Page 102 of Bride of Fire
Morgan was quick to reply, “O’ course I like her. I wouldn’t let her tend to our son if I didn’t.”
Alicia wasn’t fooled for an instant. There was more to it than that. The circumstances felt all too familiar. The tryst between Godit and Edward was still fresh in her mind.
Maybe things hadn’t progressed that far between Morgan and this maidservant. But too much was at stake for her now. He couldn’t be trusted. No man could be. She’d be damned if she’d let a man betray her again.
Rage bubbled inside her veins. But she dared not let Morgan see it. Gentle persuasion always worked best with him.
She lowered her head until her chin rested on her chest, hiding the livid glimmer in her eyes. When she spoke, it was in a trembling voice, one she hoped he’d mistake for fear, not fury. “Don’t be angry with me, Morgan, but…well…’tis only that she makes a mockery of your command. She defies your orders and doesn’t treat you with the proper respect.” She slid her gaze up slightly to gauge his reaction. “I think, for your own good…and the good of the clan…you should dismiss her.”
His brow clouded at once and his mouth turned down. “I fear that won’t be possible.”
She blinked. “Why not?”
“’Tis…complicated.”
Her jaw tightened. Complicated. What did that mean? “Unfortunately,” he explained, “she’s the only one who can keep the bairn from wailin’ all night long.”
His answer surprised her. “Does he? Wail all night long?”
“Aye. He probably misses his mother,” Morgan said, clearly trying to cajole her into a maternal role.
She refused to take the bait. “Can’t Bethac make him quiet?”
He shook his head. “Nay. Only Jenefer seems to have the gift.”
Alicia clenched her teeth. So the nurse had a name, did she? Jenefer. Alicia preferred to think of her as a nameless, disposable servant, easily replaced.
“But she’ll be gone soon, aye?” she asked. “After all, he won’t be a sniveling infant forever.”
She saw Morgan flinch at her words, and she made a quick correction, giving her head a little shake and resting a hand lightly on his sleeve.
“Forgive me, Morgan. I’m not myself. I’m testy and ill-at-ease. To be honest, I fear my faith has been shaken. Having been away from you for so long, I find myself uncertain of your affections.”
She thought she detected a telling hesitation in his reply.
“Ye’re my wife, Alicia. O’ course ye have my affections.”
“But I fear that…” She stopped herself, then lowered her gaze, murmuring, “Nay, you’ll think me a fool.”
“Never.”
“Just a silly lass.”
“Nay. Just tell me. What is it?”
“I fear…” She bit her lip. “I fear that nurse has designs on you. The way she looks at you…”
“Looks at me?” He seemed sincerely surprised.
“Not that I can blame her. Who wouldn’t wish to be with a man like you?” Before he could respond to her flattery, she tempered it with a pointed remark. “Especially a man with a title and a magnificent holding?”
Just as she’d predicted, doubt slowly formed a furrow in his brow.
“I’m sure ye’re wrong about that,” he said. His eyes, however, betrayed uncertainty.
“And she’s already earned the trust of your infant.” Watering the seeds of his misgiving with the elixir of shame, she amended, “Ourinfant.”
She allowed herself a secret smile. She was in control again. She had Morgan back under her thumb. Penitent and malleable. Riddled with guilt.
