He watched as Anice followed the healer’s instructions, first sliding back and climbing under the bedcovers and then lying quietly. He watched in silence as her eyelids started to droop and some of the tension left her face. She still mumbled words that he could not understand, but somehow he knew it was better that he not. Sometime later, only the sound of her breathing, now low and easy, could be heard.
Moira checked her several times before gathering her supplies together. She made several small bundles of herbs and left them on the table. Then she turned to him.
“We thought this was past.”
“This haes happened before?”
“The night terrors leave her confused and reliving some of what happened to her. It haes been months since anything like this.”
Robert walked to the chair and sat down in it. He lifted one of Anice’s hands and smoothed out her fingers from the fists she held. The herbal concoction must have helped for there was no resistance in her at all.
“’Tis my fault, Moira.” He could not look at her as he spoke.
“I dinna believe that ye bit her, Robert.”
“I pushed her too fast. I wanted her and I did no’ think about the problems it could cause her.”
“Robert, ye put too much guilt on yer own shoulders. This haes happened before and I fear it may happen again. Some small word or some small gesture simply brought back the memories to her.”
“But I....”
“Ye would not force yerself upon her, Robert. I ken ye too well to think that of ye. Give her some time to adjust to ye and yer marriage and things will be fine.”
He let out a long breath and nodded his head. Moira was probably correct—Anice simply needed more time. He would not pressure her again about his desires.
“Now, I should go. If she wakes during the night and is distraught, mix one of these packets in a cup of wine and make her drink it. She should sleep through until morning, though, so dinna expect her to wake.”
“My thanks for yer help and for coming so quickly to her aid.”
“I was here treating Struan’s stomach pain so ’twas no inconvenience to me,”
Moira walked to the door and he rose to follow her. She stopped him and saw herself out. Robert sat just watching Anice sleep for a long time. Then he realized that he should tell Emma to keep the bairn for the night. Standing and stretching, he circled the room and blew out most of the candles before leaving.
“Robert?” she whispered. “Is that you?”
“Aye, Anice. I am here.”
“Keep me safe, Robert. Please?”
He knew by the turn of her head and her breathing that she had sunk back into a deeper sleep. And he swore then that hewould keep her safe even if it meant from him.
The sunlight shiningthrough the window above her was a good thing. The bitter aftertaste of one of Moira’s brews was not. She pushed herself up onto her elbows and looked around her chambers. Firtha sat off in the corner with Craig on her lap, singing to him about his toes and tickling them as she sang. He obviously enjoyed it, for he giggled right along with her words and touches. Anice smiled at her son’s antics.
“Yer pardon, Anice, if we woke ye?” Firtha asked when she saw her sitting up.
“I think it is time for me to rise. How far past daybreak is it?” She slid to the side of the bed and stood. A bit unsteady on her feet, Anice held on to the bedpost and waited for the dizziness to pass.
“Well, we finished the noon meal sometime ago.”
“What? And no one woke me?”
Firtha stood and positioned Craig on her hip. Coming closer, her companion offered her a cup of water.
“Robert gave orders that none were to disturb yer rest. He said ye were no’ feeling well and should be left alone. Ye look well now.”
“I feel better, too, Firtha. Is he ready to eat yet?—for I am surely ready for him.” Her breasts were full and hard from the length of time that had passed without a feeding.
“The little piglet will eat anytime ye offer it to him, Anice. Let me help ye to a chair. Or do ye wish to see to yer needs first since he is no’ pitching a fit yet?”
