Zia nodded, and was relieved that Teresa asked to see her husband, in order to show him that she had delivered him another fine, strapping son. She didn’t wish to discuss Artair any further; she had enough on her mind already. So she was only too happy to oblige, and after making certain mother, father, and babe were settled, she gathered her things and left.
“You must be exhausted.”
She jumped, not expecting Artair to be outside waiting for her. “You haven’t been here all night have you?”
“You worry about me when you look ready to drop?” he asked, walking over and taking her basket. “And no, I’ve only arrived. I slept the night through.”
“Wore you out, did I?”
He laughed. “Proud of yourself?”
“Very,” she said cheerfully. And she was; she was happy they had made love, and though it complicated the situation, it was worth it.
He leaned down and pecked her cheek. “I’m proud of you too.”
She kissed him back, though she planted it on his lips. “I’m starving.”
“Here I thought you were about to tell me how proud you are of me, and instead you tell me you’re hungry.”
“You didn’t bother to ask what my hunger was for.”
He shook his head and laughed. “Lord, am I glad I found you.”
“Then you don’t mind if it’s food I want first?”
“Food first and then sleep,” he said with concern. “You must be exhausted, and I’d prefer you full of vigor when you come to bed tonight.”
“We have to wait until tonight to couple again?” she asked, disappointed, for her body was already tingling for him.
“After you rest—”
“Before I rest,” she argued.
“You’re too tired,” he insisted.
“That’s for me to decide.”
They squabbled back and forth all the way to the keep, and just as they reached the steps, Zia said, “I should have known your passion was confined to the bedchamber.”
He shook his head, scooped her up, and flinging her over his shoulder, swatted her backside. “And your passion knows no boundaries.”
Chapter 22
Artair plopped Zia down on the bench at the table before the hearth, where his family was gathered. She looked ready to give him a good tongue-lashing, but instead clamped her lips tight.
He slipped in along the bench beside her with a smile. “Zia couldn’t wait to join the family for the morning meal.”
“Yup, it sure looked like she came willingly,” Lachlan said with a smug grin.
“You look exhausted,” Honora said to Zia with concern, then eagerly asked, “How is the new babe?”
“He is a strapping babe with a generous wail and a thatch of bright red hair like his father’s,” Zia said.
Honora smiled with glee. “I cannot wait for our babe to be born. I know he will be as handsome as Cavan.”
“Better he be as handsome as his uncle,” Lachlan said, thumping his chest.
“He should look like his father, for then he will also resemble his grandfather,” Addie said, sounding melancholy.
Everyone turned silent, though nods circled the table.
Addie broke the silence. “It will be good to have a little one around here again. I cannot wait.”
“And more little ones should follow soon,” Lachlan said, raising his tankard at Artair.
“When do you do your share in seeing our family grow?” Artair raised his own tankard in challenge while considering the idea. He had always wanted a large family, and after last night there was now a possibility.
Lachlan laughed. “You and Cavan can see to that for now.”
“Coward,” Cavan accused with a grin.
“Wise,” Lachlan corrected.
“Be careful, Lachlan,” Artair joined in. “Fools are made to suffer.”
“Then I have no worry,” Lachlan chortled.
“Lachlan will do well finding a wife,” Zia said, breaking off a piece of bread from the freshly baked loaf on the table.
“Why?” Artair and Cavan asked in unison.
Zia answered quickly. “Because he is attentive and passionate with women.”
Lachlan grinned from ear to ear. “Oh dear, sister I love you. You know me so well.”
Artair and Cavan disagreed with protests.
“Zia’s right,” Honora agreed. “Lachlan does know women.”
Cavan’s head snapped around to his wife. “I know women.”
“Oh do you now?” Honora said curtly.
“I did know women,” Cavan tried to correct.
“So you don’t know me?” Honora asked sharply.
Cavan hurried to explain. “That’s not what I meant.”