Anice stared at the woman who now waddled across the room and sat on the edge of her bed. Moira was now getting closer to her time and obviously Pol was not content to let her wander through the keep alone.
“The daft man thinks I canna see to myself now that I carry his child.”
“He worries for you, Moira. I think he worries that you will face what your sister did all those times before this.”
“Aye, he does. No matter what I tell him, he is happier worrying. But, he is a good man.”
“Aye, he is that. Now what brings you here at this time?” Anice sat next to her on the bed.
“Struan said ye were hurt on yer journey. I came to see to yer injuries.” Moira’s gazed focused on her and moved from head to toes. Standing up before her, the healer lifted her hair and pressed lightly on the bruise that remained on her forehead.
“When did he say that?” Anice asked.
“Tonight at dinner when he announced yer marriage to Robert and Robert’s new duties as castellan.”
“Struan did that?” Anice was surprised. From the look on his face when last she’d seen him, acceptance was the last thing she expected.
“Aye. He told us that ye were hurt during yer journey so I thought a visit would be a good thing. Did that bleed?”
Anice touched the bruise. “I do not think so. Moira, I fell and hit my head. I did not wake until the next morning. Robert took care of it for me.” Moira gave her a look filled with disbelief.
“Were ye dizzy or nauseous when ye woke? Any pain there now?”
“I have had an ache in my head for days, but I do not know if it comes from the injury or from what haes happened.” Anice stood and walked to the hearth, not facing Moira.
“I have no’ heard all the details yet, but ’twould seem to be an interesting story to hear.”
She was using that voice again—the one she’d sworn to teach her to use when trying to make children and men obey her. Anice turned and smiled at her.
“My father and Struan were negotiating a new marriagefor me, Moira. They planned to wed me to Angus MacLaren and Struan planned to keep my bairn.” She looked over at the cradle where Craig now slept.
“To the Demon?”
“I heard him called that today in the hall, Moira, but not before this. Why is he named so?”
“’Tis rumored that he killed his wife for not giving him a son.”
Anice shivered at the thought of another woman married to another man like Sandy. No wonder they called him a demon. And she thanked the Almighty that she had gathered enough courage to run away from that marriage.
“Do you believe the talk?”
“All rumors are made of mostly story around a few facts, Anice. I dinna ken what to believe.”
“I ran without knowing that rumor. I ran because I could not face marriage and losing Craig. I did not think, I just ran.”
“To Robert? And into married life once more?”
She paced before the hearth. “I ran for my life. Robert offered me protection as his wife. He said it would be only for that.”
Moira did not say anything and Anice looked at her. “Did he say why he would do this for ye?”
“Only that he haes his own reasons. I asked him what he will gain from this, but all he does is scowl at me when I ask.”
“Mayhap he hopes for the wealth yer faither planned to bestow on yer husband? Mayhap a title from the king, as yer faither gained in marrying yer maither?”
“It could be that, Moira. I just do not know his reasons.”
“Well, mayhap ’tis best to leave it be for now. Once ye ken him better, he may explain himself to ye. The bairn is well?”
