Page 110 of My Notorious Highlander

"M'lady is something wrong?" Flora asked from the other side of the curtain.

Wiping her tears, Jessie pushed the curtain aside. "I'm sick," she whispered with a mad chuckle.

Flora's eyes rounded, her concern obvious. "Sick, m'lady?"

"Aye," Jessie whispered. "Do you think you could tell if I'm with child?"

Flora's eyes grew even wider as she searched her face. "Is it the morning sickness you've got, then?"

"I think so. You must keep it a secret until we know for certain," Jessie said. "Promise me."

"I promise."

For the next three mornings, Jessie awoke nauseous. And although she was miserable, she was thrilled. She was fortunate to be able to rush to the garderobe each time.

On the fourth morning, she went to the chamber Torrin had told the maids to clean for her, so that she might nap there when she wasn't watching after him. She washed her face and rinsed her mouth, then took a sponge bath and changed clothes.

Her stomach felt much more settled now. She uncovered the bannocks Flora had left for her the night before and ate one. Flora had assured her that she was with child. She could hardly eat for smiling, happy tears filling her eyes. She needed to tell Torrin.

Minutes later, Jessie entered Torrin's room and found him propped against the pillows while he ate porridge.

"The maid brought you a bowl of porridge, too, m'lady," Flora said, giving her a smile.

"Good. I'm hungry."

"I'll be back in a few minutes," Flora said, then left the room.

"You're bright-eyed this morn," Jessie told Torrin.

"I'm looking at you."

She smiled and sat on the edge of the bed, watching him eat.

"Are you not going to eat?"

"Aye, but I wanted to tell you something first."

He eyed her suspiciously and lowered his bowl. "What is it?"

"I've been sick several mornings this week."

He frowned. "Sick?"

She nodded, smiling.

"Why? Are you well now? I've noticed you hurry out of the room each morn when you awake, but I thought you merely needed to… relieve yourself."

"Getting sick in the morn is a sign that… I am with child," she said, tears filling her eyes.

"What!" He almost dropped the bowl of porridge.

She took it from him and set it on the bedside table.

"With child?" he asked, raising his voice, his eyes wide.

"Shh. We don't want everyone to know yet," she whispered.

"You're with child?" he demanded, though in a quieter tone, a smile spreading across his face.