Laurel spent most of the next fortnight in her chamber with her newborn son, Broderick – most often called Rick – named for his father, Brodie. The bairn was as large as Nora had predicted, and Laurel’s body needed the time to recuperate. Her son also seemed to be starving every hour. It left her little time to do anything but rest and nurse. Emelie took on Laurel’s duties entirely, surprising many with the ease by which she did so. She was unassuming and hardworking, which won over anyone who was still skeptical of Dominic’s bride. She set aside time to have the midday meal with Laurel and baby Rick. She still spent her afternoons with Dominic, but they rarely strayed beyond the village.
Most afternoons, Dominic kept Emelie company while she worked at Laurel’s desk in the upstairs solar. She took responsibility for the household ledgers, and Dominic didn’t have to try hard to convince Brodie to let him take over the clan ledgers, along with most of the correspondence. This gave Brodie time to spend with his wife and newborn.
“He shall spoil that bairn,” Dominic whispered. They could hear Brodie singing to his son in the next chamber. “I shall take lessons from him over the next four moons.”
“You both will be terrors with these bairns. Laurel and I shall end up the mean parents while you and Brodie have all the fun.”
“Aye, sparrow.” Dominic said as he pulled Emelie from her seat. His hands settled on her backside, enjoying that she’d filled out through her hips. Her breasts were no longer as sensitive, so he had free rein to fondle and suckle whenever they had privacy. Emelie arched her back in invitation. Dominic kissed the swells that pushed against her neckline, dipping his tongue into the deep cleavage. One hand continued to grasp her backside as the other kneaded her breast. “Are you nearly through?”
“I just finished. You’ve been very patient while I work. Shall I give you a reward?”
“If ye mean slipping off to our chamber for an hour or four, then I would vera much like a reward,” Dominic purred as he waggled his eyebrows. He took Emelie’s hand and led her toward the door, but a servant intercepted them before they could reach their chamber.
“Dom, this missive just arrived,” a young maid said.
“Is the messenger belowstairs?”
“Nay. Garrett handed it to me and said to bring it up to the laird, but I found ye instead. He said the messenger didna wait for a reply and left as soon as he handed it over.”
“Thank you, Mary.” Dominic’s intuition screamed for him to chase down the messenger. He turned to Emelie and handed the folded parchment to her as the maid scurried away. “I need to catch him before he goes too far.”
“But you don’t even know what the missive says. Mayhap there’s no reason for a reply.”
“Em, it’s odd that he wouldn’t try to give the missive to the laird or the tánaiste himself. He didn’t stop for a drink or food either.”
“At least read it. Know what it is it says before you go chasing after him.” Emelie handed it back to him, and they returned to the solar. Dominic unfolded it and scanned the document. Without looking at Emelie, he refolded it and dropped it in his sporran. “Won’t you even tell me what’s in it?”
“Not right now. I need to go.”
“Dom?” Emelie dashed to keep up with her husband’s long stride. “Dom?”
“Stay here, Em.”
Emelie tugged at his sleeve as they reached the stairs. She tried to place herself between them, but Dominic eased her away. She knew the steep stone stairs made him uneasy as her belly grew. She didn’t fight him and moved aside, but she didn’t release his sleeve.
“If this is something you can’t discuss with me, fine. But please promise you’ll be careful. You’re scaring me.”
“Wheesht, sparrow. All will be fine. I need to see to this. Then we’ll meet with Brodie and Laurel. I’ll tell you everything then. I promise. And I promise to be careful. You owe me that reward, and I intend to claim it.” Dominic stooped and pulled Emelie in for a passionate kiss that made her toes curl, but at the same time frightened her even more. She feared that Dominic kissed her with such heat because he thought it might be the last one they would share. “I need you to promise me you will go to our chamber and lock the door. I’m going to send Alec and Davey to guard you.”
Dominic had relieved the guardsmen of their duty to follow Emelie since there had been no incidents in weeks. But the hair rose on Emelie’s arms when Dominic said he would send two men to stand outside their door. She nodded, knowing that whatever concerned him that much was urgent. She wanted him to hurry and catch the messenger, so he could hurry and return. He kissed her once more before he watched her walk to their chamber. When she closed the door behind her, he ran down the stairs, jumping from the fourth from the bottom.
He burst into the kitchens and found Aggie chatting with Berta as women worked on the evening meal. He tilted his head toward a storeroom and the women followed him. When they were tucked away, he kept his voice low. “Do not let Lady Emelie or Lady Laurel have aught to eat or drink. Even if ye prepare it.”
“What’s amiss, Dom?” Berta asked.
“I don’t know yet. Just don’t serve either lady aught until I’m back. If the laird asks why, tell him we received a missive and the messenger left without seeing him or me.”
Berta and Aggie exchanged a look and nodded. Aggie spoke. “The laird is with Lady Laurel, should he remain with her until ye return?”
“Aye. Make sure that he does. Don’t say aught if you don’t have to because I don’t know what’s going on yet. I’m sending men to guard my wife.”
“Be careful, Dom,” Berta whispered. Dominic nodded before he opened the door to the storeroom and followed the women out. He sprinted towards the stables, calling out to a stable boy to saddle his horse. He bellowed the names of five men and ordered them to saddle their horses in turn. Dominic stormed into the barracks and looked around.
“Alec! Davey!”
The two men poked their heads out of their small chambers. They glanced at one another when they saw Dominic’s expression and hurried toward their tánaiste. Davey peeked out the door. “What’s happened?”
“The messenger? Did you see him?”
