Alex turned his horse sideways, barring her way, and sat scowling at her. “Milady.” He bowed his head politely. “May I help you?”
“Yes, M'laird Lindsay.” Lorna looked and sounded flustered. “I wish to speak to Milady Lindsay, if I may.”
“No, Milady Campbell, you may not,” Alex replied flatly. “She hardly slept last night, and is feeling very tired and unwell. The last thing she needs is to see you.”
“M'laird, it was an accident,” Lorna said desperately. “If I could only speak to her—”
“Even if I wanted to let her talk to you, which I do not,” Alex replied irritably, “she would not see you, so I urge you not to waste your time. Go home, Milady, and do not come back.”
She opened her mouth to say something else then decided it was a waste of time. Alex showed no sign of getting out of her way, and it did not sound as if she would receive a warm welcome from Robina. Her errand had been fruitless. Slowly, she turned her horse around, then looked back at Alex.
“M'laird, will you give her a message for me?” she asked.
Alex looked at her sad face and took pity on her. “What is it?” he asked carefully.
“Tell her I will not give up,” she answered, then turned and rode away.
“Not give up?” Robina asked, baffled, as they ate dinner. “What does she mean?”
Alex shrugged. “I have no idea,” he said flatly. “I thought you might.”
Robina shook her head, then suddenly grinned. “Let us talk of more cheerful things,” she suggested. “I want you to take me to the Mare and Stallion Inn. I find that I have a pressing need for some of their excellent ales.”
“We have ale here,” he pointed out. “Why do you not drink ours?”
“Because I need the ale from that inn,” she answered. “It is the only one that tastes right! You are not with child and you do not understand, but it is only a wee while till the babby makes an appearance, M'laird!”
Alex smiled widely and kissed her belly. “I can’t wait. We can go together,” he suggested. “And I can keep an eye on you. After the attack, I fear for your safety. Both of you.” His voice was full of anxiety, and she wished there was something she could do to make all the problems go away.
“Tomorrow,” he said suddenly, his face brightening. “We will go tomorrow, Milady.”
The next morning they rode into Glengour without incident, and Robina drank what looked to Alex like a gallon of ale. He watched her in amazement.
“We will be stopping many times before we get home!” he predicted wearily, shaking his head. When Robina had finished her beer and three herrings, for which she also had a craving, they went outside to browse amongst the stalls.
Unfortunately someone else was in the village too, and a moment after she had said goodbye to Alex, who had gone to speak to a friend, Robina heard a familiar voice at her shoulder.
“Milady Lindsay,” Lorna said politely, curtsying. Robina looked up and was about to launch into a tirade, but Lorna held her hands up in a gesture of truce.
“I know you do not wish to speak to me, and believe me, I have no wish to speak with you either, but I am not going to apologize again. I have something to tell you.” Her expression was open and frank, and there was nothing to suggest that she was not telling the truth. “However, I must go to see my family for a while. May I call on you after that?”
Robina saw Alex come striding back towards her. “Tell me now,” she said, puzzled, “why can you not?”
The woman shook her head firmly. “I am not in a position to do that at the present, but I assure you that you need to hear it.”
At that moment Robina felt desperately sorry for her, but just as she was about to speak again Alex came up and stood by her side.
“Milady,” he said angrily, putting his arm protectively around Robina’s waist, “did you not understand me when I asked you to leave us alone?”
“Yes, M'laird.” Lorna curtsied. “Good day to both of you.” She walked away, a trim little figure with a firm stride who soon disappeared into the crowd.
“What did she want?” Alex was scowling.
“She wants to tell me something,” Robina answered, “in a little while. That is all I know. I feel a bit sorry for her, having to live with that pig.”
Alex looked at her in amazement. “How much do they have to do to you before you stop forgiving them?”
She shrugged and laughed. “She did me a favor. I think I would have gone mad if I had been married to Lockie!”
