Page 25 of The Highlander Who Protected Me

Again, it all made perfect sense. “Which means you could give birth at any time.”

“Not according to the physician,” Ainsley said with a sigh. “He thinks another three weeks, at least.”

“Good Lord, you’re as big as a house,” Royal said. “Ah, what I mean is—”

“I know what you mean,” she groused. “It seems impossible that I could get any bigger.”

“Dr. MacTavish is an imbecile,” Lady Margaret said. “I feel sure you’ll go into labor within the next few days.”

Alarm spiked in Royal’s gut. “The physician is an imbecile? Then why the hell are you letting him anywhere near Ainsley?”

“Dr. MacTavish is actually very good,” Ainsley said. She put her teacup on the low table between them and wriggled her body around until she could put her feet on the floor. “He’s been attending to Lady Margaret for years.”

“And ordering me around for years,” she grumbled. “Telling me not to drink whiskyortake snuff. He’s more of an old woman than I am.”

“Most importantly, he’s discreet,” Ainsley said. “He’s very loyal to my aunt and has sworn to keep my secret.”

“That’snotthe most important thing,” Royal said. “The most important thing is that you have a physician who knows what he’s doing. You should not be endangering yourself in any way, Ainsley.”

“I’ll be in more danger if my secret gets out.”

“Christ in Heaven, are you saying your reputation is more important than your life?”

She let out an exasperated sigh. “You don’t need to fuss about this, really.”

“Someone has to,” he snapped. “You’re as pale as a ghost and you’re obviously in pain. I’m writing to Nick tomorrow and having him send our doctor up to see you.”

When panic flared in her beautiful gaze, he got a bit of a shock. Ainsley looked terrified, and nothing had ever terrified her before.

“Dr. MacTavish is perfectly capable of attending my niece’s delivery,” Lady Margaret said, reversing course. “Lord knows he’s delivered enough squalling brats over the years, and Ainsley is perfectly healthy. I’m sure there won’t be an issue.”

“But—”

“The village midwife is taking care of me too,” Ainsley said. “She’s very experienced.”

He couldn’t help but worry. Childbirth was a dangerous time for a woman, as he well knew. His own mother had died bringing Kade into the world, and her traumatic death had wrought devastation on his family. If anything happened to Ainsley . . .

“Royal, please,” she said in a tight voice. “Let it go.”

He moved to join her on the chaise. She stared up at him, her violet gaze wide and pleading. She was frightened and it was obvious it had nothing to do with her impending labor.

When he took her hand, her palm was damp. “All right, sweetheart. I’ll let it alone, but only if you promise me that the doctor and midwife really are competent.”

She sagged forward with relief. “Yes, I promise they are.”

“There is no need for foolish heroics. I have the matter quite in hand,” Lady Margaret said, making a huffy noise. “I know how to take care of my own niece, sir.”

“I apologize, my lady,” Royal said. “I didn’t mean to offend.”

“As if you care about offending people,” Ainsley said. She took up a napkin from the tea tray and blotted her cheeks and forehead.

Royal eyed her. She’d recovered her equanimity, but she was perspiring and looked utterly worn out.

She gave him a wan smile. “I’m a little overheated. The midwife says it’s completely normal at this stage.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” he said with a reassuring smile. “So, the midwife is to be trusted to keep the secret as well?”

“Mrs. Peters wouldn’t be allowed near Ainsley otherwise,” Lady Margaret said.

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