Sitting by the cliffs, she stared at the sea and listened to the waves crash as she recalled the last six weeks. The first few days were still a blur in her mind and always would be. The one clear memory was of talking to Lachlan, then more of the herbs that stole consciousness and any hope of clarity. The dreams they brought had been painfully vivid: the battle with Nolen never-ending, Ian offering comfort while holding her, and dreams of the baby, the life she miraculously still carried.
My baby. She placed a hand to her stomach, and the thought of the child brought a smile to her face. Neala was now convinced Claire would bring this child into the world and worry mixed with this joy. This was never the way she envisioned having a family. Alone and in the Dark Ages was a far cry from the fictional husband and quaint suburban home she had always pictured. She hoped that Hagan was right and that his clan would make a good home for them.
She wanted to get up and go look for Hagan. He was doing much better, out of bed and taking care of the matters there. If he can run this clan, he can certainly take me to the Douglas keep. She just wanted to leave, start fresh, and make plans for the future. More than anything, she wanted to avoid another scene with Ian. Being told to leave once had been more than enough. The stirring of her companion scattered her thoughts.
Mairi asked, “May we go inside now, Claire? The day is too hot for comfort.”
Mairi’s face was reddened with heat despite the breeze from the sea. “If that is what you wish, let’s go inside.” Too hot? Sure the sun is nice and warm. It must be near the end of July, but hot, never. Arizona was hot. Scotland simply is not.
Mairi offered a hand to help Claire from the ground. “You dinna stumble as much when you stand.”
“If I move slow, I’m fine.” Moving slowly, keeping calm, and breathing deeply were the things that kept the dizziness at bay. She hoped this was similar to morning sickness and would be a memory soon.
They spent every morning outside in “prayer.” The truth was she enjoyed Mairi’s company—no questions, little conversation, and just a quiet peace between them. Now that bathing was a regular activity for Mairi, her company was preferred.
“Why do you spend your mornings with me, Claire?” Mairi’s voice was still quiet when she spoke, but her thoughts were now more readily offered.
“You read my mind. I was just thinking how I enjoyed our quiet time together.” She offered a smile to her companion. “You spent all that time at my bedside praying for me and helping me, and you are a good friend.”
“Nay, Claire. You should nay say such things. I am from a disgraced family. My father . . . You suffered because of my clan.”
“We’ve been through this many times already, and none of what happened was because of you. You are not to blame for anything. Do you understand me?” Claire knew her voice had an edge as she spoke, but it was the only way to get Mairi to listen.
“What is to become of me?”
That was the question no one seemed to know how to answer and had never been asked by Mairi until now. Claire asked, “What do you want to happen to you?”
“I would be a nun. I would spend my days in prayer with other women.”
She wasn’t surprised by the answer, just by her companion’s ability to speak of it. “Very well then. I will tell Hagan. Honestly, it seems like the right thing to do.”
“My thanks. You could come with me, and we could spend our days together.”
The look on Mairi’s face contained such hope through squinted eyes. Somehow a pregnant nun didn’t seem appropriate to Claire, though Mairi didn’t know that part. She still thought it was a sweet offer, almost as sweet as the thought of home, but this was the one place Claire was unwilling to go even in her mind. The delusion of returning home was a fantasy too painful to ponder. The home she had started to build in Ian’s world was just one more shattered dream.
Cerwyn, who ran to latch onto Claire’s knees, abruptly ended the conversation and thoughts. “I find Larry!”
She scooped to pick up the child and noticed the arrival of Aliana and the other one, Dedre. The Campbell girl had stayed. Her father had left her there in too big a hurry to help Ian with his personal battle to bother taking her home.
It was obvious Aliana had been working, and the wet marks on her gown led Claire to believe laundry was in process. Her showing belly had not slowed Aliana down one bit, as she was constantly trying to make up for the time spent in bed. Dedre, on the other hand, never had mark from work on her, ever. She was always spotless, always dressed in her finest, and always told everyone else what needed to be done. Her blond hair, in its ridiculously long braid, hung to her thighs. Dedre was pretty, well spoken, and very spoiled.
Mairi began to mumble and shift nervously on her feet, disturbed by the other women. “I will go to my chamber now.” She left quickly without waiting for a reply.
“I dinna ken how you can stand her company, Claire. She is not right in her mind. Such a foul creature.” The disgust was obvious in Dedre’s voice.
This was the lack of compassion she had come to expect from Dedre. “Mairi is pleasant enough. She needs the fresh air. It’s good for her.” The other woman brushed imagined dirt from her skirt, as if being near Mairi would soil her gown.
“Still, she is foul. When is she to be removed from the Lady’s chamber? ‘Tis wrong that Mairi is still there.” A smile crossed Dedre’s lips. “It should be made ready for the future wife of the laird.”
Aliana broke in. “‘Tis best to leave Mairi be for now. She is comfortable and content, and since there is no other betrothal made, all is well.” Aliana’s discomfort of the conversation’s direction was more than clear.
