“You didn’t know he suspected you from the beginning, did you?”
And there it was. Confirmation of the obvious. She had thought he had been drawn to her, but it was him simply performing his duty to his king. Did he care for her now? Aye, she believed he did. But she couldn’t help but think their entire connection was built on a lie and she didn’t know how to process it.
“Agnes, may I offer some advice?”
“Aye,” she whispered.
“Give him a chance to explain himself. He does not know why you’re upset or why you had such a reaction to his recount of the events.”
“Where is he now?”
“After he brought you up here, he practically shouted down the castle for the village healer. He is gone to fetch her now. God help the woman.”
Agnes sat up and swiped a single tear away from her cheek. She would take his mother’s advice and speak to him as soon as he arrived. She hated this sick feeling in the pit of her stomach and hoped against hope he had a good explanation.
*
Racing back tothe castle as fast as he could with an elderly lady in tow was not how he wanted to enjoy his first day at Mugdock with Agnes. Christ’s teeth, he’d never felt such fear in all his days. As he carried her to his chamber, he whispered to her hoping she could hear his pleas to never leave him. Watching her fall was far more terrifying than anything the Highland rebels could do to him.
They arrived back at the castle, and he helped Old Nan, as everyone called her. She was far spryer than she looked as she walked hastily along with him toward the entrance way.
“This way,” he said and led her toward the stairs and onward to his chamber. Inside he found Agnes sitting up and looking pale. He rushed to her and placed his hand on her cheek and winced when she flinched.
“You’re awake,” he said. “Do you know what happened?”
“I—I just fainted is all.”
“Likely from the long journey,” Old Nan said and motioned for William to move back.
“Now, child, let me look at you. Move over here closer.”
William watched as the woman examined his wife who would not meet his eye. “I will need her to undress,” she said. “Wouldyou please step outside, both of you,” she said and motioned toward the door with both hands.
Outside his mother placed her hand on his arm. “William, I know what happened, but I think you should hear it from Agnes.”
“What is it? You must tell me now.”
“I do not want to interfere, but I believe she is only now understanding that you were meant to suspect her before you met her.”
That didn’t make any sense. “Why would that bother her? She knew of the threat not long after. I made the determination quickly that she was not involved.”
“That’s not quite the point,” she said. “You will need to talk to her. She is upset, and there is only one reason why a person would be that upset.”
“And what is that?”
“Ahh, my sweet lad. I will have to let you figure out that one on your own,” she said as she turned to leave.
“Where are you going?”
“To have a long talk with my husband. He needs to be reminded of some things.”
William shook his head as his mother wandered down the hallway. The place to which she headed was the same spot she took up in the garden each day to have one of her talks with his father. They had made plans to build a bigger marker the previous year, but she would hear none of it. The modest stone was the perfect size, as she was convinced any disturbance would alter the connection between this world and the one beyond where he rested.
The door opened and Old Nan emerged.
“How is she?”
“She will be fine once she is rested.”
