Page 61 of Tempting the Highland Captive

“O’ course, my lady. How may I be o’ service?”

“Were ye the midwife at the birth o’ Ysenda’s child?”

The midwife’s eyes opened wide in surprise. She shook her head. “Nae, I was nae. It is one o’ my deepest regrets. I have always wondered if I might have been able tae save the bairn. The lass hid her state from everyone until she grew tae large tae be able tae conceal it. When her family disowned her, she disappeared for a time. Nae one kenned where she went, but when she returned, she was nae longer with child and told all who kenned o’ its existence that the bairn had died in the birthing o’ it.”

“Was there any sign that she was lying or do ye believe that she was telling ye the truth?”

The midwife shook her head. “I cannae say for certain, but I do ken that the lass nearly bled tae death. She was verra weak when she returned tae us. She had just given birth. I would say that barely a day had passed since she had done so. She was still bleeding when she came tae me for aid.”

“Ye ne’er saw the bairn?” Ron asked this time.

“Nae, I ne’er did see the wee lad. She claimed that she buried him herself in the forest.”

“Outside o’ consecrated land?”

“The lad was nae baptized afore he died.”

“Ye ken for certain that it was a lad?”

“Ysenda told me it was a lad when she was under my care. She was burning with fever and mourning the loss o’ her bairn.”

“Did she say anything else during that time about it?”

“Nae, she would nae say more. She would nae tell me who the faither was either. I tried tae speak with her family about it, but they wanted nothing tae do with her.”

Amelia and Ron exchanged a look. Neither of them knew where to proceed. “Agnes, please keep this conversation between us and tell nae one else. Do ye swear it?” Amelia asked, holding the elder woman’s eyes.

“I do swear, my lady, but might I ask why ye have asked me these questions?”

“All will be revealed in time, but for now, I must regretfully decline tae tell ye.”

“I understand, my lady.” Agnes bowed her head in submission, then left the chapel.

“Will she keep her word?” Ron asked watching her go.

“She will,” Amelia replied with confidence. “She holds many o’ our people’s secrets and has ne’er breathed a word about anyone in all o’ her many years o’ service.”

“Is she holding Ysenda’s secrets?”

“Perhaps, but I believe that she was telling us the truth.”

“What do ye want tae do?”

“I dinnae ken. We have come tae an impasse. Perhaps if we tell the truth o’ her death someone will step forward with information o’ their own accord.”

“And what if the elders ascertain the full truth o’ the matter, if the son did indeed survive?”

“I dinnae ken.” Amelia shook her head in frustration.

“Ye should be careful, my bonnie. There are a great many people who would use this against ye. If the question o’ yer faither having a son, dead or living, becomes known at best ye will be dealing with imposters attempting tae pass as yer brother, at worst ye would be killed.”

“As would ye,” Amelia reminded him. “As laird, ye are in as much danger as I.”

“We will both be careful then,” he promised, kissing her on the forehead as he pulled her close. “I dinnae wish tae ken this life without ye.”

“Nor I without ye.” She laid her head against his chest and let the beating of his heart soothe her.

“I dinnae wish tae leave ye tae deal with this on yer own.” Ron sighed in concern.