Page 56 of Bride Takes a Laird
“Be still, My Lady, and we shall find out soon enough if you are carrying a babe.”
The midwife’s hands roamed her stomach and she pried her eyes open. Kendra felt awkward with the woman’s somewhat rough treatment especially when she pressed her fingers on her breasts. She made her urinate in the chamber pot and all the while Kendra’s face brightened. The woman though, seemed unaffected by her embarrassment. Mistress Agnes took the chamber pot from her and stood by the window casement. After a long moment, she returned to the bedside.
“Yes, My Lady, I can confirm that you are with child. You must be far along because your belly is quite big. I say you will bear your child before winter ends. You must eat small meals throughout the day and drink no mead for it will upset your stomach. ’Tis the honey that makes you retch. Best to drink ale or water. I shall come and see you in a fortnight or so to check on you.” With that, she bowed her headto Gilda and left the chamber.
Gilda and Linet remained silent. Kendra stared at them and was dumbfounded. She didn’t know how to react to the midwife’s news. That she was with child pleased her but it also saddened her. She needed Magnus but alas, she was on her own for now.
“There, there, My Lady, you have some time to go before you give birth. We shall fatten you up for you must eat. I can make some drams that will settle your stomach too. I’ll go and prepare a light meal for you. Rest and stay abed.” Gilda left.
Kendra gently pressed her hands over her stomach. “I cannot believe this.”
“I am sure your husband will be overjoyed at the news,” Linet said. “We should make arrangements to return to him and—”
“Nay, I cannot leave now, Linet. I must find the coins my father accepted from Heatherington. Only then can I go.”
Linet sat beside her and clasped her hand. “I understand that you feel it necessary to return the coins but you should be more concerned about—”
Kendra cut her off because she needed to explain. It was time to tell her what Heatherington intended, though she had tried to spare her friend the worry. “If I do not return the coins, Heatherington will besiege us and all within the manor will be in danger. I cannot allow that to happen. Will you help me? Help me search for the coins?”
“Aye, and I’ll have John aid us as well. Together, we will search every place we can think of. Worry not and when we return the coins, you can go to your husband.”
Kendra nodded. “I will send a message to him for now. Perhaps he will come to me if he is not too busy with his laird duties.” But she knew that Magnus had his hands full with finding Ned’s murderer and other clan matters. She was but an unwanted diversion, a wife he hadn’t asked for. Still, he was noble and maybe he would understand that she needed time at home. Would he come to her? If so, when? She wondered how much time she had.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Before dawn, Magnusset out to visit Oswald’s grave. After crossing the wooden bridge, he skirted the clan’s village and reached the short-walled enclosed burial grounds. He stood before Oswald’s burial site, knelt, and thanked him for his service to the clan and to him. He’d been a dedicated soldier and comrade, and Magnus had known him his entire life. He’d miss his lifelong friend. That he was killed for such an insignificant reason infuriated him. The Chattans would pay dearly. He’d see to it and soon.
When he left his friend’s resting place, he stopped at the barracks and directed two soldiers to seek the herbs Lillith needed and take them to her. As much as he wanted to return to Lillith’s to check on Jake himself, he told his guardsmen to return with word of his brother’s condition.
With resignation in his heart, Magnus returned to the keep and headed for the training field. There were already scores of soldiers tarrying on the field when he arrived. He joined them for exercise and to rid himself of his intense anger. With a yank of his sword, he gripped it in his hand and marched onto the field.
A soldier near to his age offered to spar with him. They clanged their swords and continued until Magnus lowered his sword and helped the soldier at his feet to rise. His opponent, whom he had battered to the ground, rasped with heavy breath. Training in armsalways relieved his tension and he’d spent most of the day going against any of his soldiers brave enough to test him.
His men needed more training before they would confront his enemy—the Chattans. War would give him the satisfaction of retribution and also would ingrain his wrath at those who trespassed on his land and ambushed him in the woods.
He strolled through the soldiers who remained on the field and commented on their abilities or failures with the sword. Across the field, several men took to the quintains and practiced archery. Arrows flew through the air at the targets. Some hit the center, some did not. Arrows littered the ground and beyond. A group of his soldiers also threw daggers but they were more proficient and seasoned. Most hit the aimed targets and hardly any daggers lay upon the ground.
Wyren approached with his son strapped to his chest. The bairn appeared to be sleeping. His brother chuckled as he approached. “My son is soothed by the sounds of the swords. ’Tis the only time he sleeps soundlessly. I wonder if I should have two men assigned to ply their swords by my bedside?”
Though his brother jested, Magnus didn’t laugh. He was in no merry mood. “Have ye found the men yet? The two men who were missing from the count?”
Wyren shook his head. “Not as yet. They are named Gordon and Ezlen. Neither have been seen since Ned had gone missing and were not assigned any duty that would take them from our lands. They must be behind our brother’s death.”
“I want proof before we condemn them. Have the men continue to search for them. Send men beyond the fief if necessary. I want to question them myself.”
His brother agreed with a nod. “What of Hayden? Is he well? Has he awakened?”
Magnus intended to visit his comrade and walked toward the healer’s cottage. “I’m on my way to see him now.”
“I’ll go with ye,” Wyren said and shifted Hale’s body to cradle him in his arms when he fussed. “Och, I should probably take Hale home first. I’ll meet up with ye later.” His brother set off toward his home.
Magnus continued to Clarence’s abode. He rapped at the door and didn’t wait to be bid entry. The door opened before he shoved it. Clarence grumbled something under his breath which Magnus couldn’t comprehend. Something bothered the grumpy healer but Magnus couldn’t guess what or why he was cross. He entered the cottage and saw Hayden sitting in a chair. His comrade’s dark hair fell over his eyes as his head leaned forward.
“Oho, so ye finally awakened, aye?”
Hayden raised his face and grinned. “I’m well enough now, Laird. Tell me, when do we seek revenge?”
“Soon enough. The men make ready and Wyren has had them training from sunup.”