Forty-Three
Maddie was outside when she heard a dog bark. She turned around, pausing as she spoke to Gretchen, and saw the hound running towards her. She cried out in glee and clapped, her smile wide. She looked behind the hound and saw Connor’s face. It was a mixture of annoyance and horror.
“Maddie, step back before the hound tramples ye!” Connor bellowed.
Connor stopped running, and so did the men behind him. He cursed under his breath.
“Ramsay!” she yelled, laughing. She stuck her palm out and the dog immediately flattened his front paws, stopping, and sat panting in front of her. He barked at her and then his long tongue hung down the side of his mouth. Drool began falling from it.
“Such a good boy.” Maddie patted him as he licked her.
“Damn woman will be the death of me, I know it,” Connor said, as Iain slapped him on the back, laughing.
“Aye, she will, willna she? But ‘twill be a sweet death.”
Connor gave his brother a caustic stare and returned his gaze back to his frustrating, yet delicate, wife.
“He’s one ugly hound, isn’t he?” Iain asked, looking at the dog. He was grey with spots of white. His hair stood up as if he was in perpetual fright. He had brown eyes that, at the moment, were loyally focused on Maddie.
She continued to pet Ramsay when she saw booted feet next to the hound.
“Thank ye, Con-”
She was interrupted by Ramsay’s growl. Not her husband’s, but he too, looked as if he would growl. Ramsay immediately turned on Connor and barked at him, pushing Maddie behind him.
“What the…?” Connor asked, exasperated. “Maddie, I swear this hound better learn who’s master.”
“Oh, Connor, he’s just used to being wary of strangers. He’ll get to know you and love you like I do,” Maddie said, telling Ramsay to calm down. The dog immediately obeyed but kept a stern eye on Connor.
Katie ran up and began petting Ramsay. Ramsay automatically took to Katie, Gretchen, and the other children. He became as docile as a small lamb. When Connor approached Maddie, however, the dog began barking and growling at him.
“Good Lord above, give me patience,” Connor said, swatting the dog away so that he could kiss Maddie. Maddie laughed and shooed Ramsay away.
“He’s used to protecting me, Connor,” she whispered. “How did you get him?”
“We brought him on the way back home. Ye were so tired, ye didna even wake and see him.”
She hugged him tightly. “Thank you, Connor. I couldn’t stand the thought of him staying there.”
“I know,” he said to her, loving the feel of her lushness pushed up against him.
Ramsay’s growl reached a crescendo.
“Protection, hmmm? Well, he better understand that I protect ye and that I’m not the enemy,” Connor said, looking down at the hound. Ramsay’s brown eyes were staring up at Connor.
“I’m going back,” Connor said, still looking down at Ramsay. “I’ll see ye tonight.”
Maddie gave him a kiss. “Thank you, Connor, for bringing him home.”
Connor harrumphed and walked away from Maddie’s giggles.
*****
It was late that evening when Connor went up to their chamber after having a quick meal. He knew Maddie would be there, nice and warm in their bed. He almost growled as he envisioned her. He didn’t ask that she stay downstairs waiting for him in her condition.
Her condition.
While she had a few months remaining of her pregnancy, she was verra, verra large. It could be that it was due to her being really, really small. He often just looked at her, studying her, her beauty, and the light that radiated from her. Her belly was large, unusually so. Could she be carrying two?
He shook his head as his blood turned cold.
Although that would be a blessing, he hoped not. He feared that it would be too much for her tiny body. He didn’t think he could handle the anxiety. As it was, he didn’t think he would get her with child again.
Aye. This would probably be the first and last bairn. He’d be grateful for the one bairn and his wife. He wouldn’t push fate. He shook his head as he approached their chamber door. He couldn’t risk her precious life, not when his bairn made her belly grow to such proportions.
Connor walked in quietly. Maddie was asleep. The small candle by her bed cast a faint glow that made her look more ethereal. Reluctantly, he moved his gaze away from her peaceful face and began stripping off his plaid. Finally, in the buff, he eased the covers back and he kneeled on the bed.
Then he stopped. Connor heard it and felt his ire rise again. He stood next to the bed.
That damn growl, and loud it was.
Connor began to whisper curses, not wanting to wake Maddie. Then he heard her giggle.
“Ramsay, stop that. Connor is my husband, and he’ll not hurt me,” she said sleepily.
“Madeleine, what is this hound doing in our bed, on my side?” Connor grumbled. Maddie’s answering laugh made him smile.
“Ramsay,” she whispered scathingly. The hound whimpered. “No, Ramsay. You must respect Connor.”
Connor stood there in his glory, shaking his head. Did his wife actually believe that this hound would understand her?
“I’d like to get into bed with my wife,” he said annoyed.
“Ramsay, you’ll have to sleep on the floor until I can make a cozy bed for you.”
“Maddie, do ye honestly believe this hound understands ye?”
As he said that, Ramsay whimpered, got up, and jumped off the bed. Maddie’s laugh was all that was heard. That, and Ramsay’s sigh as flopped down in front of the fireplace.
“My castle, my rules,” Connor said as he slipped into bed next to his warm, soft wife.
Ramsay barked in response. Connor sighed. That damn dog needed to be disciplined. He had one thought as he drifted off to sleep- he hoped that the barking hound would be the only excitement and rough waters for a while.