Part 26 (1/2)
Parkins merely spread a blanket over her. ”I fear I must insist, Lady Ashburn. My lord would demand it.”
Serena merely scowled at him. ”I wonder that Lord Ashburn didn't dismiss you years ago.”
”Yes, my lady,” Parkins said comfortably. ”So he has said himself many times. I will bring you a cup of milk.”
She slept. She had the pistol at one hand and the sword at the other, but her dreams were peaceful and filled with Brigham. She could see him clearly, almost clearly enough to touch him as he smiled at her. Her hand was in his, and she could all but feel the warmth of his flesh as they danced together under dappled sunlight near the riverbank. He wore the gleaming black and silver, and she the ivory satin seeded with pearls.
They were alone, gloriously alone, with only the rippling rush of water and the call of the birds for music. Their faces were close, then closer, then close enough to kiss as they continued to step and sway with the dance.
He was so handsome, her tall English lover with the das.h.i.+ng rebel's heart. His kiss was so sweet, so gentle, like one of greeting or of farewell.
Then she saw the blood staining his coat, seeping through it to dampen her hand as she reached for him. The blood was real, real enough that she could feel the warmth of it on her skin. But when she tried to take him into her arms, he faded until she stood alone on the banks of the river, with the only sound the high call of a warbler searching for its mate.
She woke with Brigham's name on her lips and her heart thundering.
Fighting for air, she lifted her trembling hand and found no blood.
Slowly, struggling to separate dream from reality, she pressed the hand to her heart. It wasn't a warbler she heard, but an eagle. It wasn't the song of the river, but the moan of the wind.
He was alive, she told herself, and laid a hand over the mound of her stomach as if to rea.s.sure her child that its father was safe. Almost immediately she heard the whimper of the baby already born. Wearily she rose to make her way to the back of the cave. With Fiona's help, Maggie held young Ian to her breast, where he sucked l.u.s.tily. ”Serena.” Maggie's voice was thin and her cheeks still deathly pale, but her smile was sweet. ”He grows stronger every hour,” she murmured, and lifted a hand to stroke his downy head. ”Soon you'll have your own.”
”He's beautiful.” With a little sigh, Serena sat beside her. ”G.o.d was good enough to give him your looks instead of his father's.”
Maggie laughed, settled comfortably in the crook of Fiona's arm. ”I didn't know I could love anyone as much as Coll. But now I do.”
”I know the journey was difficult for you. How do you feel?”
”Weak. I hate feeling so weak and helpless.”
Serena stroked her cheek. ”A man doesn't fall in love with a packhorse, you know.”
This time Maggie's laugh was a little stronger. ”If some girl tries that trick with my little Ian, I'll scratch her eyes out.”
”Of course, but you'll be sure to teach it to your daughters.”
”Oh, aye.” Maggie shut her eyes. ”I'm so tired.”
”Just sleep,” Fiona murmured. ”When the bairn's had his fill, we'll tend him.”
”Will Coll come soon?”
Over Maggie's drooping head, Fiona's eyes met Serena's. ”Aye.” Fiona's voice was soothing. ”Very soon. He'll be so proud of you for giving him a son.”
Serena gathered up the dozing baby as Fiona settled Maggie among the blankets. ”So tiny.” Serena swaddled Ian and laid him to sleep. ”It always seems a miracle.” ”It is.” Fiona looked to the far side of the cave to where Gwen lay curled in exhausted sleep. ”Each child is a miracle. There is always death, Serena; there is always grief and loss. Without the promise of new life, we couldn't bear it”
Serena asked now what she had not been brave enough to ask before.
”Do you think they're dead?”
”I pray they live.” Fiona took Serena's hands in hers. ”And I will pray every moment until we know. You must eat,” she said briskly. ”For yourself and the child.”
”Aye, but...” She let her words trail off as she glanced around the cave.
”Where is Malcolm?”
”With Parkins. They left soon after you went to sleep. Down for more supplies.”
Frowning, Serena started to accept the bowl Mrs. Drummond offered.
”Don't you fret about them, la.s.sie, my Parkins knows what he's about.”
”Aye, he is a good man, Mrs. Drummond, a steady one.”
A becoming blush glowed in the widow's cheeks. ”We are to be wed.”
”I am happy for you.” She stopped, her fingers tightening on the bowl.
”Do you hear that?” she whispered as she set the bowl down.
”I hear nothing.” But Fiona's heart had risen into her throat.
”Someone's coming. Stay to the back of the cave. See that Ian makes no sound.”
”Serena.”
But even as Fiona reached for her, Serena was moving quietly to the cave opening. Ice ran through her veins, freezing her fear and making her strong. She would kill if G.o.d showed her no other way, and she would kill well.
With a steady hand, she picked up the pistol, then the sword. If the English had come, they would find women alone, but they would not find women defenseless. Behind her, Mrs. Drummond gripped a carving knife.
As the footsteps came closer, there could be no doubt the cave would be seen. Holding both weapons, Serena stepped out of the cave and prepared to do battle. The sun fell over her, striking her eyes so that she narrowed them even as she leveled the pistol.
”Still a h.e.l.lcat, I see.”
Brigham, supported by Coll and Parkins, managed to grin at her as he was half carried over the broken ground. The light shone over his blood- streaked coat and breeches.
”Oh, sweet G.o.d.” Laying the weapons down, Serena ran to him.
Her face swam in front of his eyes as he struggled to speak again. He could only manage her name before darkness closed in on him and smothered the pain.
Chapter Fifteen
”How bad is it?” Serena knelt on the floor of the cave beside Brigham while Gwen examined his wounds. The fear had returned, drying her mouth to dust. Wordlessly Gwen probed Brigham's side where the ball was lodged. A few feet away, Fiona dressed the gash in Coll's leg while he stared in wonder at his son.
”The shot was meant for me.” Coll clung to Maggie's hand. The fire in his leg was a dull, almost dreamy pain beneath his exhaustion. He was alive, beside his beloved wife and firstborn son while his friend lay bleeding from a bullet that had been meant for him. ”He stepped in front of it, took it. We were trying to fight our way into the hills. We'd lost, everything was lost. We were separated from our regiment. I thought- at first I thought him dead.”