Isle of Skye, MacDonald lands
August 1194
The sun dipped and almost hid behind a thick wall of tall green pines, casting a warm glow of the long summer dusk over the land he loved. Giric stepped to the edge of the field, taking in his wife’s hypnotic routine. The movements imbued him with a sense of peace and contentment he’d thought he’d never know. He could watch her practice for hours.
Apparently, the rest of their clan could as well because she’d gathered an audience of MacDonalds who jested with each other on the side of the clearing, amazed by her accuracy with the bow. They’d long stopped betting whether she could hit the target and now only wagered on whether she could split an arrow or how many she would land dead center.
Jennet let loose an arrow, relaxed and lowered her bow, then turned to him. She smiled, and his heart soared. She had this way of knowing where he was, and he quite liked how attuned they had become to each other. As she turned toward him, he was rewarded with a view of her full, round belly.
Their first babe would be here soon.
He motioned to the onlookers to retrieve her arrows so that his wife didn’t have to walk across the field. Then he strode out to where she stood.
“I was thinking.” She gave him a small smile but didn’t continue.
“Aye. What about, my lady love?”
“Our child.” She paused, took a deep breath, then lay her hand on her midsection. “If it’s a boy, I wish to call him Richard.”
“After yer newly returned king?” He was surprised by the request. It must have shown on his face because she laughed.
“No. After the brother I lost. The one that your father died trying to save.”
“I would like that.” Giric took her arm and led her toward the cottage his brother had given them upon their return. “For a moment, I was worried that ye might be missing England.”
“No, only my brothers and Ada, but they said they’d visit once her babe is a little older.”
“Are you happy here, then?”
“Aye, I have never felt freer than I do here with you and among the clan. They have given me a warm welcome and a sense of belonging.”
He liked that she now considered herself a member of their extended family. “Still, ye seem solemn. What brought ye out to practice today?”
“Ada sent word. Sybil has been consigned to a convent.”
“’Tis a just sentence.”
She nodded. “I agree. It’s the best possible outcome.”
“Is there more news?”
“Aye, Lord Roger has been sent to prison.”
“For what?” After traveling to the south to meet Jennet’s father, he and Eddie had attempted to pay the man a call to discuss his behavior, but they had been denied admittance to his estate.
“His debtors caught up to him. Lord Roger’s cousin has petitioned to take over his lands.”
“Good. How is your brother faring?”
Jennet’s father had succumbed to his illness shortly after they had arrived. Giric was thankful that his wife had been able to see the man one last time, and that he’d been able to meet him, to hear stories of what he’d been like before the incident that had changed all their lives. He’d also been able to find peace in knowing the truth about what had happened that day.
“Ada says he’s doing well, but I knew he would.”
A boy ran up to hand Jennet her arrows. “Thank you,” she said as she took them and placed them back in the quiver.
The lad skipped away.
Jennet’s eyes widened. “The babe is stirring.”
She took his hand, and lovingly placed it on her growing stomach. Her smile was genuine, and joy sparked in his chest. She had been nervous about what was to come next due to her mother’s death, but they’d found two of the best healers on the island to be present for the birth. Her fears had been dampened, and her worry had turned to excitement.
“I have two more requests.”
“Aye, my love. Name them.”
“If the babe is a girl, I wish to call her Saorsa. The name means freedom.”
“I like it. ’Tis perfect.”
She faced him straight on. “And I want our children to have the same choices my brothers and I were given. They should be allowed to marry for affection and not out of obligation.”
“I agree. I’m thankful every day that yer parents made that pact.” He placed a small kiss on her temple.
“I as well, for if they hadn’t, I would not have you.”
“Now, may I ask a favor?”
“Aye, Giric.”
“Let’s go home so that I can show ye how thankful I am to have ye.”
“Aye, husband. I would like that.” Her smile reached his soul and bathed him in contentment.
“I love ye, Jennet.”
“And I love you.”
He took her hand in his, and they strode home.
Thank you for reading THE HIGHLAND KNIGHT’S REVENGE! Please consider leaving a review. I read them all. I love hearing from readers and reviews help me when I’m plotting my next book.
She desired only one kiss, but what she received was so much more!
The next book in the Midsummer Knights series Laurel O’Donnell’s MY VICTORIOUS KNIGHT
Check out all the books in the Midsummer Knights series:
Forbidden Warrior by Kris Kennedy
The Highlander’s Lady Knight by Madeline Martin
The Highlander’s Dare by Eliza Knight
The Highland Knight’s Revenge by Lori Ann Bailey
My Victorious Knight by Laurel O’Donnell
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