Page 185 of Moon Craving

with nothing more important than a letter. Unlike Lachlan of the Balmoral, the English

baron did not have allied clans willing to pass the letters along. "I have hundreds of

questions still unanswered."

Abigail did her best to answer them.

They were visiting in the bedchamber Emily and Lachlan were sharing while

staying with the Sinclairs. The baby was napping and Abigail's escort waited in the hall,

outside the door.

"Your husband is very conscientious of your safety," Emily observed.

"Osgard once told me it was because neither Talorc nor the clan trusted me to be

alone. Because I am English."

"You did not believe him, did you?" Emily looked ready to do bodily harm to an old

warrior. "It is obvious your clan loves and trusts you."

Abigail nodded in agreement. "Even after finding out about my secret."

"It is so different from Father's keep, is it not?"

"Oh, yes. I feel so free here."

"And valued."

Filled with pleasure at the thought, Abigail smiled. "Yes. For so long the only two

people who believed I had value were you and the abbess. Now, I have a whole clan."

It would probably amaze her until the day she died, but she would thank God for it

every day, too.

"It's wonderful." Emily started crying again. She'd been doing that a lot.

Abigail laid her hand over Emily's stomach. "Sister, are you sure there is not

something you wish to tell me? I do not remember you being so easily led to tears, happy

or otherwise."

"It's not certain. I am only a little over a week past when my monthly should have

begun. But I can feel a change in my body, odd food cravings and nausea at the idea of

meals I usually love. I have not told Lachlan yet, though I imagine he must know." Emily

laughed, her delight at the prospect evident. "I did not want him to use it as an excuse to

put off our visit."

"When will the baby come?"