Marriage Under Siege (43 page)

She stepped into his arms,
now so confident and certain of his love for her. And he enfolded her against
his heart.

'Our child should not be
robbed of its inheritance,' she murmured.

Taking her shoulders, he
held her away so that he could read her face, if she would allow it. 'And can
you live here, lady? With pleasure and contentment?'

'With a new house, with
some convenience and comfort, of course.' Her eyes held a decided twinkle. 'I
can. No memories, except the ones we make together. No shadows. Yes, I can love
such a home.'

'Then it will be my
pleasure to build you such a home.' He bent his dark head to press his mouth to
her hands, turning them to kiss her palms before closing her fingers tightly
over the implied promise. 'I love you, Honoria. Sometimes I find it hard to
believe that so much love and joy could have come from so much pain.' He kissed
her again, this time her lips, warming her mouth with his own. 'And such a gift
that you have given me. It steals my breath.'

But although his smile was
both tender and fiercely possessive, a fascinating mix that set her blood
racing, she saw the faint shadow, before it was quickly banished. She knew why.
She knew immediately what was in his mind. It was inevitable, of course.

'There is no need to fear,
my lord.' Her hands were firm and strong on his sleeve. She would not allow him
to hide the concern from her. They were both far too clever at hiding their
thoughts, as she knew, and it would do no good. 'There is no reason why history
should repeat itself. A child conceived in the midst of a siege, with the walls
and roof falling around us, cannot fail to be anything but strong and healthy.'

He laughed a little, and
brushed her cheek with gentle fingers. 'Nor the child's mother, who insisted on
riding through all the storms and torrents of hell to ensure its inheritance.
And then gave that inheritance away to her enemy in an impossibly magnificent
gesture. You read me too well, Honoria.' And he loved her for it. 'I have no
fears for you, or for our future together.'

Stooping with casual grace,
he picked a flower that was struggling into bloom between the tumbled stones,
presenting it to her with grave formality. It was a simple daisy, its petals
pure white with a blush of pink touching the edges.

'My lady.' He gave a little
bow. 'A miracle indeed in all the devastation.'

Honoria accepted the
tribute with equal solemnity, touched it with her lips and tucked it into the
collar of her jacket. 'We will make our own miracle here.'

He bowed his head and his
lips touched hers to seal the promise for themselves and their heirs.