Page 28 of Stolen by the Rival Scot (Tartan Trails of Love #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

E velyn watched her husband walk out of the room. As the door closed behind him, a wave of panic washed over her. Edward may well have tried to reassure her, but his words had brought her little to no comfort. If Laird Wallace and his army were nearby, surely a battle was soon to follow.

She remained in the bed for some time, thinking about what was going to happen. If a battle did occur, would they have a chance against Clan Wallace? Her uncle had always been proud of his army, but he revered the Wallace Clan too. In fact, he had boasted on many occasions, how proud he was that they were allied with the clan, for they were a force to be reckoned with.

What if Edward went out to fight and didn’t make it? What if Clan Wallace was too strong to beat? What about James and Craig? Poor Freya would lose a husband, and Morgana would lose both of her brothers.

Round and round the worry went, until Evelyn thought she might go quite mad. On more than one occasion, she gazed at the door, wondering whether it would open soon. So desperate was she for Edward to walk through it and tell her that all was well, she nearly tried to will it to happen.

Ye are wasting yer time.

Of course, she was.

And now, more than an hour had passed and she was growing impatient. Edward had promised her he would come back and tell her what was happening, but how long would that be? How long would she have to sit there going mad with worry?

“I cannae dae it,” she cried out loud. “I simply cannae wait.”

No doubt, he was busy dealing with the councilmen, for they would have all gathered to decide the best course of action for the clan. When the decision was made, he would then be occupied with what needed to be done. With all of that going on, he would hardly have time to come back and see to her, would he?

With that determined, Evelyn flung back the coverlets and climbed out of bed. She may well have been ill, but she was feeling far better. She simply could not sit and do nothing. Grabbing at her clothes she began to dress.

She was half way through, when a knock came on the bedchamber door.

“Me lady,” Caitlin’s voice called out. “Can I come in?”

“Aye. Come in,” Evelyn replied, relieved that it was not Edward, though he wouldn’t have knocked. Still, he would have been as mad as a trapped bee if had found her up and out of bed.

Caitlin walked in and suddenly gasped. “Me lady. What are ye daeing?”

“I need tae get dressed, Caitlin. Clan Wallace and his army?—”

“I ken. The news has travelled through the castle like wild fire. Still, ye need tae rest. Ye are still only recovering.”

“I dinnae care,” Evelyn cried, feeling exasperated. “I am tired o’ people telling me what I am and what I am nae. I refuse tae lie in bed while me husband and everyone else runs around the castle. There must be something we can dae. Something I can dae.”

With her eyes wide, and her mouth gaping, Caitlin looked taken aback at her mistress’s tone. Immediately, Evelyn felt guilty.

“I’m sorry,” she sighed. “I am nae angry with ye, Caitlin. It is only that I’m worried.”

The maid nodded, and righting herself, she said, “It’s all right, me lady. I understand.” She then moved across the room. “I suppose if ye are determined tae get dressed, the least I can dae is help ye. Let’s just tak’ things slowly. Nae doubt, ye’re still a little dizzy.”

Evelyn did as Caitlin advised and took her time. She would be of no use to anyone if she collapsed again, although she thought that doubtful. Still, there was no point tempting fate.

“Wherever ye are going, I am going with ye,” Caitlin said when Evelyn was finally ready. “I’m nae leaving ye tae wander about alone in ye’re condition.”

By the tone of Caitlin’s voice, Evelyn knew there was little point in arguing with the lass. Besides, it was not a bad idea. If she needed anything, or if she did take a bad turn, Caitlin would be right by her side.

“All right. Well, first things first. I need tae find Edward.”

The maid moved to the door and with her hand on the doorhandle, she nodded towards it. “Shall we?”

And then the two left the bedchamber together.

“Where is he likely tae be?” Caitlin asked as they made their way down the corridor.

Servants and maids scurried passed them, all seemingly in a hurry to get to their destination.

“Where are they going?” Evelyn asked.

“We’ve been instructed tae bring everything in from outside, and tae secure as much o’ the castle as we can. After that, all the servants are tae head tae their quarters until further notice.”

“There is going tae be war,” Evelyn said heavily. “I just ken it.”

They could head to the meeting room, but Evelyn was certain that Edward would no longer be there. Whatever needed to be discussed would have happened by now, and thus she turned the corner and made her way to Edward’s study. It was the next likely place he would be.

Upon arriving, she knocked on the door and waited for an answer.

“Come,” Edward’s dark tone rung out.

When Evelyn stepped in, Edward balked at her. “Evelyn! I thought I told ye tae stay in bed.”

Craig and James were there with him. By the looks of the tightness of their proximity, the three had been in deep discussions before she arrived. Leaving the others, he strode across the room and took her two hands in his. With his forehead creased into many lines, it was obvious he was feeling the pressure of whatever was happening.

Evelyn felt even more worried now than ever. “I cannae lie in bed while ye go out there and put yersel’ in danger.”

