“We should be back by afternoon,” Ian told his wife, giving her a quick kiss. “I’ve told the men to keep a sharp watch, but ’tis unlikely you’ll be bothered. Still, keep the doors barred, ladyfaire.”
Cicely went back to bed, for it was nowhere near dawn. She arose at her usual time and went about her day as she always did, telling Mab to prepare a hot meal for when the men returned. Cicely began to worry as the afternoon wore on, but then one of her husband’s men rode in to tell her that when they had reached Greyhome the sheep and cattle were not there. Storming the house, they found it virtually empty but for two terrified old women who told them the Grahames had gone to the Michaelmas fair in a nearby village.
“The two lairds decided to travel on to the fair because they realized the English borderers had probably taken their livestock there tosell,” the young messenger said. “My lord bid you not to fret. They will be back tomorrow.”
“Are you returning to join the laird?” Cicely asked.
“Nay, mistress. The laird told me to remain here,” came the answer.
“He’s totally reckless!” Cicely said to Orva. “He and Ben Duff both. They plan to ride into an English village and take back their livestock? They’ll be killed!”
“Nay, lassie,” Mab, who had come up from her kitchen, said. “They’ll lay waste to the village first to secure a safe retreat before they take the beasties back.”
“What? There are innocent women and children in that village!” Cicely exclaimed. “What is going to happen to them?”
“What always happens in these raids,” Mab said with a shrug.
“Blessed Mother!” Cicely swore softly.
“And there is certain to be more raiding now,” Mab predicted. “Ah, well, these months of peace have been enjoyable, my lady.”
“Will we be safe?” Cicely wanted to know.
“Safe as some, but not as safe as others,” Mab said.
Cicely grew pale suddenly, swaying slightly. “Nay! Not now!Not now!” She gripped the back of a chair to keep from falling.
“My lady, what is it? What do you mean, not now?” Mab asked nervously.
“She’s with child,” Orva said bluntly.
“Bless us,” Mab said, smiling her toothless grin, “Glengorm is to have an heir!” Then she patted Cicely’s small hand. “Don’t fret, my lady,” she said. “Glengorm is one of the safest houses in the border. This bit of thieving by the Grahames is nothing, and the two lairds will stop it. Nothing more will come of it.”
“I hope not,” Cicely replied. “The English king is an infant yet, and those ruling for him have enough on their hands with the French. Scotland’s English queen was meant to give England peace in the north.”
“I had heard that our King Jamie loves his queen,” Mab said.
“Oh, he does! Very much!” Cicely told her. “But that was God’s blessing on them both, Mab. For if they hadn’t fallen in love the marriage still would have been celebrated for the very reason I have previously said. England needs peace with Scotland, and nothing seals a peace between nations like a marriage between its king and the other king’s kin. Queen Joan and the king are well matched.”
“She had better cease having daughters,” Mab said darkly, “and give Scotland a fair prince. Two princesses in two years! We need a strong lad.”
“I know she’s doing her best,” Cicely replied with a smile.
“Does our laird know he’s to be a father?” Mab asked.
Cicely shook her head. “Not yet. I was planning to tell him, but then our sheep were stolen, and Ben Duff came, and off the two of them went. If he comes back I will tell him,” she said with a sigh.
“Notif,my lady, butwhenhe returns,” Mab said. “When our men go raiding here in the borders we always saywhenthey return.”
“Now don’t you go upsetting her any more than you have,” Orva scolded. “Sit down, my lady, and rest yourself. You have a ways to go till your child is born.”
“When?” Mab asked, curious.
“Spring,” Orva said. “My lady will have her babe in the spring.”
“I’ll pray for a son for Glengorm,” Mab said.
“It will be what it will be,” Orva said sharply, “and the laird will be happy as long as the child is strong, and its mother safe.”