The smile now took full hold on Dedre’s face. “If the men succeed at capturing the Draig’s rightful property, my father will see to it that there is one.” She took Aliana’s hand in her own. “We will be sisters. I will be here to manage the household so you can rest and prepare for your child.”
Claire did her best to ignore the rest: Dedre’s chatter about how to care for the keep, the gardens, and the children who would be cousins. Cerwyn’s voice broke into her thoughts. “Hungry, Larry. Eat now.”
Unable to ignore the child’s demands and thrilled for the excuse to leave, Claire said, “I’ll take him in for a bite, Aliana.”
Dedre added, “I will see to the midday meal and make certain all is ready for the men.” She headed toward the kitchens and left Aliana and Claire alone.
“Dedre speaks without knowledge. There is no agreement between my brother and Lachlan. You ken this.”
“I know this. But I think you forget sometimes that your brother sent me away.” Claire held up her hands to prevent Aliana from speaking. “It wasn’t for a while. I was asked to leave forever. There was no talk of anything else. Ian was in my chamber when I was awake talking to Lachlan, yet said nothing to me.” The anger started to rise in her voice. “Your brother wouldn’t even call me by name. There is nothing. It’s simply over. I need you to remember that.”
This was the demon that haunted her sleep and tormented her dreams. This was the injury that didn’t seem to fade. The hurt at being tossed aside was made worse daily by Dedre, and the woman’s confidence in her future was a constant slap in the face.
“Where is your husband? I need to speak with him.” Claire realized she was too angry as the dizziness crept back in.
“He rode out to check the herds. The men wished to speak with him.”
Hagan had recovered. Their conversation was now past due. “If you see him first, tell him I wish to speak with him, please.” Cerwyn again demanded food. “Let’s feed this one. Then we can see if the laundry is dry.”
“Stop giving me excuses, Hagan. If you can ride out to check the herds, then you can take me to your brother’s lands.” Claire’s voice was a bit too loud
for the hall. While empty in the mid-afternoon, she knew the conversation could probably be heard by anyone nearby.
“My reasons are nay excuses. They are fact. I can nay leave the keep until Ian returns. Someone must remain in charge. Most of our men left with him, and we are but few fighting men should trouble arise. Would you have me leave my wife and child unguarded?”
“That’s not fair. You know how I feel about your family, but you promised me, Hagan. You promised you would get me out of here.” Claire knew how few men remained to protect the keep and the village, and she was also aware this could mean trouble if any type of attack came. Raiders were all too common this time of year, or so she had been told. The selfish part of her just wanted to go, to leave before Ian returned.
“Cousin, you have my word, as soon as they return, if you still wish, I will see you safely away. Besides, next time I wish to have a few men ride with us. No chances will be taken with your life or the one you carry.”
At the mention of the baby, Claire found her hand resting on her not-so-flat stomach. She knew the battle was lost and it would be wrong to leave if it placed those she loved in danger. Plus, the thought of warriors riding with her next time was a comforting thought. “We leave as soon as they return, swear it to me.”
Hagan moved her into the study and closed the door. “There are a few matters yet to settle before you leave.”
“Now what?” Claire asked with a snippy voice.
“Ian needs to be told.”
This was the conversation she knew was coming. Hagan had broached it once before, but she had feigned exhaustion during recovery and ended it. That trick wasn’t going to work again. “I know. I’m just not sure any good will come of it.”
“‘Tis his child. I dinna ken what will come of your talk but talk you must,” Hagan replied with a smile.
“Neala said Ian could take the child from me and no one would even try to stop him, that Ian could force him to come here to train when he is of age.”
“Neala speaks when she should keep silent. Claire, I will nay deny his rights to the child are there. Do you truly believe Ian would rip the child away from you?”
This is where the fear came from. “I don’t know what to expect any more Hagan. I never thought . . .” Some things were better left unsaid.
“Ian is a good man. Speak to him. Let him ken what is to be. I have faith the two of you will find a way.”
She chose to ignore his double meaning. She had already been offered a way once, and that had not worked out very well. “I promise I will tell him. Then we leave, agreed?”
“It pains me to see the lack of hope in your heart, but aye, Claire. I swear this to you.”
“Thank you. They have been gone a long time, over six weeks. At what point do you send someone to check on them?” She tried to convince herself she asked out of curiosity and not concern.
“Another week and I will send men to check for Ian and Lachlan.”
With an effort to focus elsewhere and then unable to stop, Claire looked over at the desk. The small pile scattered in the center caught her attention. “Is this your doing?”
“The rents were collected last week and the first of the wool was sold at market. You were right, a fine profit was waiting to be made. I just need to add this to the books.” He moved to the desk only to be stopped by Claire, who beat him to the chair.
“I’ve seen what you do to the books. This should be done correctly the first time.” She sorted the papers as Hagan laughed. Claire lost herself in the mess on the desk. “No one has bothered to update the stores of the kitchen or anything else.”
“If you wish the task, ‘tis yours. I have no love for such things.” Hagan tried to smother the smile.
The numbers offered a mental clarity long absent from her mind. “I didn’t spend all that time cleaning up the books to have you mess them up again.”
