Chapter 13

In the end, it was a few weeks before Ivy was able to meet with Brian and Anna, the parents of the baby who was causing such a lot of commotion in the Keep. There was no shortage of things to keep her busy in the interim, though … a whole castle to explore, a whole range of new friends to get to know, and the fascinating subject of Changeling children to reflect on. After an offhand comment shed made about missing being able to take notes, Edward made her a gift of a beautiful notebook and some pencils to write with. It wasnt long before shed filled dozens of pages with reflections, making use of the long nights to think and write. Funny, how much clearer her mind felt without the constant distractions of technology all around her… it almost made up for the lack of hot water.

Almost.

She also appreciated the time to get to know Edward a little better. They took to taking meals together every few days at least — he was kept fairly busy with his schedule taking shifts guarding the walls of the Keep or patrolling the area, not to mention the additional work associated with investigating the so-called Changeling child, but what time he had spare, he seemed more than happy to spend with her. He was excellent company she was beginning to learn. With the initial awkwardness of coming from different times and places out of their way, they quickly came to learn that they enjoyed each others conversation immensely. To her amusement, they were both absolutely fascinated with the other persons life… while finding their own utterly boring. Theyd quickly had to come to a kind of trade agreement for stories — in exchange for an explanation of her drive to work, for example, Edward told her the story of how hed once fought a fire elemental that took the shape of a wolf. It didnt feel like a fair trade to her… but with his bright eyes fixed on her with such fascination, she could hardly refuse, could she?

What she did enjoy talking about — and what Edward was more than happy to listen patiently about — was autism. She found herself telling him more and more as the days went on, getting into in depth detail about the way the condition made itself clear. He was especially interested in the history of the condition, for obvious reasons… and in the links in folklore to Changeling children. And the more she shared about the condition, the less skeptical he seemed that baby Colin might be autistic.

Does it run in families? he asked one morning, a curious expression on his handsome face. They were breakfasting together, and though hed looked exhausted when hed met her — up all night guarding the wall, so hed explained — their conversation seemed to have revitalized him a little. The way some wasting illnesses do? Passed from father to son?

Thats a good question, she said, swallowing her mouthful of oatmeal and trying to decide how deep into the intricacies of genetic predisposition to neurodevelopmental conditions she should get. With a very complicated answer. The short version is — yes, it seems to. But that doesnt necessarily mean that everyone in an autistic persons family will also be autistic. Some people dont inherit the condition… others do, but in a form thats easier for them to hide. Some people live their whole lives without even realizing theyre autistic, actually.

They do? He sounded shocked — which was understandable, given the stories shed been telling him about the struggles some of her clients went through. How do they not notice?

Its about their environment, mostly, she said with a shrug. Something like autism only becomes a problem in certain situations. I worked with a client who only got his diagnosis when he moved from a remote rural area to a busy city. The constant lights, noises and crowds really bothered him — and the more time he spent around neurotypical people, the more he began to realize that there was something different about how his brain worked. It was an adjustment for him, but it was also a relief for him to learn that there was a name for what was going on with him. She shook her head briskly. But to answer your first question — yes, family links are quite common. Which is why Im looking forward to meeting Brian and Anna.

Edward nodded. Theyre looking forward to meeting you, too. Fair warning, Ive been … less than straightforward with them about why Im making the introduction.

Fair enough. Ivy nodded. Theyd agreed that the whole story might be a bit hard for the Brian and his wife to handle. What did you tell them?

A little of the truth, he said quickly. That where you come from, youre well known for being very good with difficult children — and that you wanted to meet Anna, maybe make friends with her and give her some womanly support in a trying time. I mentioned that you were new in the area, too, without many friends to speak of — suggested that you might appreciate meeting her as much as she might appreciate meeting you.

She nodded, a little surprised. Thats well-put. And none of its actually a lie, either.

Its close enough to trouble me, but in the interests of keeping Colin safe… Edward sighed, some of his fatigue returning to his face. I dont like lying to family, but I also dont like the thought of my infant cousin being poorly treated because of something that simply isnt true.

Well get to the bottom of this, she told him softly, reaching across the table to touch his arm before she could think better of it. The contact between them seemed to startle him, and she murmured an apology she didnt quite mean as she pulled back her hand. Colins going to be just fine. Well make sure of it.

