Page 27 of A Knight for Gwenllian

“What on earth are you doing here?” Bethan asked. At least he thought that was what the question meant. It had been uttered in Welsh, so he couldn’t be sure, but shock was etched all over the woman’s face.

“I didn’t send you word of my visit because I wanted it to be a surprise.” Gwenllian, for his benefit, he imagined, had reverted to English.

“It is. The most wonderful surprise.”

Alexander’s attention was at that moment diverted to a tall man with striking red hair who was walking up to him. The way he was smiling and watching the two women indicated he was probably none other than Cameron Campbell, laird of Nead an Diabhail and Bethan’s husband. Alexander had heard a lot about the Scot during the ride north. From the way Gwenllian had gushed about how wonderful he was, he had at times wondered if she did not harbor guilty feelings for her best friend’s husband. Her eyes had been so full of stars when she’d talked about him. But perhaps she was simply jealous of Bethan’s happiness. If she was convinced marriage was not for her, it made sense that she would envy her friend for having a loving husband and a family.

“Aye, this is a surprise indeed.” The Scot spoke with an accent Alexander had never heard. “We had no idea Gwenllian was on her way to Scotland.”

“She didn’t want to spoil the surprise.”

“Understandable.” A nod. “Where is the rest of the retinue?”

“We are on our own.”

“Are you her husband, then? Is that why she came here, to introduce you to her friend?”

“No. We are not married.” Why did saying the words cause Alexander’s heart to start pumping harder? It was hardly the first time he’d had to deny being married. People had asked him many times over the years why he had not found a wife yet. Never had it caused any discomfort inside him. “I’m only escorting her.”

The man made a face that indicated he doubted that was the whole truth. “Why is it that no one else is traveling with you?”

“Because the Welshman who was supposed to come with us hurt his foot and I assured Lady Gwenllian that I was more than capable of seeing to her safety, which I am,” Alexander snapped. Was this an interrogation?

The Scot had the impudence to eye him up and down, as if to assess the truth of the statement. “Aye,” he said eventually. “You must be, because you both made it all the way here in one piece, apparently.”

“We did.”

To signify that the interrogation, if that was what it was, was over, he glanced back to the two women, who had reverted back to rapid Welsh, having realized that neither man was listening to their conversation.

Alexander enjoyed hearing Gwenllian speaking the language that was foreign to his ear—and watching her. She was so animated, so happy, so beautiful.

“Well, I wager you’ll be thirsty after your ride,” Cameron said after a while. He had been lost in contemplation as well. The difference was, he was allowed to admire a woman who was married to him. “Come, we have everything you need inside.”

“This is Callum.”

The little boy in her arms, with his head of flaming red hair, was…cute? Irresistible? Gwenllian, who had never been one to fawn over babies as a matter of principle, eventually settled on “adorable.” She smiled at him, then at her friend, who looked happier than she had ever seen her.

“I’m happy to finally meet your son.”

“And I am happy to introduce him to you. I hadn’t dared hope it would be so soon. I’m so glad you undertook this journey.”

“So am I.” For more than one reason. She smiled. The ride with Alexander had been perfect, the only incident being the one by the river at the beginning. After that, it had been only pleasure.

As Bethan was refilling their cup of ale, Callum started to fuss.

“Ah, it appears that someone is hungry,” she said, reaching out to the babe. “I was wondering how long it would be. He really is his father’s son, always ready to eat. Do you mind if I feed him while we carry on talking?”

“Of course not.”

With deft gestures, Bethan settled the child at her breast. It was as if she had done that all her life. When the babe latched on, she sighed as if she were the one getting relief from the act.

“Your visit is very propitious. I’ve been telling Cameron that I would like to go to Wales soon, as I wish to introduce Callum to my brother Siaspar and everyone at Castell Esgyrn.”

“They would be delighted to meet him.”

Gwenllian was certain of it. Raised with them after the death of her parents, Bethan was considered a member of the Hunter family, and everyone had been sad to see her go to Scotland. But at least they had known she would be with the man she loved, instead of the stranger she had been betrothed to at the age of thirteen. It had made all the difference.

“You’re glowing,” she observed, watching her friend smile at her son, who was suckling as if his life depended on the nourishment he was getting, which, of course, it did. “And no wonder. Your life turned out to be just what you’d dreamed of.”