"Roden," Elaine ventured softly when she caught up with her husband in the west tower.
"Do not begin where she left off, Elaine. I am fed up to the teeth with the matter. Leave it be."
"I do not mean to stand with either you or Storm; I can see and understand how both of you feel. There is the trouble, though. I think the two of you do not try to see or understand each other's position."
"You do not think I understand what she battles for, Elaine?" he asked softly, but kept his gaze fixed upon the bailey below the window. "She fights for her child as would any mother. Had I been unfettered by the chains of marriage to that Sussex whore, I believe you would have pressed me long and hard to put my name upon the children we share."
"And you would have given me that name. Do you not think the MacLagans would do so?"
"Why should they care what shame an English lass must bear? Or a child who is half English? Half Eldon?"
"Could you not even inquire?" she asked softly.
"And have them refuse?"
"They may not."
"And well they may. Then what do I do? Ask again? Go to the gates of that cursed pile of Scottish stone and ask again? Nay, Elaine. No Eldon will crawl so before a MacLagan, not even for the sake of an only daughter and first grandchild. Let that be an end to it. The child will be born an Eldon and, though he be a bastard, 'tis a name he can feel pride in."
Elaine accepted that as his last word on the matter and soon wished that everyone else would. Instead, Hagaleah was quickly divided into two camps, retainers and family alike. Some stood firm with Lord Eldon in the belief that no name was better than the name MacLagan and just as many stood firm with Storm, feeling that if there was any chance of gaining a name for her child, even if that name was MacLagan, she should be allowed to try for it. For the most part, the line was drawn between male and female, the men with Eldon and the women with Storm. Elaine began to feel like she was caught in the midst of a massive marital argument.
The larger Storm grew, the harder she and her allies worked to convince Eldon to try for a marriage. With the visual proof of her pregnancy and the encroaching birth, the long-running argument took a more subtle turn, however. Even Eldon was more cautious, for no one wanted to do any harm to the child they all so vehemently argued about or cause Storm too much distress. It seemed as if they would argue the matter until the baby was christened.
Storm was very close to the time of birth, as nearly as they could figure the time, when a short reprieve came for a beleaguered Elaine. Roden was to leave for a little while, to help one of his vassals to still some trouble at one of his demesnes. Elaine prayed that the break in the quarrel would be enough to end it.
Chapter Twenty-Four
With what she considered agonizing slowness, Storm made her way to the top of Hagaleah's sturdy walls. She felt like she was carrying far too much baggage. So, too, did she question her wisdom. The weight of her pregnancy made her feel unbalanced, which made her feel afraid of falling, but she struggled onward. She was determined to see her father and his entourage leave Hagaleah. For once it was not simply an urge to wave a final farewell, although she intended to do that, too, if she reached the walls in time. She wanted to be sure that her father was going.
A weak smile split her face when she finally reached her goal. The two men stationed there were startled into open-mouthed speechlessness when she appeared at their side. They eyed her warily, as if they expected the exertion of her climb would have her giving birth to her child right there. One of them finally broke free of his shock and, mumbling a respectful excuse, hastened away. Storm was sure that he was racing to fetch one of her kin either to get her off the walls or to be there in case she had the impudence to give birth. Her smile widening slightly, she moved to the wall to look down.
Her father and his entourage began to ride out a moment later. She felt the usual twinge of pride as she watched him, the slighter Foster at his side as ever. Whenever she saw him so she knew why her mother had risked life and limb to get to him. Although many thought forty an advanced age, especially since few seemed to reach it, Eldon was still tall, straight, lean and muscular, still youthful.
Suddenly she found herself thinking of Tavis. He was never far from her thoughts, but she fought a constant battle to at least keep him from the forefront of her mind. However, as she watched her father, she found herself thinking that Tavis was another such man. He would probably keep his strength until the last, still be attractive to women far into his life.
When her father glanced up she waved. Although he waved back, she could tell he was cursing, complaining about her foolishness, and she grinned. Lord Foster smiled sweetly and waved, apparently oblivious to his friend's anger. Impulsively, she threw him a kiss and saw him laugh.
She continued to watch her father until he was out of sight. As always, she would worry about him until he was safely back at Hagaleah. The trouble he went to sort out was only a small annoyance, but danger lurked at nearly every turn, from accident to murder. Nevertheless, she was relieved that he would
