“Lad.” An older woman approached them. Dominic groaned.
“Aye, Nora. This is my wife.”
“Ye said ye wanted me to examine yer wife, but she looked hale as mountain goat a moment ago. And just as graceful until she met that piglet.”
“Hello, Nora,” Emelie smiled. “I know you haven’t been home in days. I can wait until morning.” At Dominic’s groan, Emelie chuckled. “Mayhap my husband can’t.”
“Then let’s have ye up to yer chamber. Get yerself cleaned up while I check on Lady Laurel.” Nora tsked as she shooed them toward the doors. “Let’s go, lad. Before yer wee wife catches her death.”
Emelie tucked her face against Dominic’s chest to hide her laughter. Nora was hardly bigger than her, but she issued orders to Dominic as though he was still a young boy like the one who tended the pigs. She sensed Dominic wanted to argue, but she knew he wouldn’t dare. Emelie gathered her skirts to keep the mud from dripping onto the Great Hall’s floor. When they reached their chamber, Dominic kicked the door shut and lowered her to the floor. But she remained on her feet for only a moment before Dominic lifted her and guided her legs around his waist.
“How I’ve missed ye, sparrow. Ye made ma heart stop.” Dominic captured Emelie’s lips. She opened to him, moaning as her fingers tangled in his hair. He pressed her back to the door and rocked his cock against her mons. Their kiss grew wilder and hungrier with each heartbeat. When they were breathless, Dominic panted, “Bluidy good thing Nora is here. I dinna ken that I can keep ma resolve.”
“I don’t want you to. Let Nora tend to Laurel. I’m fine, Dom.”
“I might have believed ye if I didna just see ye take a tumble.”
“If I let you keep complaining, will you keep talking like that?”
“Like—are ye teasing me right now?”
“A little.” Emelie held up her thumb and forefinger to show him a small amount. He nipped at her neck and used his teeth to tug at her earlobe.
“Let’s get ye undressed and cleaned up enough for Nora. Then into a hot bath for ye.”
“Will you scrub my back?”
“I’ll scrub all of ye.” Dominic put Emelie down and pulled her laces free. Mud caked them and made it harder to loosen than normal. As he worked to get her kirtle off, Emelie scrubbed soap and a wash linen over her face and neck. She scrubbed her hands once Dominic helped peel her gown over her hips. She finished rinsing off most of the mud when a knock sounded at the door.
Dominic looked to Emelie, and when she nodded, he opened the door. Nora bustled in, clucking as she prodded Emelie toward the bed. “Yer mon just said he wanted me to see ye. He wouldnae tell me why. I’m guessing ye’re with child. Nay mon gets in such a tiswas unless he’s fashing over his wife carrying their bairn.”
“That’s sounds like Dominic,” Emelie grinned. She climbed onto the bed and watched Dominic look in every direction but toward the bed. She held out her hand to him. She watched as his face flushed, but he came to stand beside her and held her hand.
“How far along do ye think ye are, lass?”
“Mayhap nearly two or three moons. I dinna ken for sure.” Emelie held her breath, but Nora didn’t respond. She pushed Emelie’s chemise to her waist and set to work pressing on Emelie’s belly. She nodded several times before she raised the chemise high enough to glance at Emelie’s breasts.
“I’d say two moons. Ye look well, ma lady. I dinna see any reason for yer husband to be so nervous.”
Emelie realized that if Nora’s estimation was correct, she’d gotten with child the second time she coupled with Henry. It would make the timing of her babe more reasonable.
“Nora,” Dominic cleared his throat. “I wanted to ken…” Dominic glanced at Emelie, who he could tell was fighting not to laugh once again. “Ma wife is so tiny, and I’m, well, I’m nae. I’m scared I’ll…”
“Wheesht, lad. Ye willna break yer bonnie wee bride. She’s small, but she’s healthy.”
“So we can…” Dominic didn’t know where to look.
“As entertaining as it would be to make ye keep squirming, I’ll take pity on ye. Ye can bed yer wife. Have ye nae been?”
“Once I knew she was with child, I was nervous that I would—”
“Ye dinna think ye’re going to poke the bairn, do ye?” Nora interrupted. When Emelie choked, both women laughed. “Ye told him he couldnae, didna ye?”
“I did. But don’t fault him. Dominic is a good husband. He takes wonderful care of me.”
“I dinna doubt it. Listen to two words when he talks aboot ye, and it’s obvious how much he loves ye.” Nora patted Dominic on the arm. “Dinna keep the poor lass waiting. A good tupping will do ye both some good. Obviously, ye ken what works for ye. Ye already got her with child.”
“Thank ye, Nora.” Dominic guided the older woman toward the door.
