“Does he know?” Laurel asked.
“I sent word, but we left before a messenger returned.”
“Do you think he’ll want to acknowledge the bairn? Even claim it?” Brodie asked. “I take it you’re planning to claim the bairn is yours, Dom.”
“I will. We are handfasted now, so as far as it concerns anyone else, this bairn is mine. I promised Emelie that she can repudiate the handfast or let it expire. Either way, I will take the fault and help her settle wherever she wishes. Even if the handfast ends, if the child is born while we are together, it will bear my name and be deemed legitimate.” Dominic’s tone bordered on defiant at the end, almost challenging Brodie to argue that the child could not be a Campbell.
“What color hair does Henry have?” Laurel asked. Three sets of eyes turned to her. “As long as it isn’t reddish like mine or black, then it will be believable that Dominic sired the child. If the bairn doesn’t look like either of you, we claim the bairn looks like one of Emelie’s family members.” Laurel shrugged as the others continued to stare at her. With one brief idea and quick explanation, Laurel welcomed Emelie into their family.
“Laurel, I’m sorry,” Emelie blurted. A sudden urge to sob swelled in her chest. She regretted how she acted toward Laurel, but the strength of her emotions alarmed her.
“Wheesht,” Laurel said as she flapped her hand. “Dinna fash.” At Emelie’s confused expression, Laurel chuckled. “It means, don’t worry. I can’t blame anyone for their suspicions, even if they were hurtful. And considering how I acted only moments after you spoke, I would say your comment made sense. And don’t be scared by those sudden changes in emotions. I was a watering pot for most of the first three moons of this pregnancy. I still am at times. It’s Dom who should look out. You’ll be happy as a bumblebee in summer one moment, then spring a leak, only to roar like a thundercloud the next. They say the worse it is, the more likely you’re having a lad.”
Emelie’s mind flashed to the memory of finding the blossoming wheat. If the legends were true, then she already knew she was having a son. While she would be happy with a son or a daughter, forcing Dominic to accept an heir that wasn’t his still made her uneasy. She didn’t know what she would do in seven or eight months, but she told herself the right thing to do would be to set Dominic free.
“Whatever you’re whittling aboot can be sorted out,” Dominic whispered. Emelie nodded before she attempted to stifle a yawn. Between the travel and the emotional rollercoaster of their brief conversation, she wanted nothing more than to sleep. He helped her to her feet and slid his hand into hers. “I remember how sleepy you were at first, Laurel. Em is going through the same thing.”
Laurel nodded, noting the diminutive Dominic used for his bride. She wondered where their relationship stood. There was a distance between them, or rather an awkwardness, she corrected herself. She mused silently that they wanted the same thing, but neither wanted to admit it.
“I’ll get Emelie settled,” Dominic offered as the two couples walked to the door.
“I know we’re not the same height,” Laurel said as they neared Dominic’s chamber. “But even if all your belongings come from court, you won’t be able to wear them much longer. I have several gowns I altered to fit as my waist expanded. I can alter them to suit you.” Emelie knew Laurel was an adept seamstress. She’d hidden her talent for years, but the former lady-in-waiting possessed a gift with a needle and thread.
They came to a stop outside Dominic’s chamber. He opened the door and stepped inside, memories slamming into him. Everywhere he looked, there was a reminder of Colina. He hadn’t been inside the chamber for months and forgot that nothing had been packed away or changed. He heard Emelie’s gasp. Still holding her hand, he spun on his heel and practically dragged her down the passageway until he reached a chamber he knew wasn’t in use. He threw open the door and breathed easier.
“I’m sorry,” Laurel stammered. “I—I didn’t know to—I didn’t remember when you arrived that…”
“It’s all right, Laurel,” Emelie smiled. She wondered if Laurel and Colina had grown close. From Laurel’s ashen appearance, she assumed being reminded of Colina’s death brought back her friend’s grief, just as it had Dominic’s.
