Chapter 15

15

T he water was warm and inviting. Roselyn sank down in the tub, enjoying the sensation and yawning, as she rested her head and sighed.

"Are ye feelin' any better now, my lady?" Elena asked, and Roselyn nodded.

Her aches and pains were easing, although she had several bruises on her arms and legs, and the castle healer had tended to a wound on her neck. Roselyn knew she was lucky to be alive, even as she felt safe now behind the castle walls and with Braden to guard her. He had saved her – not once, but twice – and she would be forever in his debt.

"I am, yes. Much better," Roselyn replied, and the servant smiled.

"What a terrible ordeal for ye, my lady. Ye must've been so frightened," Elena said, shaking her head.

"I didn't really have much time to think. He just grabbed me. I screamed, and then… well, the laird came to my rescue," Roselyn replied.

"Ye were lucky he was close by. Tis' nae safe out in the forest. I wouldnae walk there alone now. Nae after what's happened to ye," Elena said, as she folded Roselyn's dirty dress.

"But the man's dead now. He was a bandit or a sheep rustler, or something," Roselyn replied.

She was not about to tell Elena the apparent truth about the man who had attacked her – that he was the murderer of Braden's father. She knew to keep it to herself, just as she knew to keep the secret of Braden's speech, too.

"Aye, but… tis' still a worry, my lady. Men like that – they'd think nothin' of hurtin' an innocent woman. Ye had a lucky escape," Elena replied.

Roselyn was about to try to reassure her when a rustle at the door caused them both to look up. A piece of parchment slipped beneath it, and Elena hurried to pick it up, holding it out to Roselyn, who now climbed out of the tub and stood in front of the hearth, wrapped in a toweling robe. She took the piece of parchment curiously, unfolding it to reveal just a few simple words.

"Come to my chambers tonight," it read, signed with a "B."

Elena looked at Roselyn curiously, and Roselyn smiled, tossing the piece of parchment into the flames and watching it curl and catch fire.

"The laird merely asks if I'm well," she said, not wishing the servant to know where she intended to go that evening.

Her heart was beating fast, and she thought back to the moment they had shared by the loch and in the woods. The first kiss had been tender and tentative, the second, passionate and reconciliatory.

But what of the next? Would there be a next? She imagined what it would be like for them to be alone together once more. Would Braden speak? Roselyn hoped so, for it was through speech he had told her of his true feelings, and she had shared hers with him, too. There had been no holding back, and with the power of speech, it seemed anything was possible.

"He's kind like that, my lady. But I feel so sorry for him, trapped inside his own mind. He can write and make signs. But tis' very different to actually speakin' yer mind. There must be so many things he wants to say," Elena said, and Roselyn smiled.

"I'm sure he finds ways to express himself," she said, thinking back to her amazement at hearing Braden speak for the first time.

It had been so sudden and unexpected – to him, as well as her. But what had caused him to speak, and would he still be able to when they met that night? Roselyn was filled with trepidation, and whilst Elena exhorted her to rest for the remainder of the day, Roselyn's thoughts were turned to Braden, and what, if anything, he would say to her that night.

"I didnae think ye'd want to eat with us in the great hall. Braden isn't, either. He's shut himself up in his chambers and will nae come out. I've brought ye some broth. Tis' a pretty dress ye're wearin' – I'm sorry yer arms are bruised," Kenna said, setting down the tray for Roselyn on the table.

Her gentle knock had come just as Roselyn was readying herself for her evening with Braden. She had put on a dress she had not yet worn at the castle – a gift from her parents on her previous birthday.

It was red, with a lace trim, and she had chosen a matching shawl to wrap around her shoulders. Roselyn smiled at Kenna Roselyn was glad of her company. She reminded her of Grace and Matilda, a young woman striking out on the path of life.

"Bruises heal. I'll be all right," Roselyn said, thanking Kenna for the food, even as she knew she would not eat it.

She felt strangely nervous at the prospect of spending the evening with Braden. They had spent so much time together already, but this was different.

Braden could speak, and they would no longer have to rely on signs or written words to communicate. It was as though they were meeting for the first time, and Roselyn was unsure what to say, or what Braden would say to her.

"Aye, but tis' a far cry from life in a quiet corner of England. Ye must think us barbarians," Kenna said, but Roselyn laughed.

"One bad apple doesn't spoil the whole batch. There are bandits in England, just as there are in Scotland. Besides, nothing terrible happened. I'm just a little shaken, that's all," Roselyn replied.