“I will fetch you for the evening meal, cousin. You can tell me how we fare then.”
“I’ll see you then.” She smiled at the use of the word “cousin.” She knew it was meant as an endearment. Then she lost herself in the clarity of the numbers.
Chapter 28
Claire was thankful she had once again had found a routine. She spent her mornings with Mairi, had play time with Cerwyn, worked on the accounts in the afternoon, and sat sewing with Aliana, Neala, and Dedre in the evenings after the meal.
As usual, they sat in Aliana’s chamber before the fire. The ploy of Claire helping her cousin prepare for her child appeased all, though Dedre was too busy with the embroidery of her gowns to bother with such a mundane task.
“Aliana, hand me your dagger, please,” Claire asked with an outstretched hand. All threads were cut with the sharp small daggers the women carried. She could imagine their delight in the small, dainty scissors she had taken for granted in her mother’s sewing kit.
“Here, cousin. I will ask Hagan to give you one of his. ‘Tis a thing you should have.” Aliana smiled as she spoke. Every night she said the same thing yet never followed through. Claire wondered if Aliana still held out hope that Ian’s dagger would again rest at her hip. If she did, her friend wasn’t paying attention. The way Dedre spoke of the future let everyone know who would be at Ian’s side.
“Thank you, cousin.” Claire took the dagger and cut the threads from the tiny garment in her hands. The fabric was butter-soft, and despite the circumstances, she smiled at the completion of one more garment for her layette.
Dedre rose from her seat and held her gown out for all to witness. “‘Tis finished. What do you think?” Small colorful flowers stitched at the hem and the bodice embellished the gown of blue.
“I am pleased with it and plan to wear it when Ian returns with my father. ‘Tis a gown made for celebrating. I wore a similar color when Ian last paid a visit to our clan. While sitting in the garden, he spoke of the gown flattering the color of my eyes.” Dedre was clearly lost in her memory. “Ian is truly gifted with words. Such sweet things he said to me. Such a passionate man. I practically swooned from his kiss alone. It was heartbreaking when my clan could nay meet the dowry needed.”
Claire kept her eyes on the tiny garment in her hand and away from the glow emanating from Dedre at her recollection. “But now, ‘tis all changed. Thanks to Claire and her bookkeeping skills, this clan will have wealth again. The dowry my father came to tempt Ian with last month should be verra well received.”
Claire pitied Aliana and Neala. They had a hard line to walk. While no one knew exactly what Ian planned, she knew it was over between them. Yet she could feel her anger rise at Dedre’s assumptions. The woman had a lot of nerve with her assertions that she was the one he would marry. Claire sighed and picked up more cut fabric to begin sewing. Closing her eyes to force the moisture to recede, she focused all of her concentration on the task in her hand.
Aliana answered, “We shall see what is to be when all return. But the gown is lovely and will surely complement the blue of your eyes.”
The answering smile let her know that Aliana had pacified Dedre. Claire had never met anyone who needed so much praise. The woman sought compliments for each item of clothing, and for merely brushing her ridiculously long hair.
Aliana yawned, and Claire knew it was pretend from the exaggerated noise. “You must forgive me, the hour grows late, and the child makes me wish to sleep.”
“Aye, Aliana. You must rest,” Dedre said with a polite reply. “I am certain I will feel the same when I too carry a child for this clan.” Dedre rose and placed a kiss to her cheek. “Neala, you will accompany me to help me prepare for bed.”
“Of course, Lady Dedre.” Neala rose and followed Dedre to the door. “Claire, I will see you in the baths on the morrow.”
“Goodnight, Neala, Dedre.” Claire gathered her sewing materials an
d rose from her seat. “Go to sleep, Aliana. I will see you for breakfast.”
Aliana reached out to hold her friend in place. “Forgive me, cousin. Dedre is a guest in my home. I can nay control how she speaks.”
“You don’t have to apologize. Dedre is who she is. But what is wrong with Neala? We sit here most nights, and she says nothing.”
“Neala holds her tongue because she has nothing nice to say. While we love her and treat her as our own, Dedre views her as a simple servant. Neala is trying to keep the peace.” Aliana turned her head away, and Claire could hear what wasn’t said. We keep Dedre happy because she may be Ian’s wife.
“I can understand that.” Though it hurt more than she could have dreamed, the women’s behavior made sense. Claire released a real yawn. “Speaking of tired, I am going to bed.”
“Please wait for one moment. There was another reason for me to keep you.” Aliana rose and moved to a chest in the corner and pulled out several gowns. “These are now a wee bit too tight for me. The ones you wear will verra soon be the same for you. Take them, please.”
“While I don’t feel right taking more from you, I will. Thank you. To be honest, I’m not as comfortable in what I have as I used to be,” Claire replied as she took the gowns in hand.
“You should have spoken. Now I am pleased I did.” Aliana picked up the pile of infant clothing she and Neala had been working on and handed them to Claire. “Take these. They are yours.”
[2015] The Draig's Woman Page 28
