The midwife turned back to face him. “Tend your wife.” With the brisk command, she was gone.
Gripping the silver dragon in his hands, he felt his battle resolve fall away. The enemy had already breached his gates and dwelled under his roof with men in reserves. His most cherished wife ate meals with the devil that sought to persecute his soul. Deep in his heart he knew that Robert stood on the threshold of victory.
Through many battles, Conall had succeeded by accepting losses to gain ground. The tactic had never failed. Strike at the enemy’s weakest point. An ugly truth filled his mind: swords wouldn’t end their conflict; in the war to come they were meaningless.
Sarah is my greatest strength and as fate would have it, my ultimate weakness, and Robert kens that.
In two steps, his arms were around her.
Chapter 39
Sarah accomplished little as she attempted to ease the ache in her lower back. Tight muscles protested her seat before the desk, but then they also loathed walking. Come on, kids, move a bit and give me a break.
“Mayhap ‘tis enough for now. You should go rest.” Lena’s suggestion only made Sarah clench her teeth.
“I’m fine. We both know that lying down won’t be any better. Let’s finish this up.” Sarah logged Lena’s counts of the stores minus what the entourage in the keep had been consuming over the past ten days. While the extra two dozen-plus residents, courtesy of the Bruce, were consuming their fair share of stored foods and slaughtered animals, there remained no sign of Draig supplies feeding the six dozen men camped at their border. Not that I officially know about that.
With a quick glance at the housekeeper, she doubted Lena had the capacity to fib about food supplies. But just to be safe, or paranoid depending on the perspective, Peter had completed the counts earlier in the day. She had begun to question loyalties as the winds shifted in her home, which was likely unwarranted given Lena’s constant and continuing fussing over her comfort and well-being.
Sliding the ledger across to Lena, she viewed a similar frown signaling the lack of an answer. “How does he feed those men?” If Peter trusted her with the information of a hidden force, I have got to lighten up.
Bella rose from her usual spot next to Sarah’s chair and greeted Peter, who entered without knocking. “Any progress?” he asked.
“No,” she admitted. “All we know for certain is that this keep isn’t feeding the troops.” With a weary sigh, she suggested, “We know they could have brought supplies.”
Peter rubbed Bella’s sides and then joined them at the desk. “When I talked to Conall about that possibility, he doubted they carried enough with them. Our scouts have reported no signs of wagons, which means they traveled light. Someone else is feeding the Bruce’s men.”
Leaning awkwardly forward, she again attempted to massage her lower back. The knowledge that Conall spoke to everyone but her about the warriors, assumed to be out of sight, rankled her down to her bones.
Be a Disney princess and let it go, Sarah. Conall is out of his mind with worry and is only attempting to keep you from losing your shit. The little voice in her head made sense, but they worried alone rather than together. If she slept poorly, he slept worse, up pacing their chamber when he thought she slept. Yet through it all, Conall swore constantly that he would always be hers and no man would ever part them.
I believe him, but the situation sucks. We’re outmanned and outgunned. And who in the hell is keeping the threat at our gates fed?
“Now what?” Sarah wanted a plan, needing a solution.
Peter grinned, which slowed her racing heart. “I have a few men keeping an eye out for visitors to the campsite. We’ll know soon.” Giving her a wink, he added, “Conall has a plan.”
“And?” That she had to beg for information pissed her off. “I need to know what is going on.” Sarah quickly waved away Lena’s intrusion into the conversation. “Don’t feed me any crap about keeping me calm because I’m pregnant.”
Peter laughed and then sobered at the knock on the door. All eyes locked on Bella, who stood at her side rather than greeting the newcomer. This won’t be delightful.
Sarah held out her hands. “Help me up. I’d rather be on my swollen feet than stuck in the chair.” Peter hoisted her up as Lena opened the door with an aching slowness that made Sarah feel ridiculous for questioning her loyalties.