Kenna smiled, putting her hand on Roselyn's arm, and shaking her head.

"Ye've been a blessin' to us, Roselyn – and to Braden, especially. I know he cannae say it, but he appreciates what ye're tryin' to do. I can understand him better than most, and it's the truth," she said.

Roselyn was touched by these words, and she hoped Braden would eventually reveal his ability to speak to his sister, as well as to the other members of the clan. Kenna deserved as much, and Roselyn intended to make the suggestion to Braden that evening. There was no reason for him to hold back. He had the power of speech, and he could use it for good – she felt certain of that.

"What would it mean for you if he did speak?" she asked.

Kenna pondered for a moment, a smile coming over her face.

"I understand his signs – we've worked them out over the past few years. But to hear him speak, it would be like how things used to be. The last time I heard him speak was on the day our father was murdered. I was so little I think I actually have no memory of his voice, I've just made it up because I wanted to feel close to him. I know ye're tryin' yer best, Roselyn. But if he speaks, it'll be a miracle," she replied.

Roselyn nodded. The miracle had already occurred, even as Roselyn was not about to break the laird's confidence. But she would plead with him to speak with Kenna, even if he uttered not a single word to anyone else. If anyone deserved it, it was her.

"I'm sure he will – but only when he's ready," Roselyn replied, and Kenna shook her head.

"I pray it's before… well, our poor mother. I think she blames herself. She carries so many secrets, so many burdens. But I shouldnae worry ye with such things. Ye need to rest, Roselyn," she said, but Roselyn shook her head.

She wanted to help. She had come to Scotland to help Braden, and now she believed she could help Kenna, too.

"It's no burden. I want to help. When you came to England, I fear I did little other than teach you Latin and Greek, and the rudiments of literature and history. But perhaps I neglected to teach you those things I should've done. We could've talked a little more openly," Roselyn admitted.

Kenna smiled. She looked grateful, and she sat down on a chair by the hearth and sighed.

"It wasnae easy after our father died. Braden ran away, and I was our mother's only companion. When she married my uncle… well, I thought it was strange, as did so many others. But he took care of us, even if my mother could never be in love with him. It makes me wonder if I'll ever find a match of my own. A caring man like my uncle, or a passionate love, like the one my parents shared," Kenna said.

Roselyn had wondered about this. Kenna was an attractive young woman, and there was no doubt she could marry any man she pleased. But something held her back, and it seemed her mother's experiences at the hands of her uncle had made her feel she could not imagine such a life for herself. Roselyn felt sorry for her, for surely any woman deserved the happiness of marriage, should she choose it.

"You've just not found the right one for you, not yet. But cast your net wide. Look beyond the confines of the clan, and perhaps… well, these things take time," Roselyn replied.

"Have ye ever been in love?" Kenna asked.

Roselyn blushed. She could not very well tell the truth about her and Braden. She was in love, even as she had no one to admit it to.

"I… yes, I have," Roselyn said, and Kenna looked at her curiously.

"But what happened? Did ye nae marry him?" she asked.

"It didn't go according to plan," Roselyn replied, and Kenna nodded.

"I suppose… if I did fall in love, I'd like a strong man," Kenna said.

Roselyn smiled knowingly.

She knew she was giving the very advice she herself needed to hear. She had held back in her feelings for Braden, uncertain if he felt the same. But now she knew, and it was the most wonderful feeling she had ever experienced.

"I know, but tis' hard. I wouldnae want to change things between us. We've known one another for sometime – since he returned here with Braden," Kenna said.

Roselyn smiled, leaning over and taking Kenna's hand in hers.

"If it's meant to be, it will be," she said, and Kenna smiled.

"Aye, ye're right. But I should get back to the great hall. They'll be wonderin' where I've gone. I hope ye sleep well tonight, Roselyn. Ye're a true blessin' amongst us. Braden knows it, too," she said, rising to her feet.

"And ye are a blessing too – to us and to Calder, or whichever man is lucky enough to have your hand," Roselyn reassured her.

The two women embraced, and Kenna left.

Roselyn waited a few moments, listening for the sound of Kenna's retreating footsteps, before opening the door again and slipping out into the passageway. The castle was quiet, the clansmen eating dinner in the great hall, and Roselyn met no one, not even a servant, as she made her way through the winding corridors and passageways to the laird's chambers.

I just hope he'll speak, she thought to herself, standing nervously outside his door.