“You told Cam you want to turn yourself over to the English.”
“He told you?”
“Nay. I don’t get up to see the men off when the bairns are sleeping. But Cam told Lach, and he told me. So what are you thinking? Have you gone mad?”
“I’ve grown weary of living in fear of what is coming.”
“That letter. I knew I should never have given it to you. I tell you true, the MacKinlays will protect you, sister. You are one of us now. You have nothing to fear. Now here, I brought you a tart. Even though you speak like a muttonhead, you’re my only sister and I love ye.”
“I love you as well.” And it was because of that love Mari would make sure her sister and the rest of the clan were never put in danger because of her past.
Kenna settled into the chair next to her and picked up her embroidery. She let out a sigh. “Thanks for fixing this.”
Mari smiled. “It’s not a problem. Go ahead and make another bunch of knots for me to fix tomorrow. At this rate, we’ll have a fine linen in a year or two.” Mari expected Kenna to offer a snappy retort, but instead she sat staring at the hoop in her hand. Mari placed a hand on her sister’s. “I was only jesting, Ken. It’s beautiful.”
“It’s not the embroidery—which is a far cry from beautiful—it’s…” Kenna turned her head to one side as if listening for something. “I think I need to lie down. I feel a little off.” With that, Kenna’s face went even paler, and she melted onto the settee.
Acting quickly, Mari went to fetch a pitcher of water and some linens. She wetted one and placed it on Kenna’s forehead.
“Sister?” She patted Kenna’s clammy cheek. “Kenna?”
Kenna’s eyes opened and she blinked. “Oh my. I’m sorry. I—”
“I’ll get Lachlan.”
“No. I’m—”
But Mari was already out of the room. She nearly fell down the stairs and was out of breath when she burst into the hall. Rather than shout across the room, she walked as fast as could still be called walking and focused on the head table at the dais.
She must have looked like the devil was chasing her, for Lachlan jumped down to come meet her. She leaned up to whisper in his ear that Kenna had fainted.
His face went white, and he gave her upper arm a squeeze before rushing past her to go see his wife. With that task completed, she hurried to find Abagail, who was naturally not in her cottage. Her neighbor said she’d gone to another village to help a man who’d lost his leg.
As Mari headed back to the castle, she noticed one of the men staring at her as if she were a tasty ham. It was then she realized she’d left the safety of the castle without a guard. And she remembered she wasn’t just a tasty morsel. She was a walking hundred pounds sterling.
Back in the safety of the castle, she rushed upstairs.
Kenna glared at her over Lachlan’s shoulder as he knelt in front of her.
“I’m sorry. Abagail is not available at the moment. What can I do to help?”
“You could have kept your mouth shut until I’d had the chance to explain that I hadn’t had the chance to eat yet, and that I often get light-headed if I don’t eat early enough.”
Mari winced. “Oh.”
Lachlan took charge despite still looking shaky. “I am having a meal brought up for you. In the meantime, I think it best you stay away from the children. Just in case.”
“I am fine. You’ll see, once I’ve eaten.”
“I’ll check on the food.” Lachlan paused when he passed her. “Could she be with child again so soon?” he asked.
Mari smiled. “I’m afraid you would know that better than me.”
“Good God, what have I done?” he murmured. “I hope she just needs to eat.”
He left them alone, and Mari apologized again.
“You’ve done it now,” Kenna said with a laugh. “He’ll be hovering and watching over me for days to make sure I’m not ill or increasing. Lord, I hope I’m not increasing already.” She gave a good-natured groan.
“Is it so bad to have a husband who cares about you and sees to your every need?” Mari asked.
“You tell me. You don’t seem to be enjoying it from Cam.”
Mari let out a breath. She hadn’t been fair to him. He’d only wanted to share in her worries. She wasn’t used to such a thing from a husband.
Unfortunately, what worried her was something she needed to take care of on her own.
…
Cam arrived at the McInnis castle on a bright, sunny day. The salty smell of the sea put a smile on his face as he greeted the laird and explained the reason for his visit.
While he was greeted warmly, the McInnis laird made no promises that they’d be able to strike an accord. In fact, during the evening meal, the McInnis laird began to explain the predicament of their small port.
“I fear we’ve not an easy access, despite being so close to the water.” He went on to tell how a large portion of a cliff had fallen into the sea and cut off the small beach. They’d not yet found a way to navigate around the new obstacle and he was doubtful it would ever be feasible for more than small vessels.
Cam was almost glad for the news, for it meant he’d be able to start his return to Dunardry the next morning. But he knew Lach would be disappointed if he didn’t try to come up with another way to make it work. So, the next morning they went down to the water to see the devastation. As the laird had said, large boulders and rocks filled what once had been a modest harbor.
The McInnis shook his head in despair as Cam studied the line of rocks. None were of the same height, but the shortest one was of fair size. He reckoned
