Maggie squeezed his hand, as she had no words of wisdom for him with regard to his unceasing devotion to Winnifred Mortimer, the third Mortimer sister. Although Lorena and Phoebe had married into the O’Rourke family, Winnifred had proven to be manipulative and mean. Seamus had forbidden her to have any more contact with the family a year and a half ago and had sent her back to Saint Louis. Finally Maggie murmured, “I never understood how much you mourned her.”
His smile was filled with self-recrimination and loathing. “You weren’t supposed to. I need to find a good lass, who won’t try to kill her sister or to play the part of a Temptress.” He sighed as he swallowed whatever other bitter words he would have said, as their very pregnant sister, Niamh, arrived with Cormac and their two children. She was to have their child in the early days after the New Year.
Soon everyone had settled, grace was said, and food was passed around. Laughter, stories, and a sense of well-being filled the room. Maggie listened, relishing in hearing old tales refashioned again, as she always felt stories gave her a tie to her past and were a bridge to her future. After she had eaten her fill, she lowered her hand, brushing her fingertips against Dunmore’s. Unable to hide a smile when his fingers clasped hers, she gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
He leaned over to whisper in her ear, “I love seeing you so happy.”
“I love having you here with me. Not as my friend or my suitor, but as my husband. Knowing you are an integral part of my family too.” She gazed into his eyes a long moment, only breaking away when Declan cleared his throat.
Before Declan spoke, Dunmore whispered into her ear, “You are my family, Maggie. Never forget that.”
She shivered at his words before focusing on her brother.
“I have an announcement to make. I don’t mean to take away from little Orla’s birthday celebration, but we are all together, and it seemed appropriate.”
“Get on with it, Professor,” Finn teased, earning a chuckle from all present.
Declan flushed and smiled at the ribbing. “As you know, Lorena and I had a challenging time this summer. Thankfully Lo is much improved.” Everyone at the table murmured their agreement and thanks that Lorena had recovered after the attempted kidnapping. He took a deep breath, his brilliant blue eyes shining with wonderment. “We are to have a baby.”
The room erupted in pandemonium at the news, supper forgotten, as Declan and Lorena were swarmed and showered in hugs and kisses. Maggie approached them, holding them close for long moments. “I’m so happy for both of you,” she whispered.
She stepped aside, so Niamh could give her felicitations. Glancing around, she saw Aileen smiling, although with a deep sorrow in her gaze. Kevin was busy pounding Declan on his back, so Maggie sidled up to Aileen and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “All will be well, Aileen. Somehow, I know it will. Just be patient.”
Aileen turned into her embrace. “Thank you for believing that, but I have trouble maintaining my faith.” She squeezed Maggie tight before letting her go. Aileen swiped at her eyes rapidly, concealing any of her grief during this time of rejoicing.
Maggie gripped her arm for a moment. “You know I’ll always help you. All you need to do is ask.”
Aileen nodded, before moving away to stand beside Kevin, wearing a brave smile for all to see.
* * *
That evening, Maggie relaxed in the wooden bathtub before the stove, sighing with pleasure, as a deep warmth permeated her sore and tired muscles. Dunmore was on the porch in the freezing cold, intent on allowing her a few moments of privacy. Although Maggie appreciated his consideration, she was reminded of snippets of conversation—from the night she returned home, after her harrowing time with Jacques. She remembered Deirdre and Aileen teasing her that she would one day find pleasure in Dunmore’s attentions, while she was in the bath. Her mum had said that Maggie would enjoy having Dunmore wash her hair.
Maggie ran her hand through the water, imagining what might happen, if Dunmore were to enter their cabin. She smiled as she thought about it being their cabin. With her knees bent and her arms wrapped around her legs, she glanced around the small living space. Although it was tiny compared to the large O’Rourke house, it felt like home. Simply because Dunmore was here with her.
Gathering her courage, she let out a breath and then called out, “Philip?” When she didn’t hear any movement on the front porch, she raised her voice and called out again, “Philip?”
As the door burst open, she turned her head to smile at him, her breath catching at the concern in his gaze. She smiled mischievously, delight filling her to see the concern transform into passionate interest.
“Beloved?” he asked in his deep voice. “Is there something I could do for you?”
Nodding, with strands of her wet auburn hair scraping against her arm and over the water in the tub, she murmured, “Would you wash my hair?”
“Your hair?” he repeated, shucking his coat, scarf, and boots. He blew on his hands and rubbed them together. “You’re all warm, and I’ll make you cold.”
Reaching an arm out, she wiggled her fingers, sighing with pleasure when he approached. “Let me warm them.” She wrapped both of her hands around his fingers and kissed them. “I’m sorry you felt it necessary to wait on the porch in the middle of winter.”
His gaze glowed with devoted passion, as he stared at her. “There is little I wouldn’t do for you.”
After one hand had warmed, she grabbed his other hand, gasping at how cold it was. By this point he was
