"That hardly surprises me. Ye still do not think he has a woman, do ye?"
"Aye, I fear I do. Part of me scolds me for being so mistrustful but that doesnae stop the wondering. He is no wencher, as ye said, and he is a mon that holds dear his vows but he is also a mon that has been months without a woman."
"And ye have been months without a man."
"Aye, and as I think on how I feel the doubts grow stronger. A mon isnae bound by the same rules we are."
"Mayhaps if ye go to his bed, let him know ye are ready and willing."
"I thought on that. I did it when he took to sleeping apart from me after I told him I was with child. When he does come to sleep at Caraidland, however, his sleep is of the dead. I dinnae think I could rouse him. Also, why should I always be the one? ‘Tis pride that makes me say that, I ken it, but, truly, does there ne'er come a time when I should cease running after him, pulling him back to me?"
Sitting back on her heels, Storm looked at Islaen for a moment. “Aye, and I fear I should have reached it ere now."
"Nay.” Islaen smiled faintly. “Ye suffered a lot to win Tavis's love."
"Aye but he ne'er stayed out of my bed. ‘Tis why I have trouble knowing what to say to help you. Aye, Tavis and I had many troubles but they were not the same. Had I been a Scot, Tavis would have wed me soon after I came here. All I had to do was make him love me, make him see that he did. Ye could get that from Iain and still have troubles. I do not know what to tell you."
"Tell me what ye would do in my position. I have many an idea, I but need some direction."
"Well, I would swallow my anger and give him one more chance. He will come here soon that is certain."
"Aye, whate'er he feels for me, he cannae stay away from the babes too long."
"I think ‘tis ye he comes to see too,” Storm said softly and Islaen shrugged. “One more chance. Iain's fears about childbirth ran deep and strong. He may see now that he was wrong but that does not mean he has ceased to view childbirth as a greater trial than mayhaps it is. Ye had three babes, Islaen. Three. Many still find that hard to believe, do not understand how ye could do that and heal as ye did. Iain may feel the same. He may be giving ye extra time to heal."
"Twa months a bairn? ‘Tis a muckle long time indeed,” Islaen said dryly.
"Aye, too long but ye must remember his fears, remember that he looks upon childbirth differently than we do."
"True. Ye are right. He could think such a birth needs a far longer time of healing than an I had but one bairn. Why he cannae see with his own eyes that I am fine, I cannae say. I think ‘tis wrong that men keep apart from childbirth as much as they do. ‘Tis what makes them get such strange ideas. ‘Tis no more dangerous than the battles they are e'er fighting."
"Tavis faces it much as he does a battle.” Storm laughed softly. “Ah, but we puzzle them as much as they do us."
"'Tis just.” Islaen exchanged a grin with Storm, then grew serious. “So, I give him another chance. Then what? He could do as he has done since the birthing, naught but sleep like the dead, and then run back to Muircraig."
"Ye could hobble him until he comes to his senses."
"'Tis passingly tempting,” Islaen drawled.
"Well, then ye must chase him again I fear. ‘Tis all I can think of."
"I thought of packing up and going home but I fear he wouldnae stop me nor come for me."
"That would be your last ploy, the one born of desperation."
"Aye, tell him what I think, that I have no marriage so might as weel return to being my fither's wee lass."
"Exactly, but first go after him one last time, just once and not so blatantly as putting yourself in his bed."
"Ah, ye mean tempt him and see if he takes the bait, come at him from behind and gently, ye mean."
Storm nodded. “Ye must reach him when he is awake, alert and has not prepared himself for seeing you."
"He is ne'er like that when he is here. To catch him like that I must needs reach him at Muircraig."
"I fear so. ‘Tis a longish ride but do ye not think t'would be worth it an it works? Ye would have him back."
"As much as he would let me, aye. ‘Tis a thought, better than most of mine. What excuse would I give for going?"
