“Fear? Fear of what? Or should I ask of whom?” Robert waited to hear who would dare threaten the Lady Anice in a way that kept her a prisoner in the keep.
“Robert, I can say no more. ’Tis Anice’s story to tell if she wishes ye to ken.” Those were almost exactly Struan’s words, too. He would not pry any further now, but somehow he wouldfind out the truth of this.
“Can ye tell me of Dougal’s condition?” His irritation forced sarcasm into his tone as he asked.
“Of course I can speak of Dougal.” Moira gave him a patronizing smile that matched her tone of voice. “He is a man standing at death’s door and waiting for it to open. He doesna have much time left on this earth.”
“Does he suffer as he is?” Robert remembered the sunken face and body of the man on the bed.
“Nay. I give him a broth that eases pain. He does try to speak occasionally, but spends most of his time drifting between consciousness and sleep.”
He thought of other questions, but the tightness in his throat trapped any more words. Robert nodded at the healer.
She placed her hand over his. “Make yer peace with him now, Robert. Dinna waste time and hold back things which must be said between ye.”
“But, Moira, he is atween sleep and unconsciousness. How will he hear my words?” His voice was barely a whisper even now.
“He will hear with his heart, Robert, no’ his ears. Fear no’, yer words will be heard.”
He nodded again and she moved away, busying herself with chores. Moira was right—’twas time to speak to Dougal of things that had passed between them. Even if Dougal couldn’t hear them, the speaking of the words might lift his own burden.
Robert blinked several times to clear his hazy eyes and looked at Anice’s still and sleeping form. It was then he noticed that the furrow between her eyebrows had eased. Her face looked even younger without the mark of worry upon it. Somehow, it didn’t seem fair to him that a lass of but ten years and seven should wear such a serious frown. Her responsibilities wore heavy on her slight shoulders.
Well, his presence would lift some of the weight she carried and give her the time and strength to deal with the difficulties of her carrying. He would make his peace with Dougal and uphold his bargain with Struan until she birthed the bairn. Then, commitments fulfilled and a new steward in place,he would return and take his place of respect in Dunbarton with the MacKillops.
Anice stirred, her eyes blinked open, and she looked in confusion at her surroundings and at him. Based on what he now believed about her, Robert fought the urge to go to her, allowing her time to clear her thoughts.
“Och, ye are awake already, lass?”
“Would seem so, Moira. ’Twas not long enough for you and Robert to catch up on your gossip?”
Robert smiled at Anice. “Oh, aye. ’Twas time enough to reacquaint ourselves. Are ye ready to go back?”
He watched as she shifted in the chair and slid her feet to the floor. Before her bare feet could touch the packed-dirt floor and without thinking of his newfound understanding, he sat in front of her and lifted them back up. Anice gazed at him—wide-eyed and mouth-opened.
“All of Moira’s hard work will be for naught,” he started to say. Then he felt the shiver move through her body and into his hands.
He glanced at Moira for guidance but she looked away, leaving the problem, literally, in his hands. Anice began to pull her feet from his grasp. Robert tightened his grip, not allowing her to move.
“Here now, Anice. If you twist like that ye will end up on yer arse on the floor. Stop it now.”
He immediately regretted his raised voice but he feared she would turn topsy-turvy on the not-so-sturdy-looking chair. Without letting go of her feet, he repositioned them on the other bench and stepped back. Then he released his grasp.
“Moira, I think ye should help Anice with her stockings and boots.” A smart man knew when to remove himself from a bad situation.
Moira approached and he moved towards the door to retrieve his cloak. Within a few moments, Moira replaced Anice’s stockings and slid the boots on, lacing and tying them snugly against the cold and moisture. He could not understand the feeling of regret he felt at her refusal of his touch. Robert knew for certain that it was not his touch alone that bothered her but the knowing of it did not ease the strange ache thatsettled in his chest.
Anice stood and straightened her skirts and replaced her heavy cloak on her shoulders. Moira whispered to her the entire time, sometimes more insistently than others. Robert waited for Anice to draw nigh before opening the door. He held out his arm to support her steps and waited for her to place her arm on his. After another brief but still noticeable hesitation, she did.
They had taken but a few steps down the path from the cottage when Moira called him back. He hastened to her, leaving Anice at the gate.
“Robert, I have need of a favor from ye.” She pitched her voice low but continued to smile at Anice as she spoke.
“Anything I can do for ye, I will, Moira. Ye hae but to ask.” Part of being steward was solving problems, big and small. That was one of many talents he’d developed in his years at Dunbarton.
“Once there is a break, a true break in the weather, summon yer companion from Dunbarton.”
Images of flowing blond curls and enticing feminine curves flashed before his eyes. He could feel the heat enter his cheeks and other parts of his body as memories of his times with Helena entered his thoughts.
