Page 39 of Deceived by the Highlander (Daughters of the Isle #2)
To be sure, she’d spent a good hour with her, and the steward, Raso, yesterday afternoon, ensuring that everything in the castle would run smoothly until Alasdair’s return. He may have broken her heart, but that didn’t mean she wanted him to accuse her of neglecting his beloved castle.
After speaking with Sine, and ensuring she understood her explicit instructions when it came to tending her precious medicinal gardens, she found Clyde waiting for her in the hall.
“The wagon is loaded,” he announced.
“Thank ye, Clyde.” She gave him a bright smile, but his glower merely darkened. She had the feeling he hadn’t been taken in by her story, but thankfully neither had he questioned her about it.
She was only taking one chest with her, containing her gowns and personal items, and a small casket with a selection of essential tinctures and powders, as well as her medical satchel.
Clyde had arranged for four of Alasdair’s men to accompany them to the port, but only she, Clyde and Morag were sailing to Eigg.
“The men will be ready to leave in an hour,” he said, and she nodded. That would give them plenty of time to arrive before the ship sailed.
She looked at Dubh. “Come on, then. One last walk before we leave.”
With Morag by her side, she left the castle, but before they’d even crossed the forecourt, half a dozen riders clattered through the open gates.
She shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun as the first rider dismounted and made his way to her.
“Colban?” Good Lord, what was he doing here? Her glance traveled over his companions, but she only recognized his cousin, Peter.
“Lady Freyja.” Colban came to her and kissed her hand. “Bad tidings, I fear. ’Tis Lady Helga. I came as soon as I heard, to escort ye back to Sgur Castle.”
Fear gripped her heart. “What’s happened? Were ye there?”
“No. ’Twas sheer luck my uncle heard just before he sailed from Eigg to Oban. Doubtless a messenger has been sent on the next boat, but I knew ye’d want to be told as soon as possible. Peter gathered his men, and we will take ye back to Sgur without delay.”
She gripped her hands together to stop them from trembling. Amma had always been such an immovable presence in her life, it was hard to remember that, in fact, she was not a young woman, and the ravages of age could strike her at any time.
No, blessed Eir, please don’t let Amma die. She couldn’t bear it, so soon after losing Afi, and discovering how little Alasdair thought of her.
No good would come from her falling apart. She dragged in a sharp breath to try and clear her mind. “I must send word to Lady Isolde.” At least they could travel to Eigg together.
“No need, my lady. A messenger is already on his way to Creagdoun. My ship is ready at the port, and we’ll wait for Lady Isolde there.”
She grasped Morag’s hand. “Find Clyde and let him know we will be leaving instantly.”
“Aye, milady.” Morag hurried off as she tried to untangle her thoughts. “Colban, where is yer uncle? I must speak with him, to find out what he knows about my grandmother.”
“He’s on his way to Creagdoun.”
She supposed that made sense, since Isolde was the elder sister and should receive the news of their grandmother’s health firsthand. But it was a terrible thing, not knowing what ailed Amma.
Clyde marched over, leading a horse pulling the wagon, accompanied by the four men who were escorting her to the port. She glanced back at Colban and caught shock on his face before he quickly masked it. Not that she blamed him, and she felt compelled to explain.
“I had planned to visit Eigg while Alasdair is with the earl.” In the back of her mind, a discordant note stirred.
There was no reason why Colban would know Alasdair wasn’t in the castle.
So why hadn’t he requested to see Alasdair when he arrived?
No matter what she thought about it, ’twas normal practice to ask a man’s permission before escorting his wife to visit her sick relative.
But the notion was fleeting, for what did it matter? Colban had known her grandmother all his life and his concern for her health had likely caused him to forget standard protocol.
Colban eyed her, almost as though he didn’t quite believe her. But the sensation vanished in an instant. God help her, her mind was playing tricks on her.
“’Tis fortunate ye are already packed for the journey,” he said, and she had the oddest feeling he didn’t think it fortunate at all. “But there’s no need for the laird’s men to accompany us. As ye see, we have Peter’s men.”
Before she could respond, Clyde stepped forward. “Lady Freyja’s safety is my concern, and the men will accompany her.”
His tone brooked no argument and Colban gave a tight smile before inclining his head in assent.
Jane hastened over to her. It was obvious from the concern on her face that she’d learned of the news.
“My lady, I’m so sorry. How fortunate it is ye are ready to leave without delay.
Do not worry about Alasdair. Seoc will send a messenger after him, so he’ll know what’s happening within a few days. ”
“Thank ye, Jane.” It would be at least two days before a message reached Alasdair, but considering his haste to reach the earl, it was more likely he wouldn’t receive it until after he arrived in Edinburgh.
Not that it made any difference. There was nothing he could do, and he certainly wouldn’t forsake the meeting with the earl simply because Lady Helga was ill.
What’s wrong with her? Had she succumbed to sickness? Or broken a bone in a fall? Why on earth didn’t Colban have more information?
But it was no good driving herself mad with questions that couldn’t be answered until she saw Amma herself. She just needed to collect her satchel, and they would be ready to leave.
As they rode through the gates, a forlorn wish whispered through her mind, no matter how hard she tried to quell it.
If only Alasdair were coming with me.