If Arianna learns of this … she may never trust me for as long as she lives.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Two days had passed since the unpleasant scene in the great hall. Arianna had avoided the supper table since that night, choosing instead to take her meals quietly in her chambers. On this particular afternoon, she sat in the castle garden, the soft grass beneath her skirts, while her small bunny hopped lazily beside her. Melissa sat nearby on a low stone bench, weaving small stems of clover together while watching the animal nibble contentedly.
“He seems quite fond of ye, me Lady,” Melissa said with a small smile as the bunny twitched its nose at Arianna’s fingers.
Arianna gently stroked the creature’s ears and gave a faint laugh. “I believe he’s fond of the clover more than me.”
Melissa tilted her head thoughtfully as she watched Arianna. “Ye’ve been quiet these past days,” she said gently. “Has something been troublin' ye?”
Arianna hesitated before answering, her fingers still resting against the bunny’s soft fur.
“Mayhap I’ve simply been thinkin'' too much,” Arianna said lightly.
Melissa studied her face carefully, clearly unconvinced. “That usually means somethin weighs on yer mind,” she replied.
Arianna gave a small sigh and leaned back against the warm stone wall of the garden. “Tell me more about the babe,” she said instead. “Does it already feel different, knowing ye carry a wee bairn?”
Melissa’s hand moved unconsciously to her stomach as her expression softened.
“Aye,” she said quietly. “It feels… strange and wonderful all at once.”
Arianna smiled faintly. “Does it frighten ye at all?”
Melissa laughed softly. “A wee bit.” She looked down thoughtfully before continuing. “But Flynn says the clan wives will help me through it. They’ve all done it before.”
Arianna listened with quiet fascination.
“The midwives assisted a birth in the village. The women gathered to help a woman during the long hours of labor,” Melissa said.
“That is good to hear of such support,” Arianna replied.
“Aye, I think so as well. Then the castle kitchens prepared broth for the mother afterward. It seems as if the entire clan celebrated the birth of a healthy child,” Melissa said.
Arianna felt warmth stir in her chest as she imagined the scene.
“It sounds… wonderful,” she said softly.
Melissa nodded with a proud smile. “Aye, it is.” Then she tilted her head curiously. “And havin' bairns yerself, me Lady?”
The question struck Arianna more deeply than she expected.
She looked down at the bunny Bramble, again, watching it nibble quietly at a stem of clover. “I suppose every wife thinks of such things eventually,” she answered carefully. Yet the words carried a faint sadness.
“Ye and the Laird will make fine parents,” Melissa said kindly.
Arianna forced a small smile.
But inside her thoughts twisted painfully.
Will we?
Ian had barely spoken to her since the night of the supper hall argument.
“Truth be told,” Arianna admitted quietly, “I’ve nae shared a supper with Ian for a long time. I eat alone. I thought it best to stay out of the hall,” she said. “The clan has already seen enough embarrassment from me.”
Melissa frowned gently at that. “Well,” she said firmly, “if ye feel lonely, I’ll gladly eat with ye.”
