Rory shared the plan with the older couple while Sybil wrote out the message to Grant.
“I’ll have my grandson Ewan leave at first light to deliver it,” Malcolm said. “He’s a fast rider and will have it to Urquhart Castle before the false news can reach the Grants.”
When they started to debate how best to get Kenneth out of the castle without anyone guessing he was alive, Grizel interrupted them.
“You’re going to wake the lad with all your jabbering. This can wait till morning,” Grizel said. “Off to bed with the two of ye. Malcolm and I will stay with the lad the rest of the night.”
Rory caught the look that passed between the older couple and realized they were trying to give him and Sybil time alone. He was sorely tempted, but he was uneasy about leaving his son.
“I’ll bar the door and keep my sword at hand,” Malcolm assured him, then he leaned closer and said, “Now go make up with your wife while ye have the chance.”
Malcolm’s words were a reminder that one could never know what tomorrow would bring. But tonight, he would have Sybil back in his arms again.
“You’re a wise man,” Rory said, squeezing Malcolm’s shoulder. “No wonder my father made you his chief counselor.”
Rory followed Sybil down the stairs with his heart in his throat, not certain if she had truly forgiven him. When they reached their bedchamber and closed the door, he stood still, aching to touch her, but not knowing if she would have him. He wanted her so much his hands shook.
***
Sybil watched Rory’s chest rise and fall with his ragged breathing.
“I love ye so much,” he said. “Do ye think it possible for ye to ever love me again?”
She felt too choked with emotion to speak at first. She rested her hand over his heart and felt it pounding beneath her palm.
“I’m willing to wait as long as it takes,” he said.
“I never stopped loving you,” she whispered, looking into his eyes. “I never will.”
When she rose on her toes to meet his lips, his kiss was so full of longing it made her heart ache.
“Sybil, I’m so sor—”
“Shhh.” She touched her finger to his lips. “We’ve both made mistakes and hurt each other, and we’ll need to talk it all through. But the night is short, and I want to spend what’s left of it in your arms.”
She took his hand and led him to the bed.
They did not need words tonight. They showed each other their love and forgiveness with every touch, every kiss, every sigh. Tears filled her eyes as she kissed Rory’s battle scars and the new bruises from saving his son, marks of a man willing to risk his life for others.
Though Rory was bound to cause her anguish each time he put his life in danger, she knew how lucky she was to be loved by a man who was brave and honorable to his core.
They made love slowly savoring each moment, as if it might be their last time. As they melded together in a sensuous rhythm, Sybil felt as if their bodies and hearts were one.
Rory held her face between his hands as he moved inside her with excruciating slowness.
When she saw the love in his eyes, she had no doubt that he was hers again.
And she was his. She had been from the start.
They lay wrapped in each other’s arms until dawn, which came all too soon. Rory lifted her chin with his finger to look into her eyes.
“Neither of us has found trust easy,a chuisle mo chroí,”pulse of my heart, he said. “But if we are to get through this, we must trust each other now.”
“No matter what comes,” Sybil said as she held his face between her hands. “Ye have my heart, always.”
***
After making the grim announcement of Kenneth’s death to the household, Rory rejoined the others upstairs in Kenneth’s chamber.