When Lach gave orders for him to take his men to Skye to try to negotiate access to the sea through the McInnis lands, Cam asked the laird to send someone else.
“It is because of you we have no access to the sea through a McCurdy alliance. I need you to find us another viable port,” Lach said with his brows creased. “Why do you fret? Your wife is safe here. We’ll not let anything happen to her. Besides, you may find a way to board a ship easier if you make the connections beforehand.”
“I know. It’s just that she’s been having nightmares of late. I’m afraid my leaving will cause her more stress.”
“She’s married to the war chief. She’s going to have to face it sooner or later. Now seems to be the right time. And I have heard rumors that the McCurdy may try to take the McInnis clan. If we help them hold their lands against our common enemy, they may warrant an alliance. I’ll ask Kenna to keep Mari busy, distract her from your absence, but I need ye to do this.”
Cam let out a breath, knowing a protest would be in vain. He had a responsibility to his laird and clan. He had a responsibility to his wife as well, but his duty came first, whether his heart agreed or not.
Not wanting to upset her, Cam left the news of his departure until the night before he was to leave.
To his surprise, she only nodded. “I understand. I’ll look forward to your return.”
“That’s it?”
“I said I’d not beg a promise from you in the future. I know you have little say in what awaits you on the road, so I’ll not add to your burdens.”
“Thank you. But just because you haven’t asked for a promise doesn’t mean I won’t give you one.” He kissed her. “I promise you, wife, I will do all in my power to come home to you. And if the Almighty calls me home, I will be waiting for you at the gates.”
She kissed him again. “Thank you. I trust you to do what needs doing.”
And as easy as that, his farewell was accomplished.
Or so he thought.
Later that night just after he’d drifted off, Mari began to mutter and toss. Another nightmare. He gave her a small shake to wake her from the horror.
She gasped in air, struggling to breathe.
“Are ye all right?” he asked worriedly.
She cried into his chest, and he felt her body tremble with sobs.
“Shh. Please just tell me what has you so upset. Please, Mari, I beg of you. Let me help in whatever way I might.”
She looked at him, her eyes bright with tears in the dim light, and blurted out, “I think I should turn myself in to the English.”
Of all the words that could be strung together to form a thought, he’d never expected those to come out in that order.
“What?” he said, thinking maybe he’d misheard. Praying he had.
“The fear of them coming for me and hurting everyone here has me tied into knots. If I turned myself in, it would all be over.”
“Aye. It would. So would your life. We would be over, too, and I’ll not have it. It’s been months since you came to me. They have bigger things to worry about in London than a wee lass who stood up for herself against her bugger of a husband.”
“But Lucy—”
“I know what Lucy’s letter said. But even if Ridley badgers someone into saying you planned to come here, it might not get him an order from the crown.”
She nodded, but without real agreement, so he decided to tell her of his other plan.
“If we get word that they are coming for ye, I have some things stashed away. Money and the like, to take us far away from here.”
“Away? Where?”
“I’ll not say, for it canna be shared with anyone here. It’s safer if they don’t have answers, should they be questioned.”
She let out a breath but still didn’t say anything to make him believe she’d given up on her plan to turn herself in.
“Mari, I’ll have your promise you will be here when I return,” he said sternly.
“Of course,” she said, though he couldn’t help but see how she’d worded it so she hadn’t actually promised anything. Before he could press her into saying the actual words, she yawned and fell asleep.
He woke before dawn the next morning and kissed her forehead before leaving their room to start his journey. Lach was waiting in the hall to see him off.
“Mari is entertaining the daft idea of turning herself in to the English,” Cam muttered. “You’ll please make sure that doesn’t happen while I’m gone?”
Lach’s brows hiked. “Aye. I will. Why would she say such a preposterous thing?”
“I think it was no more than a desperate thought after a nightmare, but keep an eye on her. Don’t let her leave on her own.”
“We already have men with her at all times. She’ll be safe. I’ll make sure of it.”
…
Rather than go down to break her fast, Mari went to the solar to sit by the window to watch for a line of soldiers wearing red coats to crest the hill. It hadn’t happened yet, but it would. Someday.
Just as she’d seen in her dream.
Cam had tried to reassure her by telling her he had plans for them to escape, but how would that help the people here? They might not have answers to supply the soldiers regarding her whereabouts, but they’d certainly be questioned relentlessly if Ridley thought they knew something.
That would be just as bad as if she were found here. Perhaps worse. Soldiers given permission to do whatever it took to extract information would not stop until they had something to report back.
Kenna rushed into the room, then stopped and smacked Mari in the back of the head.
“Ow. What was that for?” Years of being the second-eldest sibling hadn’t prepared Mari for such things from her
