Page 19 of The Dawn

“Ye hae an injury — we daena ken what is happenin’. I canna risk it, I daena ken what tae–“

There was a loud knock on the door and Lizbeth’s voice called in, “Lochinvar, is Lady Ash with ye?”

“Aye, come in!”

She pushed in and closed the door behind her. “A group of men hae arrived, all the women and children are tae go tae the nursery. I came for Lady Ash.”

“I will escort ye there.” We all rushed from the room, Lizbeth in front, Lochie running behind me, looking in all directions — we made it down the steps to the doors of the nursery, now being heavily guarded. Lochinvar kissed my forehead before rushing away.

I called to his retreating back, “Stay safe!” and went into the nursery to sit among a whole bunch of medieval women I had only just met. I felt alone and really alarmed, made worse by more than one baby wailing in despair.

I said to myself, “Och nae,” and slid down the wall to sit on the floor.

Lizbeth sat properly in a chair. “Daena be frightened, Lady Ash, we are safe here. This is only until they can ascertain the meaning of the visitor.”

“Does this happen every time someone visits?”

She shook her head. “Nae, if we hae been sent tae the nursery tis because the visitor seems suspicious.”

I dropped my head back against the wall.

She said, “Usually tis because of some trouble that Magnus has brought, but he inna here.”

Beaty sat down beside me, leaning against the wall, holding her son in her arms.

Sophie sat in a chair beside Lizbeth holding her small infant.

Lizbeth said, “I hae sat here many a day with Kaitlyn, waitin’ with trepidation tae see what trouble has arrived at the gate.”

I asked, “Do you think this involves me?”

Beaty said, “Tis likely, Ash, but it inna truly about ye, tis always about Magnus and his throne. This is part of the excitement of marryin’ one of his men.”

I gulped.

CHAPTER 8 - KAITLYN

RIDE IN KING’S PARK - JUNE 16, 1291

Magnus asked, “Where are the bairns?”

I said, “The kids are in their lessons and Jack is napping.”

He said, “Perfect, would ye like tae go for a ride in the King’s Park?”

“I would love that. Do you need our horses readied?”

He smiled. “I already did it.”

“You have been planning this?”

“From the moment I called for ye tae come tae this century, I hae been thinking on our rides. I took Archibald out this morn, now I want tae ride with m’wife.” He put his finger to his lips. “But Isla stamped her foot at me and told me I was only allowed tae take ye if we dinna hae any fun, so we will hae tae tell her twas terrible, even if tis wonderful.”

I laughed, “Perfect. It will be just us?”

“Just us and four guardsmen. We must pretend as if they arna with us tae hae the whole effect of our private romantic ride.”

“In your mind you’re a great deal more unencumbered.”

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