Page 17 of Scottish Rose: Coira

“Coira, what’s the matter?”

She turned around and barreled into Lance, hiding her head against his chest. Perhaps by blocking the cage from her sight, she could forget the awful memories as well.

“You are trembling,” he said, running a soothing hand down her back. “Did something scare you?”

Lance didn’t understand how Coira could go from being happy to being frightened out of her mind so quickly. He heard someone approach and looked over his shoulder and moaned when Philip joined them.

“So, is this your bride, Nephew?” asked Philip. “She’s a skittish little thing, isn’t she?”

Coira looked up, and when she saw Philip, she gasped. She gripped Lance’s arm, squeezing so tightly he swore her knuckles turned white.

“Coira, I’d like you to meet my uncle, Sir Philip de Selby of Sussex.”

“What’s the matter?” asked Philip. “You seem startled.”

“Ye remind me of someone,” she said, her body still shaking.

Philip chuckled. “Oh, perhaps it’s because I once had a twin brother. His name was –”

“Lord Ralston the Bold,” Coira recited through gritted teeth. Her eyes narrowed as she perused Philip.

“Coira, did you know my late uncle?” asked Lance. “I had no idea.”

“Well, Lady Coira, perhaps we can get better acquainted over a goblet of wine,” suggested Philip.

“Nay. I’m sorry, but I’m feelin’ ill. Please excuse me.” Coira broke away from Lance and ran toward the keep with the hound following her.

“I wonder what’s the matter with her?” asked Lance. “She acted like she’d seen a ghost.”

Philip chuckled deeply. “Perhaps, in a way, she has.”

* * *

The door banged open and hit the wall as Coira bolted into Zara’s chamber.

“What is it, Child?” Zara stared at her as if she thought Coira had gone crazy. “You look like a scared rabbit being chased by a hound.” The dog ran in after her, almost as if to prove Zara’s words right.

“It was awful,” she cried. Tears formed in her eyes. “I saw the cages, Zara. They are still here.”

Zara headed across the room, putting her arm around Coira. “Sit down,” she said, leading her to the bed. Once Coira sat, Zara continued. “Now take a deep breath and release it.”

“Zara, I canna do that. My body is still shakin’. And to make matters worse, I saw the twin brathair of Lord Ralston.”

“Lord Ralston? Who is he?” Zara sat next to her and rubbed Coira’s back to calm her.

“He’s the man who – who – kept Effie and me as prisoners in the cages because he wanted the Stone of Scone.” She buried her face in her hands and cried.

“Shhhh,” said Zara. “You need to calm down.”

“Aye. I agree.” Lance stood in the doorway with his hands on his hips. In a few long strides, he was across the room. “Wife, I think you have some explaining to do.”

“Lord Lance, she is very upset. Please be gentle with her,” scolded Zara.

“Coira.” Lance reached out and lifted her chin. “Look at me,” he commanded. She looked up, biting her lip and trying not to cry. “Zara, will you leave us, please?” he asked.

Zara left the room grumbling and closed the door.

Lance sat down next to Coira and lifted her chin again. “Shhh,” he said, using his thumb to wipe away a tear. “I don’t like to see you so upset. Why don’t you tell me what’s troubling you?”