“Daciana, dear, thou art looking as lovely as ever.” Angelica welcomed her beloved daughter into the Lowell household with outstretched arms. They hugged briefly. “Ulric, darling.”
Ulric kissed Angelica’s gloved hand. “The pleasure is mine.”
Angelica blushed and waved him off. “Come now. Supper shall be ready shortly, and I know how hungry thou must be; feeding an extra mouth can be quite the burden.” She began to saunter toward the dining hall, her heeled shoes click-clacking against the wooden flooring.
Daciana frowned. “Mother, our child is not a burden.”
Angelica halted, then turned around. “Oh, dear, that is not what I meant. Thou art absolutely glowing, and being heavy with child suits thee well.”
Daciana was not wholly convinced by her mother’s absent apology, but she decided it best to keep her thoughts to herself.
“Tell me,” Angelica continued on, “has there been any news of thy brother, Ulric?” She gestured toward Ulric and Daciana’s seats at the dining table.
“I am afraid not,” Ulric responded, as he sat down next to Daciana.
Angelica grimaced. “Pity. I would have hoped he would have found his wits by now and returned home.”
“Aye, well, it seems he has other plans,” Ulric said. In an effort to improve the doldrums in the room, he asked, “What are we having for supper?”
Angelica livened immediately. “Ah, our cook has prepared a fine feast in honor of thy arrival. Roasted pork, herbed potatoes, and many other delectable items. Thou shall see.”
Theodore made his presence known by clearing his throat. “Daciana. Ulric.” He nodded to both of them. “I am happy to see the two of thee well, especially my dearest daughter. That handsome boy in thy belly will carry on both the Lowell and Conway lineage.”
Daciana pursed her lips, then answered, “I fear ’tis a girl. I know not how this came to pass, but I can feel her, like we are one.”
Theodore sat at the head of the table. “Nonsense. That child inside of thee is male, and he shall be adorned with offerings of which.”
“And if I am correct? What then? Will thou love this child any less?”
Abstaining from laughter, Theodore replied, “I will not stand corrected. Mark my words.”
Daciana knew better than to argue with her father; that never got her anywhere. Ulric thought it wise to keep his mouth tightly closed, for if he opened it, there was no certainty as to the devastation Theodore could cause Ulric’s growing family. Never mind that Ulric or Daciana could transform into beasts and slay Theodore before he had a chance to scream. He and Daciana, however, wanted the best life for their child, and if that meant remaining silent about their curse and not passing it on to the baby, then so be it.