“She did what?” Sarah’s eyes were wide with appreciation by the time Derek got to the part where Margery had attacked MacBride.

“She beat him with every ounce of strength she had, and then some. If it hadn’t been for that, he might have stabbed again and again before I could stop him.”

“And she doesn’t remember?”

“She claims she doesn’t. I wouldn’t be surprised. It’s too much for her to think on.”

“I can only imagine.”

“How is she?”

“Sleeping comfortably, the last I checked. She needed a good, hot bath and clean clothing, of course. A big, hot meal which she ate with great relish while the others peppered her with questions about herself. And now, she sleeps.”

“Good,” he decided. She was safe, she was protected, she was loved. He could finally rest.

Young Mary dozed in a basket by the fire, and Sarah fetched her once she was finished with his treatment.

With one of her poultices on the wound and a tincture for the pain, not to mention a few pillows behind his head and a soft bed beneath him, he felt better than he had in days.

He smiled at the sight of the babe, who seemed to have grown by leaps and bounds since he’d left.

“And how is Young Jacob?” he asked when she returned to his bedside, cradling the baby on her shoulder.

She smiled brilliantly. “A strong, fine boy, and the apple of his father’s eye.”

“I would expect nothing else. And Heather?”

“Furious that I won’t let her out of bed, naturally. No matter how many times I’ve reminded her that there will come a day when she wishes somebody would order her to bed, she refuses to listen. She should be up and around within a few days, however, and I’m sure she’ll come to see you as soon as she can.”

“I don’t expect to be down for long,” he replied.

She fixed him with a cold stare. “Do I have to deal with two uncooperative charges? You’ll lie abed as long as I tell you to; you’ve already pushed yourself far enough, riding for days after being wounded so. I know it was necessary, but it isn’t now.”

“Yes, Mother.”

She rolled her eyes with a snicker, rising. “Get some sleep. I added something to the broth to help with that.”

“I’m not certain I would need the help,” he murmured as she left, his eyelids already sliding shut.

* * *

When he woke, the sky outside the window was full dark. He tried to think back on the time of day it had been when he first fell asleep but couldn’t quite put it together. He might even have slept an entire day, for all he knew. He’d been that exhausted.

Turning his head to the side revealed a happy surprise.

“Good evening,” Margery whispered, beaming.

“Good evening, lass.” He patted the side of the bed, then took her hand as she sat down.

“You know, it isn’t proper that I be here in your room, alone,” she murmured with a teasing grin. “But we’ve slept together out in the woods, haven’t we?”

“That we have, and while I’ve never backed down from a challenge, I must admit there isn’t much I could do to compromise you in this state.”

She blushed. “Good thing, then.”

“How are you?” he asked, always more concerned for her than he was for himself.

“Wonderfully well,” she admitted. “Everyone has been lovely. The girls are sweet, and the babies…” Her happy sigh told him what he needed to know about her feelings.

“Have you met Phillip and Jake?”

“Oh, yes. They wanted to know all about me. They’re both rather… strong in character,” she observed, clearly trying to be gentle.

He laughed as hard as he dared with a hole in his side. “Aye, they are that, and then some.”

“But they’re generous and caring. They were both in to check on you, too. I’m to send for them when you wake up.”

“I don’t see you running for them now,” he murmured, foregoing her hand in favor of the thick, clean hair which hung loose about her shoulders. It seemed to glown in the light from the fire which blazed away along one wall, its color so rich and vibrant.

“I have no wish to bring others to us. Not at this moment.”

“No?” he whispered with a half-smile.

“No.” She was bolder than she’d ever been before as she leaned down, one hand on either side of him, to press her mouth to his.

He held her face in one hand, the other resting at the small of her back.

It seemed to go on and on, the sweetest thing he’d ever known. Just the two of them, just her heart beating madly against his chest, where his beat just as madly.

When it was over—moments or hours later, he wasn’t certain which—she smiled shyly.

“I’ve been wanting to kiss you properly for days, I have to admit.”

He blew out a long, slow breath. “If waiting for days results in a kiss like that, I’d say it was worth the wait.”