Her breath hitched as she tried not to cry. Craig was very sensitive to her mood and, since he’d been so accommodating so far on the wild adventure, she did not want him to become upset. She just did not know what to do.
Mayhap this was God’s way of punishing her for not confessing her sin. She may not have taken her own life, but a part of her would die if they took the babe from her. Or was this punishment for some other shortcoming—her inordinate pride years ago when she first came to Dunnedin? Her refusal to submit to her husband’s demands? She would not presume to know the mind of the Almighty. What could she do?
Anice thought of her choices. She could run away again, from here, without Robert. She could return and try to come to her own agreement with her father and Struan about keeping the babe with her when she married. She could simply return and submit to the wisdom of those in charge of her life. Or she could finish what she started on that night long ago when faced with the same kinds of choices she had now.
Craig was dozing off to sleep, so she gently laid him down on the blanketed pallet and tucked the covers around him to keep him secure. His newest trick was to roll from his belly when waking and she wanted to make certain he was safe. She walked outside and into the scattered sunlight within the canopy of trees.
She knew that she had only until the time when Robert returned from seeing the MacKillop to make her decision. Once back, he would prevent her from her one choice and if her suspicions were correct, he would be forced by honor and obedience to the clan to take her back, whether she wanted to go or not. So, she thought as she paced in front of the small hunting croft, she had until sundown.
Could she live now that her dreams of raising Craig within the MacKendimen clan were shattered? Could she live without her son? How would he fare if she were not alive to keep watch over him, even if from afar? And would they tell him the truth about his mother’s death?
Too many questions filled her. Too many possibilities, and not enough freedom to choose the one she wanted, faced her.
Sundown was not far enough off to make these weighty decisions.
He dismountedin one movement and waited as a stable boy came to take Dubh from him. Robert greeted many as he strode into the keep and up the familiar stairs that would take him to the main floor. It felt good to return here. The sights and sounds, even the smells welcomed him back to Dunbarton. After asking for the laird, Robert was directed to the solar and walked there briskly. This needed to be handled correctly in order to keep events under control and Anice safe. He knocked and entered when one of Lady Margaret’s serving women opened it for him.
“Lady Margaret, how do ye fare?” he asked as he bowed before her.
“Ah, Robert lad, ye are a sight to behold after a long absence. It does me good to see ye returned to Dunbarton. Tell me,” the laird’s wife asked, “did the MacKendimen treat ye well?”
“No’ as well as I have been treated by ye, my lady.” He winked at her, which he knew would make her laugh. Lady Margaret had always held a soft spot in her heart for him and he knew that she had interceded on his behalf many times during his stay there.
“Then ’twould serve them right for ye to stay here with us, lad.”
“Margaret, leave Robert be. He’s been on the road for two days and is probably thirsty and hungry. Welcome back.” Duncan MacKillop offered his hand to Robert and grasped his in a firm hold. “’Tis good to see ye back.”
“Laird,” was all Robert could say. He was somewhat overcome by the warmth of the welcome and knew once more that his place here was secure.
“Margaret? If ye are done here, may I speak with Robert in private?”
Lady Margaret gave her husband a knowing look and motioned to her entourage to gather up their things and follow her. In a few minutes and after a flurry of skirts and women, Robert was alone with the MacKillop.
“Some surprising news haes come from Dunnedin, Robert. Did ye ken that the Lady Anice and her child aremissing?”
“Missing? From Dunnedin?” Robert repeated the words, not daring to look Duncan in the eye.
“Aye. Struan haes sent out searchers and messengers, but no trace of her could be found. He thought that she might have accompanied ye here.”
Robert shifted on his feet and walked to a small serving table under the window. Lifting up a pitcher, he offered it to the laird and then poured each of them a cup of the ale. He did not want to lie to Duncan. The man had been more than fair with him and offered him more than his own father had in life. To lie to him would be to break the bond between them and Robert could not do that.
“Laird... Duncan... give me a day to bring her to ye. That is all I ask.”
He handed Duncan one of the cups and finally gathered enough courage to look him in the face. Duncan wore a wistful expression and not the anger he expected to see. Neither did he see disappointment or disapproval there, for which he was deeply grateful.
“Why a day, Rob?”
“She was injured and needs time to regain her strength before facing the repercussions of her act.”
“Did ye take her from Dunnedin? I got the distinct impression that Struan thought so from the tone of his message.” Duncan swallowed deeply from his cup, but his gaze never left Robert.
“She found me on the road. I had nothing to do with her leaving.”
“Well then, fine. I sent the messenger back to Struan and told him I would send word if we found the missing lady and babe. Tomorrow would be soon enough to find the lass.”
“Thank ye, Duncan.” Robert drank the last of his ale and put the cup back on the table.
“Do ye have need of anything to aid the lady? Does she need a healer perchance? Mayhap Ada can give her injuries the care they need...?”
