“Fine! But I’ll be comin’ back for ye if ye arenae pregnant within the month!”
With that, he stormed out of the hall, his men following closely behind.
They all breathed a sigh of relief once he had taken his leave.
“Dinnae worry, lass, there’s nothin’ he can do now. There are plenty here who can attest to what was said should he choose to push the issue further,” Alexander reassured her.
Both Michael and Alice nodded their agreement.
“Aye,” Helena mumbled, trembling.
She knew the truth, Alexander knew the truth—their marriage remained unconsummated, and if she was not pregnant within the month, she knew her father well enough to know that he would make good on his threat to retrieve her.
“I’d like to retire if there are nay objections. I’m feelin’ a bit run down this morning. It’s been a long few days.”
“Of course, lass. I’ll come to check on ye in a bit—I have some things to attend to here,” Alexander told her. “Get some rest.”
Smiling woefully, Helena retreated from the hall. She didn’t make it far, though.
Alice caught up to her at the bottom of the stairs.
“Wait, come with me,” she said, gripping her hand and leading her down the opposite hallway to the small courtyard on the northern side of the castle.
Helena hadn’t explored this part of the keep yet and was surprised to find a small rose garden hidden in the courtyard.
“How beautiful!” she exclaimed. Her exhaustion forgotten, she bent down to smell a yellow rose in full bloom. “I had nay idea this was here.”
“This garden was me maither’s pride and joy. We would often find her sitting out here, readin’ on a nice day. Sometimes, I think she loved these flowers as much as her children,” Alice said fondly.
They continued to stroll through the garden, counting the different varieties there. Turning a corner, they found Felicia sitting on the dirt beside a fully bloomed bush, a book and charcoal in her lap. Quietly approaching, Helena was able to get a good view of the picture the girl was drawing before she noticed them approaching and slammed the book shut.
“We didnae mean to disturb ye. Please continue, yer drawing is beautiful. I could show ye how to add some color in yer charcoal for shadowin’ if ye’d like,” Helena offered. When Felicia didn’t respond, just stood and glared at her, she added, “Ye’re very good. Who taught ye to draw like that?”
With a huff, Felicia stomped away without a word.
“I’m never goin’ to succeed in breakin’ through to her, I fear,” Helena commented to Alice in a defeated tone.
“Why is she still here?!” Felicia stormed into Alexander’s study, her voice raised. “Why didnae ye send her away with her faither?”
Alexander stared at her for a moment, cracking his neck in irritation. He had been patient, he had been kind, and now he was annoyed. Michael had informed him of another uprising along the border shortly after Helena had retired; he had been in the middle of organizing a counterattack when Felicia stormed in.
“Felicia, I ken I have given ye many freedoms and liberties since I brought ye here, more than most of the servants because of the circumstances that led ye here.” He rose from the desk and walked around it to stand in front of her, towering over her. “Butthat doesnae mean ye can storm in here like this, especially to complain about me wife.”
“She is our enemy! How have ye forgotten that?!” She threw her hands up in exasperation.
“She isnaeour enemy. Thewaris our enemy. They arenae one and the same. She was a MacPherson, now she is a MacAllister. She is one of us—ye need to accept that.”
“I cannae.” She pouted. “I willnae.”
“Ye can, and ye will,” Alexander said firmly. “She isnae responsible for yer parents’ death—she didnae give the order. She is a lass, just like ye, and like ye, she has lost people she lovesin this war. She came here out of love—maybe ye can consider extendin’ love as well, Felicia.”
“But Me Laird… Alexander… I…”
“Ye should try to find a way to accept her. Perhaps if ye give her half a chance, ye may even find that ye like her. Try to get to ken her, would ye?” He waved a dismissive hand. “Now, go, I have work to do.”
Outraged at his dismissal, she stormed out of the study.
Alexander spent the next two days preparing for the counterattack with Michael, assembling men and supplies and drawing battle plans. The anxiety throughout the keep heightened as the hours passed. By the time the men were assembled and ready to ride out, several of the women were distraught.
