“I’m going into the village soon to check on some crofts that the storms damaged. I know Brodie will tend to the structures, but I also know you would see to the people. I’m going to take bread, pickled vegetables, and cheese to those who will accept it.”
“It may embarrass most because you’re still new, but they aren’t too prideful to accept generosity. They’ll appreciate your kindness,” Laurel explained. “But take at least three men with you.”
“I know. Dom would be livid if I left here without at least three guards. And to be honest, with how dark it is all day, I feel better having them with me. I’m not scared of the dark, nor do I think danger lurks in every corner, but you and I lived at court long enough to know what can happen to a woman in dark corners.”
“Aye. Wise lass.” Laurel nodded, then pointed toward a chest. “Pick out the gowns you like, then call Aggie. We can get you fitted, then I’ll sew while you’re in the village. I can have something ready for you before the evening meal.”
Emelie followed Laurel’s instructions. It amazed her at how efficient Aggie and Laurel were, and in less than an hour, Laurel had four kirtles measured and pinned. Emelie gave her a brief hug before fetching her arisaid from her chamber and making her way to the guardroom.
“Lady Emelie, it isnae fit for mon nor beast,” a guard greeted her.
“I agree, Alec. But I need to go into the village. Are there at least three men who can accompany me?”
“Aye, ma lady. Give me but a moment.”
“Please send them round to the kitchens. I have some baskets I need help to carry.”
“Will do, ma lady.”
Emelie picked her way to the kitchens, and it wasn’t long before Alec and three men joined her. They lifted the baskets as though they were empty, then surrounded Emelie as they made their way out to the village. It took Emelie nearly four hours to make her rounds. Each family offered her a dram of whisky or something to eat. She didn’t want to be rude, but eventually she had to turn down the alcohol. Once she explained how much she’d already had, no one took offense. Most cheered her on for staying on her feet after so much liquor and being so petite. She figured she rose in many people’s estimation since she could hold her whisky. As she stepped out of the last croft, bells tolled. She looked at Alec, who grinned.
“Yer husband is nearly home, ma lady.”
“Bluidy hell!” Emelie laughed as four stunned faces turned to her. “I’m excited he’s home. But I planned to have a bath and food waiting for him. At this rate, he’ll be in the keep before me. Can you keep up?”
Emelie gathered her skirts into her hands and dashed toward the postern gate. She leaped over one puddle after another, finding the few spots that weren’t miniature bogs. She ran across the bailey, not caring about the puddles as Dominic rode through the gates. She was within earshot of Dominic when a squealing piglet dashed in front of her, splattering mud across her skirts. She tried to veer away from the animal, but her shoe squelched full of mud and wouldn’t pull free. She pitched forward, her hands going out to break her fall. But it was to no avail. She landed face down in the muck. As if to add insult to injury, the piglet pressed his snout to Emelie’s face and grunted as if it were foraging for truffles.
“Emelie!” Dominic bellowed as he watched the horror unfold. He sprang from his horse, but he couldn’t get to his wife before she landed in the mud. When she heard his roar, she pushed up enough to look at him. She rose to her knees, but a yapping dog ran toward the piglet and splattered mud into Emelie’s face and knocked her backward. Dominic bolted across the bailey and swooped Emelie off the ground before another animal could injure her.
“You’re home, and I’m the one who will need the bath,” Emelie grumbled.
“What?”
“Naught. Oh, Dom. I’m so glad you’re safe and home.”
“I’m safe, but are you hurt? Why were you running?”
“I was fine until that blasted pig came out of nowhere. What’s it doing out of the pen, anyway?”
“I dinna ken, ma lady. I am so sorry.” A young boy ran up to the couple. His face was ruddy, and he was out of breath. “I ken I closed the gate to the pen. I just fed the lot of them. I turned to call Loki to ma side. He was digging at something, so I went to get him. Then I heard the squealing and saw ye fall, ma lady. Then ma dog knocked ye over. I didna mean for ye to get hurt.”
“I’m not hurt. Only dirty. And I’ve seen you with the animals. I know you’re very responsible. This must have been an accident.” Emelie smiled down at the boy before Dominic nodded and turned toward the keep.
“But I ken I locked the gate,” the boy insisted.
“I believe you. Mayhap the pigs knocked against the gate and loosened the lock,” Emelie suggested. The boy looked ready to disagree, but he thought better of it and nodded.
“Thank ye, ma lady.” The boy bowed, then chased after his pig and his dog.
“What were you doing running in this weather?” Dominic asked.
“I wanted to get to the keep before you. I wanted to order a bath for you and have a tray of food ready. I wanted to greet you properly. Now I’m the one who’s filthy and needs the bath. You don’t look like you’ve been sleeping outside for four nights.”
“The rain’s been washing the mud off us faster than it can stick. Em, are you sure you’re not hurt?”
“I’m fine. You can put me down.”
“And give up the chance to hold you? Not a chance, sparrow.” Dominic nuzzled Emelie’s neck. “We’ll have that bath together.”
