Page 100 of Laird of Steel
“And then,” Merraid remembered, “’tis like…like a beautiful journey…with grand adventures along the way.”
Carenza’s shoulders shook harder. Merraid decided she was crying. It was just as well. Maybe she’d tire herself that way and get some sleep before the morrow.
“There’s naught to fret about,” Merraid said, “e’en if ’tis your first—”
When the lady wheeled about, Merraid was startled speechless. Carenza wasn’t crying. She was laughing.
“My first?” Lady Carenza said with a giggle.
Perplexed, Merraid could only stare, which amused the lady all the more. A particularly loud laugh burst from Carenza’s mouth, and she covered it with both hands.
Merraid frowned.
When Carenza was finally able to catch her breath, she clapped a hand to her breast. “Och, Merraid,” she said fondly, “whate’er will I do without ye?”
Just about the time Merraid was feeling like the butt of some jest she didn’t understand, Carenza’s face crumpled, and her laughter evolved into sobs.
“Och nay, nay, m’lady,” Merraid said, rushing forward to comfort her with pats to her hand.
“I have to tell ye, Merraid,” she sobbed. “I have to tell someone.”
A shiver of apprehension ran up her spine at those words. Nonetheless, she replied, “What is it, m’lady?”
“I’ve done a terrible thing,” she confessed.
In the realm of terrible things, Merraid was fairly sure sleeping with someone else’s bridegroom was worse.
How bad could the transgression of a perfect bride be? Had Carenza had impure thoughts? Lied about her age? Accidentally stepped on one of her pet mice?
“Come sit, m’lady,” Merraid said, patting the pallet.
Carenza sank down onto the edge of the bed and stared at her clasped hands.
“What is it?” Merraid asked. “What’s this terrible thing ye’ve done?”
“Ye mustn’t tell a soul.”
“Ye can trust me, m’lady.” Who could deny those tear-filled violet eyes?
Between sobs, Carenza said, “Ye remember…I told ye…my heart…belongs to another?”
“Aye.”
Her brow creased. More tears squeezed from her eyes.
“Well, I’ve got somethin’ else that belongs to him,” she said, placing a hand on her belly. “I’m carryin’ his bairn.”
Chapter 17
Merraid couldn’t speak.
Her mind reeled.
How the devil had this happened?
To be sure, she knew how it had happened. Obviously, the lady had no fear of the marriage bed. But how had someone as pure and sweet and innocent as Lady Carenza managed to get herself with child?
A dark voice in her head answered that for her. The same way Merraid had managed to tryst with Sir Gellir and might well be carryinghischild.
