"Soon I must tell him. There is little hiding it now from a knowledgeable eye. I think Iain remains blind because he thinks me safe from it. I will have lessened the wait a great deal though, and can be thankful for that. What I must do now is try to find a way, any way, to ease the birthing as much as possible."
"Ye cannae think I have the answer, m'lady."
"Aye. Come, Wallace, think. The beasts birth their young so much easier than we."
"But they, weel,” he flushed and stared at his hands. “They be larger."
"Oh. Aye.” She too flushed but did not falter. “I am fairly certain there are some differences but nay such differences that your knowledge becomes useless. ‘Tis the wrong time of the year to watch the birthings but I ken ye can tell me about them.” She smiled faintly. “We shall have to learn to control our blushes."
He laughed, then said quietly, “I be a rough mon, m'lady. I am nay sure I can speak on it weel. I mean..."
"Dinnae fash yourself, Wallace. I have near a dozen brothers. I doubt ye can say anything I havenae heard or that will truly shock me. I need the knowledge, Wallace. I need to cure my own fears enough to hide them from Iain. I need to ken as much as I can so that I may do my birthing as quietly as some of your beasts do. To hear my pain willnae help Iain. There is a knowledge here, in the ways of these beasts, and I mean to have it. Will ye help me? Will ye share what ye have learned?"
"Aye, m'lady. I just hope it can help ye like ye wish it to."
"So do I, Wallace. So do I. Shall we begin?” He nodded and she smiled, relieved to have him agree, and hoping she would be able to conquer the objections she was sure would come from the others as easily.
"Ye arenae going to the stables again?” Meg exclaimed in horror as Islaen donned her cloak.
Sighing, Islaen nodded. She had become a regular visitor to the stables. Wallace had lost all reticence with her and although she was not certain she had learned much to help her with her birth, she had learned a lot of useful, interesting things.
"Aye and I will keep going ‘til the cold or my belly stops me.” Islaen started out of her chambers.
"'Tis a dirty place."
"Far cleaner than some keeps I have been in. Wallace takes excellent care of his animals."
"Wallace isnae a mon ye ought to be getting so friendly with."
"Why not? He is a good mon; his work of value."
"I didnae ken ye had such a love of beasts. I tell ye it isnae right for ye to spend so much time there."
"And I say I will.” Turning to face Meg, Islaen said firmly, “'Tis important."
"Why?"
"I dinnae think ye will understand but it has to do with the birthing I must soon go through."
"Wallace doesnae ken about bairns, only beasts."
"Who arenae so different from us.” She grimaced when Meg gasped in shock. “I didnae think ye would understand. It doesnae matter. Ye willnae turn me in this. I must ken all I am able to about birthing. If naught else I shall find a way to keep my pain a secret from Iain."
"If ye ask me, there be too much kept secret here."
Islaen winced. She did feel caught in a choking net of secrets. The lie she had told Iain still ate at her. It was also hard to hide the fact that she carried his child, something she felt great joy and pride in, yet could not share.
"I am sorry, lass,” Meg said softly. “I let my tongue work ere I think. T'was unkind."
"Nay, t'was the truth, pure and simple."
"Mayhaps, but I ken weel ye didnae want it this way, that secrets from your mon arenae what ye like."
"Weel, there is one secret that willnae be one much longer, Meg,” she said quietly, her hand resting upon her slightly rounded abdomen.
Watching the group of men riding into Caraidland, Islaen felt her heart leap with delight, then sink, Iain was back. She was pleased to see him but knew this visit would be a troubled one. She was going to have to tell him about the child. Even he could no longer ignore the signs and she felt it was better to tell him than let him find out for himself. It was going to be difficult, however, and she was not looking forward to it at all.
