“Aye. I feel better this morning than I did when I awoke yesterday. I suspect I’m over the worst of it. A few days of fever wasn’t enough to do me in.”
“A few days?” Hamish repeated. “Lass, the bluidy beast injured ye over a sennight ago.”
Before she had the chance to respond, Amelia shifted her attention to Kieran. “Does she ken?”
Kieran shook his head before taking Maude’s hand. He pressed a kiss to her temple to ease her panicked reaction. He nudged her chin, so she locked eyes with him. He couldn’t resist dropping a kiss on her lips before he explained.
“Buttercup, we’re going to have a bairn.”
Maude blinked several times, but still looked confused. “A what?”
“A bairn. Eara examined you and discovered you’re carrying. She figures you’re close to three moons already.”
“A bairn. I can’t believe it. I didn’t consider it. Before, when I was younger and didn’t eat enough, my courses were unpredictable. I assumed that’s all that was happening.”
“And I never gave it any consideration either. I guess I figured they came while I was on patrol. I never thought to ask.”
“Turtledove, we’ll really have our own bairn?”
“Aye, lass. Our own bairn.”
Maude fell silent as she attempted to pull forth a memory. It was cloudy, but she was certain she remembered something from when she was unconscious. “Did you ask me aboot names and what I would want to call our lad or lass?”
“I did. I talked to you aboot it several times. I hoped you’d hear me, and it would make you fight to come back to me.”
“I think it did. I remember being on fire and my side itched, but I also recall voices, yours in particular.”
“Aye. I talked to you a great deal, and Abigail spent hours reading to you.”
“I think it helped. It was as though I kept trying to run toward the voices, even though I never seemed to get anywhere. It gave me purpose.” Maude looked back at her family and smiled once more before yawning. “I’m so glad you’re here, but I’m sorry for giving you such a fright.”
“There’s naught to apologize for,” Amelia reassured her. “Kieran explained how you were injured, and we’re so proud of you.”
“What happened to the weans?” Maude asked in a rush.
“Turns out they have an aunt and uncle who live in the village. It was their older brother who rode to inform us. Their kin took them in, and they’re doing well now that they’re safe. Their father sent them to hide as soon as the first riders approached. It was too dark for them to see aught, so they have no memories of their parents being killed or the fate of the others. They were too frightened to go near the fires, so they’d remained hidden.”
Maude relaxed as she sighed. A sense of calm settled over her once she knew someone was taking good care of the children. She yawned again, and Amelia shooed her family from the chamber, promising to return the next time Maude woke. Maude nestled against Kieran and fisted his leine, the only thing he wore.
“Thank you, turtledove. I love you beyond measure.” She drifted back to sleep before Kieran responded, but he kissed the crown of her head and whispered his pledge of love.
* * *
The next moon passed in a blur for Maude as her health improved each day. Within three days of her family’s arrival, she was well enough to make her way to the Great Hall for meals. She still felt weak as a bairn, so she capitulated to Kieran’s pestering and took naps twice a day, but she soon walked about the bailey and gardens without perspiring. Kieran and her family took turns accompanying her during her morning constitutional. She returned to her duties in the kitchen to find the servants jumped to assist her without being asked or told. Fiona was like a new woman, asking for Maude’s advice and deferring to Maude’s requests with respect. But the greatest turnaround was Adeline and Abigail. Both women assisted in the kitchens and gardens. While Maude was still too ill to make her rounds to the cooper, the spenser, the distiller, and the laundresses, mother and daughter divided the responsibilities. Abigail continued to read to Maude when she grew tired and rested before the fire in the Great Hall. Adeline created a beautiful kirtle for Maude, with embroidery across the bodice and hems. She used material she’d ordered but tossed aside as too frivolous to consider the expense to the clan. She made the gown based on one of Maude’s but added extra fabric to the skirts to accommodate Maude’s soon-to-be swelling belly. It had surprised and moved Maude too much for her to speak when Adeline presented it to her. The women exchanged a hug that expressed genuine affection. Maude found she was willing to forgive more each day as Abigail and Adeline continued their efforts. She’d feared they would be fair-weather helpers, and once the novelty or scrutiny passed, they would revert to their old selves, but both women continued their efforts.
