Through the long afternoon with Robert’s family, Matilda noticed that Robert looked sad all the time. His grandmother was right, and she definitely needed to tell him that she was carrying. But how could she explain why she had not yet told him?

Supper that evening was a boisterous meal including Matilda’s parents as well as Robert’s parents and grandparents. After the meal, Matilda slipped her hand into Robert’s. “Let us walk.”

He nodded, not looking directly at her. “We can walk, but it is raining outside.”

Lady Lina shook her head. “As if your mother cannot fix that.” She stepped outside with them and waved her arms, stopping the rain immediately. “I will have it start raining again when you come back in. The farmers have complained there is been too little rain this year.”

Matilda thanked her sweetly for her intervention, and the young couple began their walk. “I owe you an apology, Robert,” Matilda finally said when it was obvious Robert was not going to say anything.

“Oh?” Robert asked. “And why is that?”

“Because I did not tell you as soon as I knew I was expecting. I could lie and say that I forgot about it as soon as I was attacked in the woods, but it would be just that. A lie. I did not forget at all, and all I could think about was that the babe might have been injured.” She shook her head. “But that is not why I did not tell you.” She hated that she had to confess all of this, but she knew if she did not, they would never have peace between them.

He frowned, looking at her as if she had lost her mind. “Then why did not you tell me?”

“I had already decided not to tell you. I wanted to wait a little longer. I wanted our marriage to be just about the two of us. When we talked about having babies right after we married, you made me feel like you would like to wait a little while. I must have conceived this babe on our wedding night or the night after.” She sighed. “Your grandmother says the babe is growing well, and that she is going to stay for a few days to heal me. I should be fine before she goes.” They had reached the kissing bench, so she sat down.

Robert sat beside her, looking at her with concern. “Why does she need to heal you?”

Matilda shrugged. “I do not think she really does need to heal me, but she wants to. I have some morning sickness, and she would like for me to be able to keep more meals inside me. It is not anything close to as bad as what your mother went through, from what I am told.”

“I wish you had told me. I did want some time alone with you before the babies started coming, but in my family, we seem to get that time after all our sons are raised and not a minute before.” He shook his head. “Of course, I want the babe you are carrying and all the others that will come. Please do not hide things from me again.”

She frowned, looking down at her hands. “I guess there is something else I have been hiding too. I did not mean to hide it, but . . .” If she was confessing to her deceptions, she may as well confess to all at once and not save some for later.

Robert felt himself getting angry. How could they have a good marriage if she was not completely honest with him? “What are you hiding?”

When Matilda looked up, she could see a rock floating in the air, and she had no doubt how it got there. “I am sorry to anger you, Robert. I did not mean to.”

He saw the rock floating, and he forced himself to breathe slowly and lowered it. “What else have you been hiding?” He took her hand and held it. “I will try not to get angry.”

“It is not really something as important as expecting a baby . . .” He owned her body, but she had kept him from knowing about her love because she had felt that was one thing he could not command. He could not make her love him, so she had avoided telling him. “I love you, Robert. I have loved you for a while now.”

“Is that what you were hiding?” His heart started beating faster, and he turned to her completely.

“Aye, that is the only thing. I promise.” She hoped that would not anger him.

He pulled her onto his lap with the hand he was holding, enveloping her in his arms. “Do you have any idea how long I have waited for you to say those words?”

“As long as I have been waiting for you to say them, I would imagine.” She looked into his eyes, wondering if she would ever hear him tell her he loved her. He was a strong man, and she was not sure how often they admitted to loving their wives.

“You think I would have wanted to marry you if I did not love you? My love came fast. I heard you talking about me, I saw you dusting, and my heart was yours. I all but followed you around like a lost dog, and you still did not seem to share my feelings.” He pulled her down for a long kiss. “There is never been a woman that I could imagine spending my life with before you. Now that we are married, I am never letting you go. Do you understand what that means?”

She smiled at him, still a little confused by what he was saying. Did he love her or did not he?

“I love you more than I ever imagined I would be able to love. You are mine, Matilda Lain, until death do us part.” He kissed her again, wishing they were already in their chamber so they could become one. “God blessed me the day you came into my life.”

“Nay, He blessed me!”

“He blessed us.” Robert stood and led her into the castle and up to their bedchamber. She was the woman he loved above all others, and he would happily prove it to her once again.