The dog stayed at her side when Colette and Jacqueline entered. Bella didn’t mind the younger but had no affection for the mother. Seems like we agree on the score. Bella stepped in front of her as one of Robert’s men entered behind the women. Their personal bodyguard followed their every move.
Jacqueline had been consistent with demands and insults while her daughter had been quiet, sweet and kind to all. Why do I find myself feeling bad for the girl? But she knew that answer. Even stuck with a domineering mother, the daughter had become her own person, dealing with situations and people from her own unique perspective.
To the room’s surprise, Colette spoke first. “Forgive our intrusion. We have run out of sewing materials and wished to inquire if we may have access to your stores.” The girl blushed as she spoke but asked politely.
All eyes turned to Sarah. To deny them would be nasty, if not cruel. Given their refusal to dress in clothing appropriate for late February in the Highlands, they were stuck inside with virtually nothing to do. Other than sit around and plot my demise. But seriously, they’re dressed for a party that ain’t happening.
Forcing her hands to remain still rather than show her discomfort, or pat down her insane hair, Sarah nodded at Lena. “Please take them and let them choose what they want.”
“Thank you,” Colette murmured with a slight curtsy.
Why does she have to be so damn sweet?
“As you wish, Lady Sarah.” Lena offered her current standard deep curtsy and smiled for Colette. “Our stores are vast. Did you have a fabric in mind?” But the question remained unanswered.
That’s why I’m annoyed with Lena, but I suppose I shouldn’t blame her. The Bruce is still arguing with Conall over whom he calls his wife and Lena is covering her bases. No sense aggravating the potential successor.
Bella left her side as Evan sauntered into the chamber she had preferred due to its solitude. That luxury is so gone. He laughed as the guard attempted to block his path. “I come on an errand for Robert. Move, man.” With an affectionate pet for the dog at his side, his eyebrows rose at the gathering. “Ladies, how fine to see you all.”
The two French women bowed their heads, but Sarah caught Colette’s blush again. But it made sense. They were closer in age and Evan poured on the charm whenever the younger stood in a room.
“Peter, Robert and Conall wish to speak with you in the hall,” Evan reported with his usual gusto. His eyes turned to her. “Might I tell my brother where to find you when finished, Lady Sarah?” She wondered why he bothered with the title, given his flippant use of it.
Sarah hadn’t made plans for the late afternoon but her back had a sudden inspiration. “He’ll find me in the baths.” She didn’t bother to hide her smirk as the newcomers gasped in shock at the illicit invitations. Like you haven’t heard the daily gossip on wet gowns and shifts left scattered in the bathing chamber. Though lately it’s more for show. I mean, come on, my back’s been killing me. Conall does give a fine backrub in the water.
With a chuckle, Evan replied, “Then I will assume our talks with be brief. Come, Peter.”
“We’ll talk later,” Peter told her as he walked to the door.
Sarah nodded at Lena, who followed the men. “Come with me, ladies.”
“You go, Colette. I have matters to discuss with Lady Sarah.” The woman has a knack for making the title sound insulting. Both Lena and the daughter furrowed their brows at the announcement, while Bella came back to her side. “You, stay with my daughter.” Her orders given to the guard who seemed torn with which woman to prioritize, so he stood still.
Jacquel
ine motioned with her hands to emphasize the empty chamber. “What harm can come from two women talking?”
Lena halted and turned back to hold Sarah’s eyes. Only after a quick nod did she lead Colette from the study. While I may not be up to a scuffle, Bella is enough protection.
Lena’s question for Colette filled her ears. “What type of fabrics do you seek so I may lead you to the correct store?”
The demure answer had Sarah forcing her face to remain neutral. “I wished for fabric to make a shirt for Conall as suggested by my mother. What do you recommend?”
Lovely. She wanted to snarl out that she knew damn well that traditionally wives made shirts for their husbands. So freaking insulting.
Sarah knew her mother would have had a fit at her lack of manners. While vacant chairs sat in front of the fireplace and desk, Sarah made no effort to offer any form of comfort. “What did you wish to say?” Conversation between them had been limited and strained at best. Plus, you just threw down the shirt gauntlet. One of the worst kept secrets in town is that I’m useless in that department.
