The stable boy laughed, then caught her expression and stopped. “Ye want to… take him?”
“Of course,” she said. “He belongs with me.”
“Me Lady, I daenae ken if that is… wise,” he hedged. “Calves grow up.”
“I would hope so. A calf that does not grow up would be the most devastating thing, no matter how cute.”
He had no answer for that.
Emma rose, brushed straw from her skirts, and felt the familiar ache of loneliness flare under her ribs. She couldn’t believe this was her life now, seeking out animals.
Suddenly, the brightest idea came to her mind, and she looked out of the stables.At that moment, Jenny passed by, her hand wet and a basket tucked beneath her arm.
“Jenny,” Emma called.
Jenny turned. “Aye, me Lady.”
“Come here, please.”
Jenny stepped in, eyes darting around as if expecting something to jump out.“Is something wrong?”
“Not yet,” Emma answered. “I need your help to make it so.”
Jenny frowned. “That sounds ominous, me Lady.”
Emma nodded toward the calf. “You see that? That calf is ours now.”
Jenny stared at the calf, then looked at Emma almost as if she wanted to ask if her lady had gone mad. “The calf.”
“Yes. I plan to adopt him.”
Jenny nodded. “Of course ye do.”
“And he will not be lonely,” Emma continued. “Because we are going into the village to find him friends.”
Jenny blinked. “Friends?”
“Unwanted creatures,” Emma clarified. “Things people do not have time for. The stable boy gave me the idea.”
Jenny stared a moment longer. “Ye want to walk through the village, asking folk for their spare beasts?”
“Yes.” Emma nodded.
“Me Lady, this is going to become a problem. We cannae keep stray beasts in the castle. The Laird isnae going to like it when he returns.”
A sly smile spread across Emma’s face. “I do not doubt that for a second.”
Jenny cocked her head. “Me Lady?”
“Look, just help me for now.”
Jenny looked unconvinced for the next minute… until she realized she had no choice.“Shall we go tomorrow?”
“No,” Emma responded. “It has to be now. David is not looking, which means we can slip away and return before dusk.”
Jenny sighed again, and soon enough, they made their way down the lane, Emma with her shawl pulled tight and Jenny at her side, muttering quietly about lairds and their strange wives.
The wind tugged at Emma’s hair as the village opened around them with its low houses, muddy ruts, and clusters of people who tried very hard not to stare.
