Only now there was a complication and Selina didn’t know what to do about it. She wanted to protect Angus from disappointment, if matters did not go as they should, but instead of protecting him, she was pushing him away. This was the second time today she had scolded him for nothing at all. No wonder he was hurt and confused.
“Selina,” he said, and she could see the worry in his eyes as he held out his hand. “What is it? Are you no’ happy here?”
He would offer to go elsewhere, tear up his roots for her sake, and she could not have that.
“I am happy,” she said, and took his hand in hers. “Angus, it isn’t that.”
He shook his head. “’Tis something, I know it. Tell me what is wrong, so I can make it right.”
Of course he would say that. He had promised at their handfasting that he would make her happy.
“I am having a baby and I’m too old!” She wailed the words. “I am forty, Angus, and I’m sure it will go wrong, and you will be so upset with me, and...”
The rest of her words were smothered by his broad chest as he held her, rocking her close. After a time, when she was calm, he said, “It is grand news, aye, it is. Mabbe it will not finish well, but I willna think of that, my love. I will just be happy for each day that passes.”
“Yes,” she agreed. He was right. What was the use in expecting the worst instead of taking each day as it came? She sniffed and let him wipe her cheeks dry of tears.
“’Tis not what I expected,” he admitted. “I thought you’d decided Bonnyrigg was no’ for you, or worse,Iwas no’ for you.”
“Angus, I could never not want you,” she murmured, kissing his whiskery cheek.
“Then let us enjoy this moment,” he said firmly. “I do not believe in borrowing trouble.”
Distracted, he looked out of the window at the sky. “It will rain soon,” he said, with the certainty of someone who knew the weather well. “The home Callum made for his creatures has a leak in it. He has found dry corners for most of them, apart from two.” He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Do you want the squirrel or the crow?”
Selina giggled. “The crow, please.”
She had seen all the creatures now, and the crow was less trouble.
“What do you think Penelope will think when her husband arrives in their bedchamber with the squirrel?”
Selina laughed out loud. “She will forgive him,” she said, “because she loves him.”
Angus looked uncertain. “Will we tell people?” he asked. “About the baby? Luna is good with such things, you know. Women come to her for help.”
Selina had not known that and was glad to hear it. “Not just yet,” she said. “I want to enjoy it with you.”
He kissed her cheek. “Thank you,” he whispered.
*
Penelope rested herhead on her husband’s chest and closed her eyes. She was happy and contented. Callum’s parents had accepted her. They were kindhearted people and her sad story had won them around, although Callum said it was her handling of the oatcake situation that had done the trick. Whatever the reason, she was determined she would continue to prove herself a valuable asset when it came to Maxwell’s ambitions for his family.
This was only the beginning, and she was looking forward to the challenges ahead.
“I know I said we could live in Inverness,” Callum said, his voice rumbling in his chest, “but I am glad we don’t have to go.”
“I am glad, too.”
Outside, a summer storm was pelting rain against the windows and bending the trees in the forest. Callum had been out to check on his creatures, and she suspected he had brought some of them into the bedchamber, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. There was a rustling beneath the bed that sounded very suspicious.
“You know it is not socially acceptable to share your bed with animals,” she said. “Unless they are cats or dogs, I suppose, and even then...”
“Ah, Penelope, I could not leave them outside in this. There is a leak in the roof of the home I made for them.”
“And who are ‘they’? Please, not another mouse.”
He laughed. “Remember that night? I should tell Rory, he will enjoy the laugh.”
