He was wrong and selfishly pleased that she followed, his arm spreading out to slip around her after she cuddled against his side.
“That was amazing,” Elysia said with a heavy breath.
“Aye, it was,” he agreed. He slipped his finger beneath her chin to tilt her head back. She smiled up at him. “There is no need to see to yourself, wife. It’s my duty to see to that.”
“And you do a much better job at it than I ever could,” she said with a chuckle.
He saw a question in the squint of her eyes. “Something you wish to ask?”
“Is that something I shouldn’t do? Is it not proper?”
“Nay. There is nothing wrong with it. It’s just that I feel a failure as a husband if my wife has to please herself.”
Her eyes squinted again in question.
He chuckled. “What now?”
“Men do it as well?”
“Aye,” he laughed. “Some more often than others.”
“So a wife fails her duties if her husband pleases himself?” she asked.
“Nay. Men can be a greedy lot when it comes to poking a woman so many a wife probably wouldn’t mind him seeing to himself.”
“I prefer you come to me when in need,” she said, her expression serious.
He smiled. “I hope you continue to feel that way, for I have every intention of doing so. Though be aware that our randy ways may slow with age and time.”
She laughed softly and poked him playfully in the side. “Then we should take full advantage of it while we can.”
“Again, I have every intention of doing so.”
She settled her head comfortably against his chest ready for sleep.
“It is a good thing you take that brew every day or we would have a slew of bairns,” Odran said. When after a short time his wife didn’t respond, he asked. “You do remember to take that brew, don’t you, Elysia?”
A soft even breathing told him she had fallen asleep and he reminded himself to ask her in the morning. It probably wasn’t necessary, she knew the importance of not getting with child, but he would remind her again. Content and tired, sleep soon claimed him.
Elysia almost sighed with release when she heard her husband’s steady, light snore. She hadn’t known what to say when he asked her about the brew. She hadn’t wanted to lie to him, but she also didn’t think that it was the right moment to tell him she was already with child.
Soon, though, very soon, she would have to tell him.
Chapter 25
Bram’s departure had gone without incidence, Odran having ordered an early departure so no one would be about to see it or remark on it. It was done. The problem solved. Lendra had shed a few tears to Elysia but nothing more, content enough that she would see Bram in six months.
“You need to tell him, my lady,” Lendra urged quietly. “A slight bump to your stomach begins to show, not that many would notice, though your husband might. But the growth will grow stronger and with you being slim it will show soon enough.”
Elysia’s hand went to her stomach and she was startled to feel an ever so slight roundness there. How could it have appeared so suddenly? Or hadn’t she noticed? Had Odran noticed? Was that why he had asked her about the brew last night? Had he suspected something? Time was running out for her. She had to tell him.
“It’s a poor day out there today, my lady, the rain never ending,” Lendra said.
“I planned on spending some time with Lady Margaret today. I haven’t been able to share my stitching with her the last few days and after yesterday’s events I believe some time spent with her would serve both of us well.”
“She was rather upset with all the trouble going on, but she has improved greatly. Though, I do think she fears leaving her bedchamber.”
“I thought the same myself, Lendra.”
“It’s the curse.” Lendra shook her head. “She has a dreadful fear of it and I cannot blame her. It has caused her family endless heartache and pain.”
“Have you heard any word on how Crissa does this morning?”
“Finch let Dorrit know that Crissa sleeps after a fitful night and is not to be disturbed,” Lendra said, handing Elysia a shawl. “The keep holds a chill today.”
“Thank you,” Elysia said and took the shawl. “I will look in on Crissa later.”
Elysia took the stairs to Lady Margaret’s room with her basket of stitching in hand. Her husband left their bedchamber early and though she had heard him moving about, she pretended to be asleep still concerned he would ask her if she was taking the brew. She felt worse about her deceit when he kissed her cheek and whispered I love you before leaving. She’d come to the conclusion that she was a coward and the longer her deceit went on, the more she feared telling him.