Page 40 of Bride Takes a Charmer (Highland Vows & Vengeance #3)
“And I am sure you are doing a fair job of it. What is your name?” Sorsha hadn’t known that the midwife lived there and so close to the fief, or that she had a daughter who was adept at watching children.
She thought Gillian would like the lass.
She wasn’t old enough to marry but she would make for the perfect lass to look after her daughter when she needed someone other than poor Enid.
“Kathleen, Milady.” She curtseyed slightly and hastened to the door.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Kathleen. Perhaps you can come and have supper with us soon? My daughter would be happy to have another lass to join us.”
The sweet face of the freckled lass perked up and she nodded. “I should like that, Milady.”
“I shall let you know when.” Sorsha crossed the threshold and continued down the lane, knocking at doors and collecting wisps. When she couldn’t fit anymore in the bucket, she hurried to the stables to give them to Jonah.
She spotted Shaw helping a man fix a cart down the lane, kneeling next to the wheel. From afar, she greeted him with a wave and a smile. As much as she wished to go over to him, there was no time to waste and she continued to the stable where she found Jonah and set the bucket on the ground.
As she did so, she noticed a horse inside a nearby stall. It was snowy white and quite large. Its mane was long and braided with fashionable ribbons. That gave her the idea that the horse belonged to a woman.
“Mistress Edra had me collect the wisps for you, Jonah,” she told the stablemaster. She couldn’t help but move closer to the stall and peered over the door. It was a mare. She came to investigate Sorsha. “What a lovely horse.” Sorsha reached out to pet its nose.
Jonah bent to retrieve the bucket. “Oh, watch yourself, Milady. She’s quite ornery and nips.”
“Who does she belong to?” Sorsha withdrew her hand but longed to touch the mare anyway.
“She is Milady Corliss’s mare. Corliss does not like anyone touching her animal. Why, she will not even let me feed it or care for it. I keep my distance from it because she oft tries to take a bite of me now and again.”
Sorsha wanted to laugh. Of course, Corliss would have such an animal, one as difficult and persnickety as she was. She turned away from the animal. “Do you need more wisps?”
“Nay, Milady, this should do well enough. Ye collected a good many. My thanks. I should be getting back to my duties.” He bowed to her before he stepped away.
“Good day then.” Sorsha stepped out of the stable and when she saw Shaw still fixing the wagon, she decided to go to him.
“Ye look fetching this day,” he told her as she drew closer, and stood. “This is done,” he told the farmer, who thanked him. Sorsha waited while he collected his tools.
“I just collected the wisps for Edra. She is run down this day so I thought it best to aid her.”
“That’s good. I’m sure she appreciated that. You are a good woman. Do ye know how much I want to kiss ye right now?” He swiped his hands together and frowned at the dirt on them. “But I need to clean up first.”
Suddenly, they heard Edra’s voice and looked to see her practically running down the lane toward them in spite of her aches and pains. “Milady,” Edra called, “I cannot find Milady Maven anywhere. I checked her bedchamber, the entire keep, and around the grounds. She is nowhere to be found.”
At that moment, Walen and Niahm approached. Walen said, “What is happening?”
“Mamo is missing. We should search for her,” Shaw said.
“You are busy getting ready to help with the harvest. I will go in search of her and return her to the keep. Go on.” Sorsha turned but Shaw stopped her.
“Sweetheart, I will have Walen go with ye. Let me know when ye find her.”
She gave his arm a gentle reassuring squeeze and nodded. “Aye, I shall.”
Walen turned back toward the lane and held onto Niahm. “I was accompanying Niahm for a wee bit of air but perhaps she should return to the keep. She might not be up for such a search.”
“The walk would be difficult for her,” Sorsha said in agreement.
“Do ye two not see me, I am right here,” Niahm said teasingly. “Och, ye are right though, I should like to return to our cottage.”
As she walked with the couple, Sorsha worried about Shaw’s grandmother. It wasn’t like her to go missing unless she went to the graves. That would be the first place she would search. When they neared the cottage, Niahm released Walen, gave a wave, and entered their home.
“Are you worried for her…Niahm, I mean?” she asked Walen when they turned onto the lane and headed toward the gate.
