Page 57 of The Icy Highlander's Virgin

Erica's hand moved instinctively to her flat stomach. She chose not to mention that despite their growing intimacy, she and Lachlan hadn't fully consummated their marriage yet. That was between them alone.

"It's far too early for such talk," she said instead, accepting the damp cloth Ada offered.

"Is it? Ye've got that look about ye. Trust me, I've seen it before."

Erica stood and moved behind the privacy screen, beginning her morning ablutions. "By the way, where is Ewan? And has James returned from his trip? I need to meet with them."

"James returned from the McLaren lands this mornin'," Ada said, laying out a fresh gown. "Ewan's been waitin' for ye to wake up. Said he had important matters to discuss."

"What kind of matters?"

"Dinnae say. But both looked serious enough." Ada held up the green wool dress. "This one?"

"Aye, that's fine." Erica emerged from behind the screen, allowing Ada to help her into the dress. "How serious?"

"The kind that has James pacin' and Ewan wearin' his battle face."

That got Erica's attention. She'd seen Ewan's "battle face" before—it usually meant trouble.

"Where are they now?"

"Waitin' in the small solar. Said they dinnae want to be overheard." Ada finished with the laces and stepped back. "There. Proper as a lady should be."

"Thank ye." Erica moved toward the door, then paused. "Ada? If anyone asks..."

"I never saw ye lookin' so thoroughly satisfied? Yer secret's safe, lass."

Erica laughed despite herself. "Ye're impossible."

"Aye, but I'm right about the glowin' part."

Still shaking her head, Erica left their chambers with Ada, quickening her pace to keep up, and made her way through the corridors toward the solar. Whatever Ewan and James needed to discuss was serious enough to bring James back from McLaren lands early.

They found them both waiting as Ada had said—James pacing by the window with documents clutched in his hands, Ewan standing with his arms crossed and that grim expression she'd learned to recognize.

"Gentlemen," she said, entering and closing the door behind her. "What's so urgent it's got both of ye lookin' like someone has declared war on MacLaren?"

James immediately turned from the window, his face grave. "Me Lady, we have two matters of serious concern."

"Sit," Ewan said gruffly, gesturing to a chair. "Ye'll want to be seated for this."

Erica remained standing, crossing her arms. "Just tell me."

James cleared his throat and held up the documents. "First, I found additional clauses in the betrothal contract while reviewin' the clan records."

Erica swallowed, suddenly feeling the hair on her arm stand. "What kind of clauses?"

"The kind that could void yer marriage," James said grimly. "If there's nay heir within a year of the weddin', the marriage can be annulled. The contract states that an heir is the paramount reason for the alliance."

Erica felt the blood drain from her face. "A year?"

"Aye."

Ewan stepped forward. "And that's nae our only problem."

"What else?"

"There's been trouble at McLaren lands," Ewan said, his weathered face hard. "Raiders from the north. They've hit three of our border farms in the past week."