Instantly alert, she knew that meant only one thing. They heard something she didn’t yet hear.
Gathering her skirts up in one hand, she raced around the building to her front door, stopping only long enough to pick up the faint sound of approaching hooves.
With haste, she barred the door and dragged her stool close, climbing up to peer out the little hole. Her stomach tightened in apprehension. Was it possible Robbie’s prediction that MacDowylt would find her was coming to pass?
Within minutes her question was answered.
“What in the name of all that’s holy,” she grumbled, hopping off her stool and throwing open the door. “What are you doing here?”
From his perch atop an old horse, Jamie grinned down at her.
“I come bearing official news.”
“Well, then, lad, climb down off there and deliver it.”
She tried to hold her stern expression, but it was nigh on impossible when the child was so obviously excited. He stood as straight and tall as his battered body would allow, closing his eyes as if he prepared to recite a speech he’d memorized.
“Yer presence is required two days hence at his lairdship’s nup... nup...” His bright blue eyes flew open and his lips tightened in irritation before he leaned forward, all pretense of official messenger forgotten. “I canna remember the word, Mistress Isa, but yer grandfather is to wed Mistress Agneys and he especially asked me to see to it that you come to the castle for the ceremony. They’re having a clergyman all the way from Urquhart.”
Isa felt the shock of Jamie’s news like a slap to her face, but whether it was her grandfather’s marrying someone her own age or his wanting her there for the wedding that surprised her most, she could not say.
“Yer guardman is to come as well.”
“Guardian,” she corrected absently. Yes, strangely, she did want Robbie there with her. She should go find him and tell him they’d need to go back to Castle MacGahan day after tomorrow.
“You’ve been baking this day?”
Jamie’s innocent expression didn’t fool Isa in the least.
“Aye. Are you hungry?” She waited for his eager nod before reaching out to clasp his hand. “When did you last eat?”
“Yesterday,” he answered apologetically. “I was working in the stable and too late for a meal last night. Then the laird sent me with the message for you before I’d finished my chores this morning.”
And, as Isa had learned from the boy on an earlier trip, with the new cook in charge there was no morning meal until chores were completed.
“What does yer grandmother say about yer missing yer meals, lad?”
They were inside now, with Jamie eagerly seating himself at her small table while Isa brought out bread and cheese.
“I dinna see her much. The kitchen lasses tell me she’s ill and has no time to be bothered with the likes of me.”
He ended all conversation by stuffing his mouth full, though he nodded vigorously, his eyes lighting in anticipation when Isa offered a mug of fresh milk.
His own grandmother, too busy for the likes of him? She couldn’t believe that. Not of Auld Annie. Annie had been the head cook at Castle MacGahan in the days Isa had been as young as Jamie, and even then the woman had always made time for her. Nothing had gone past Annie’s notice—no flower picked, no hurt feelings, nothing.
Surely she’d do no less for her own sweet grandson. This didn’t sound right at all.
“How about you stay here for the night? I’ve a nice thick porridge for our evening meal. If you’d be willing to help me by watching over it, that is. Keep it stirred for me while I go find Rob... um, my guardian, to tell him yer news?”
“Aye, Mistress Isa. I’m always ready to help you. Can I visit the goats after I finish my food?”
He always asked to visit the goats. “Of course, dearling. And there’s the new lamb for you to see as well. But dinna forget—”
“To shut the gate,” he finished for her with his little half grin. “I will. I promise.”
With a nod of satisfaction, Isa set off, pleased that at the very least she’d know for a fact the child would have one more good meal. Since she’d be at the castle herself in a couple of days, she would check on his grandmother for herself to see exactly what was going on.
She stopped at the edge of the woods, the exact spot Robbie had disappeared into hours earlier, noting the broken twigs. Lucky for her he’d been in such a hurry when he’d left. Not that she should actually need to track him. He’d said he would keep to the stream. It shouldn’t be difficult at all to find him.