But Edward shook his head. “Ye must tae stay indoors. Ye have tae stay safe. They’ve already tried tae get tae ye, nae once, but twice. They will try again.”

“We will tak’ care o’ her.”

Evelyn and Edward spun around at the same time to see Morgana and Freya standing in the doorway.

“We came tae see what the result o’ yer conversation with Laird Wallace was,” Morgana piped up.

“Ye went and spoke tae him?” Evelyn gasped. “What did he say?”

Edward glanced back at Craig and James, before heaving a sigh. “It isnae good, Evelyn. Laird Wallace is determined that ye were against the marriage, and refused tae be wed in the church. In his eyes, we’re nae married. I’m keeping ye prisoner, and I’ve taken over the clan against everyone’s will.”

Her eyebrows knotted so tightly it pained her. “That’s ridiculous.”

“I did try tae tell him that, but he wouldnae listen.”

James and Craig had now joined them.

“Thomas and Gilroy told him that lie, and the laird believes it,” James said.

Her eyes flew wide, and then she looked at Edward. “They were the culprits!”

Edward nodded. “They are. It still doesnae mak’ the least bit o’ sense tae me. Why they have brought clan Wallace intae the picture, or why they have told the laird lies.”

“We think it has something tae dae with the tak’ over,” James said. “Laird Wallace may have promised them more than they have here. All they needed tae dae was betray their clan. But it’s nae clear. Laird Wallace was adamant that he was acting honorably, and by his stoic expression, I believed him.

“As did I,” Edward added. “Which is why we’re back tae square one.”

“So, what was the result o’ the conversation?” Evelyn pressed.

“He gave me an ultimatum. Either I relinquish me lairdship, or I must be prepared tae battle.”

Evelyn felt her heart plunge in her chest. Edward couldn’t relinquish his lairdship. It would go against the peace treaty. Laird Wallace had given him an impossible choice.

“We’re going tae war,” she whispered.

Her husband’s face was as solemn as she had ever seen it. Gone was the soft smile, the wittiness she had grown to love about him. There was nothing remotely humorous about the situation, and thus, all she could see was concern. Concern, but not fear.

It took a moment for the reality to sink in. When it did, Evelyn readied herself for what was to come.

“We have tae mak’ safe the women and children,” she said, turning toward the door.

“Evelyn—”

She turned back to her husband, but was determined he was not going to tell her what she was to do this time.

“Edward, this is me responsibility. I am the lady o’ the clan. I have tae help them.”

Edward seemed to see the determination in her eyes, and now struggled with a decision of his own.

Beside him, James stepped forward and gazed down at Freya. “Help Evelyn with the women and children. Hide them all somewhere safe. Afterwards, ye all must get tae safety.”

Edward cast James a fierce glance.

“She’s going tae dae it anyway, braither,” James said, defending himself against Edward’s wrath. “Look at her.” He lifted a hand to Evelyn. “She’s nae going tae tak’ nay fer an answer.”

After a heavy few seconds of silence, where no one spoke, and everyone looked at Edward for his reaction, his shoulders eventually slumped and he heaved out a sigh.

“Fine. But ye lasses must stay taegether.”

“We’re grown women, Edward,” Morgana quipped back. “We’re quite capable o’ looking after ourselves. Come on, Evelyn. Lead the way.”

The women worked tirelessly for the next half an hour, finding and directing the women and children to safety. The great hall was the arranged meeting place.

“Safety in numbers,” Freya had said.

Though they were all gathered, the atmosphere was tense, with the fear at such a heightened state it was almost palpable, but the women were strong, and while they were afraid, they still offered comfort both to each other and the children in their care.

Evelyn’s presence seemed to bolster them even further, and, doing her duty, she moved from one to the other, telling each one that everything would be all right, and that they were safe as long as they stayed together. She didn’t fully know if that was true, of course, but it was the best she could do.

After a while, Evelyn felt a hand on her elbow.

Turning, she saw Freya smiling kindly at her. “Ye’ve done enough now, Evelyn. ‘Tis time fer ye tae rest a while. We cannae have ye getting ill again.”

Feeling a little weary, Evelyn agreed, and followed Freya over to a table where Morgana sat. Once Evelyn was seated, Morgana reached out her hand and squeezed Evelyn’s.

“Everything will be all right, Evelyn. Ye have tae have faith.”

It was the same thing Evelyn had been saying to all the women she had spoken to, but she didn’t believe it. She wasn’t sure Morgana did either.

“It is hard tae dae that when the man I love is about tae go intae battle.”

A broad smile grew on Morgana’s lips.

Evelyn was entirely confused at the woman’s reaction. How could she look so pleased that her brother was putting his life on the line for the clan?

At Evelyn’s reaction, Morgana gave her a knowing look. “I kent, deep in me heart, that the two o’ ye would work it out.”

Evelyn nodded then, understanding. “Ye had more faith than I, Morgana. And yet, everything we’ve been through, everything that has made us stronger will all be fer naught if I lose him now.”