Page 121 of Come the Morning
“Nay, Angus, sit. Please, tell me, where is Waryk now?”
“At Tyne, lady, you know that,” he said unhappily.
“Where is my uncle, have you heard?”
Angus hesitated. “I’ve heard he remains camped outside Stirling.”
“I need a man to bring a message to Daro for me. I’m writing to Daro, Angus, and telling him that I believe the person responsible for my leaving his camp before my marriage is trying to cause trouble and bloodshed between my husband and my kin. I want him to hear the accusations so that he can defend himself.”
Angus looked at her. “Defend himself, or prepare an army,” he said quietly.
She knelt down by him. “Angus, my uncle is not guilty. I am not guilty. I swear to you, I have no desire to oust my husband, or have any other man as laird here.”
She felt his eyes on her, and knew the loyalty and love he bore Waryk, and she touched his scarred cheek. “I swear to you, Angus.”
“Why?” he asked her quietly.
“I love him,” she told him.
He smiled after a moment. “Aye, write your letter to your uncle. We’ll send a messenger. Daro can bring this matter before the king, and the truth of it all will be learned.”
“Thank you,” she said simply, then asked him, “Angus?”
“Aye?”
“How long will Waryk be gone?”
Angus shrugged. “Some campaigns last for months, lady, you know that. But if all has gone well, he will be heading home soon.”
“Ewan is well. Growing stronger every day.”
“Aye,” Angus said gravely.
“Take me to Waryk, Angus.”
“Ah, lady, you should not be out of the fortress—”
“Please. You will be with me.”
Angus rose, and she stood with him, her eyes on his. “A messenger is due today or tomorrow,” he told her. “Let’s find out if Waryk remains at Tyne.”
Mellyora threw her arms around the bald warrior. “Aye, Angus!” She kissed his cheek, and spun away. As she did so, she suddenly felt dizzy. The world threatened to turn black. She set a hand upon the wall to steady herself. Angus was immediately at her side. The black cleared away.
“My lady?”
“I’m fine, just tired, I imagine.”
“Tired, eh?” he said, looking at her peculiarly. “Tired—or …?”
“Well, I do imagine I’m just tired. I’m hardly fragile, Angus, and I never falter or feel in the least ill or queasy or …” Her voice trailed away. She’d given so much time and attention to Ewan, and she’d been so worried about Waryk being …
With Eleanora.
She hadn’t thought about herself at all. If she’d been thinking, or paying attention at all, she might have realized how many days and nights had come and gone since …
She couldn’t be.
Yes, actually she could.
