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“Nettle!” he roared with such power that it echoed through the keep.
A moment later, Nettle burst through the door, sending it banging against the wall. “Fetch, Runa, and bring her to my bedchamber.”
Nettle nodded and turned pale at the sight of Snow lifeless in Lord Tarass’s arms and didn’t hesitate to follow his command.
“Get out!” Tarass yelled, shooting a murderous glance at the Abbot, then Lord Polwarth.
The Abbot went to speak.
“One word, Abbot Bennett, and you lose your tongue,” Tarass threatened and was glad to see Rannock rush into the room. He was relieved Nettle had alerted Rannock to the situation. He was also glad he didn’t need to give Rannock any orders. He knew what to do.
“I’ll see both men escorted off your land, my lord,” Rannock said.
“We’ll take Cleric Norman with us,” Abbot Bennett said.
“He’ll be sent to you when I allow it,” Tarass said and hurried out of the room.
Tarass rushed through the Great Hall with his wife in his arms, worried that she had yet to stir. As soon as Thaw caught sight of Tarass and Snow, he barked and ran after them, running up the stairs before Tarass.
Thaw jumped up on the bed as soon as Tarass placed Snow down upon it and started licking her pale face. Tarass didn’t stop him, hoping it would help bring her around. He joined the pup, sitting beside his wife, and took her hand.
“Snow! Snow, wake up,” Tarass urged, patting her hand when he wanted to shake her awake. It didn’t help that Thaw whined when Snow failed to respond to either of them, though neither of them gave up.
Tarass was surprised to see Nettle arrive with Twilla instead of Runa. Maude followed them in, a bucket in hand.
“Move,” Twilla ordered Tarass as she approached the bed.
Tarass didn’t argue, and Thaw followed Tarass’s lead and jumped off the bed as well.
Nettle was quick to explain why she hadn’t brought Runa as requested. “I’m sorry, my lord, but Runa was in the middle of a difficult birth and I thought Twilla could be of some help. Runa did tell me to let Lady Snow be, if it was a faint she would wake from it herself.”
“Some snow will help with that,” Twilla said and scooped a handful out of the bucket and placed it on Snow’s forehead and cheeks.
To Tarass’s great relief, and Thaw’s too, Snow began to stir and her eyes began to flutter.
Twilla placed more snow on Snow’s cheeks, patting them.
Snow’s eyes burst open and catching the outline of a hand at her cheeks, reached out to shove it away, and screamed, “Tarass!”
He shot across the bed to take her in his arms. “You’re safe. You fainted. Twilla helps you.”
Snow slumped against him in relief. “I’ve never fainted.”
“You have now,” Twilla said. “Could you be with child?”
The whole room turned silent.
Twilla answered her own question. “It could be too soon to tell. Seek advice from your sister Willow. She is a far better healer than Runa.” She turned and shooed at Nettle and Maude. “Out the lot of you.” She followed behind the two women, though called out, “I’ll see a hot brew sent to you, Lady Snow.”
Tarass was grateful to the old woman for her help, advice, and chasing everyone out. He wanted to be alone with his wife. There was much for them to discuss.
“Let me get you comfortable,” Tarass said and left her side.
Snow wasn’t happy that his arms left her or that he removed her boots, a silent way of letting her know she wouldn’t be going anywhere. That thought was confirmed again when he hooked his arm around her waist to pull her up and place a couple of pillows behind her and rest her back against them, then he tugged the blanket up to her waist.
Her stomach churned as it did earlier, though she felt no faint returning. It was worry that roiled her stomach. Had her husband believed the word of the Abbot? Or was it doubt, being unsure of what he’d been told that had him leave her side?
She never felt more relieved than when her husband removed his boots and got in bed with her and not just to take her in his arms once again, but to pull her onto his lap and adjust himself against the pillows, then he tucked the blanket around both of them.
Snow kissed his cheek. “I’m glad you stayed with me.”
“My heart stopped beating when I felt you go weak against me.” He shook his head recalling the frightening moment. “You scared me senseless.”
“I never faint,” she said again as if trying to make sense of it.
Tarass rested his hand on her stomach. “Is it too soon to tell?”
Snow placed a gentle hand over his. “About a week will at least give us a clue and after a month I should know for sure. I hope it is so. I want to make many bairns with you and have them fill our home with love and laughter, but…”
