HELD CAPTIVE BY A ROGUE

Chapter Fifteen

It had been two months since Alex and Alexis were born and Christopher had settled into his daily routine of spending as much time with them as possible. It was a peaceful time for him and Kathryn for they enjoyed each other's company while doting on the babies. He never saw himself as a family man before but he wouldn't have it any other way now, because he loved his children more and more with each passing day.

As like any other day, this day was no different when Christopher entered his wife's bedchamber, kissed her good morning and went directly to the cradles where the two babes were sleeping. "I can't believe how fast they're growing," he said, turning toward Kathryn who was smiling back at him.

"Tis obvious sir, that you've never been around babies much," she laughed, enjoying teasing him whenever possible. She had just finished her toiletries and stood up to view herself better in the full length glided mirror next to her dressing table.

Her figure was returning nicely, Christopher thought with relish while he watched her turn this way and that in from of the gilded mirror. Her breasts were larger than before, to his delight and her face had a radiant glow about it that lit up every time she smiled at him. Actually he thought she was more beautiful now than she ever was before, if that was possible. She occupied his thoughts every moment of every day and waited patiently for her to recuperate so he could make her his once again.

Kathryn felt a blush spread over her cheeks when she saw Christopher in the mirror, staring at her with such desire in his eyes and wished she had a more pleasing outfit to wear that this old black mourning dress.

Seeing her blush, Christopher knew he had gotten caught ogling her again and walked over behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. "I was just admiring your beauty, my little bandit," he said sheepishly before his lips pressed down on the back of her neck.

Kathryn felt giddy inside when their eyes met again and lingered for a moment before she dragged them away.

"I thought, if you're up to it, we could go for a ride Kathryn," he said, cheerfully.

Kathryn screeched with delight at the prospect of riding again. "Oh, could we Christopher? I'm so tired of looking at these same four walls, day in and day out and I love to ride. I can't even remember the last time I did." Excitedly Kathryn whirled around to her coffer to change her clothes until a thought struck her. "How can I go out riding without a proper riding habit," she cried, "mine is green, therefore I can't wear it...."

"Now don't go getting yourself all worked up about it, Kathryn for I have already thought of your dilemma and have solved your problem." Grabbing her hand, he dragged her into his own bed chamber and there on the bed was a brand new black riding habit for her to wear.

"You think of everything Christopher," she exclaimed, turning and kissing him before snatching it off his bed and then quickly raced back into the other room to change.

Christopher threw back his head and laughed at her apparent excitement as he followed her to her room to help her change. He had ordered the black riding habit just for this occasion for he had anticipated her reactions exactly. Pleased with himself, he escorted her down to the stables where Erin was saddling the horses.

"Starr! It's been so long since we've had a long ride," she said, gently stroking the mare's velvety muzzle. Kathryn had intended to ride Shadow, her dapple gray mare she had brought with her from Glastonbury but Erin had already saddled Starr. Not wanting to cause him more work by changing horses, she decided to ride Starr instead. "Where is Dodger?" Kathryn asked suddenly, realizing the golden retriever was nowhere in sight.

"Jeffrey went hunting early this morning and took him with him," Christopher explained, remembering the last time the dog went with them on a ride. He didn't want him to interrupt his plans for Kathryn again, so he had bribed his brother to take the dog somewhere, anywhere that was out of Kathryn's reach, otherwise she would say he needed exercise and would demand he go with them. Not being able to deny her anything, he would have to give in to her wishes and take a chance on the dog not causing his well-laid plans to go haywire. Kathryn shrugged her shoulders at his answer and mounted Starr.