The woman reached behind her and closed the door, then sighed with relief. “There are no eyes upon us, no ears listening at the door, why must you speak to me as if I were your enemy?”
The unexpected question had done the impossible. For the first time all day, her back ceased to ache. “Excuse me?”
Jacqueline chuckled as she stepped closer, only halted by Bella’s low growl. “Even your dog is convinced I am the mastermind behind the machinations. Calm her, please. I carry no weapons.” Her gaze fell to the dagger strapped at what used to be Sarah’s waist.
With a quick shush, Bella stopped, but remained between them. Sarah rubbed the dog that didn’t need pacifying if only to stall to collect her thoughts. “And yet here you are in my home waiting to see if I will be sent away.” No one had told her what would happen if the Bruce had his way, but it seemed a safe bet.
“As if I have a choice. Do you honestly believe I wished to be brought to such a dreadful land? For my daughter to face an uncertain fate?” The woman waited for an answer.
Sarah blew out a breath as the ache resumed its steady thrum in her back. “No, but you certainly have no issue attempting to undermine me.”
Jacqueline’s fingers waved in the air. “Again, what choice is there? My home was stolen from me, as was my freedom.”
Sarah stood mute and rubbed the ache, not quite sure how to react to the bold truth she had never considered. So much for using my skill-set to evaluate a situation.
The woman walked to the chair before the desk and sat without thought. Her expression changed as a mask fell away and a seemingly older woman gazed up at her. “Colette and I were about to flee for my family in France when the port was taken by the Bruce. My husband and four remaining sons died in that battle, leaving me to attempt to hold the castle.” She motioned around the room. “I failed.”
Even Sarah’s doctor brain couldn’t find falsehood or manipulation in what had to be her side of the story. “I am very sorry for your loss.”
Confused eyes held hers. “Many have spoken of your compassionate nature, yet I have only wished to see a woman who holds what could be my daughter’s.” Disgust crinkled her face. “I had such grand hopes for Colette. She was to be married upon reaching my family’s lands, to a man of title and wealth. I worked hard for that match, but for naught.”
“Why are you sharing this with me?” Her question ended with a grunt as the ache became a sharp jab.
“The babe pushes too hard, such happens close to the end.” Sarah didn’t miss her question being ignored, but the woman continued. “Do what you must to ease your suffering. Formalities are for the audience.”
With a grunt, Sarah took a deep breath and began a slow walk across the chamber with Bella matching her every step. “Nothing works, so get to the point.”
“You can save your pride, get down on your hands and knees and stretch.”
“What?” Sarah asked, not sure if that was an insult or a valid suggestion.
“These people are barbarians if none are able to ease the pain of a woman great with child.” Jacqueline rose with a rustle of skirts, causing Bella to growl. Sarah patted the dog’s head as the woman dropped to her hands and knees with wary eyes locked on the dog. “Then you bend your spine up, followed by lowering and curving it in. Breathe deeply the whole time and the babe shifts, relieving the ache.” She demonstrated the moves that hinted at yoga.
“Really?” Sarah asked, not liking putting herself in a physical position of risk.
With a graceful rise to her feet, the woman nodded. “I will remain until we are done speaking to help you back to your feet.”
“Why?”
“I have questions only you may answer. Again, I am a prisoner of the Bruce. My husband’s lands have been stolen, but then, I have no living male heir left to inherit. Three of my sons died in service to the King and the rest in attempting to hold the port. Colette and I are beyond my family’s reach.” What she said made sense to Sarah, despite the previous snark. “We are but women trapped in a world belonging to men; our power given by men and then take away by them. If we shared a common goal, you would be a strong ally. Yet fate casts us in opposition. You want the man and I want a secure home for my daughter, which would include ownership of our castle being held by the Bruce.” When Sarah winced again, Jacqueline snorted. “You are stubborn. How could I hurt you with the dog at your side? Before I could manage one kick, my throat would be ripped. The worst I could manage would be to leave you on your hands and knees. One shout and your servants would be at your side.”