“She is mighty large but she says the bairn moves easily. I just pray the bairn is not so large as to cause a difficult birth.”
“I am sure she will do her duty when the time comes.” Sorsha hoped with all her heart that her friend had an easy labor.
At the gate, the watchman stopped Walen. “Where ye be off to?”
“Milady and I are searching for Milady Maven. Has she passed through the gate?”
Clovis tilted his head to the side and pursed his lips. “I have not seen her this day but it has been a busy morn. Lots of people coming and going.”
“We will check the graves. ’Tis likely she has gone there,” Sorsha decided.
“I should have kept better watch on the gate, Milady.” Clovis whipped his head around and yelled to a guard who bickered with another. “Cease your grumbles, men, and be diligent.” He turned back to her. “Should I send men in search about the fief?”
“Nay, we shall check the graves first. If she is not there, then we will need help.” Sorsha rushed along. Walen kept up with her and stayed quiet on the walk toward the graves. At the hilly expanse that abutted the Mackintosh burial ground, she slowed her pace.
“Take my arm, Milady, these hills can be dangerous to traipse. I would not want ye to twist your ankle or fall.” Walen held out his arm.
As they approached the graves, Walen stopped. “I am certain Milady Maven’s husband’s grave is yonder,” he said and pointed to the left.
Sorsha caught sight of Maven’s cloak on the ground. She gasped and sprinted ahead. When she reached Mamo, she knelt beside her and gently touched her shoulder.
“Mamo, ’tis time to awaken. We must return you to the keep.” Sorsha shook her a little harder when she didn’t respond. Mamo was cold and must’ve been out there for a while. Sorsha glanced back at Walen. “She will not awaken.”
Walen stepped forward and knelt next to her.
He pressed his hand near Mamo’s nose to check her breathing before turning to look at her.
“I think she’s gone to the hereafter.” He further checked her by pressing his hand on her chest and using his finger to pry her eye open.
With a nod, he firmed his lips, proclaiming that Mamo had passed.
Sorsha lowered her chin and tried to stop the tears that welled on her lashes. “My heart aches but at least she has finally rejoined her husband. We shall miss her but she’s where she has wanted to be at long last.”
Walen set his arm over her shoulder. “Come, Milady, we should return. I shall have some men come with me to collect her. Do ye want to tell the laird or should I?”
She didn’t know how to answer his question. “I…I suppose I should tell him. When you return, please bring a cloak to cover her.”
“Of course, Milady. Worry not about Maven. We will take care of her.” Walen removed his arm from her shoulder and rose. He held out his hand and helped her to rise.
On the return walk to the fief, Sorsha remained quiet. A large lump formed in her throat and she thought that she would probably weep if she tried to speak. How in Heaven’s name would she tell Shaw that his mamo passed?
As she neared Shaw, Sorsha dreaded the words she’d say.
He appeared happy and jested with the men who helped with the cart.
Their banter would have lightened her if not for the fact that she was about to break Shaw’s heart.
He was laughing as he turned to her but when he saw her face his smile fell.
“What’s wrong? Have you been crying?” His gaze flew to Walen’s somber mien.
“Did someone hurt ye? Did something happen? Is Niahm all right? The children?”
She shook her head, on the verge of bawling, but her voice shook when she said, “I’m so sorry Shaw, but I am afraid that Mamo is gone.”
“Gone? She has to be here somewhere.” He moved his head back and forth as if he’d spot the elder woman all by himself.
Walen interjected. “Aye, she lies at yonder graves and has entered the hereafter. Maven has finally joined her husband. She died, Shaw.”
Sorsha lowered her head and was unable to look at her husband as he pulled her into his embrace and he wrapped her with his strong arms. With a deep sob, she let out her heartache. Fortunately, she regained her composure within a moment and wiped at her eyes.
“I was afraid she would pass… She spoke of nothing but dying in the last months. I shall go and bring her here for the clan will want to say their farewells.” Shaw released her and stepped away.
“Walen, have two soldiers fetch Father James from the kirk. Mamo would want a clergyman to speak prayers.”
Sorsha watched the men depart. She walked almost numbly to the keep and just wanted to hold the children.