“I’ll have a maid come up and air out the chamber. The linens are fresh.” Laurel looked back and forth between Dominic and Emelie, waiting for Dominic to speak up, to say anything. When her brother-by-marriage remained silent, tension radiating from him, Laurel suggested, “Perhaps the maid can wait. You might want to rest first.”
“I would,” Emelie nodded. Laurel and Brodie disappeared, leaving Emelie looking at Dominic. She couldn’t read his expression, and it worried her. She stepped in front of him and placed her hands on his ridged belly. “It’s all right. I understand.”
Dominic looked down at Emelie. He knew he should explain his reaction, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t form any thoughts beyond anger and a need to escape. He covered her hands with his and forced a smile before stepping away.
“I know the journey exhausted you. I’ll let you get some rest.” He made to turn around, but thought better of it and dropped a kiss on her right temple. Then he spun around much like he had in his chamber and disappeared through the doorway. Emelie stood watching him, then stared into the empty passageway. She had no idea what to make of Dominic’s behavior, but she felt bad for him. The few times she’d tried to broach the subject of his married life, Dominic had abruptly changed the subject. She didn’t want to cause him undue upset, so she’d abandoned trying to learn what type of husband he’d been. Now she didn’t know what to think. But Colina’s ghost felt so present that it tempted Emelie to talk to the dead woman.
Seven
Dominic had to escape. He had to escape the keep. He had to escape Emelie. And he had to escape his memories. His desire to get away was so strong he considered saddling his horse and riding out to join a patrol. That was how he’d avoided his chamber and his memories before he went to court. He’d gone through a handful of Colina’s belongings the day she died, but he’d been too irrational to remain in the chamber. He’d broken several of her perfume vials before Laurel shooed him away. He’d slammed the door behind him and hadn’t been back inside since.
Dominic hadn’t remembered what would greet him until he opened the door. His thoughts had been to get Emelie comfortable, so she could nap. It was a suffocating reality that wrapped around him, and he couldn’t bring himself to let Emelie anywhere near the evil that lurked within the chamber he’d shared for three years. He didn’t think he’d ever be able to enter the room again, let alone share it with Emelie.
As Dominic hurried down the steps and across the bailey, he heard swords clanging in the lists. He swerved toward the training field and drew his weapon as he approached his fellow warriors. Many called out greetings that he barely acknowledged. He was terse as he picked out three partners to spar against. Wielding his sword was the reprieve he needed. He concentrated on keeping his arms and legs attached rather than remembering the past or worrying about the future.
“Ye wouldnae ken ye’ve been on the road for days,” Stanley mused. The warrior was younger than Dominic by a few years, but he was strong and held his own.
“I saw that bonnie bride ye rode in with,” Jacob grinned, and Dominic wanted to smash the leer off the man’s face. They were the same age, but they hadn’t gotten along as children and didn’t care for each other much as adults. But he was a good sparring partner, so Dominic tolerated him. “I would think ye’d be helping her settle in. Mayhap showing her around yer chamber.”
“Mayhap he’s already worn her out,” Stanley teased. Dominic drove his fist into Stanley’s nose before wrapping his hand around the man’s throat.
“Lady Emelie is ma wife, nae one of the slattern whores ye prefer. Speak aboot her like that again, and I will challenge ye, then I will kill ye.” Dominic shook Stanley before pushing him away. He turned toward Jacob, raising his sword. Jacob shook his head.
“We didna mean aught by it, Dom,” Jacob swore.
“Would you say the like to Brodie aboot Lady Campbell?” Dominic regained control of his temper and evened his speech. They all knew the answer to that question. “The past is the past. If you want to insult me for my mistakes, then do so. But if you bring my wife into it, Brodie will look like a pup compared to me. Test me and find out.”
Disgusted with himself and his men, Dominic abandoned the lists and slipped through the postern gate. He made his way to the natural bay the River Orchy formed just outside the retaining wall. He considered going for a swim, but he couldn’t muster the energy, so he sat on a boulder and skipped stones. He wasn’t sure how long he loitered until Laurel nudged him out of the way and took his spot.
