Page 60 of Bride of Fire
Maintaining measured breaths and closed eyes, she silently calculated the path she’d have to take to get to the fireplace poker, bearing in mind she’d have to sweep Miles up safely in one arm.
The door closed, and she heard the intruder steal toward the bed. Every muscle in her body was primed, ready to spring.
But then, there was a long silence.
She waited.
And waited.
Finally, unable to endure the suspense, Jenefer lifted her lids just enough to peer through her lashes.
It was Morgan.
He was standing by the bed, staring down at the babe.
His head was tilted, and his eyes shimmered. She’d never seen a man look upon an infant with such tenderness, such fondness. Indeed, the way he was gazing at the lad made her hair stand up on the back of her neck.
This was not just any clan child.
Not just the son of a common soldier and a lady who’d died in childbirth.
Her eyes widened in surprise as the truth struck her like lightning.
Morgan, seeing she was awake, inhaled sharply. Caught off guard, he sniffed and blurted, “Bethac will be here soon with food.”
But for once in her life, she wasn’t hungry. Her thoughts were reeling.
This was no ordinary babe.
She nodded stiffly.
Their attention was drawn then to Miles, whose brow creased as he squirmed in his sleep.
“I didn’t mean to…to wake the bairn,” Morgan whispered.
What was it Bethac had said? That the babe’s father visited him most every day. That he was in mourning. That was why he hadn’t named the lad.
Was it possible? Was Morgan the lad’s father?
He’d insisted the infant be called Allison. After the lady who’d borne him.
Had Lady Alicia from Catalonia been more than just his clanswoman?
Had she been his wife?
The idea filled her heart with simultaneous wonder and sorrow.
“My thanks to ye,” he murmured, “for lookin’ after him.” He looked contrite, as if he were sorry for his earlier rudeness.
“He’s a good lad,” she said.
As if to prove her point, Miles blinked open his eyes and peered up at Morgan. His mouth opened into a perfect O, and then the corners curved into a smile.
Jenefer glanced at Morgan, who was transfixed.
He swallowed down some emotion and then, unable to resist the babe’s sweet grin, smiled back. His delight was palpable. And yet it was guarded somehow by bittersweet caution.
She said carefully, “He has your smile.”
