His wife…his beloved Tira.
To his relief, she gave the smallest of nods and then closed her eyes, the soft steadiness of her breathing telling him that she had fallen asleep almost at once.
He stood there for long moments, just watching her, his fists clenching and unclenching as he thought again of what she’d told him—until finally he went to the fireplace to stoke the glowing logs into life again and then sank into a chair.
Exhaustion swept him, too, as he stared into the flames, their wedding night unlike anything he would have wished for them.
Yet that she had trusted him enough to reveal the horror of the past year—aye, now there was reason enough to be grateful and encouraged.
His sigh not so heavy, Errol stretched his legs out in front of him and lowered his chin to his chest, closing his eyes to the warmth of the fire and the gentle cadence of Tira’s breaths drifting to him from the bed.
His beautiful bride…aye, he had never felt so fortunate in all of his life.
“Wake up,Tira, it’s past midday,” came a familiar feminine voice as if from a great distance, Tira blearily opening her eyes.
Cora stood beside the bed looking down at her, which made Tira gasp in surprise and raise herself onto her elbows.
“What’s wrong? The bairns?”
“Och, no, nothing is amiss. I came here only when I saw Errol out in the bailey training with Gavin’s men. He said you slept still—aye, and in your wedding gown, I see.”
Cora’s sigh as she reached down to pluck something from the pillow made Tira gasp again, a blush burning her face when she saw the crushed bridal wreath in Cora’s hand.
“Your husband is an honorable man, indeed. When he swept you up and carried you from the wedding feast, I was concerned he might—och, I should have known better. You slept here”—Cora glanced behind her at the chair placed close to the fire—“and Errol slept there all night. Look, his half of the bed isna even touched.”
Tira did look, her heart beating faster that the bedspread on the opposite side lay flat and unrumpled, the two pillows as plump as hers were tamped down from her head resting upon them, which made Cora give a soft laugh.
“At least he changed from his wedding clothes before heading out tae fight and sweat with the others—and thank God in a better frame of mind than when poor MacSween was forced tae hit him on the head. I heard Errol laughing, a fine sound tae my ears. Something must have happened tae cheer him, at least I hope so.”
Now Tira’s cheeks felt afire from the query in Cora’s eyes, and she fell back down upon the pillow with a moan and covered her face with her hands.
“I told him all, Cora…everything from the past year?—”
“But that’s a good thing, aye? Errol is your husband now and deserving of your trust and truthfulness. Did he say anything?”
“No…just listened. When he brought me in here, I was so afraid, but he said I was strong and brave?—”
“Youarestrong and brave.” Cora sank down upon the bed and gently pulled Tira’s hands from her face to meet her eyes. “Few women would have survived what you suffered for so long, but you’re a wife now with a good man for a husband and two healthy bairns. It’s time tae get up and tend tae your family. You’ve only a few days—mayhap a week at most tae spend with Errol before he’ll leave with Gavin tae sail back tae Dumbarton?—”
“Leave?” Tira sat up as Cora nodded, and she suddenly remembered from the night before when Cora had said she would remain at Castle MacLachlan when Errol was gone. “I-I thought he would be taking me north tae his family.”
“Not north, but tae the east with King Robert while you and your sweet bairns will stay here. The English are amassing a great army and will soon march into Scotland. Mayhap the coming battle will finally set us free forever from England’s tyranny.”
“Ah, God…” Tira murmured, her heart thudding hard against her breast. Errol, leaving…to fight in a battle and mayhap to die—no, no, she wouldn’t think of it!
Cora had risen with a sigh and went to the armoire, where she drew out a yellow gown while Tira threw aside the covers and rose, too, feeling embarrassed that she had slept for so long.
Past midday? Yet she felt strangely lighter, like a terrible load had been lifted from her, Tira remembering her overwhelming weariness after she had unburdened herself to Errol.
Tell me all, Tira…so I can help you tae bear it.
Aye, those had been his very words…so kind, so compassionate, and she had taken them to heart and spilled out all the horror while he had held her against him until she had no strength to say anything more?—
“Wear this gown today, Tira, the color will look lovely with your hair,” Cora’s voice broke into her tumbling thoughts, while a soft rap at the door made Tira gasp.
Errol? She felt a rush of disappointment when a maidservant entered the room, no doubt to help her dress, Cora looking at Tira’s flushed cheeks with a curious smile upon her face.
“Errol should be done training soon. Why dinna you accompany me tae the kitchen and we’ll pack a luncheon for the two of you? He will be famished and I’m sure you’re hungry, too.You hardly ate a mouthful last night, though it’s no wonder. Yet, Tira…”
