“Do you mind what I offered?” Emelie asked Dominic, wishing they were alone for a moment.
“Not at all. It was kind of you. I will stay up too, if you wish,” Dominic said as he wrapped his arms around his wife. He longed to point out that Laurel wasn’t the only pregnant woman who needed rest, but they had told no one yet, and Aggie was watching them.
“Ye should rest, ma lady. Ye and yer bairn need it, too,” Aggie whispered. Emelie and Dominic turned stunned faces toward her. “I was there when yer mother was carrying ye and the laird. I’ve had three bairns of ma own. And I’ve seen countless other women with child. It doesnae take being a healer to notice that ye dinna care for the morning meal and stick with plain porridge. Ye canna stomach rich foods, but ye seem to be doing better. Ye dinna turn green anymore. Ye canna sit with yer gown laced tightly through the entire evening meal. And aye, I can tell ye the maid has already mentioned she isnae pulling yer laces as tight as she was a sennight ago.”
“Aggie,” Dominic warned.
“Haud yer wheesht. I willna tell anyone, but ye’d do well to share the good news before others realize it. I’ve sworn Ethel to silence after I heard her hinting at yer condition to another maid.” Aggie took Emelie’s hands, but not before she cast a motherly scowl at Dominic. “Ma felicitations, ma lady. We’re all glad ye’re part of our clan now, and everyone will be overjoyed to ken both the laird and his brother have bairns on the way.”
“Thank you, Aggie,” Emelie said, unsure how she felt knowing that others had already deduced her condition.
“Well done, lad. Ye didna waste any time this go around.”
Dominic opened his mouth to chastise Aggie for the insensitive comment, but she’d already turned toward the kitchens. He looked down at Emelie, who watched him. “Em—”
“What does haud yer wheesht mean?” Emelie didn’t want Dominic to make apologies for Aggie when she was certain the older women had intended no harm. She would rather forget Aggie referred to Colina and compared her to Dominic’s first wife.
“It means to be quiet and not get worked up,” Dominic answered.
“That is far better than all that you just said. I shall remember that.”
“Em, she didn’t mean aught by—”
“Haud yer wheesht, wolf,” Emelie grinned and giggled. “Came in handy already.”
Dominic glanced around them, then pressed Emelie backward into a dark passageway. When they were in the shadows, he lifted her off her feet and pressed his mouth to hers. She opened without hesitation, and they both shared a sense of relief that they’d worked past the invisible barrier that had kept them apart until the night before. While it disappointed them both that Nora wouldn’t be able to examine Emelie that day, they both knew they would find other ways to be intimate.
“I’m glad we argued last night.” Emelie was breathless when they pulled apart. Dominic sensed her smile, even if he couldn’t see it.
“I am too. And I admire you for speaking up. I know that it wasn’t easy. I won’t let things get to where we have to argue for me to be forthcoming.”
“Neither will I. Dom, we’ve learned a lot aboot each other in a short amount of time. But it stands to reason that we’re still learning how to be married.” Emelie cringed. She wasn’t certain when she should refer to them as handfasted or married. She didn’t know if they were interchangeable.
“Handfasted or married. Either works,” Dominic said, reading her mind. “You’re my wife either way. And you’re right. We are learning. I will try not to be so highhanded in how I treat you. I’m your husband, not your father. You are my partner, and I don’t want you to feel like your voice doesn’t matter.”
“Thank you. And I understand that there may be times when you can’t always explain your reasoning or your decisions. But when it comes to what we do in private, I want to be open with you like I was last night. It was scary, but secrets got me into the mess I was in when you found me.”
“I like knowing I can confide in you. I didn’t realize how much I needed that until I told you the truth aboot how I feel.” Dominic paused as he collected his thoughts. “Em, I will keep my promise that I will release you at any time with no grievances or grudges. But I’d like you—or rather, I hope you’ll think aboot Kilchurn being your home from now on. That you will consider staying even after you have the bairn. I’m not asking for your answer right this minute. But I want you to know that I want you to stay.”
“Why?” Emelie whispered.
“I think I’m wiser than I was four years ago. I won’t pledge undying love within a matter of sennights. But because I think I’m more mature than I was then, I can also see the difference in the situations. I respect you, Em. I admire you, and not just because you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I admire your resilience, and your kindness, and your bluidy endless patience with me.”
As Emelie listened to Dominic, she realized his compliment about her appearance was more an observation than a trick to gain her trust and lower her resistance. That was what Henry had done. He’d showered her with compliments, and she’d lapped them up like a thirsty kitten.
“Dom, I’ve already started thinking of Kilchurn as my home. But I didn’t want to think aboot aught beyond our year before last night because I wasn’t sure I could spend a lifetime beside you if you didn’t want me as I do you. I think we resolved that matter quite clearly last night. And this morning. And just now.” Emelie giggled again.
“You don’t know how that sound affects me. I will never grow tired of hearing you laugh. It’s like a balm to my soul, sparrow.”
“Then I shall endeavor to laugh often.” Emelie stood on her toes and aimed to kiss Dominic’s cheek. But in the dark, her lips landed against his throat. “And I shalln’t always laugh at your expense. I promise.”
“Cheeky,” Dominic growled as he pinched her backside and lifted her up once again. They exchanged a smacking kiss before embracing. Emelie rested her head against Dominic’s shoulder and closed her eyes. “I would hold you all day, sparrow.”
“I was just thinking how much I wish you could. Must you always read my mind?”
“I don’t read your mind. We just think a great deal alike.”
“Mmm. I like that.” Emelie grew quiet, and neither was in a rush to leave their secluded spot. It reminded them both of the alcoves they’d ducked into at court. But noise from the Great Hall told them people were gathering for the evening meal. They made their way to the dais and shared a trencher. They’d learned what each other preferred, and they’d begun serving one another. They didn’t notice what a blissful couple they made, but others did. More eyes followed them than they realized, and not all liked what they saw.
