EPILOGUE
Alina nestled beside Duncan where they lay in their warm bedchamber together. It was late morning, the sun low in a winter sky. It was cold outside, but here in the bedchamber it was warm, a fire roaring beside them in the grate.
“Well, my love?” Duncan smiled at Alina. She smiled back.
“Well what?”
He chuckled, stroking her hair. “Should we leave our chamber, or stay longer yet?”
Alina felt delight and fullness in each part of her. They had woken early, the first bird chorus calling them to wake. They had not risen for hours, had not moved from the bed and the warm coverlets. The mornings were their favorite times – a time of slow exploration, of learning, and knowing their bodies in new, pleasurable ways.
Now, Alina stroked Duncan's hair, still not quite believing he was as perfect a companion as he turned out to be. She looked at his straight profile, the firelight playing down that firm nose, and kissed his lips.
“If you allow me to decide, we won't leave.”
Duncan opened his eyes and looked down at her, a slow grin.
“Oh?” he twisted round so that he lay on his side, his arm over her. “Well, then. In that case, I delegate all decisions on rising to you.”
As he spoke he slid in behind her, moving so that his arm held her to him, her body against his chest.
She chuckled as his hands caressed her chest, gasped as they moved lower.
“Well, then. I think we have a satisfactory schedule for the years onward,” she said, moving back so her buttocks pressed his hips. He hissed in a breath and she smiled happily.
He was moving against her, letting his body slide against hers as his hands held her breast and his lips sought her throat.
She laughed and pressed back against him and they moved together, her held firmly in his arms, his body questing to enter hers.
“Oh. Oh!”
She cried out, pressing back against him as they coupled once more. She gasped and let her body take over, moving against him as he pressed against her, deeper and deeper and...
When they lay, sated, beside each other once again, his hand on her chest, her hand stroking long fingers down his arm, he looked down at her.
“What?” he asked again. She was looking up at him, her eyes wide.
Should I tell him? She thought. Wait.
“What?” the voice was teasingly insistent and he moved lower to kiss her. He looked into her eyes, tawny ones searching her dark ones, trying to read her message.
“Duncan, I...” she bit her lip. She had no idea how to say this. How he would take it. She looked into his eyes, suddenly uncertain.
“What is it, dear?” he said, eyes tight with concern. “Whatever it is, do tell me. Nothing is so bad that we can't overcome it together...” he trailed off. He was frowning, eyes looking into hers deep with concern
He thinks it's something bad! She almost giggled, then, and bit her lip again, schooling her face to calm.
“Duncan, I...” she sat up, propping herself on one elbow, blanket around her waist, hair tendrils of darkness on her pale skin. “I think I am...expecting...I am with child.”
She said it in a rush, and then looked up at his face.
His eyes were wide. His face was a picture of wonder. Then he laughed.
“Alina!” he exploded. “You dear, wonderful...” he ran out of words. “Why didn't you tell me?” he asked, laughing all at once. “Why hesitate? I thought it was something bad! It's the best news in the whole wide world.”
She lay down, smiling, and he leaned over, his mouth kissing her hair, her brow, her neck. His hands sought her belly and tickled it, making her first giggle and then, as his hands grew more insistent and deft, shriek aloud.
They lay in each other’s arms, sobbing, chuckling, and laughing.
As Alina lay there, looking up at the ceiling, a vague face flashed before her eyes; a strong, homely face – a little boy – with hair she could not yet see, and a broad grin. Beside it was the face of the girl of her vision, little Joanna.
Welcome, son, she thought, knowing the cheerful, smiling face to be her son's by the way her heart leapt just to see him.
Beside her, Duncan stroked her hair and she lay in his arms, smiling happily. They were completely content.