“I did not forget, Robert. This weather seems to make my aches and pains grow until I feel like doing nothing but stay in bed.”
He laughed and the richness of it filled the room and sent tremors deep inside of her. Working with him had lessened the fears that had showed themselves to her when she had witnessed his fight with Brodie. The sheer power and strength he’d exhibited had scared her silly for a long time but his manner around her was always gentle. She had to talk herself through the first minutes anytime they met, but the fear was lessening.
“Some would say that women in yer condition deserve to be pampered abed.” He pulled a stool over closer to the table and sat. “But some would say that only hard work will prepare ye for the time ahead.”
“Tonight, with the rain pouring down and the winds howling, I favor the pampering.” She closed the book she was working in and pushed it away.
“What brings ye here, then, when a warm chamber and comfortable bed awaits ye abovestairs, Anice? Does Firtha kenyer whereabouts?” She knew by his laugh that her guilt showed on her face. She chuckled with him.
“Come then, if yer quite finished, I will escort ye back to yer rooms.” He stood and held out his arm, much as he had the second day on their trip through the village.
She hesitated, not because of fear this time, but because the thought of staying and talking to him appealed to her. She reasoned that it was simply to catch up on all the goings-on she had missed these last few days.
“If you have a few minutes, mayhap now would be a good time to discuss the questions you left for me here?”
She pointed at a list written on a parchment scrap that he had left on the table for her. He sat down and pulled in closer, looking over her shoulder at the note.
“I have time now, if yer no’ too tired?”
She laughed at the light sarcasm in his tone and shook her head. “I think now would be just fine.”
Anice was not sure how long they had worked when the commotion in the great hall interrupted. The noise passed easily through the wooden wall that separated them. Loud voices came closer and closer to the dais, which sat a few yards from them in the other room. She looked up at Robert to see his reaction. He was staring at her in the same way.
“’Tis true, Struan. He is but a day’s travel away from here and says nothing will prevent his homecoming.” Brodie’s voice was easily recognized.
“Lower yer voice, man.” Struan’s harsh whisper was easily heard. “I dinna want her to ken. She haes enough on her mind with the birth approaching.”
Shock filled her as the subject of his words became clear to her. Unable to break from Robert’s gaze, she was also certain that Robert knew what this meant. A wild tremor wracked her whole body as the knowledge sunk into her mind. Sandy was on his way to Dunnedin. Blinking quickly to clear her vision, she recognized the look in Robert’s gaze—guilt and pity. He knew! They all knew! And that was the reason for the sympathetic glances over the last days.
She stood, locking her trembling knees to keep her up, and turned to leave. She had to talk to Struan. But more wordsstopped her. Robert’s words.
“Anice, ye should stay here. I will go get Struan for ye.”
He stood to go, but she shook her head. Struan had promised, he had promised she would be safe until after the babe was born. On his honor as laird. He had to keep her safe... he had to.
Her chest felt tight, as if ropes were being pulled harder and harder around her. She could not breathe. Forcing her feet to move, she took one step then another towards the door and into the hall. Her lungs refused to pull in the air around her and lights twinkled on the edges of her vision. Faster and faster she moved to find Struan. Sweat beaded on her forehead and face as she entered the hall and made her way up the steps to the dais. Gasping now, she reached the table and leaned against it.
The men saw her and silence filled the cavernous room. Brodie, Iain, Struan, and the others, she saw them all. She heard Robert come up behind her but her eyes could focus on no one but Struan. Panting once more as a strong pain pierced her side and belly, she screamed out his name.
“Struan! Ye gave me yer word. Yer word as laird. Please, ye must tell me I am safe.”
Another pain tore through her and her vision blurred. Rubbing her hand over her eyes to clear them did not work. Anice looked at Struan and he would not meet her gaze. Struggling for breath, she reached out to him. He had to help her. He’d promised. He’d promised. At his refusal to look at her, she knew the truth. Sandy was returning now. Oh, dear God, no!
Darkness began to close in on her now. The sounds of the men in front of her lessened to quiet and all she could hear was the blood rushing through her veins and her heart pumping. The light in the room dimmed from farther back in the hall, up towards the dais, until she was not sure she could see anyone. And just as her legs crumpled under her, she heard an ear-piercing scream fill the room. Clutching her belly, she stopped fighting and fell to the ground.
Her last thoughts were of the Lady Anice she had been—she would never have screamed like that.
Chaos erupted at her collapse.Robert had been standing close enough to her to cushion her fall and prevent injury to her or the babe within. Men and women of the clan rushed into the room after her scream. He lifted her into his arms, ready to carry her to her chambers, and noticed Firtha making her way to the dais. As he positioned Anice in his arms, he felt the wetness in her gown and fear filled him. Could this be the bairn coming now?
Struan called out orders to some of the men and Robert realized he was planning to leave the castle now. Robert decided to take Anice to her room and let the women tend to her. They would know better what she needed than he ever would.
“Struan, I would ride with ye. Give me but a moment to take Anice to her rooms.” He started to walk down the steps.
“Ye stay here, Robert. I have the men I need.”
“Struan?” Robert stopped and turned to face him. “Will ye stand by yer word to her?”
“Ye question my word?” Struan’s face darkened with rage but Robert did not care. Anice would need to know she was safe from whatever danger Sandy represented to her.
