Bruce's brother Edward had been killed in battle in Ireland, making it imperative that an heir be named. Edward Bruce had been king of Ireland for less than two years and would never wear the crown of Scotland he'd coveted. Gwenyth thought it a shame that the king had lost the last of his brothers.
“Has the king lost hope for a son with his wife?” one of the ladies asked.
Gwenyth replied, “I don't know, but Elizabeth is past thirty years old.”
“Aye, and nary a bairn born to them yet,” Eva said, clucking her tongue in commiseration.
“Adam says we best pray for a long life for our king. A child as king, with the nobles fighting to be regent until the boy's majority, would give England more reason to come north again.”
Suisan spoke up for the first time. “William says King Robert is sometimes laid low with a terrible affliction. Perhaps that is the reason they remain childless. His limbs go numb and his skin grows sores.”
“Leprosy?” Gwenyth asked.
“Aye. Leprosy of some kind, though not the kind that makes body parts drop off.”
Eva said, “The ailment saps his strength. I heard years back that he once had himself strapped to his horse and led into battle in order to rally his army and strike fear into the enemy.”
“I wonder if it's true or if this is just a story his men tell to bolster his reputation,” Suisan said.
Gwenyth looked up from her needlework. “Let us pray for his health to improve and his life to be long!”
“Aye. And for his queen to bear a son,” Eva added.
For a time the only sound to be heard came from the chatter of the toddlers playing nearby.
Eva said, “I see you are breeding again, Suisan.”
Leave it to Gwneyth's mother-in-law to come right to the point.
Gwenyth didn't know how Eva felt about the woman who had once spurned her son.
Suisan said, “Aye. The babe should come in late March. God willing, this one will be healthy.”
Eva peered at her. “And what of yer health? Ye've dark circles under yer eyes.”
“I am fine. Perhaps more tired than with the others . . .”
“I grieve for your losses, Suisan. We've only lost one child so farâ I can't imagine such a loss year after year.” Gwenyth changed the subject. “Did you bring your harp, Suisan?”
“Aye.”
“Then would you play for us this evening? I know my daughter would love it, as would the rest of us.”
Suisan smiled. “Does Nola play?”
“Aye. I've taught her all I know.”
“Then perhaps she and I will play a duet.”
“That would be lovely.”
KEIFER FIDGETED WITH HIS NEW PLAID. He'd outgrown several, including his favorite, the one Lady Orelia had made for him. Lady Gwenyth had woven this one from the wool of his and Nola's orphaned lambs. Keifer smiled, remembering how Nola had insisted on helping with the shearing, and the animal had soiled her shoes in the process.
Nola had smelled of sheep urine for weeks but refused to throw away perfectly good, if foul-smelling, shoes. No question he would miss her when he left.
The hall filled with people, many whom he did not know, and someâWill Macpherson in particularâhe wished he didn't know.
Nola had made Keifer promise to sit with her at the feast. A vaguely familiar lass walked up to him and tugged on his arm. “Come, let's take our places. I'm famished.”
Keifer looked again, wondering at the girl's boldness. He recognized her voice at the same time she turned to him. “What did you do to your hair, Nola?”
Nary a wisp had escaped from the wimple she wore.
“Mother said I could dress up.” She spun about and stopped, squinting at him. “You didn't recognize me, did you?”
He laughed. “Not at first. You know, you will be beautiful someday, Nola.”
She smacked his arm. “Of course I will. Da says so all the time. Come on, let's take our seats.”
When everyone was settled, Adam spoke. “With this meal we celebrate the birth of our Savior. We remember how our God sent his son to take on human form that we might at last see his face. We remember that God himself came to dwell on earth, much as he once dwelt with the nation of Israel in the desert. Praise be to Jesus Christ our Lord.”
A loud “Amen” rose from those gathered, and the meal commenced.
Will Macpherson had insisted on sitting across from them, and all through the meal he captured Nola's attention. Nola seemed not to mind, but she was so easygoing she wouldn't hurt the other boy's feelings by telling him to be quiet. Keifer followed her lead. It was Christmas after all, time for goodwill toward man and boy.
