Page 169 of Ironling
Handing off Rosie for her noontime meal before they left their chambers, Hakon changed into more courtly attire. Both he and his mate were used to informal, comfortable clothes—that hadn’t changed with their marriage or Rosie. Still, special occasions called for special attire.
He still wasn’t entirely used to pulling on the fine clothes that sat in an armoire full of clothing just for him. Made of the finest fabrics and leathers, embroidered with silk and silver threads, they were clothes for a prince. Or a lord consort. It’d taken a long while to get used to his reflection in the mirror when he wore the clothes, but for all the strangeness, it made him proud to stand beside his mate looking so. Like he deserved to be there. Like hebelonged.
Dressing Rosie and Aislinn was a much longer affair. Rosie squirmed and laughed as they tried to fit her little arms through the sleeves of her small frock, and she delighted in kicking her tiny slippers from her feet.
“This child is going to enjoy running through the castle barefoot, just you watch,” Aislinn grumbled as she tried again to finish dressing Rosie.
“You mean like you do?” he teased from behind her, where he stood lacing her stays.
That earned him a scowl over her shoulder. “Don’t you take her side.”
Hakon just chuckled.
When Rosie was as dressed as she’d allow and Aislinn was comfortable in one of her looser maternity gowns with her golden waves brushed and shining, Hakon took a moment to admire his little family. It pleased something deep and instinctual to see them all in matching Darrow blue. They were together, a unit, part of the same whole.
His mate handed him Rosie, but he handed her right back. “You carry her,” he said, “and I’ll carry you.” Ducking down, he rose with his mate in his arms, her long skirts draped over his arms and Rosie secure in hers.
Aislinn blushed. “I can walk. For the most part.”
“You walked this morning,” he reminded her.
She’d made a valiant show of going to the dining hall for breakfast. The staff had risen from their seats to applaud her, and cheers had rung out so long that Hugh had to come up from the kitchen to scold everyone to eat before the food got cold.
“That’s true.” Aislinn laid her head against his shoulder as they walked. “And I find this is the superior form of transport.”
Hakon laughed. “It’s my most treasured duty, my lady.”
“I may have you carry me around forever.”
“Careful, I might start to think you’re serious and do it.”
Aislinn giggled into his neck, which made Rosie start giggling, too.
They were all laughing by the time they made the great hall. The guards at the posterior door grinned at the sight before opening it for them. “My lady, my lord,” they said, smiling when Rosie stared at them.
As they entered, the heavy metal-tipped cane of the herald dropped to the ground three times before the man announced, “Their Graces Lady Aislinn, Lord Consort Hakon, and Lady Roslinn.”
The hall buzzed with excitement, and Hakon looked out at all the curious faces gathered. It was far more than Merrick had told him were likely to attend, but then, many would want this first glimpse of the new Darrow heir.
Hakon had been adamant that introducing Rosie to the people would come only when Aislinn was healthy enough and not a moment sooner. He’d been horrified to learn that noble mothers and children were often brought out a day or so after the birth, and in no uncertain terms, he’d told Merrick that that wouldn’t happen with Aislinn and Rosie.
His father-in-law had deferred without argument, and he’d thankfully kept at bay the vassals who’d wanted to offer their well-wishes and see the new heiress apparent.
Hakon felt the way Aislinn stiffened with surprise to see so many faces. Rosie felt the change too and made a noise of uncertainty.
“They’re all excited to see you,” Hakon whispered.
“If only it was mutual,” she whispered back.
Hakon pressed a quick kiss to her temple as he ascended the dais.
Merrick already stood beside his seat, and he smiled warmly to see them. The man had aged greatly in the past years, hisordeal with the sweating sickness stealing his vitality. Aislinn had nursed him back to health with sheer will, and although more frail, he’d taken to his more reduced role amiably. The coming of his first grandchild also seemed to invigorate him, and he was always looking for an opportunity to steal Rosie away for a few hours.
Merrick extended his hand, and Hakon placed Aislinn carefully in her father’s seat. She looked up at him with wide, anxious eyes, her unease thrumming through their bond.
“They are here for you and Rosie,” Hakon assured her.
Standing again, he took his usual place beside the seat.
