“Don’t be so hard on the lass.She’s only trying to help.”He swiped the traps off the bed and onto the floor.“There.They’re gone.”Grabbing her hand, he pulled her onto the mattress, falling with her and wrapping his arms around her tightly.
But not so tightly that she couldn’t escape.She leapt to her feet, holding her nose.“I cannot make love with this stench in the room!I’m going to find Margaret.She’ll need to toss all the mousetraps, air the room, and change the bedding.I vow and swear, I’d rather deal with mice than this stink.”
The expression on Trick’s face made her stifle a laugh.She couldn’t remember ever seeing him pout before, but he was pouting now, reminding her of a disappointed little boy.“Are you certain?”he asked.
She hesitated, the last of the tingling warmth still lingering in her middle.Her husband was sprawled on the bed, his silky-straight blond hair mussed, his snow-white shirt untucked, his gorgeous amber eyes imploring her.He looked better than dessert.
On her next inhale, she was certain.
“I’m certain.”So certain she walked to the door, threw it open, and headed to the attic to find Margaret—because she really couldn’t tolerate the stench a moment longer.
“I’ll meet you downstairs,” she called back.“Let’s gather the children and sing some carols.We’ll try again tonight.”
Ten
Caithren
“CAN WE SING‘Tyrley, Tyrlow’ next?”Caithren’s youngest son asked.
Without verbally acknowledging his request, Kendra returned her hands to the harpsichord and began playing the first notes of the familiar carol.
Cait smiled.After all these years with Jason, she had come to adore Christmas with his family, even though she still missed her cousin Cameron and their own traditions during this season.She especially loved how enthusiastic her three lads were this time of year.Her heart seemed to swell as their voices rose in song.
“I pray you all that be here
For to sing and make good cheer
In the worship of God this year
Tyrley, tyrlow, tyrley, tyrlow, tyrley, tyrlow…”
Would the new bairn grow up to love Christmas, too?For a moment, she imagined herself at Cainewood this same day next year, holding her wee babe wrapped in the Leslie tartan she’d been saving, rocking the bairn in time to this same carol, sniffing the sweet newborn scent in its downy hair…
As a wee bit of excitement pushed through her anxiety, she smiled again.
Amy leaned close.“Have you told Jason yet?”she whispered.
Cait shook her head.Crivvens, she had to tell him.“I will,” she whispered back.
“Before supper?”
“Before supper.”
She had to find a way.Andhewouldn’t be smiling.
“Ahem.”
Kendra’s fingers paused on the harpsichord’s keyboard.Everyone stopped singing and looked to Hilda, Lakefield’s elderly housekeeper.She smoothed her hands over the wide white apron that covered her yellow cotton frock.
“Supper will be served in half an hour,” she announced.
“Oh, we should all ready ourselves,” Violet said as she rose.“We can sing more carols after supper.”
“I’m ready already,” Rebecca announced, jumping up.“I’m going to check on my kitties.”She ran through the room and to the side door.
A moment later, her high-pitched voice drifted back.“Oh, it’s snowing!”
Her twin, Marcus, bolted for the door, while their older sibling and cousins followed.Feeling no need to view the snow, Caithren stayed put.
