Tears filled her eyes as she rose up, her hair falling over his chest while she stared down at him in wonder.
“Say it again,” she said huskily.
He smiled at hearing his own words tossed back at him.
“I love you.”
“Oh, Ewan,” she whispered.
“Don’t cry, lass. I’d do just about anything to keep you from crying.”
“ ’Tis happy tears.” She sniffed. “You’ve made me so happy, Ewan. You’ve given me a home and family. A clan to call my own. And you stood behind me today when I feared you’d denounce me in front of everyone.”
He frowned and shook his head. “I always stand behind you, wife. I may not always agree with you, and there will be times that I may not make a decision you agree with, but I always stand behind you.”
She hugged him again and pressed her face into his neck. “Oh, I do love you so, Ewan.”
He rolled until they were on their sides facing each other. He touched her face, stroking the wispy tendrils of hair from her cheek. “I’ve waited a long time for you to say those words, lass. And now that I have, I’m never going to grow tired of them.”
She smiled. “ ’Tis a good thing, Laird, for I have this problem with saying the least thing that runs through my mind, and ’tis a fact I’ll be thinking of how much I love you often.”
“Perhaps you should show me,” he said in a husky, aroused voice.
Her mouth dropped open. “Again?”
He smiled and kissed her. “Aye, lass, again.”
Chapter 31
Mairin slowly dragged herself out of bed and headed straight for the chamber pot where she vomited what little remained in her belly from the night before.
Ias a miserable occurrence and had happened like clockwork every morning for the last fortnight. Only it didn’t end there. She vomited promptly after the morning meal, then again after the noon meal, and usually at least once before bed.
She’d hidden her condition from Ewan for as long as possible, but with all the vomiting and the way she eyed food as if she were being poisoned again, it was inevitable that he found out.
She would tell him today of her suspicions. Not that they were actually suspicions because it seemed obvious to her that she was carrying his child, and God knew, Ewan had put enough effort into the task of impregnating her.
The entire clan would greet the news with joy. With her dowry to be delivered at any time, prosperity would finally visit their keep. A pregnancy and safe delivery of a child would seal the McCabe control of Neamh Álainn.
She fairly danced with excitement over the idea of telling Ewan the news.
After washing out her mouth and getting dressed, Mairin headed below stairs where she was met by Gannon. She raised her eyebrows in surprise when she saw him because since her poisoning, Ewan had made it a point to have either himself or one of his brothers guarding her every moment of every day. It was a fact she was resigned to and had accepted with good grace.
“Good morning, my lady,” Gannon said cheerfully.
“Good morning, Gannon. Tell me, what have you done to anger your laird?”
Gannon blinked and eyed her with confusion. Then he laughed as he realized she was jesting with him over his duty.
“Nothing, my lady, ’tis the truth I volunteered for the chore of looking after you today. The laird and his brothers have gone out to greet the McDonalds.”
Her eyebrows rose again. Any talk of the McDonalds had been dispensed with after her poisoning. Why, she’d even forgotten the matter of an alliance herself. The McDonalds’ departure was not on pleasant terms, so the idea that they had returned made her very curious.
“Where are they?” she asked.
“Unloading the stores of food from the wagon,” Gannon said with a smile.
Mairin clasped her hands in delight. “So they made good on that ridiculous wager?”
Gannon rolled his eyes. “Of course. ’Tis a peace offering, too. The two clans must soothe over any bad feelings if we are to ally ourselves.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. Surely this will carry us to the winter months.”
Gannon nodded. “And beyond, if the hunt continues to be successful.”
And if her dowry would come, the clan would have warm clothing for the winter. The children would have shoes. They would eat instead of worrying about where their next meal would come from.
This was very welcome news.
“Where might I find Ewan?” she asked Gannon.
“I’m to escort you to him when you rise.”
She frowned. “Well then, I’ve risen, so let’s go.”
He chuckled and guided her outside to where the McDonald wagons had been driven into the courtyard. Men were unloading the supplies and taking them to the larder.
Ewan was absorbed in conversation with McDonald, and Mairin frowned as she scanned the people littering the courtyard. Then her gaze fell on Rionna and she brightened.
She started to call out and wave when Ewan caught her eye and motioned her over.
He pulled her to his side when she approached. “Laird McDonald wished to give you his regards. They aren’t staying and have only arrived to deliver the supplies. Since we are in agreement over Alaric’s marriage to Rionna, we’ll meet later in the summer to celebrate the arrangement and announce their betrothal.”
Mairin smiled at the laird, who took her hand and bowed.
“I’m relieved that you are back in full health, my lady. I look forward to the time that our clans are united not only by alliance but by marriage bond.”
“As do I,” she said. “Safe journey to you and I look forward to seeing you when you return.”