Keeper of my Heart (37 page)

So much had happened since she had become Iain’s wife, the hard times mixed in with the good. It had taken Iain a long time to recover from the poison Roderick had given him, and even longer to recover from Roderick’s death. She knew he would never forget that the brother he’d loved his whole life had hated him so much he’d wanted him dead. But now he had his own sons to love and nourish and teach. There was no end to the love they had for each other.

In looks, her four boys took after their father, with Iain’s dark hair and deep blue eyes. Each of them promised to be as handsome as Iain when they became young men, and Màiri prayed they would all be as happy as she and Iain had been.

Even after all this time, just the sight of him made her heart leap in her breast. Never had she imagined she could love someone as much as she loved him. Never had she imagined it was possible for her to be so happy. She leaned against the short wall near the gate, hidden from her sons while they practiced to be mighty warriors under their father’s watchful eye.

“Did you bring it, Donald?” her second son, Gregor, hollered, barely able to contain his excitement. “Do you have it?”

Donald cocked his head in her direction, trying to warn Gregor his mother was nearby, but being only six years old, he was much too excited to take the hint.

Only Iain was astute enough to heed the warning. He stopped in mid swing and glanced toward her, then grinned one of his heart wrenching smiles that turned her soft as warm dough. He continued toward her. “I see we have been found out, Donald. I think this morn will na go quite as we planned,” he said with a glint in his eyes. “Come here, boys. Let us see what Donald has brought.”

Alex put his metal sword back into the sheath at his side and walked across the practice area to stand beside his father. Gregor stood anxiously in front of Iain, while Malcolm reached for his father’s free hand and held it close to his small body. All little Duncan could do was stick a thumb in his mouth and rub his tired eyes with his tiny fist, then nestle his chubby cheek against Iain’s shoulder and settled in to take a nap. The sight of them all together sent a warm rush to the very core of her body. How could she be angry with any of them for long?

“We might as well own up, men,” Iain said, trying to hide the grin from his face. “Your mother has already seen what we’re up to.”

Màiri walked over to her family and braced her hands on her hips. Keeping a grin off her face was not easy, and she doubted that her protruding stomach did little to make her seem a fierce warrior. Being pregnant didn’t help the impact of her words at all. The seductive grin on Iain’s face diluted her temper to a mere sigh. The wink did her in. Truth be told, all she wanted was to wrap her arms around the five of them and never let go.

“That’s a fine looking sword our Alex is wielding, husband,” she said, sounding as fierce as she could. “It fair shines in the sunlight for the dull piece of oak it is supposed to be.”

Iain dropped his head back on his shoulder and smiled broadly. “Aye, my Màiri. It surely does.”

“And I canna imagine to whom Donald could possibly intend to give the sword he is hiding behind his back. Surely it canna be for my baby Gregor.”

“I’m not a baby, mama,” Gregor defended. “Duncan is your baby. I’m near growed.”

“I think, perhaps, you are not nearly ‘growed’ enough to wield the sword Donald has in his hand.”

“I am too, mama. Father said so.”

“Father said so?” she mimicked, raising her eyebrows. “Surely your father did not say such a thing?”

“Well…” Iain said, stuttering in search of the right words. Gregor came to his rescue.

“If you want, father, you can tell her the sword is not for me,” he whispered loud enough for all to hear. “Mama doesn’t know when you tell a lie like she does us.”

Iain cleared his throat while Alex jabbed his brother with his elbow.

“I think you’ve said enough, lad,” Iain said, trying to hide his laughter. “Perhaps it would be best if I talked to your mother alone. Alex, take Duncan inside and give him to Jane to put to bed, then the three of you can go to the stream to swim. Keep an eye on your brothers, lad,” he said, placing Duncan into Alex’s waiting arms then patting his oldest on the back.

Màiri turned to watch her boys walk across the courtyard while Donald quietly stepped to the other side of the practice area, far away from her accusing eye.

