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Nora lived on the borders of the state with her husband Clyde, and their milking cows.
“Is she well?” With a cottage so far off, it would have been difficult with midwives and the such.
“Soon she will be.” Came Gracie. “But it was a difficult one, poor lass. Her labour lasted three days. We thought she would not make it.”
“Sad to hear it.” Condoled Aileen. She wished she had the time and the means to use her healing skills to help those who became now her people.
“Say, Aileen.” Gracie’s expression became hesitant. “I believe a visit from you would make her recover doubly as fast.”
Such expectation lay on the older woman’s face, Aileen took pause. Seamus and Gracie had always been so loyal to Taran. And they never mentioned what they had witnessed in Taran’s chambers when she snuck in it to fake a scandal. One that never happened, thanks to these kin. It would not hurt to return the favour.
“Of course, I would be happy to visit them.” Aileen acquiesced.
“Oh, you will make their day!” A broader smile came to the woman’s face. “Seamus and I will ride to their cottage tomorrow, if you care to join us.”
Aileen had piles of work to do, but this was certainly more important. The housekeeper, Anne, could undertake most of the chores. A visit form The Lady McDougal would be regarded as a rare honour and the idea of regaling those new kin with it felt like the right thing to do.
“That is very kind of you.” They settled the details of the trip and Aileen rode back to the manor.
~.~.~
Aileen’s mare entered the stables area as she nearly bumped into Taran, who came from the sheep barn. Both left their mounts with the stable hand and walked together to the manor.
“I met Gracie at the village.” Aileen made conversation.
“How is she?” He took off his riding gloves.
“She is fine, but her daughter had a difficult labour.” Her brows pleated.
In tartan and riding boots, his steps echoed on the dry ground.
“I learned Nora was with child, yes.” He listened to her, gaze in the horizon, steam puffs coming from his ever-tempting lips.
“Gracie asked me to accompany them to her daughter’s to visit with Nora and the baby girl, Bonnie.”
His feet stanched as if they had morphed into stone and he directed her a steely stare. “No.”
Aileen stopped, too astonished with his reaction. “What do you mean by no?”
“Exactly what I said.” Legs braced, his jaw ticked. “You have much to do here.”
“I am not asking for your permission.” Her firm voice and stance took him fully.
“You are not getting it, anyway.” Dictatorial and obstinate.
“We owe a lot to them and there was no way I could deny her.” She argued. “You know it.”
"I am aware of this.” He replied hard. “But I will not change my answer.”
Fury erupted in her at his overbearing attitude. “The Lady McDougal has obligations towards the clan and I will not skip them.”
“Come spring, you may go.” Irreducible, his rugged face sculpted in cold marble.
“May?” Did he think he was a kind of mediaeval lord? “I am not a doll for you to place and displace as you please.”
Those green eyes narrowed on her. “In case you have not noticed, I am your husband and I have the right to decide your comings and goings.”
The insufferable troglodyte! “I gave my word.” She hissed, her insides fermenting with anger.