But Keifer would be glad to see the Macphersons leave Moy. And he faced the fact that Will would have Nola's attention all to himself when Keifer left this spring.
He didn't like the idea one bit.
March 1321
N
OLA PLAYED WITH HER LITTLE BROTHER while their mother sat spinning before the fire on a chilly spring morning. As she piled wooden blocks on top of each other, she stifled the resentment she felt. Her younger brother Tom would leave in two days to foster with a family on the western edge of the glen.
Her father hoped Tom would find a wife there and strengthen ties with the clans on that border. And Keifer would leave soon as well. Would she never find a way to leave the glen, even for a short while?
“I don't see why I can't go to the school in Edinburgh. If I can't travel, at least I could learn about the places I'll never see.”
“I'm sorry, Nola. We can't afford to send you to Edinburgh for such lessons.”
“But Keifer is going to go away and Tom too. 'Tisn't fair.”
“Even if your father could spend such money, he wouldn't let you go south while England continues to threaten invasion. No, you will have to content yourself with drawing. Or find some other pursuit.”
Nola had been waiting for just such an opportunity. “Well, then, I should like to take lessons on your harp.”
Her mother smiled. Nola had already learned all her mother could teach her on the instrument.
“Perhaps Suisan Macpherson would agree to teach you. She is quite good.”
Nola held back a groan. She had been hoping her mother would suggest the harpist in Inverlochy. Nola desperately wanted to see some of the world outside of their glen in the highlands.
She sighed. At least the Macpherson keep lay half an hour's walk away. Maybe she would be allowed to spend the night. It wasn't much of an adventure, but it would have to do.
THAT NIGHT AS SHE BRUSHED OUT HER HAIR, Gwenyth said to Adam, “I'm afraid we may have decided wrong when we chose not to foster Nola.”
Adam walked over and sat on the bench next to her. “Why do you say that?”
“She rather neatly manipulated me into asking Suisan Macpherson for harp lessons today. I fear Moy isn't big enough for Nola's adventurous nature.”
“Lessons sound harmless enough.”
“Far less harmful than the convent school in Edinburgh she asked for.”
Adam smiled and Gwenyth laid down her brush. “You smile, but she was serious.”
Adam tilted his head and looked thoughtful. “Is it too late? To foster her?”
“Perhaps not.” She picked the brush up again and brushed absentmindedly.
“We kept her here because you didn't want to part with her.”
“I remember how fosterage with my cousins led to my betrothal to my cousin Edward.”
“Fostering is arranged with the possibility of such alliances in mind, love.”
“I know. But look what a near disaster that became for me.”
He grinned. “I remember.” He leaned over and kissed her, and she forgot the past and the future for a few minutes. Adam pulled away and Gwenyth raised her eyebrows.
Again that devilish grin. “Perhaps later.”
She swatted his arm. “I told Nola I would plead her case to you about the lessons.”
“It seems to me that these lessons may afford an excuse to approach William and Suisan about fostering Nola. She would be close by where you could see her often.”
“You hold no grudge against Suisan, do you?”
“I'd be a fool to do otherwise. Her refusal to marry me ensured I'd be a free man when you showed up on my doorstep. I like William. He is an honest man who has led his faction of the Macpherson clan to prosperity they didn't enjoy under Leod's leadership. And Suisan is a gentle soul, though I think she is too protective of young Will.”
She considered that before speaking. “Perhaps that is natural for a hen with one chick.”
“Ah. No doubt that is so.”
Gwenyth stroked the brush through her hair. “Am I holding too tightly to Nola by not letting her go farther away? I'm sure Morrigan and Fergus would love to have her.”
“Perhaps they would, but I'd prefer to keep her within the glen. After the upheaval when my father died, I want to create a sense of unity among the clans in the federation. I'm not going to send a child to foster if there is no benefit to the clan. Certainly not just to satisfy her wanderlust. And our connection with Morrigan and Fergus is already sealed.”
She laid down her brush and faced Adam. “You would like to foster her with William and Suisan to encourage a match between Nola and Will, wouldn't you?”
