The Angel and the Highlander(64)

She sighed and shook her head, receiving no clear answers.

There were many reasons why she should accept the gift presented to her and be grateful, but there was one that haunted her.

Lachlan had fallen in love with Terese. She had to know if he could love Alyce Bunnock.





Chapter 23


Alyce was tired, her legs ached and her body sweaty. With Lachlan at Everagis, she and Piper couldn’t take the chance of meeting Septimus at the usual meeting place. Precaution was definitely called for and so she and Piper had walked a distance to meet with him, and then of course there was the return trip.

They were near to home and while she preferred bed and sleep, there was one thing more she ached for…a dip in the river. She needed to wash the sweat from her, let the cool water cleanse every inch of her. If she were lucky perhaps it would even wash away her worries.

Piper went on ahead with a promise to return with fresh garments for her. Alyce stripped out of her clothes, grateful for the waning moon that let the night keep much of its darkness. She felt shielded by the night shadows and without concern eased into the river plunging beneath and surfacing with a contented sigh.

She didn’t want to think on anything. She simply wanted the river to work magic and wash her clean of everything. However, her mind refused to cooperate, and she thought about her meeting with Septimus. He was not happy with her news, but her suggestion of how to handle the matter had brought a smile to his handsome face.

It would be beneficial for all if Septimus allowed Bogg access to the camp and then feed him only that information his leader wanted the Sinclares to know.

As usual Septimus praised her intelligence and offered to wed her, claiming she was one of a kind. She of course declined his jest, but on occasion wondered over Septimus. Who truly was he? He was much too refined and his speech too articulate to be a mercenary. Was he like her, hiding from someone?

She would probably never know, for she would meet with him no longer. Piper and Hester would see to that now.

Stop! She silently warned herself. What good was it to think on all this now? She would get no sleep tonight if she continued to wallow in her worry. She let the cool, refreshing water soak her flesh, and she rested her hand to her stomach.

There was just a slight bulge, and she marveled at the thought that Lachlan’s child grew inside her. It truly was a miracle and one she had not expected to ever experience. Not for a moment did she regret that she carried his child. From the first day she had realized it, she had been filled with joy. How lucky she was that she would always have a part of Lachlan with her. He couldn’t have given her a greater gift.

How he would react to the news, she didn’t know and she didn’t plan on telling him just yet. There were other things to consider first.

She startled at a sound not familiar to the night then realized it must be Piper returning; and as she rose up in the river wringing her hair, she saw the shadow that approached was much too large to be Piper.

Alyce stopped waist high in the river. “Who goes there?”

“Your husband.”

Alyce swore beneath her breath and added several more silent oaths to it when she finally caught full sight of him at the river’s edge. He wore his plaid and his sandals and no more. His chest was bare, his muscles taut, his skin smooth, though she knew exactly where scars had marred his flesh, for she had caressed everyone of them and forced him to relate the tales behind them. Several had been earned through brotherly adventures and skirmishes when he had been young. Lachlan had chuckled with pride when he had told her, and she envied him once again his loving family.

Her family now.

The thought concerned her. Would they like her or think her a shrew as her family thought of her?

“Alyce.”

She startled once again still not accustomed to him referring to her by her given name, but spying the bundle in his hand meant he had to have spoken with Piper. And she didn’t know what excuse Piper had given Lachlan for their nightly escapade.

She was about to walk out of the river but instead froze, worried that he would notice the slight round of her stomach.

“Leave my clothes and turn around,” she demanded sharply.

He laughed. “I don’t think so.”

She slapped her arms across her chest covering her breasts. “I do not feel comfortable naked in front of you.”

“Why? What has changed?”

“Everything,” she said curtly.

“I disagree. You’re simply being obstinate.”

“And it will do you good to get used to that,” she said then ordered: “Put the bundle on the ground and turn around.”

“No,” he said firmly. “We are husband and wife. We have no secrets, which makes me ask, where were you tonight?”