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Olivia slipped into the large wooden tub and closed her eyes. The water was soothing to her aching muscles, especially her back. Taking slow and deep breaths, she forced all worries from her mind. The fact that Conner was just downstairs in his study was relieving. Olivia didn’t realize just how much Conner was willing to go through for her to keep her safe. It was a feeling of absolute adoration.
“Are ye sure?” Olivia heard a servant girl whisper behind the screen that allowed Olivia a bit of privacy as she soaked.
“Aye,” another woman answered. “Tis been two weeks already and I can barely keep anythin’ down. My body hurts all the time. I went to the healer and he confirmed my suspicions.”
“Well what are ye goin’ to dae? Have ye told Mac yet?”
Olivia couldn’t help but feel a prick of guilt for eavesdropping, but it wasn’t like she was doing it on purpose. The two servants were practically right at her ear, allowing each word they spoke to easily drift to her.
“Daisy, ye cannae hide somethin’ like this from him. And what dae ye think the Laird and Lady will say when ye start to show?”
“I daenae ken,” Daisy answered. The strain in her voice nearly caused Olivia to want to cry. “I just hope they will allow me to continue workin’ here.”
“Daisy.” Olivia’s voice was stern, but tender as she sat up in the tub and grabbed the linen to wrap herself with. It was clear that the two servants had no clue she was in the tub yet. Their eyes were wide with fright as Olivia pushed aside the barrier between them and stepped out of the tub.
“M’Lady,” the women said in unison as they dropped their heads.
“What is it that troubles ye?” Olivia asked as her eyes shifted over the two women.
“Forgive us, mistress, but we didnae think ye had come in yet,” the taller of the two said.
“Well, I’m here, so what is this nonsense about me castin’ ye out?”
“Daisy is wit’ child,” the taller woman said. Daisy swiped at the girl as if trying to punish her for letting such a delicate matter slip.
“I see,” Olivia said as her stomach dropped. “And how can ye be sure?”
“I daenae understand,” Daisy said, her eyes drifting to Olivia.
“What are yer symptoms?”
Daisy exchanged a glance to the tall woman beside her and swallowed hard. “Upset stomach, fogginess in the head. Every muscle in my body aches and I’m tired. So much more than I could have thought possible.”
Fear rumbled through Olivia like thunder, rattling her to her core. She lifted her head as her mind flickered and skirted around the possibility.
“I’ll nae be sendin’ ye anywhere,” Olivia said to Daisy’s relief. “And I’ll ensure that yer work load grows lighter as ye move further along.”
“Oh, thank ye mistress,” Daisy said with such excitement that it made Olivia smile.
“Now if ye’ll excuse me,” Olivia moved swiftly to the bench. Drying off and dressing were nothing more than an afterthought. Her mind was far too preoccupied with the idea that perhaps what was ailing her was the same condition as Daisy. There was only one way for her to know for certain.
Olivia moved with purpose down the hallway. Her eyes were focused despite her hands trembling. She didn’t know what she would think if she were with child. The thought of having children was always something that eluded her.
“Olivia?”
Conner’s voice startled her. Olivia spun around to find him standing in the hallway, his eyes wide and cautious. “Ye alright?”
“Aye,” Olivia answered. She could feel the pressure in her chest and her stomach turning sour again.
“Where are ye goin’?” Conner asked as he moved to her. He pressed the back of his hand to her forehead. There was no hiding the concern on his face as he dropped his hand.
“To the healer,” Olivia answered. “I’m nae feelin’ well and thought maybe he would have somethin’ for me.”
“Good idea,” Conner said. “Would ye like me to go down there wit’ ye?”
“Nay,” Olivia’s outburst caused the concern to shift to suspicion. “I’ll be fine.”
