Jude reached out and snatched her hand as he let out a soft little chuckle. “All is fine love,” he said in a raspy voice as his eyes fluttered. “All is fine.”
“You scared me, what just happened?”
Jude’s eyes opened fully as a sleepy little smile drifted over his lips. He released her hand and brushed the back of his fingers against her flushed cheeks.
“Have nay fear,” Jude said in such a soft and loving tone as he pressed his lips to her for head. “Ye pleased well and made me spill me seed in ye.””
“But you looked like you were dying.”
“If I had, rest easy, for yer love brought me back.”
“Why are you smiling if you were so close to death?” Cleopatra asked as she stared at him with concern.
“I pray ye’re with child,” Jude said as his smile stretched over his face.
“What?” Cleopatra looked at him stunned. “How can you say such things at a time like this?”
“It would be a surefire way for ye to stay with me forever,” he said pressing his lips to hers. Slowly he pulled away and flashed her another sleepy smile, “that’s all I ever want. I want ye forever, Cleo. Ye’ve stolen me heart.”
Suddenly, there can a rustle of bushes and Jude lifted his eyes up to scan the area.
“What was that?” she asked scanning the area for any eyes that may have been lurking about them.
“A rabbit, or some other beastie,” Jude said as Cleopatra pushed her dress over her bare legs to hide herself.
“Suppose it is time for us to go in,” Jude said, “ye’ll be cold soon.”
“With you so close to me?” she answered as she cupped his face.
“Aye,” he said bobbing his head. “The night will grow cold and I daenae want ye to catch a fever.”
“But I want to stay,” Cleopatra said as she watched Jude fumble as he rose to his feet. “Besides, you’re in no condition to go anywhere. We should stay here in the garden. The night air has never bothered me before.”
“And what of Hugh?” Jude asked, “if he should come prancin’ through here in the wee mornin’?”
Cleopatra thought for a moment and her heart sank. She knew Jude was right and that they should at least keep up appearances despite their inner passions. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to regain her senses. Everything, including the silver light of the moon appeared brighter than before. With her senses heightened, she rose to her feet.
“It was a lovely night,” she said smoothing the wrinkles from her skirt. Every fiber of her being felt as if it were on fire as she took Jude’s hand.
“It was,” he said as he leaned to her to steal another kiss.
“Will ye meet me for breakfast?” he asked as they walked back into the sitting room. Cleopatra glanced over her shoulder, trying to steal one last glimpse of the garden.
“Yes, of course, I’ll be there,” Cleopatra said as Jude escorted her back to her room. He stood at her door with a giddy smile and snatched her hand. She watched as he crushed his lips to her knuckles as gazed up at her.
“I’ll be thinkin’ of ye this night,” he said as he lingered a bit longer with her.
“Promise?”
“Aye, that I will. Ye have stolen somethin’ from me this night and I will nae let ye leave me until ye return it,” he said before stealing one last kiss and turning. Cleopatra reached out for him, but he slipped through her grasp and walked away. She stood in the doorway watching him, longing for him to return.
Surely the night cannot be over so soon?
Jude paused at the stairs and turned. Lifting his hand to his lips, he blew her a simple kiss before he disappeared out of view.
What in the world just happened?
Cleopatra opened her door and stepped into the dark room. It seemed so empty without him by her. Yet, her spirits danced and rejoiced, knowing she’d see him again soon.
Oh come morning. And come quickly. My heart aches to see him again and the wretched night is all that separates us.
14
“Good day, m’Laird,” Ian said as Jude skipped past his mentor. “Ye’re in high spirits.”
“Tis a fine day,” Jude said as Ian passed him a booklet of papers for him to go over. Jude rolled his eyes at the morning tasks. All he wanted to do was spend more time alone with Cleo, but it seemed by the amount of paperwork handed to him, his time with her would be limited.
“Cannae we pass on the business today?” Jude asked, thumbing through the papers.
“Sire?” Ian’s eyebrow rose and he pressed his lips into a tight line. “There are specific obligations that must be looked after.”
“Aye, but must they be done this day?”
“There’s somethin’ different about ye,” Ian said as Jude handed him back the paperwork. “Ye typically daenae shy away from yer responsibilities. Are ye feelin’ well?”
“Better than fine,” Jude said slapping Ian on the shoulder as he spotted Cleo walking down the stairs.
“I see,” Ian hissed. “Perhaps yer time would be better spent on yer clan and nae chasin’ after that particular lass.”
“Ian,” Jude paused and turned to face his old mentor. “What is yer grudge against Lady Cleopatra?”
“She is the Earl’s daughter,” Ian said in hushed tones. “If it werenae for her, me son would still be…”
“It was nae her fault for what happened to Adam. If it werenae for yer son sacrificin’ his life for me son, this clan would be in turmoil. It was a bad situation and a foiled assassination attempt.”
“Who’s to say there willnae be another with her here?” Ian asked as Jude’s eyes drifted to Cleo. “And what of Adam? Ye daenae think it’s a coincidence that the events that happened on the road were nay of her doin’? She cannae be trusted.”
“What happened to Adam was tragic. He died savin’ me son and it is