While Sarah doubted that type of brutality from Bella, she could see why it would be perceived. Thanks heavens you aren’t a Labrador. “Stay where you are.” The words left her mouth as she sunk with no grace to her knees and then forced herself to maintain control as she let her hands carry her weight. Focusing on deep breaths, she lifted her back. With another breath, she lowered and curved her spine as she had been shown. Repeating the process, she groaned as the pressure lessened. “Thank you.” She lifted her head to see what appeared to be a warm smile.
“I am not the monster you would have me be. After eight babes, I am practiced at surviving the final days.” Jacqueline rose and took a small step toward her, her gaze locked on the dog. “There is more if your dog permits me to touch you.” When Sarah remained silent questioning the options, she added, “While the babe is off your spine, the time is ripe for the muscles to be rubbed.”
“Bella, lay down.” The dog obeyed, but her head followed the steps that clicked with enviable shoes. Then Sarah’s concerns evaporated as skilled hands dug into her lower back, providing instant relief. “Wow.”
“I know.” The hands gentled as they lightly pushed. “The head causes the pain, trapped inside a womb too small for comfort.” She rubbed and kneaded as Sarah tried to make sense of the humanitarian kindness from a woman who had only glared at her non-stop. “My father had a great physician, a Moor of legendary talents. Per my mother’s commands, I learned what I could before sailing to become the wife of an English Lord. These skills aided me and those who served me.” A low chuckle left her throat. “Those same skills saved Conall from fever after I attacked him.”
“I can’t believe you admitted that.” Sarah laughed, the kindness overwhelming the earlier desire for vengeance. Plus, she was protecting her daughter. I get that even if I hate it. “I wanted to kill you after he told me.” Then the rest sunk in. “He had a fever?”
“Men never seek to tell the tales of brushes with death that do not involve a weapon. While I had no desire to save him, Colette’s life had been threatened if I failed.”
“I’m sorry for that. But thank you for saving him,” Sarah closed her eyes and forced her thoughts away from Conall’s injuries.
“Thank me not, for I did as commanded.” The magical hands kept up their pattern as Jacqueline continued. “During his fever he cal
led for you, spoke to you as if you were present. There was a time when I thought he would die and then so would Colette. Conall asked me to send you his final thoughts, to put into writing his love for you.” Sarah choked back a sob at the event that could have happened. “While I told him I penned a missive, I did not.”
With a snort, Sarah said, “It wouldn’t have mattered. The Bruce made certain we had no communication.”
“Ah, the game has been played from the start.” Her hand shifted to the other side and Sarah groaned in relief.
“It would seem like it,” she agreed.
“Since rules have finally been added, we have only to wait.” Sarah lifted her head to view the woman and her defeated expression.
“What rules?” Why am I the last to know everything?
“I spoke with the Bruce a short time ago as I grow weary and anxious. His decision is hardly fair, yet he made one.” Jacqueline hinted rather than told, Sarah assumed to drive her mad or to make her beg. But still the hands worked to erase days of discomfort.
“Are you going to tell me?”
“The man you call husband is being told in the hall, along with Peter and Evan. Witnesses must always be present. Yet, you and I are supposed to be patient and wait for scraps.” Jacqueline’s hands pushed to the left and the last of Sarah’s ache dissipated. “We are done. Would you stand to hear?”
Begrudgingly, gratitude swept over her at being treated as an equal. Sarah forced her body up to rest on her haunches and both women strained, groaned and laughed as she found her footing. With a smile that glowed with her physical relief, Sarah savored the comfort and then made eye contact with the woman who knew more than she did. “Tell me.”
Jacqueline shook her head lightly. “Men are fools even if they hold power. While the Bruce would be within rights to deny your marriage legally exists, he has decreed we wait for the birth of your child. If you provide a male heir, you stay and our fate becomes another of his whims. Should you bear a female child, or die in childbed, all becomes ours.”
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