‘And that would be what?’ she snapped.
‘Carrying my bairn in your belly, lass,’ he said.
‘No, I am not. I cannot be.’
‘You most certainly can. You have been bringing up your breakfast on and off for days. Did it not occur to you that I might have gotten you with child, my love?’
‘It did, butsurely not so soon? We have only just been wed….’
‘And I spend every night making love to you, Maren, and before we were wed too,’ said Bryce. ‘If I recall, being with child is a natural outcome of such activities.’ He frowned down at her, and his face was suddenly grave.
‘Are you pleased?’ she said warily as it sunk in that he might be right.
‘Aye, inordinately pleased and proud of myself, too.’ His face broke into a grin. ‘But you must be cossetted, my love, not ride about the glens like the furies.’
‘Oh, I cannot be with child. I will get fat, and you will not want me, and… oh… I feel wretched.’
Bryce took her in his arms. It was a comfort of sorts until he said, ‘You cannot ride if you are in a delicate condition. Best you stay here and rest.’
Maren pushed him off. ‘I can most certainly ride, you hound. And I will be ready in just a….’
Nausea took Maren, and she vomited again. When she recovered a little, she looked at Bryce’s face. Clearly, he was considering staying with her, but he had been looking forward to the race for weeks. She could not begrudge him a taste of freedom.
‘Go on, then. Hurry to Machrie and the others. Run your race and win for us, or at least don’t fall and break your neck, for our bairn needs a father. I will be alright on my own.’
‘Thank you, my love. And I will win.’ Bryce headed for the door and then returned to kiss her forehead. ‘I am thrilled you are with child, Maren.’ He kissed her hand. ‘I am so proud of you, lass, and I love you. I will send a servant to tend to you.’
Maren flopped on the bed with a sigh as the last of his footsteps faded away. She cradled her belly. She had suspected she might be with child, but she had been so busy and happy that she had pushed the idea from her mind. A bairn was coming. It was strange to imagine a tiny version of Bryce growing in her belly, and her mind could not quite comprehend it as a reality. Besides, she felt dreadful. Maren determined to think about it when she felt better.
She put her arm over her eyes and took a few deep breaths, letting the nausea recede. Soon, she began to drift in and out of sleep. The door creaking open woke her, and she opened her eyes to bright sunshine streaming in the windows. Her eyelids felt as heavy as lead. How long had she slept?
‘It is alright. I am well,’ she murmured. ‘Take the bowl if you please, and let me sleep, for I am tired to my bones.’
There came a scraping noise and then the pad of footsteps coming closer, followed by silence. Maren opened her eyes and twisted off the bed in a flash. Her legs went from under her, and she stumbled into a table.
Drayton Carver laughed. ‘You look as though you have seen a ghost, my love.’ He came towards her and looked her up and down. ‘Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes, lass. I missed you when you were gone on your travels.’
A discreet knock sounded on the door.
‘Don’t scream, or I will slice whoever comes through the door,’ hissed Drayton. ‘Perhaps that bonnie little maidservant I saw in the garden yesterday or the stick of a lad who is presently asleep outside the stable just across the yard. Running is also futile, for I am faster than you.’
‘Mistress? Are you alright?’ It was Keena, her maid. ‘The door is locked.’
‘Aye. All is well. I just want to sleep. Come back in a few hours,’ Maren called out as nonchalantly as she could.
The maid’s footsteps echoed away down the corridor.
‘What are you doing here?’ gasped Maren.
‘Repaying your father’s visit. Aye, he sought me out a while ago.’
‘Did he? Why?’
Drayton’s mouth spread into a grin, but it was twisted and vicious, like a wolf baring its fangs. ‘You know full well why he came, lass. He was your assassin, was he not?’
‘No.’
Drayton calmly took out a knife and twirled the tip of his blade against the pad of his forefinger. A drop of blood oozed. He came towards her in a rush, and it took all Maren’s courage not to flinch, but she held her ground. It did not serve to show fear to Drayton. It only served to swell his bloodlust.
