Page 64 of Fearless Heart
“Leave me be, Lillia. I wish not to talk right now.”
“Something has upset you. Please tell me—”
“I said I am not wont to speak. Take yourself to bed.” Heath turned back to the fire and added two logs, thoroughly ignoring her.
“Will you not join me?”
“Nay, I doubt I’d be able to sleep if I tried.”
Lillia’s shoulders slumped at the harshness of his tone. She made a spot to sleep and set several tartans and covers on the floor near Makenna and Liam. Makenna reached out and took hold of her hand and squeezed it, offering solace. Lillia wanted to weep. Sorrow such as she never felt came upon her. A sob closed her throat and she resisted the will to cry like a bairn. Try as she might, she was unable to sleep as well. The thought which kept niggling her was Heath surely regretted marrying her. Given his hostility and the sharp tone of his words all but dejected her.
Morning finally arrived, but it was preceded by the longest night she’d ever experienced. From tossing and turning on the bed covers to stumbling to the garderobe to retch, Lillia likened the feeling to being run over by a horse. Her malady gave concern because she wasn’t sure if she became ill due to all the tension of late or if it was caused by her suspicions she might be carrying a bairn. The last thought caused her gag.
Heavens Above, why didn’t she listen to her sisters-in-law? She rose and watched the bustle of people coming and going from the great hall. Heath’s mother approached with a smile on her face. As always, the woman dressed in fine garments, her hair perfectly coiled in an embellished roll, and she appeared striking.
“Lillia, dearest, I’m pleased to see you. Heath tells me you wed. It has brought joy to both me and my husband. Simon has wanted to suggest a betrothal for years, but circumstances prevented him from doing so. We’d always hoped …” She hugged her affectionately.
She’d always adored Heath’s mother. She was kind, amusing, generous, and never spoke an unkind word of anyone. “I thank you, Lady Fraser. Is Heath about? I really need to speak with him. We didn’t get a chance to discuss our accommodation last eve.”
Lady Fraser gazed about the room. “We’ve already prepared cottages for Heath’s friends. All are welcome. They will be quite comfortable in the lodging.”
“Where might I find Heath?” Lillia didn’t appreciate the avoidance of her question. And she didn’t like her husband’s standoffish nature of the night before. She aimed to tell him so. In all the years she’d known Heath, he had never spoken to her in such a manner.
“Come, we shall speak by the hearth.”
She followed Lady Fraser and stood near the high flames. The warmth calmed her.
“Heath is beset, and I understand why he’s dismayed—”
“He doesn’t wish to be wed to me. I don’t blame him for I should have been honest with him when I first saw him. It is too late for regrets now, is it not?” Lillia shamed by her actions, lowered her gaze and peered at the floorboards.
Lady Fraser lifted her chin with the tips of her fingers and set an arm around her. “Oh, dear, nay that is not why he’s dismayed. That is, he is not ireful with you. He’s distraught because his brother has returned.”
A gasp escaped her before she could stop it. “Roderick … returned? But how? Heath said it was unlikely he’d be freed.”
“My husband sent a small fortune to the Franks for his release. We’ve saved our coin and any wealth we could do without throughout the years and finally had enough to send for recompense. We had hoped for his freedom but were not expecting it so soon.”
“This is well received news. I’m sure Heath must be relieved.”
Lady Fraser shook her head. “Mayhap he is relieved that his brother lives and is finally home. But with Roderick’s return, Heath no longer is in line to succeed his father.”
Lillia’s chest tightened. Yet Heath told her he’d never aspired to be laird. Surely he wasn’t upset by the relegation of his position. “How is Roderick? Is he well?”
“I fear my son lost his spirit. He’s no longer the robust man he’d once been. Mayhap time will heal him and bring about his old self. Heath is with him now. I shall settle his friends. Of course you and Heath will stay here in the main keep. I’m having a chamber cleaned and readied.”
“Thank you, my lady.” Lillia wished Heath would come to her. She worried for him and hoped to soothe the strain that surely plagued him.
The hall cleared as Lady Fraser took the king’s guard and their families to settle in the cottages. That left her alone to ponder the horrid circumstances of late. She looked at the table laden with food, but she turned away, unable to eat even the smallest bite.
Lillia decided to go and search Heath out. Before she left the great hall, Andrew Fraser entered. She stepped aside to allow his entry and tried to move through the exit, but he blocked her from leaving.
“Ah, Lillia Hunter. I’d heard ye were here. Does your father ken? He’s been frantically searching for ye, lass.” The man scowled at her, but she wasn’t sure if he was ireful with her for he always wore such a look.
She stepped back for she wasn’t fond of Heath’s uncle. He was always quarrelsome and eager to dispute any issue. Moreover, he often provoked an argument and had the inability to confess his grievance in a sensible way. She considered his gruff nature deliberate. Though she’d never been the cause of his anger, she sensed it coming from the man in all his manners.
“No, my lord, he doesn’t know I’m here. I shall send word to him at once.” She quickly genuflected and dipped her head, hoping he would take it as her wish to leave.
Andrew stepped toward her and she hastened back. “I heard tell ye went and married our Heath.”