Page 138 of Bride of Fire
She hugged Miles close, wary of Morgan’s intentions. “What are you going to do?”
“Give me my son,” he replied.
“Nay.”
His brows rose in surprise, then lowered. “Give him to me.”
“Don’t do this, Morgan.”
Cicilia and Bethac, disturbed by the noise, began to stir.
“What is it ye think I’m doin’?” he asked.
“Don’t give him to her,” Jenefer said, clinging to the babe. “Don’t give Miles to that madwoman.”
From her pallet, Cicilia gasped. “Ye wouldn’t give the bairn to Alicia?”
“What? Alicia?” Bethac shook the cobwebs from her head. “He’s not that foolish. Ye’re not that foolish, m’laird. Right?”
Morgan frowned, no doubt irritated that he had to explain himself. “Nay. I’m notcompletelywitless. I’m not givin’ him away. But Alicia is at the gates. And she’s his mother. She deserves to say one last farewell.”
The three women exchanged meaningful glances, probably thinking the same thing.
Bethac said it aloud. “I don’t trust her, m’laird. Neither should ye.”
“I don’t,” he said, “which is why I won’t let her within the walls.” He straightened with pride. “And I’ll be the one holdin’ Miles. No one will protect him like I will.”
Jenefer was somewhat placated by his answer. And she couldn’t help but notice he’d called his son Miles. He might think Alicia deserved to say goodbye, but he no longer considered the babe hers.
“Take your claymore,” Jenefer blurted.
Morgan arched a mocking brow, doubtless considering it a ridiculous notion to arm himself against a wisp of a wench like Alicia. He reached out and spoke with gentle insistence. “Give me my son.”
Plagued by misgiving, Jenefer could nonetheless think of no reasonable argument to prevent him. She reluctantly handed Miles to his father.
As soon as the door closed behind him, the worried chatter began.
Cicilia clasped a hand to her bosom. “Do ye think he’ll keep Miles safe?”
Bethac patted her arm. “I know he’ll try.”
“But will he succeed?” Jenefer said, biting her nail.
“What are we to do?” Cicilia said, sniffling.
“There’s naught wecando. Morgan is the bairn’s father,” Bethac said, struggling to her feet. “But I’ve got a bad feelin’ about this. I don’t trust Alicia.”
“Alicia?” Jenefer scoffed. “I don’t trust Morgan.”
Cicilia began wringing her hands.
Bethac shook her head. “That devil woman has ways o’ steerin’ Morgan,” she said, “makin’ him feel he’s done somethin’ wrong.”
Jenefer nodded. “And if she does that…if she makes him think Miles needs to be with his mother…”
“Do ye think he might give him o’er to her?” Bethac clapped a hand to her bosom.
A wail of woe escaped from behind Cicilia’s hands.
