“If I remind you of a sparrow, then you remind me of a wolf.”
“I stand by ma hesitation to couple with ye, Em. Until I hear it from Nora that I dinna have to fear harming ye, I willna relent on that. Ridiculous as it seems to ye. But ye ken now there are other things we can do.”
“Och, aye. I shall hold you to it.” Emelie’s saucy comment matched her expression. They dissolved into laughter before Dominic drew the covers over them. “Goodnight, wolf.”
“Goodnight, sparrow.”
They fell asleep wrapped in one another’s arms, and they awoke the same way. Dominic didn’t rush from the chamber. He reminded Emelie of what she’d discovered the night before. They were late to the morning meal, but neither cared about the knowing looks directed at them. They were too busy chatting about the coming day.
Eleven
“Damn it,” Dominic muttered as he looked at the northern sky.
“What is it?” Emelie asked as they walked back to the keep from the village. They’d spent most of the afternoon visiting with clan members who still hadn’t met Emelie. They were mostly the older members, and it amazed Dominic at how naturally Emelie charmed them, even the most cantankerous.
“There’s an almighty storm brewing, and it looks like it’s already dumping rain to the north.” Dominic pointed to the thick, dark clouds in the distance.
“We have plenty of time to make it back inside.”
“Aye. But that’s the direction Nora would come from. I doubt she’ll travel in a storm. She shouldn’t travel in a storm,” Dominic conceded. He looked down at Emelie and knew her disappointment matched his. They’d made tremendous strides the night before, and they were both eager to hear Nora’s verdict. Emelie knew they hoped for the same thing, but even if they didn’t hear what they wanted, she knew it would relieve them both to know one way or another.
They entered the keep together just as Laurel stumbled against a wall and bent over. Emelie and Dominic ran to her side. They found her perspiring and pale. Dominic didn’t hesitate. He scooped Laurel into his arms and charged toward the steps, bellowing, “Find Brodie.”
Dominic could only imagine the state his brother would be in if no one sought him immediately. Emelie gathered her skirts to her knees and rushed up the stairs ahead of him. She threw open the door to the laird and lady’s chamber and rushed to pull back the covers. Dominic eased Laurel onto the bed. He moved to stoke the fire while Emelie pulled off Laurel’s boots. The woman had said nothing since Emelie and Dominic reached her side, and it terrified them.
“What happened?” Brodie demanded as he burst into the chamber.
“Wheesht, bear,” Laurel whispered. “Ye’re making ma head ring.”
Emelie jumped out of the way, glad when Dominic pulled her back against him and out of Brodie’s way as he stormed across the chamber. Emelie feared he would bully Laurel into speaking. It stunned her to see how gentle Brodie was as he lifted Laurel’s hand into his and brushed hair from her perspiring brow.
“What do ye need, thistle? What’s wrong?” Brodie asked in a hushed voice. He stroked his wife’s damp hair as he watched her.
“Sleep. Naught is wrong with the bairn, so ye dinna need to fash. I just felt lightheaded and suddenly so tired. I fear I may be coming down with something.”
“Nay.”
“What do ye mean, nay?” Laurel opened one eye and scowled at her husband. “Ye canna just tell me I canna get sick.”
“Because ye dinna listen anyway,” Brodie scolded before he kissed Laurel’s forehead. He kicked off his boots and laid his sword across the foot of the bed. Emelie watched in amazement as Brodie climbed over Laurel without releasing her hand. He was agile and barely moved the bed as he settled beside her. She rolled toward her husband, and it was only a moment later before Emelie, Dominic, and Brodie realized Laurel had already fallen asleep.
“I’ll ask Berta to send a tray up with a proper meal for you and some broth for Laurel,” Emelie offered.
“Have her send up half a hog. Laurel willna want just broth,” Brodie teased, but the words were hollow. It was obvious to Emelie and Dominic that Brodie was frightened.
“If you wish to sleep later, I’ll stay awake in case she needs aught,” Emelie said.
“That’s kind of ye, lass. I still havenae apologized for the horrible things ye heard me say yer first morn here. I’m sorry. It was uncalled for. Ma brother annoyed me, and ye were an easy way to get back at him. It wasna right, and I am sorry.” Brodie offered his apology to Emelie, then looked at Dominic. “I am sorry to ye too. Ye didna deserve ma doubt or suspicion. I’ve told ye before that I dinna blame ye for the past, and I meant it then, just as I mean it now. I shouldnae have been testy with ye, and I shouldnae have used yer wife like that.”
Laurel stirred. “Aboot bluidy time,” she muttered. “Now quiet, bear. Yer chest moves too much when ye speak. Just hold me.”
“We’ll be back later,” Dominic said before he led Emelie to the door. They both looked back to find Brodie whispering to Laurel as he rubbed her back. His eyes were closed, but it was obvious he was still alert. Dominic and Emelie made their way back to the Great Hall. They found Aggie looking for Laurel, so they explained what happened.
“Should someone fetch Nora?” Emelie asked.
“Nae yet,” Aggie said. “We’ll see if we can get Lady Laurel to rights by tomorrow midday. If nae, then we’ll see aboot sending someone out for the healer.”
Emelie turned to look at Dominic, who nodded in agreement. “Aggie’s right. It’s going dark already. It’ll be more dangerous for the rider, and there’s no guarantee the mon would reach Nora tonight, anyway.”