He led her up the stairs to a part of the Keep she hadnt spent much time exploring. This part of the castle was usually reserved for short-term guests, Edward had explained to her, but some adjustments had been made when it became clear that Brian, Anna and their new son would be staying longer than anticipated. As Edward knocked on a wooden door, Ivy straightened her spine, affixing her pleasantly neutral professional expression onto her face to hide her unease. Things could get pretty dramatic with a volatile baby in the mix — especially when families had been going through the kind of stress it sounded like Brian and Anna had been under. What if the visit brought things to a boiling point?

But it turned out she neednt have worried. When they stepped into the cramped but comfortable living quarters, it became clear that the baby wasnt here, though an empty cot against one wall made it clear that they were in the right place. She recognized Brian immediately — the broad-shouldered, dark-haired man shed met her first night here rose to embrace his cousin Edward before turning to make a more formal introduction to Ivy.

It is Ivy, isnt it? I see youve changed your clothes, he said, glancing down at the gown she was wearing.

She grimaced, remembering belatedly that shed been wearing her old clothes that night — no wonder Brian and his men had stared at her so curiously. Compared to what she was wearing now, it must have looked like a Halloween costume or something.

May I introduce my lady wife, Anna Gilroy?

The woman seated at the table was fidgeting nervously with the sleeve of her gown, but when she rose to her feet the smile on her wan face was genuine. She was quite tall, slender despite the clear signs of her recent pregnancy, with blue eyes that shone through the clear signs of new parent exhaustion.

Anna, like Laird Donals wife, the young woman said with a tremulous little laugh. Easy to remember. Lovely to meet you, Ivy. Edward tells me youre a long-term guest here, too?

As long as the Grants will have me, Ivy said with a smile, taking a seat at the table beside Anna. Its lovely to meet you both. And congratulations on your new baby! She didnt miss the worried look that the two parents exchanged… nor did she miss the infinite tenderness in Brians large, rough hand as he placed it atop his wifes on the table.

Where is Colin this morning? Edward asked, glancing curiously around the quarters. Anna cleared her throat, but it was Brian who spoke, looking a little sheepish.

Hes with a nursemaid today. Laird Donal was kind enough to arrange for some help. I suppose youve heard, Ivy, about the… trouble weve had with our son.

Ivy had been anticipating this question. It would be a tremendous shock to me if a new baby arrived without any trouble, she said, smiling her most reassuring smile at Anna in particular. The young woman looked so lost. The first three months as parents are the hardest months anyone can go through — I understand Colins nearly that old now?

Thats right, Anna said softly, a slight smile lifting her lips, though her forehead was still creased with worry. Its been terribly difficult?—

Speaking of which, Brian said, turning his gaze to Edward. What news on the search?

Very little, cousin, Edward said softly. Im sorry, but as I told you?—

He was interrupted by the sound of the door behind them creaking open, and an imperious voice shouting orders down the hall. Ivy turned, surprised both by the interruption, and by the angry tone in the womans voice — she caught a glimpse of a harried-looking woman with a bundle of fabric in her arms hastening away down the hallway, and then her view was obscured by the figure of an older woman, perhaps in her mid-fifties, standing with her arms folded in the doorway.

These nursemaids, I tell you, she said with disapproval ringing in her voice. I have to stay on top of them every minute of every day. Can you believe she was trying to bring the wretched thing back here? Claimed it wanted its mother.

Oh, Anna said faintly. Perhaps I should?—

No, dear, you rest, the woman crooned, her expression shifting to one of sympathy and concern as she glided across the room to put a gentle hand on Annas forehead. You poor, poor thing. The ordeal youve been through… and how brave of you, to host guests! She turned a thoughtful gaze across the table, and Ivy took in this new addition to the family dynamic, working hard to keep her expression neutral. Forgive my dramatic entrance. I wasnt aware we had company.

This is Mary Gilroy, my lady mother, Brian said, rising a little awkwardly to his feet again as if to belatedly announce the woman.

Marys been an absolute saint, Anna said tremulously. I dont know how wed have gotten through these last few months without her…

Nonsense, dear, Mary said fondly, but Ivy could tell by the look in her eye that she felt the praise was well deserved. Ive done what anyone would do for family. And whos this?

Ivy Jones, Ivy said quickly, rising to her feet with a smile. Pleasure to meet you, Lady Gilroy.

Ivys a guest of the Clan too, Edward explained. I thought she and Anna might keep one another company.

Its nice to have friends, Mary agreed vaguely. The smile on her face was pleasant enough… but Ivy knew when she was being sized up. And shed met enough sweet-on-the-surface grandparents in her time to know not to underestimate this woman.