave that task to you." Brodick walked into the castle with the  earl. They climbed the stairs to the mistresses' chambers where two of  Brodick's men stood guard.

"But there is someone I'd like ye to meet first." Brodick opened the  door slowly, taking care that the hinges didn't squeak. The Earl of  Warwickshire followed him inside frowning when he faced Ivy.

His leman smiled as bright as summer. She lifted a hand and motioned him forward. "Come my dear and see our first grandchild."

The color drained from his face but Brodick didn't think the man weak. He understood.

"Anne has a babe?"

"My wife has given me a son."

The earl suddenly smiled. He slapped a hand on Brodick's shoulder that sent him forward a step.

"Well now, that's grand news!"

Ivy shook a finger at him. "Hush. Anne needs her rest."

"I'm not sleeping, Mother." Anne shouldered her way through the curtain  drawn across the doorway. She cradled her child, a soft smile curving  her lips.

"Here Father, come and meet your grandson."

Tears shimmered in her father's eyes. Anne gently placed the baby in his  arms. Brodick slid an arm around her waist, taking up some of her  weight. She patted his hand reassuringly. "I am well."

He didn't listen. Her husband scooped her off her feet in one smooth  motion. "I did warn ye that I intend to drive ye insane with my  protective attitude."

He carried her back to the bedchamber. Anne frowned at him when he settled her back into bed.

"I have never been idle."         

     



 

"And ye have never had a babe before either."

Anne wanted to be cross but she looked past Brodick at her parents. The  earl cradled her son while his forehead touched her mother's. Joy  radiated from them, warming the entire room. Her throat tightened and so  did the arm Brodick had around her.

"Love is a beautiful thing, lass." Brodick's words were thick with emotion.

Her father turned to look at her, his gaze touching on the man that held her.

"Well now, Anne, my girl, you have made me proud."

Her father walked into the room. He settled the baby back into her embrace.

"Young Brodick, I see you make a good husband for my daughter."

"I intend to spend many a day trying, sir."

Her father nodded. "Glad I am to hear it."

No one would let her out of bed, so they spent the afternoon talking and  getting to know the new baby. It wasn't until the sun began to set that  her father's expression turned dark. He placed a kiss on Anne's cheek.

"I must see to my wife." His words were grave but sad as well. His body was tense as he left the room. Brodick followed.

The Earl of Warwickshire shoved open the door to the chamber where his wife and daughter were imprisoned.

"Philipa … "

The chamber was silent. Brodick scanned it, looking for the women. They  were already in bed. Moving closer, he and the earl peered at the pair  of unmoving forms. There was only a whisper of breath in them, the skin  of their faces pasty white.

The earl touched Mary's face, moving her eyelid up to look at her eye.

"Poison, if I'm not mistaken." His voice had the unmistakable ring of  familiarity with that evil vice of assassins and taunted lovers.

"Nae by my hand." Brodick shook his head. "I'd have run them through and taken credit for my own deed."

The earl looked pensive. "I believe you." He searched the room, lifting the used goblets and sniffing them.

There was a cough from the bed. Mary opened her eyes. The earl walked toward her.

"Tell me, daughter, what ails you?"

Mary drew a deeper breath in order to speak.

"Mother got the hemlock … from the village … for Anne." She sighed. "It was  left on the table and … the … boy took it … by mistake … for our  afternoon … wine."

Her eyelids fluttered but she lifted them and stared at her father. Mary reached for his hand.

"It was not his … fault. Mother … plotted murder … and … I agreed … We  have … reaped … what we … sowed." Her fingers clutched at her father's hand.  "Forgive me. I repent … my … sins … please, Father … bury me in  hallowed … ground … I … beg for your pardon … I repent … God have mercy … on me … "

Her voice trailed off as her eyes closed. The earl laid her hand on her  chest, slowly shaking his head. He reached out to stroke a hand over her  head.

"I'm sorry I failed you, child. I knew your mother was bitter but I  didn't think she'd turn you so spoilt. I thought her love for you would  keep her sane. I was wrong. Forgive me, Daughter."

Mary's hand clutched at the bedding. She held it tight for a moment  before her fingers went lax and her breathing grew soft once more. She  never opened her eyes again. Her mother died before she did, but Mary  followed before sunrise. The Earl of Warwickshire sat by their bed,  slumped in his chair.

Ivy appeared at dawn. She stood in the doorway, the rising sun  illuminating her. Henry Howard, fifth Earl of Warwickshire, stood up and  went to her. A woman of common birth, she was the keeper of his heart.  He took her hand and pressed a kiss onto it.

"Will you marry me, Ivy?" He squeezed her fingers. "Make an honest man of me and bring legitimacy to our children?"

"I will."

Tears shimmered in her eyes but one fell down his cheek first. Tucking  her hand onto his arm, he strode from the chamber leaving his blue-blood  marriage behind.