Maude’s family spoiled her. When she became too restless to remain within the keep, Lachlan took her to the targets near the lists to practice with their bows. Blair shared the latesten ditefrom court and brought special notes of well wishes from Arabella and her godparents. Amelia ensured the kitchens served fortifying meals that included Maude’s favorite foods. Hamish took her for longer and longer walks beyond the keep’s walls. She enjoyed having the chance to visit with her loved ones, but it was the time spent with Kieran that she most savored.
Kieran took her for rides on Peat, often stopping at the loch to paddle or fish. Eventually, Maude had the strength to ride Trioblaid as long as they walked or trotted. They went on picnics in the nearby meadow or on the banks of the loch. They talked about clan business, the ongoing difficulty with the Morrisons, and prospects for Abigail’s marriage. They eased back into their physical relationship, enjoying rediscovering one another’s bodies, and as Maude displayed signs of her pregnancy, Kieran marveled at the wonder that she grew another life within her. He doted on her and was rarely beyond reach except for when he trained in the lists. When his rotation for patrols arrived, Lachlan took his place, so he wouldn’t have to leave Maude’s side. On days when they didn’t venture from the keep, Maude returned to sharing Kieran’s solar as she worked on the accounts or read while he managed the clan’s affairs. Their bond grew stronger with each passing day, neither taking for granted their time together. They visited the orphaned village children who found a loving home with their relatives near the keep.
The one event that threatened to darken her happiness occurred when she met Maggie by accident during a visit to the village. She and Kieran had been walking hand-in-hand when Kieran suddenly attempted to change directions to avoid a stall in the market. When Maude asked why, Kieran avoided looking at her and suggested a vendor she might like. She peered into the crowd and spotted a beautiful woman who glanced in her direction but returned her attention to the man she haggled with. In an instant, Maude knew who the woman was. She looked at Kieran with doubt and suspicion. Why would he avoid Maggie if he had nothing to hide? Had he become tired of waiting for Maude to heal and resumed his relationship with Maggie? Kieran saw the fear and hurt, understanding immediately that his attempt to spare her embarrassment made her question herself. He continued in the direction they had intended, passing by Maggie who spared them but a glance. She bobbed a polite curtsy and offered Maude a smile but showed little interest in Kieran. When they moved into a shady spot, Maude burst into tears, her emotions already running at odds and ends from being pregnant. Kieran embraced her and stroked her back until she calmed.
“I feel as though your lack of faith in me should hurt, but I understand your feelings. I suppose I’d be the same in your position,” Kieran confessed. “I want naught more than for you to believe me when I say that I’ll never stray from you. There’s no woman more beautiful to me than you. There’s no woman who’d ever be worth risking what I have with you. I love you fully and completely, Maude, and I will till I draw my last breath.”
Maude nodded as she sniffled. “I know you do. It’s ridiculous for me to get so upset, but I don’t seem to be able to stop the tears. I’m positive you haven’t strayed. You haven’t had time to since you’ve been attached to my side for sennights. I know you wouldn’t abandon your time training to stray, and every other hour of the day, you’re with me. But she’s beautiful. I had an overwhelming sense of failure, as though I’ll never measure up, especially as I gain weight with the bairn.”
“You’re carrying the bairn we made together. I’ll never care aboot your weight, Maude. I’d fear for you and the bairn if you didn’t gain weight. I look forward to seeing your belly swell, knowing we created this life together because we love each other.” Kieran kissed the corner of her jaw before whispering, “Besides, your breasts have always been divine, but now that they have filled out even more, I find myself drooling with want to suckle you.”
Maude shivered as Kieran’s words stirred an ache within her core. She stroked her hand over his back down to his buttocks, which she squeezed. Kieran growled and pulled her further into the shadows before capturing her lips in a kiss so filled with passion, he grew lightheaded. Maude slid her hand under his plaid, reaching for his lengthening rod. Kieran groaned and pulled away, looking around. He led her to the postern gate and a side door to the keep. They raced up the stairs to their chamber. It was only moments later that they were stripped bare and clinging to one another. Their sounds of relief as their bodies fused together filled the chamber, neither caring if everyone in the keep knew what husband and wife were doing.