“Aye. Such a marriage would strengthen the federation.”
“But what of my suspicions about her feelings for Keifer?”
“I'm not against a match between Nola and Keifer, Gwenyth. But at least spending time with the Macpherson boy might open her eyes to the fact there are other men she might like.”
“Aye. No harm in that. So, when will you talk to William? Their baby should be born soon. I had thought Nola and I would visit in the next day or so to see if Suisan needs anything.”
“We'll all go day after tomorrow and see this settled.” He took the brush from her hand. “Your hair shines like silk, wife. Come, let me muss it up again.”
She smiled and went to him. And despite the passing of years and the birth of four children, Adam mussed his wife's hair quite thoroughly.
TWO DAYS LATER Adam and Gwenyth accompanied Nola to Inversie. A haggard William Macpherson greeted them at the door of the main hall.
Fearing the worst, Gwenyth said, “William, have we come at a bad time, then?”
He brushed his dark hair back with his fingers. “No, no. Come in. Suisan had the babe early this morning.”
“How are they?”
“Well enough. She has such a hard time birthing them, but all is well. Come, Gwenyth, Nola. I'm sure Suisan would be glad to show off our little lass.”
Relieved to hear that Suisan and the baby were all right, Gwenyth followed William through the keep, Nola at her side. Suisan's pale face and the crying of the child greeted them when they entered her chamber. A servant came in with a tray, and Suisan handed the baby to Gwenyth to hold. To Gwenyth's relief, Suisan ate well. Gwenyth peered into the little one's face. “She's a tiny thing, but she has a strong, lusty cry.” Gwenyth turned back to Suisan. “We came today to ask for harp lessons for Nola, once you have regained your strength.”
“I would love to teach her. She plays well.”
“Excellent. We thought perhaps Nola might pay for your time by helping with the babe.” Gwenyth didn't want to bring up the issue of fosterage until Adam had a chance to discuss it with William first.
“How do you feel about that, Nola?” Suisan asked.
“I would very much like the lessons, my lady. And I could be very helpful.” Gwenyth wondered if Suisan sensed Nola's lack of real enthusiasm. Nola enjoyed her little brothers but often begged off taking care of them. Perhaps if she fostered with Suisan, she could do other chores and leave the care of the babe to its mother.
Gwenyth laid the now sleeping baby in her cradle and covered her. “We'll let you rest, Suisan. I'll make arrangements with William to send for Nola when you are ready.”
When she and Nola rejoined the men in the main hall, Adam gave the briefest of nods. So, they had agreed. Now all that remained was to tell Nola.
They rode home, talking about everything but what lay so heavily on Gwenyth's heart. No matter that her daughter would be less than an hour's walk away. She would miss her high spirits and willing hands with the work of running a castle.
After the evening meal, Adam rose and asked them both to join him in the solar. He gestured to the bench. Gwenyth pushed aside the tapestry-covered pillows and sat down. Nola sat next to her, on the edge of the seat.
Adam cleared his throat. Evidently he feared Nola's reaction as much as Gwenyth herself did. “Nola, your mother and I have considered that you might be happier if you were to go away to foster with another family. I know you are older than most girls who leave home, but there is still time.”
“I'm not unhappy, Da.”
“Aye, you're so happy that you would like to go to Edinburgh for harp lessons.”
Nola grinned. “Well, I would like to see a bit of the world.
Mother's tales of Paris and seeing the world sound like great fun.”
Gwenyth hoped to spare her daughter some of the pain that had accompanied her own journey. “You might travel thus with a husband one day.”
Nola made a face. “I don't think it likely I'll marry such a man, do you? Especially if I never leave the glen to meet him.”
Adam shook his head and smiled. “I'm afraid you'll have to settle for a highlander, Nola. For better or worse.”
Nola's expression dimmed.
Adam told Nola of the agreement he'd made with William Macpherson.
She leaped to her feet. “Foster with the Macphersons? But you didn't even ask me how I felt about it!”
“Parents are not required to ask their children in such matters.
Your mother and I believe this is best for you. You are wanting to escape the confines of Moyâhere's your chance.”