Page 47 of Bride of the Sinful Laird
“So how was it that Baldur found out I was at Dùn Ara?”
“That was a stroke of sheer luck.” Tormod steepled his hands under his chin. “When Baldur kent he had little time left, he searched again. But this time he searched for his son. When word came of a lad named Edmund Sinclair, War Chief and Advisor tae Laird Torr of Dùn Ara, he found out all he needed tae ken. Yer story matched what little he kent of yer maither’s disappearance. He had found his lost son at last. It was his greatest wish to see ye once before he died, but that was nae tae be.”
Edmund’s heart grew heavy.
“I have yet to learn why me maither was here, so far from her clan, and why it was she didnae return tae them but, instead, took me tae Mull.”
He sighed and looked up dolefully, glancing from Tormod to Gilleasbuig. “I hated me faither fer years. I believed until a few days ago, that he had abandoned me and sent me maither away.”
Tormod shook his head. “Nay lad, that was never so. I ken Baldur loved yer maither and he was a broken man when she left him. But I ken naught of what was truly in yer maither’s heart and why she left. Those secrets lie with the midwife.”
“So it seems I must go tae the village tae speak tae her,” said Edmund.
“Ye’ll find her easy enough,” Gilleasbuig said, “By the shore as ye ride in, ye’ll see a scattering of cottages. Ask at any of those and they’ll guide ye to the place where she resides.”
After thanking the two men, Edmund went in search of Annora. The chamber was empty, and he made his way to the solar, where he found her breaking her fast with the Lady Tyra.
Tyra slanted him a sour expression as he strode in, but at least she responded to his greeting, if only with a slight nod of her head. When he took the seat beside Annora and showed no sign of departing any time soon, she got to her feet and left the room without a word.
Annora gave him a grim smile. “Well, Tyra may be softening toward ye. She didnae snarl at the sight of ye, and did favor ye with a tiny nod.”
He grinned. “Her softening mayhap willnae last when she learns the Elders cannae grant MacDonald’s request tae bring their nuptials forward. It seems he is in a rush tae wed.”
“I am glad. He has nay respect fer her, nor daes he love her as he should.”
His thoughts flew to Elizabeth Sinclair and his father. Had there been love between them?
And then his heart softened as his thoughts took him to Annora – forced into a loveless marriage yet determined to risk her life to refuse the match. Now she masqueraded as his wife. He realized, with a jolt of surprise, that she had come to mean so much more to him than the pact they’d made. He wanted her safe and with him.Could she ever come to love him?
“Tormod has given me information about the midwife who brought me into the world. I intend tae visit the village today tae talk wi’ her. I wish tae find out what I can of me maither.”
She sat up, her face brightening. “Oh, I dae hope she can help ye tae find out what ye seek. And I look forward tae another day’s outing. The sun is shining and I will enjoy riding across the clifftops again and meeting more of the villagers.”
He frowned. “Is it wise fer ye tae venture out?”
She gave an indignant huff. “Mayhap it is safer fer me tae ride wi’ ye than bide alone here at the castle.”
Edmund chuckled, finding it impossible to resist her grin and the sparkle of mischief in her eyes.
“Well, then go change intae yer riding habit and britches and I’ll go tae the stables and ask the stableboy tae ready yer wee mare and call in tae the kitchen fer some nourishment ae take wi’ us.”
She rose at once, favoring him with a delighted smile.
Annora could hardly wait to leave the castle and ride again along the purple and green velvet hills. She placed her feet in the sturdy boots by the bedside and collected her cloak from the peg by the door. Flinging the door open she caught sight of Dougie MacPherson hastening his bulk along the passageway, a look of concern on his face.
“Oh, I’m so glad I caught ye, milady. I saw the Laird Edmund heading toward the stables and I thought I would catch ye as I kent ye wished discretion regarding the… ah… the incident with the stone.”
“I thank ye fer yer thoughtfulness, Dougie, what news d’ye bring me?”
His ruddy face fell and he breathed in a deep sigh. “The stonemason is certain ‘tis nay one from the castle wall, but from somewhere outside. The question is, what was the rock doing in the castle, and why did it fall from just when ye were walking in the garden?”
Annora nodded, impatient to be gone. Later she would tell Edmund of it, but for now she must allow the knowledge to remain unspoken. One thing she was glad of, was that she would not spending the day inside the castle walls without him.
“I thank ye, Dougie. Nay doubt Laird Edmund will wish a word wi’ both ye and the stonemason after I have informed him of this. In the meantime, please maintain yer discretion.”
He bobbed his head, bending a knee. “Aye, milady. I am sorry tae have brought ye such bad news.”
When the door closed behind Dougie, Annora found herself rooted to the spot, his news circling ominously through her head. Instead of darting out to meet with Edmund as she’d planned, she stepped back into the room and slumped in the chair by the fire.
