That had Mary growing fearful, “I don’t know…I’ve never held a baby before.”
“Dinnae worry,” Lady Robasdan advised as she placed the babe in her hands and fixed her arms to hold him. Mary felt her heartbeat increase as she was left to hold the tiny form in her arms alone.
Terrified that she would drop him, Mary tugged him close to her chest and placed her palm on his back. She looked at his mother with fright and a silent call for help. “Lady Robasdan!”
The baby was squirming and Mary knew she was out of her depth. “I cannot—”
“Och!” Leith’s voice interrupted them. “What are ye doin’, Lady Giselle? Are ye farming yer baby out to another woman? I cannea blame ye, Robasdan is a bore.”
“Nay such thing,” Lady Robasdan said laughingly while she scooped the babe from Mary’s hands. “I’d never trade Tarrant for the world. Miss Thompson, let Isla take ye to me rooms whenever ye are ready for yer bath.”
Lady Robasdan sauntered away with a musical laugh and Leith took the lady’s place. His dark hair was ruffled and his eyes were soft. “I ken by now ye’ve been told ye need to wait another day to go.”
“I have,” Mary exhaled. “I am feeling much better, but I understand they need me to be fully recovered before I take another journey.” She then eyed Leith, “Will you at least tell me why you’re here so far from your home, at last? I have given you my trust, Mister Balloch, will you afford me the same?”
“Leith, please,” he said.
“Only if you will call me Mary,” she replied. “Now will you please tell me what is happening?”
His face went dour for a moment before he rubbed his palm over his eyes and then down to his mouth, “I dinnae want to upset ye.”
“Please tell me anyway,” Mary said as she reached out to hold his hand. “What is it?”
“Me Faither, lass,” Leith confessed. “He is ill, gravely ill. I came to find help when me people had none to give.”
“Oh, my,” Mary exclaimed softly. “Is he bedridden?”
“Nay,” Leith cupped her hand with his, and she felt his rough thumb stroke over the back of her hand. “He is nay lame; it is his mind. About six months ago, he began to see phantasms, and he is suspicious that everyone is out to kill him when nay one is. I need a physician for the mind, and I’m assured he is nae possessed.”
His explanation had Mary sobering, “That is horrible.”
“I’m worried for me Mother, lass,” Leith said. “She’s been nothin’ but loving and caring for him, but he is horrible to her. I hate to see her being abused, and from the man who had sworn to love and protect her makes it that much worse. It makes me feel like the Devil took me Faither and then replaced him with a foul spirit instead.”
“You hate to see your mother hurt,” Mary said.
“I hate to see anyone, man, woman or child hurt but aye, ‘specially women. I cannae stand to see women suffer. And to see me own mother being disadvantaged day after day pains me to me soul.”
“I wish I could help you,” Mary sympathized. “I truly do but I cannot tell you where to go. At home, the only place of comfort I knew was the church, and when my parents decided it was a haven for heretics, I lost even that.”
“Dinnae fret about it, lass,” Leigh smiled wanly. “I’ll figure it out soon. Robasdan has his men out in a search for me. I’m sure I can take ye to the Ettrick Waters and get back in time for his healer to go with me back home.”
The reality that they were to part so soon, in less than a day, had Mary feeling uneasy which was strange because she had just been afraid of getting too close to him.
Perhaps it is for the best, he needs time to find help for his father, and I need time to start another life.
“Thank you again,” Mary said while pulling her hand away to search under her pillow. She took the three gold Guineas and pressed one of them into his hand. “Please give this to the Laird of the house for me.”
Looking down at the coin, Leith shook his head. “Lass, yer money is worthless here, but I will give it to him. I can see that ye feel uncomfortable with being a burden.”
“I am,” she said, “and thank you for telling me about your father. I will keep him in my prayers.”
Leith stood and kissed the back of her hand, “Me thanks, Mary, and I will see ye on the morrow.”
Taking her hand away, Mary smiled and placed it to her side. The press of his lips there was making her skin tingle, but she refrained from running her fingers over the patch of skin. “Or you could call me lass if you would prefer.”
A slanted grin took Leith’s face. “I’ll remember that.”
“Please send in Isla for me,” Mary requested.
She watched him go and she was alone in the room for a few moments. Slipping off the bed, she grasped her sack and turned around to see Isla coming in. “I assume ye are ready to go to Lady Robasdan’s room.”
“I am,” she nodded.
* * *
The corridor’s floor suddenly changed from solid rock to a thick carpet underfoot, and Isla was pushing in a large door. Mary stepped in and suddenly clutched her sack to her chest. Her lips slipped open, and she began to doubt what her eyes were seeing.
This room was fit for a Queen. Never in her life had Mary seen such resplendency as this large room carried. A warm glow encompassed the room from the large fireplace, and the light danced over colorful tapestries hung on the walls.
The vivid colors were of mountains and valleys, sunsets over rivers and forests. A large, iron chandelier hung from the ceiling, the wide sprawling arms
