CHAPTER 34

Over the next weeks, the weather grew warmer and Mary spent as much time outside the keep as she could. Though she wouldn’t admit as much to Edward, she kept a sharp eye to the horizon, watching for when her dowry would be brought by the king’s escort.

Edward’s missive to the king had gone unanswered thus far, but Mary held hope that any day they would hear the news that the dowry had been carried to Woods land.

Her belly had pooched ever so slightly. It wasn’t noticeable under the full skirts of her dress, but at night, naked, beneath Edward, he delighted in the tiny swell that harbored his child.

He couldn’t keep his hands or his mouth from the mound. He’d palm and caress it and then kiss every inch of her flesh. His obvious joy over her pregnancy brought Mary great satisfaction. Her clan’s joy over the announcement warmed her to her toes.

When Edward had stood during the evening meal and announced Mary’s pregnancy, the hall had erupted in cheers. The word raced throughout the keep