Page 49 of Fearless Heart
“Did I really tell you Lillia’s worry about getting with child after only two bouts of lovemaking?” He groaned and rubbed his eyes, hoping it wasn’t so, but after he revealed her foolish thoughts, he’d retold the embarrassing detail of their ordeal of getting to speak the words before the friar.
Brodin chortled. “Indeed. I’ve never heard of such foolery. I hope you set the lass straight.”
“Aye, of course I did. Where’s Liam?”
Graeme handed his son a bowl and spoon to occupy the lad while they spoke. “He left earlier. Went to the abbey to see if James came. He should be back soon. Here he is now.”
Liam walked into the cave with a spring to his step and a whistle on his lips. “Comrades, it’s downright freezing out there. I deem we’ll get snow soon.”
Graeme bade him with a wave of his hand. “What news have you?”
“James and his band haven’t been at the abbey or the village. Rohan hasn’t seen him. It is odd he didn’t follow us straightaway. I would’ve thought he’d hightail it and get here before us.” Liam sat and poured a cup of water and pushed it in front of him.
Heath scowled at the cup as if it was poison.
“Drink. You’ll feel better. I have a message for you.” Liam pushed a sealed parchment across the table.
Heath held it before opening it. He hoped it wasn’t more ill-fated news.
Son, I detest asking you to travel home when ye were recently here, but I need ye to seek a treaty meeting with the MacKintosh laird. I cannot leave the keep. You are the only one I trust to handle the matter. Come at the soonest.
Your da, Laird Fraser
He folded the parchment and looked up to find three sets of eyes staring at him. “My da … he needs me to return home and handle a treaty with our enemy. I should leave at once.” He stood ready to make off.
“What of Lillia?” Brodin asked.
He sat back down. “I cannot leave her here. If James comes he’ll not listen to reason … I shall take her with me.”
Graeme held up his hand stopping him from leaving. “We are free from our duty to the king presently, at least whilst he seeks refuge during the winter. We have no prospects of employment. There is no hurry, Heath. Go and see to your family matters. Don’t rush back.”
He gave a quick nod and before he left the cave, Brodin caught up to him. “I’ll be going along with you and see to your back. Besides, your wife probably won’t let you touch her seeings how you’ve already reached your limit.” Brodin bellowed his jest.
Heath shoved his shoulder. “Jest if you are wont, but I’ll be glad to have you along. Lillia’s safety is of more import than your banter.”
He left Brodin at the ossuary and trotted toward the stream. Lillia helped Kerrigan with the launder. He watched her for a moment tending to the wifely duty. She never appeared lovelier.
“We need to make ready to leave.”
“Leave? Why?” She wrung out a tunic she’d washed and looked up at him in bewilderment.
He wanted to kiss her, to take her in his arms and give her the most improper greeting, but he knelt next to her. “My da asked me to come. I need to go home for a short visit and I would that you come with me. Brodin awaits us and will come.”
“I do wish to see your father, for he was kind when I last saw him. Can I ride my own mount? I always fear riding with you. You go too fast.”
Kerrigan giggled. “Take my horse, Lillia. I won’t have need of it, especially in my condition.” She smoothed a hand over the bulge of her belly.
Lillia nodded. “My thanks. I shall see you soon.”
Heath left her at the cave and went to the ossuary. There, he ensured his horse’s harness was fastened properly and he was ready for the long ride. Kerrigan’s horse whinnied at the prospect of being ridden. The mare rarely was exercised. He took a good bit of feed, a special blend of grasses and oats that Gilroy remedied and attached the sack to his saddle.
Lillia met him soon after and Brodin already awaited them on the lane. Heath set a swift pace even though Lillia asked him several times to slow down. He wanted to reach home at the soonest. His da’s message concerned him because his father hadn’t mentioned wanting a treaty with their enemy when he was last there. What changed in a matter of days? Why the rush to do so now?
“We’re in hostile territory, Sweetness, and need to make haste. We’ll slow when we reach the peak.” He smiled at the way she blew an errant strand of hair from her face. Heath led them through a narrow lane that sat at the bottom of two hills. It was the perfect place for an ambush and he tensed with scrutiny of the hills. He kicked his horse’s haunches to get him moving because he didn’t trust the Macintosh clan.
“We need to ride quickly to the safety of the woods.” His instinct prickled his skin because he’d felt the eyes of his enemy. They had to be close, near enough to see them. Once they reached the edge of the lane, he picked up the pace. Home was just over the hills.