Page 54 of Sins of a Scot
And there it was. She had seen right through him, not that he had been trying to hide anything.
When they both eventually settled into the bed, Owen once more remained above the coverlets. With his arms pinned to his sides, he felt more like he was lying in his coffin. Stiff and lifeless. There was not a chance he would fall asleep any time soon, and with that thought, he brought both hands up and tucked them behind his head.
Choosing a spot on the ceiling, he stared at it, but did not see it. His mind was far too busy replaying what had happened. More so, he considered his feelings afterwards, and settling in for a few hours of sleeplessness, his mind whirled with what his feelings meant.
He was a rake, he knew that. There had been many lasses in his bed over the years, but as he lay there thinking, he suddenly realized that from the beginning of their journey together, he had not looked at one single woman with any desire.
How bizarre.
Indeed.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
It was barely light outside when Iseabail woke with a sharp pain in her stomach. Casting a glance at Owen, who slept soundly beside her, she hissed through her teeth, trying to cope with the agony, while at the same time, trying not to disturb him.
Me God, this is excruciating. What the devil is wrong with me?
At first, Iseabail wondered if it might have been something she had eaten the day before. But surely, if that were the case, Owen would be suffering as much as she. She wondered if, given that he was stronger and far bigger than her, that whatever it was might affect her more. She was still confused about her pain when she felt a familiar slick feeling between her thighs, and immediately, with a feeling of utter despair, she understood why she was in so much discomfort.
Och, nae. Nae now.
Another sharp pain spasmed in the lower part of her tummy, and gasping through the contractions, she pushed herself up and bent over. As a low moan left her throat, she hoped her position would ease the pain, but it did little to help her at all.
Beside her, she felt Owen stir, and shoving her knuckle in her mouth, she panted silently, struggling to breathe.
Dinnae wake. Dinnae wake, she prayed silently.
But all the gods seemed to be fast asleep, for her prayers were not answered, and she felt his huge person move in the bed beside her.
Dammit.
“What’s the matter?” he said sleepily. “Are ye all right?”
“I’m fine,” Iseabail hissed. “Go back tae sleep. Ye’re dreaming.”
The last thing she needed was to have to explain to Owen what was going on in her body. She was already humiliated enough, for surely, her clothes would be stained. She didn’t need his disgust or his mockery of her condition.
Of course, he ignored her words, and only sat up straighter in the bed.
“Iseabail. What is the?—”
“Arrgh,” she cried, bending double and unable to stop the loud moan.
“What the devil?” he exclaimed, moving closer to her. “Tell me what’s wrong?”
“Naething,” she snapped breathlessly. “Please. Go back tae sleep.”
“Are ye injured? Are ye sick? Is it the poison? Tell me so I can get help.”
“I dinnae want tae tell ye. Now please, close yer eyes and leave me be.”
By this time, Owen was now out of the bed, and had moved around to her side. “I cannae sleep when something is clearly wrong with ye. Are ye hurt?”
“Nae, I am nae hurt,” she blurted in frustration. “For the love o’ God, leave it, will ye?”
She could now feel her face redden, for clearly, Owen was not going to give up. Another spasm hit her hard, and bending over double again, Iseabail let out another mighty groan.
“Me God, Iseabail,” Owen gasped, dropping to his knees beside her. “Is it the poison? It must be poison,” he said, and pushing himself up again, he hurried back to his side of the bed andgrabbed his boots. Pulling them on in haste, he said, “We must get ye tae a healer immediately.”
