Part 62 (1/2)

Iain hadn't taken his attention away from his wife. He wondered what she was talking to Helen about. Helen looked distressed, but Judith's face was turned away from him and he didn't know if she was upset or not.

Brod.i.c.k and Patrick were trying to get his attention. He was about to turn to the warriors when Judith caught his attention again. He watched her reach behind Helen and take hold of her son. The little boy wasn't cooperating. Judith wasn't deterred. She pulled him forward, then turned and walked toward the slope, dragging the wailing child behind her.

”Where's Judith going?” Patrick asked.

Iain didn't answer fast enough to suit Brod.i.c.k. ”Should I follow her? Judith shouldn't be left alone until the culprit's found. It isn't safe.”

It wasn't until his friend had asked that question that Iain understood what was happening.

”My brother can take care of his wife, Brod.i.c.k. You needn't get so riled on her behalf,” Patrick told him.

Iain finally turned to his brother and his friend. ”There isn't any need to go after Judith. I know who threw the stones. Judith's safe.”

”Who the h.e.l.l did it?” Brod.i.c.k demanded.

”Helen's boy.”

Both warriors were stunned. ”But she's with him now,” Patrick said.

Iain nodded. ”She must have seen him. Did you see the way she dragged him away? Oh, she knows all right. She's probably giving him h.e.l.l right now.”

Iain was right. Judith did give the boy h.e.l.l. The lecture didn't last long. Andrew was so remorseful, and so terribly afraid of her, she ended up comforting him. He had just turned seven years. He was big, strong too, for his tender years, but he was still only just a little boy.

He was weeping all over Judith's plaid now, begging her forgiveness. He hadn't meant to hurt her. Nay, his intent was to frighten her into wanting to go back to England.

Judith was ready to beg his forgiveness for not leaving the Highlands when the little one sobbed out his reason.

”You made my mama cry.”

Judith didn't know why she'd made Helen cry, and Andrew wasn't making enough sense to give her a proper explanation. She decided she would have to talk to Helen in order to get the problem straightened out.

She sat on a low boulder with the sobbing little boy on her lap. She was pleased he was properly contrite. Since he had already confessed his transgression to his mother, she told him she didn't believe he needed to bother his laird with this matter.

”What does your father think about your behavior?” Judith asked.

”Papa died last summer,” Andrew told her. ”I take care of mama now.”

Judith's heart went out to the little boy. ”Andrew, you've given me your word you won't get into any further mischief and I believe you mean it. This matter is settled now.”

”But I have to tell the laird I'm sorry.”

She thought that was very n.o.ble of the child. Courageous, too. ”Are you worried about talking to your laird?”

Andrew nodded.

”Would you like me to tell him for you?” she asked.

He hid his face in Judith's shoulder. ”Would you tell him now?” he whispered.

”All right,” she agreed. ”We'll go back and-”