The enthralling tale of Gabriel MacLachlan and Mad Maggie had fled from Julianna’s mind, fresh apprehension flooding her as more warriors rushed out of what must be a barracks while others had burst from the keep.
She didn’t feel courageous and stronghearted at all in that moment, no matter Roger’s view of her—only stunned by all the clamor.
Clearly he was much revered by his clansmen, but how would she, an Englishwoman, be received as Lady Douglas?
Even Roger’s arm supporting her around the waist didn’t reassure her as two men came toward them…the taller one’s marked resemblance to Roger telling her that he must be a brother. Was that the one named William whom Gabriel had mentioned before riding away with his men?
She felt the muscles in Roger’s arm seem to tense, and she glanced up at him to see that his expression had hardened, though it was a tonsured priest who dashed forward to reach them first.
“Brother! God’s praises that you’ve returned safe and sound!”
So Roger had more than one male sibling, Julianna wishing that he had told her more about his family before they arrived. She knew little else than that his late wife had been Sylvia and they had three children together—
“My thanks, Evander,” Roger murmured, though his voice became brusque when the other man, equally grim-faced, came forward. “William. I take it that everything is in order here after my absence?”
“What? No fond greeting for me first?”
Julianna didn’t miss William’s sarcasm nor the stiff stance of both men as Evander, his thin face unhealthily pale, stepped between them.
“All is not well, Roger. Your son took ill not long after you left—God help him. I’ve prayed and prayed but I fear he willna survive, though the healer has done everything he could—”
“A doddering fool,” William interjected, his impassive expression chilling Julianna. “More likely he has poisoned the bairn with his noxious potions—”
“By God, man, you’re speaking of my heir!” Roger cut him off, his face darkened with fury as he pulled Julianna by the hand toward the keep. “Why didn’t either of you tell me this news straightaway? Where is he?”
“In his room with his nursemaids,” cried out Evander, his brown robe fluttering as he rushed after them.
“Are you not going tae introduce us tae the lovely lass?” shouted William as if he had no concern at all for the child, Julianna’s heart pounding and her mind racing.
She remembered Roger had said his wife died six months ago in childbirth, so the poor babe was an infant still. She wouldn’t know of what he suffered until she saw him, though Evander’s assessment had sounded ominous—
“You must do whatever you can for my son, Juli, will you?”
She bobbed her head at Roger even as they reached the entranceway to the keep, though he stopped suddenly and turned back toward the bailey, his voice as steely as his gaze.
“Julianna is no lovely lass tae you, William, but my bride,Lady Douglas, and you will speak of her with respect from now on. Am I understood?”
She glanced over her shoulder to see an astonished look on William’s face, Evander sputtering in surprise.
Yet Roger didn’t wait for a reply and ushered her into the keep…though Julianna was certain she heard nothing more from William than a scathing curse.
CHAPTER11
“Oh…poor sweet boy.”
Roger held his breath as Julianna leaned over the cradle and drew back the blanket from his dark-haired son, her sudden sharp gasp telling him the worst without her saying a word.
“He’s dying, aye?”
He could hardly utter his query, though it was best to know now so he could prepare himself—
“Not dying, Roger…your son is starving. I’ve seen this before and I pray it’s not too late.” Julianna turned around to face the nursemaids who Roger had already introduced her to as his wife. “Does he not have a wet nurse?”
“Aye, Lady Douglas,” piped up the older one of the two, glancing nervously from Julianna to Roger. “A healthy girl…a serving maid with her own bairn whom she’s gone tae tend, then she’ll return straightaway. Laird, I swear it, the boy eats well but sickens nearly every time—”
“You must find a new wet nurse and quickly,” Julianna interjected, her worried gaze meeting Roger’s. “Look at how his belly is swollen. The woman’s milk doesn’t agree with him. Mayhap it’s too rich or too watery, I cannot say, but he’s gained little nourishment from it. Please, you must hurry for your son’s sake!”
Roger nodded, apprehension welling inside him as he looked with anger at the nursemaids. “Didna you see what was amiss, either of you?”