“You have given me four fine lads, my Màiri,” Iain said, draping his arm across her shoulder. “Look how they care for each other.” Alex held the babe, Duncan, while Gregor walked close at his side, his hand clutching Malcolm’s. “There is na jealousy there.”

Màiri was filled with pride, watching the four of them. “You do na have to worry on that score, Iain. They will grow to be fine young men.”

“And they will be strong and mighty warriors,” Iain answered with pride.

“Aye, but they are just lads, Iain. You must na rush them. Gregor is too young to wield such a sword.”

“Don’t you see, lass?” he said, pulling her closer to him. “Strength and might and courage are their only guarantees for peace. The only guarantee they will survive.”

“But Gregor… he is just a babe.”

“Nay,” Iain said, leaning down to kiss her gently on the cheek. “You heard him. Duncan is the babe. Until you give me the babe nestled inside you.”

Iain placed his hand on her bulging stomach and held it there. The babe kicked. “The babe already shows promise of being a great warrior for Scotland. I can feel him fighting to get out.”

“What if it is a girl, Iain?”

“Think you that I do na want a girl? I can imagine nothing I would like more. A daughter just like her mother.”

“With the gift?”

“Blessed with the gift.”

Màiri laughed. “Your four sons would never have a moment’s peace. And neither would you.”

“Me?”

“Mayhaps you will na escape our daughter’s gift like you have mine.”

Iain laughed. “You think I have need to escape your gift?”

Màiri leaned against him and shook her head. “Nay. There is na need, but I still canna understand why my gift fails with you. It fails with na other.”

“There is a very good reason, à leannan mine,” Iain said, kissing her lightly on the nose. “It is so you are forced to trust me with your heart instead of relying on your gift.”

“I have always trusted you, Iain. From the day you took me as your wife, I have trusted na one, save you.”

“And I have loved na one, save you. You healed more than just my wounded body the day you found me. You received my heart into your keeping and kept it safe. You were the greatest gift I ever received. I could never want for more.”

Màiri reached up and cupped her palm against Iain’s cheek. “I love you, Iain,” she whispered as he lowered his mouth and kissed her. The fire that raged deep inside her burned with just as much intensity today as when he’d first kissed her all those years ago. She did not doubt they would both feel the same when they were old and gray.

Màiri smiled. She needed no gift to know they would both savor every moment between now and then.

Also from Laura Landon at Prairie Muse Publishing

SHATTERED DREAMS

WHEN LOVE IS ENOUGH

BROKEN PROMISE

A MATTER OF CHOICE

MORE THAN WILLING

NOT MINE TO GIVE

TANGLED: Boxed Set

LOVE UNBIDDEN

THE DARK DUKE

From Laura at Montlake Romance

SILENT REVENGE

INTIMATE SURRENDER

INTIMATE DECEPTION

THE MOST TO LOSE

A RISK WORTH TAKING

See all of
Laura’s books at Amazon.com

ABOUT LAURA

Laura Landon enjoyed ten years as a high school teacher and nine years making sundaes and malts in her very own ice cream shop, but once she penned her first novel, she closed up shop to spend every free minute writing. Now she enjoys creating her very own heroes and heroines, and making sure they find their happily ever after.

A vital member of her rural community, Laura directed the town’s Quasquicentennial, organized funding for an exercise center for the town, and serves on the hospital board.

Laura lives in the Midwest, surrounded by her family and friends. She has written more than a dozen Victorian historicals, many of which have been published by Prairie Muse Publishing and are selling worldwide in English, and one which is currently published in Japanese. In April of 2012 she released her first Scottish historical and in 2014 followed with this publication, KEEPER OF MY HEART.

In October 2012, Laura experienced an amazing day when Amazon’s Montlake Romance published not one but three of her newest novels. Two of these have been optioned for publication in Russia and Turkey, and several are available in German in ebook and paperback. Her readers can be assured that she is scheduled for even more releases by Montlake Romance in the months to come.

Laura Landon is a Prairie Muse Platinum and Amazon Montlake author.