Page 87 of Bride of the Mad Laird
The groom was waiting with Paden already saddled. Edmund stood beside the horse as Tòrr mounted. The other men, already mounted, were gathered at the gate.
As they clattered through the raised gate Tòrr turned in the saddle and gave one wave of his hand before urging Paden into a gallop.
Lyra was surprised when Edmund crossed the courtyard and ascended the stairs to where she was still standing, her heart in her mouth, scarcely able to comprehend that Tòrr, so lately in her arms, was on a dangerous mission from which he might not return.
“Dinnae fash, Lyra. I see it in yer eyes. Our laird will return. His heart is here and he will dae everything in his considerable power tae keep safe ye and all who dwell in our clan’s land.
“Why are ye nae riding wi’ the other men?”
“’Tis me duty tae guard the castle, me lady. Should there be an attack I must rally our men tae fight.”
Her stomach knotted painfully. “If they attack it will mean Tòrr and his men have been defeated.”
Edmund nodded slowly. “Mayhap. I cannae give ye honey. ‘Tis a dangerous mission tae be sure. Yet Tòrr is a fierce and savage warrior, I ken they will nae be defeated.”
With that Edmund bowed from the waist, darted down the stairs and headed across the courtyard to the guard house.
Heart-heavy, Lyra, retraced her steps back to the bedchamber. She washed quickly and sat before the fire, as Elspaith came in to fuss over her hair and comb out its tangles.
She broke her fast with a few spoonfuls of porridge but ignored the eggs and oatcakes, finding her appetite had fled.
As the hours wore on and there came no word from Tòrr, the knot in her belly tightened painfully. She paced the chamber, walked to the solar and back to the chamber, unable to banish the dire thoughts crowding her head.
Finally, when it was long past noon, she shook her head in despair. The only one she wished to speak with was Eilidh. Her wise and thoughtful words were what she needed to slow her racing heart and unravel the ever-tightening knot in her belly.
She took her cloak and changed her slippers for her boots and quietly walked from the room.
Mindful of Tòrr’s words bidding her to remain inside the keep, she was careful to skirt the edge of the courtyard hoping Edmund would not catch sight of her, and crossed to the stairs leading to the bailey.
She found Eilidh with an empty basket filled with linens, and jars of salves and tisanes on her table, about to don her cloak.
“Oh.” Lyra felt her mouth turn down. “Ye’re going out?”
Eilidh curtsied, nodding. “Aye. I’ve been called to attend to the wife of one of the fishermen who is soon to give birth. But surely, I can spare a few moments of me time wi’ yer troubled face, me lady.”
She beckoned Lyra to a nearby chair and took a seat by the table.
“Now, what ails ye? Yesterday was a glorious time of celebration fer all of us, tae see our laird so happily wed. Did things nae go well on yer wedding night?”
Lyra gave a wan smile, shaking her head. “Nay. ‘Twas exactly as ye said. I didnae credit it, yet the bliss ye told me of was tenfold.” She thought on this for a moment. “Mayhap, one hundredfold.”
Then the tears flowed.
“Then what is it that turns yer mouth down so and creases yer brow in such a way?”
Lyra sniffed away a sob. “I am so afeared fer the laird. He was gone at daybreak, seeking a party of evil men who menace our clan and castle.”
Eilidh took her hand. “I am happy that ye found joy in yer laird’s arms, me dear. But I fear ye must learn that yer role as his lady is tae stay safe in the castle, tae manage it well, and tae await his return. There will be many times when he will face danger and ye must stay strong.” She got to her feet and collected the basket from the table. “Come, dry yer tears and accompany me tae the gate, I will be off wi’out delay. I must make sure the wee bairn makes his or her entry safely into this world.”
They walked arm-in-arm up the stairs to the courtyard and toward the gate.
Eilidh’s warm presence and her wise words were reassuring. Lyra was only just beginning to realize that she was now the lady of Castle Dùn Ara, and as such she had new duties. She must put on a brave face in her aird’s absence, the servants would all look to her to seek their confidence. If she were to crumble, then all would be lost.
As the gate swung open for Eilidh to pass through, Lyra straightened her spine and lifted her head. She would not show her fears.
Eilidh hurried through the opening gate and Lyra turned to go, but before she’d taken two steps a rude shouting broke into her thoughts and the clatter of many horses’ hooves shattered the calm.
Her heart lifted for just one beat, as she wondered whether Tòrr had returned. But as she turned, hoping to welcome him she saw, with horror several men dressed in the dun the gallowglasses wore, driving their Highland ponies through the still slightly open gate into the courtyard.
