The last time they made love was with gentle, exploring touches and soft, lingering kisses. Until finally Cree slipped tenderly into her, his movement slow and measured allowing their passion to climb slowly when finally they burst together in a lasting climax that had them shuddering in wave after wave of pleasure.
Wrapped in each other’s arms they drifted off to sleep more content than either of them had ever known.
Dawn woke with a stretch and winced then smiled at the soreness between her legs. She turned wondering why Cree wasn’t wrapped around her as usual and found the bed empty. A shiver ran through her as if something dreadful had just happened and her stomach roiled.
Her stomach grew queasier and she hurried out of bed to dress in a warm wool skirt and blouse. She didn’t bother with leggings, she simply slipped on her boots. Her stomach hadn’t settled by the time she finished braiding her hair. And when she entered the other room she ran for the bucket and heaved, though there was nothing in her stomach to come up.
The thought hit her like a splash of cold water. She had not bled when she should have and now this. There was no denying the obvious; she carried Cree’s child. Now what? She feared telling him, for she was unsure of his reaction.
A knock sounded and a servant entered with food enough for one. Dawn was glad when she left for she heaved once again, the food causing her stomach to protest. Also the young lass had looked at her oddly and Dawn feared that she might suspect something since she probably looked paler than usual. She was also relieved that Cree wasn’t here to see her like this. He would know right away the cause and she wasn’t certain if she wanted him to know just yet.
She supposed she was hoping for a miracle that somehow he would proclaim his love for her and wed her. It was a foolish dream, she knew that, but she could not help but hope.
Another knock sounded before the door swung open to admit Lila.
Dawn smiled and cradled her arms asking where Thomas was when she realized that Lila appeared upset.
Dawn went to her and Lila reached out and hugged her tightly. Something was wrong terribly wrong. She eased Lila away and shrugged.
Lila’s eyes turned wide. “You don’t know?”
Dawn felt her stomach clutch and she prayed that she would not heave in front of Lila. She shook her head.
Lila took hold of her hand and tried to get her to the table to sit but Dawn shook her head and gestured insistently for Lila to tell her now.
Lila nodded and kept hold of her hand. “Cree’s future bride arrives in a week.”
Dawn’s legs turned so weak that she would have collapsed if Lila hadn’t slipped her arm around her. Lila got Dawn to a chair and sat her down, then pulled a chair beside her and sat.
“The whole village is talking about it. He’s to wed Robert Gerwan’s daughter by the King’s decree and all Gerwan’s holdings will revert to Cree along with the title.”
With her dream shattered before her eyes, she suddenly feared for her unborn child. No new bride would want her husband’s bastard child in the village for all to see.
The door opened and Cree stood in the doorway, a light snow covering his cloak.
“Leave us,” he ordered sternly and Lila scurried out after giving her friend’s hand a squeeze.
Dawn grew even more upset when she realized Cree knew this last night, knew it all along and had never said a word to her about it. Not that he had to, but she had thought that they were… what a fool she had been.
Cree stepped further in the room after closing the door. “You’ve heard.”
She nodded.
“This changes nothing between us. You are my mistress and will remain so. Elsa will be here shortly. She will provide you with the plant that prevents conception. Make certain to take it.”
Was he telling her to get rid of any child that might be growing inside her? But of course he was. He would not want a son or daughter born voiceless like her.
He walked over to her, though he did not reach out to touch her. “I will treat you well and keep you safe.”
Dawn wouldn’t look at him; she couldn’t. Her heart was breaking. She simply nodded.
His hand moved to touch her face and she braced herself not to cringe and blessed the heavens for the knock at the door that stopped him.
“That will be Elsa. Take what she gives you and we will talk more on this later.” He opened the door and let Elsa in. “We have discussed this. She knows what is expected of her.”
Elsa nodded and when the door closed she walked over to Dawn setting her basket on the table.