'Perhaps, when we were younger,' he admitted. 'Now that we're both adults, we decide together what's to be done whenever a problem crops up. I rely on him as much as he relies on me. Tell me what my brother has to do with this discussion? You do want me to take care of you, don't you?'
'Yes, of course I do,' she answered. 'I just don't want to be a burden. I want to be able to share my problems with you, not hand them over. Do you understand? I want to belong, to be important enough to you that you would want to share your worries with me. Could you not learn to treat me with the same consideration you give Patrick?'
Iain didn't know what to say to her. 'I must consider this,' he announced.
She leaned against him so he wouldn't see her smile. 'That is all I would ask.'
'I try to be open to new ideas, Judith.'
'Yes, of course you do.'
She kissed him on his chin. He leaned down and captured her mouth for a long kiss. He was reluctant to stop touching her, but finally forced himself to pull away.
Judith spotted Andrew standing a fair distance away from them.
Iain didn't turn around when he called out, 'Are you ready, Andrew?'
'Yes, Laird,' he called back.
'How did you know he was standing there?'
'I heard him.'
'I didn't.'
He smiled. 'You didn't need to hear,' he explained.
His remark didn't make any sense. He sounded terribly arrogant.
'Where are you taking him?' she asked in a whisper, so the boy wouldn't hear.
'To the stables,' Iain answered. 'He's going to help the stable master.'
'Is this a punishment? Iain, don't you think-'
'We'll discuss this tonight,' he interrupted.
She nodded. She was so pleased he hadn't ordered her to stay out of the matter altogether, she felt like smiling. 'As you wish,' she told him.
'I wish for you to return to the keep.'
She nodded. She bowed to her husband and started up the hill.
'You will rest this afternoon,' he called after her.
'Yes, Iain.'
'I'm meaning what I say, Judith.'
She realized then he expected an argument. Since she hadn't given him one, he assumed she wasn't going to obey. She tried not to laugh. Her husband was beginning to understand her.
She did keep her promise. She had a nice visit with Frances Catherine first, and after Patrick had assisted his wife back down the hill to their cottage for her afternoon rest, Judith went upstairs to her room. Her mind was centered on the ever present worry about Frances Catherine's birthing, and she believed she had finally come up with a solution. Judith didn't believe she was knowledgeable enough to know what to do if the birthing became complicated, but Helen would surely have enough experience to know what to do, wouldn't she? Andrew's mother would have to soften in her attitude toward her now, Judith thought, and perhaps if she used the correct approach, she could gain the midwife's cooperation without having to involve Agnes.
Frances Catherine was bound to have a fit. Judith would have to convince her Helen would be a help and not a hindrance.
She fell asleep praying it would be true.
Chapter 12
She slept throughout the night. When she awoke, Iain had already left the chamber. Judith remembered that she needed to hurry to begin her day. She spotted her satchels neatly stacked in the corner and assumed Iain had carried them up from Frances Catherine's cottage.
After putting her things away in the smaller chest and straightening the chamber, she went downstairs.
Gelfrid was sitting with Duncan at the table, eating the morning meal. Both elders started to stand when she entered the room, but she waved them back into their chairs.
'Aren't you going to join us, lass?' Gelfrid asked.
'I'll just take this apple with me, thank you. I have an important errand to complete.'
'You look just fine wearing our plaid,' Duncan muttered. He frowned while he gave his compliment, acting as though it was a painful chore to praise her.
She didn't laugh. She did smile, though. Duncan, she decided, was very like Gelfrid. He was all bluster on the outside, but full of tender feelings inside.
'Her face still looks frightful,' Gelfrid remarked. 'She could have had her eye torn clean out, Duncan,' he added with a nod.
'Aye, she could have,' Duncan agreed.
Judith hid her exasperation. 'Gelfrid, was there anything you wished me to do before I leave?'
He shook his head.
'Have you seen Graham this morning?' she asked. 'He might want something done, and I would like to get my duties organized in my mind before I start my day.'
'Graham went hunting with Patrick and a few of the others,' Gelfrid explained. 'He should be back in time for the nooning meal. They left right at dawn.'
'Did Iain go with them?'
Duncan answered her question. 'He and his men went in the opposite direction to have a word or two with the Macphersons. They border us on the west.'
She caught the hesitation in his voice. 'I'm not believing this 'have a word or two,' Duncan. Are we feuding with the Macphersons, too?'
The elder nodded. 'No need to get yourself worried. It's only a halfhearted feud. The Macpherson laird is so inept, it isn't worth the trouble fighting with them. There won't be any bloodshed.'
'You're certain of this, Duncan?'
'I am,' he answered. 'There won't be a battle.'
'Aye, it's more nuisance than amusement for Iain,' Gelfrid explained.
'Your husband won't be home until nightfall,' Duncan added.
'Thank you for telling me,' Judith replied. She made a curtsy, then turned and hurried out of the hall.
Judith was halfway down the hill before she realized she didn't know where Helen lived. She wasn't about to ask Frances Catherine for directions. Her friend would demand an immediate explanation as to why she would want to speak to the midwife. Judith was determined to talk to Helen first before broaching the topic with her friend.
She turned toward Isabelle's cottage. Remembering Agnes's boast during the horrid inquisition that both she and Helen lived close enough to have heard screams during the birthing, Judith was certain Isabella would be able to point the way for her.
Spotting Father Laggan coming up the slope, she waved to the priest and hurried to meet him.
'Did you put Merlin in the ground?' she asked.
He smiled. 'I did.' he answered. 'Now I'm back to give Isabelle's son a proper blessing.'
'Are you always in such a rush, Father?'
''Tis the truth I usually am,' he answered. He took Judith's hand in both of his and said, 'You've got a happy wedded look about you. Iain's treating you well, isn't he?'
'Yes, Father,' she replied. 'Will you share our supper with us tonight?'
'I would be pleased to,' he returned. 'And have you the time to stop in to say hello to Isabelle with me
