Page 103 of Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies

“Dinnae lie tae me, pet,” Amalie sneered as she used Jamie’s endearment sarcastically. “I have nae doubt ye were the one who gave him the idea tae begin with. Ye ken I dinnae want him tae go back.”

“You’re wrong, mouse,” Valeran interjected in defense of his friend. “It was C who asked me to come back and coordinate assignments. He came to see me while you were at Crianlarich Castle.”

“The week I went home to see my parents?” The sputtering, incoherent sound of rage Amalie released made Valeran’s heart sink. Christ, he was a fucking ass. “Do ye mean tae tell me ye decided tae go back three months ago?”

“Amalie, I swear to you, Val will not be in the field,” Jamie said patiently. A tactic Valeran admired, but he knew was pointless. His wife had almost reached the point of no return.

“Dinnae say another word, Jamie. This is nae your affair, cousin.”

The quiet fury in Amalie’s voice made him and his friend jump in reaction as she assumed a menacing posture. His wife took two steps forward and jabbed her finger into his chest.

“Three months. Ye made ye decision tae go back, three months ago.”

“Mouse—”

“Dinnae ye mouse me,” she spat out furiously. “Ye dinnae even have the stones tae discuss it with me.”

“Just like you didn’t have the courage to tell me what the doctor said weeks ago,” he growled.

Amalie recoiled from him the moment his words rumbled through the air like a distant thunder. The moment he spoke, Valeran regretted losing his temper. He knew the stress she was under.

“Mouse—” With a shake of his head, he reached out for her, but Amalie slapped his hand aside.

“Every time you leave the house, Lord Sommerville, I live in hell. I’m terrified someone will come tell me you will never come home. I only hope you never endure such a hell.”

Amalie’s voice had become the detached aristocratic one he hated. It always meant she’d retreated from him. But today, he heard the stark fear running wild beneath her precise speech. It sent ice sluicing through his blood until his muscles contracted from the cold.

Had she had a vision about the outcome of the doctor’s warning or something worse? The man’s word of caution that the size of the child might make childbirth difficult had to be a terrifying thought for her. But if the an dara sealladh had shown her something darker—Valeran crushed the thought and stepped toward her. The sound of the salon doors flying open made all three of them turn to face the abrupt, loud, interruption.

“Good God,” Harry exclaimed in a low voice as he closed the doors behind him and strode forward. “Mother and Aunt Louisa were about to send Father and Uncle Ewan in here to investigate what the hell is happening.”

The salon doors opened again, and Valeran heard the rustle of silk as the doors closed behind Ginny’s shadow.

“What in heaven’s name are the three of you arguing about. Aunt Matilda and I could hear Amalie on the second floor.”

Valeran ignored the questions as he saw Amalie take a step toward the salon doors. Alarmed he caught her by the arm.

“Mouse, listen to me—”

“Release me, my lord. You’ve made your decision. There’s nothing more to say.”

With a vicious twist of her body, Amalie tugged free of his grasp, then turned and pushed Harry and Ginny out of her path as she walked away from him. A moment later, a loud crash echoed through the air as his wife threw open the salon’s heavy wooden doors and sent them bouncing off the walls. Outside in the main hall, Valeran heard voices raised in concern.

“Bloody hell, Val. What in God’s name made you tell her today?” Harry snapped in a low, fierce voice.

Still reeling from his wife’s words, Valeran didn’t reply. Instead, he stood rigid and speechless, staring at the yawning gray hole that was the open salon doorway.

“She overheard me ask Val about when he intended to tell her about his decision to return to HQ,” Jamie answered for him.

“In other words, this is your fault, Viscount Westbury.” Ginny’s scathing tone made his friend jerk in surprise.

“We were halfway out the front door to talk in private. I had no idea Amalie was within earshot.” Jamie’s defensive reply was met with a sound of disgust from Ginny.

“I’ll go talk to her,” Ginny snapped in disgust. “Maybe I can repair the damage—”

A sudden cry echoed outside the salon, and Valeran heard Aunt Matilda calling for help. Christ almighty, had Amalie fallen down the stairs? She’d become somewhat unsteady on her feet bearing the heavy weight of their child. Harry and Ginny stepped out of his way as he raced out of the salon. The moment he reached the main hall, he saw half a dozen people come running from all different directions.

“It’s time,” Lady Stewart said cheerfully. “Val, come help—”