Malcolm rose first, and she searched for the wound on his thigh. He’d spoken the truth. In the light of day, it appeared to be no more than a deep scratch. And it had already begun to heal.
She sat up slowly, waiting to see if she’d be able to get up without feeling nauseated. Malcolm handed her a piece of dry toast he snatched from the table by the hearth. She glanced up at him, surprised. “You know, don’t you?”
He gave her a smug grin. “I share your bed every night, Alethia. Do you think I take no notice when your courses come, or when they fail to come? Think you I canna see the changes already taking place in your body?”
“What changes?” She glanced down at herself. She didn’t see anything different.
“Your breasts have grown larger.” His gaze slid over her body and came to rest on her breasts. “Your skin, when no’ tinged green from nausea, fair glows. You want to sleep all the time, and you’re always hungry.”
“Oh.”
“You spoke of it during one of your visions.” He told her as he washed.
She gasped. “I did?”
“Aye. You said we are to have a wee lass. I’ve no reason to doubt you speak the truth.”
He dressed as she nibbled the toast. “Cool.” She smiled and covered her abdomen with one hand. “A little girl with golden hair and blue eyes.” Suddenly feeling shy, she asked, “Are you pleased?”
“Aye.” His smile took her breath. “I am pleased.” He crossed the room to take her up in his arms. “How could I no’ be, my love. I long to fill this keep with our bairns, to hear their laughter and watch them grow healthy and strong. You said you wanted a large family. Do you recall?” He brushed the hair from her face and kissed her brow.
“I remember everything,” she whispered.
“I want to give you your heart’s desire, mo anam. Your happiness brings me joy. However,” he said as he smacked her bare bottom, “you’re breeding. When you put your life at risk as you did at Castle Rait, you also risk our bairn. You will take more care in future, or there will be consequences. Now, get dressed, love. Liam and Mairen are to handfast this day.”
“You’re right, Malcolm. I will stay out of trouble.” She crossed the chamber to wash. “I promise. I am so happy for them. Poor Liam has carried that burden for far too long. He didn’t believe there could be a happy ending. Now, if only something could be done for Elaine.” She stilled as the events from the previous day flooded her mind. “Malcolm, when will a priest come to Moigh Hall?”
“The middle of May. Why?”
“I…I…killed a man.” Her emotions were swinging out of control, blissfully happy one moment and despairing the next. She didn’t like it. “It’s a mortal sin. I need to talk to a priest.”
“Dinna think on it overmuch. There is no sin in protecting kith and kin. You did no wrong, Alethia.” He drew her back into his arms and held her tight, rocking her back and forth in a gentle motion. “If I could take it from your mind I would, mo céile. Come, we’ve a handfasting to attend, and then a feast. Would you like to play your music this eve?”
She nodded against his shoulder and wondered if she should mention she hadn’t really been sleeping when Robley told him about Giselle’s whereabouts.
Alethia watched Mairen interact with Elaine and Lydia as they all sat in the solar. It had been eight days since they’d rescued the Comyn’s daughter, and a week since Mairen and Liam had handfasted. She wanted to be close to Liam’s new wife, and only one thing prevented her from feeling at ease.
Mairen’s soft brown eyes gave no hint whether or not she knew Alethia had been the one who shot the arrow that killed her brother. She studied the woman. The evidence of her father’s brutality had faded. Her lip had healed, and she no longer cringed when spoken to. Her bruises were yellowish smudges that would soon be gone altogether.
Everything about Mairen seemed soft—from her light golden-brown hair to her large brown eyes. She radiated goodness. How had such a warm and caring person come from such a cold, cruel father? She wondered what Mairen’s mother must have been like. Had she willingly married the Red Comyn, or had she been given to him by an indifferent father?
They would remain in residence until negotiations were complete with the Comyns remaining at Castle Rait. Liam also wished to see his parents safely returned with William. Gathering her courage, Alethia prepared herself to broach the subject that had haunted her dreams. “Mairen, I need to talk to you about something.”