Chapter 15

Annella sighed heavily and shifted in the bed. When that got no reaction, she scowled at Florie, and then her mother, and

finally her younger sister, Kenna. Not one of them noticed. All three were sitting in chairs around her bed, their heads bent

to the sewing they were working on in an effort to help make her new gowns.

At first, Florie had been the only one sewing while Lady Annabel and Kenna had tried to distract Annella, but when her mother

had asked Florie what she was making and the maid had explained and then wittered on about the state of Annella's wardrobe,

or lack thereof, her mother and sister had immediately insisted on helping. They'd settled in to cutting and sewing, leaving

her to sit bored and fretting. She hadn't been allowed a task herself, for fear of ripping the stitches below her shoulder.

She truly did appreciate their efforts. Unfortunately, she was also embarrassed that there was a need for it. More than that though, Annella was embarrassed that her mother and sister not only knew of the need, but knew that that need was purely her own fault, thanks to Florie's big mouth. The thought made her glare at the maid again, which she no more noticed than the scowl.

Muttering under her breath, Annella shifted her gaze to the window and the sunny sky beyond. It was a beautiful day. She should

be out there enjoying some fresh air. But was she? Nay. She was stuck inside. Not just inside, but in her bedchamber and this

was her third day there since she'd woken up. She was not even allowed to go below to the great hall. Everyone insisted she

must stay abed and allow her body to heal.

Annella wouldn't mind so much was her husband not avoiding her. She hadn't seen him once since he'd left her to her bath three

days ago. He hadn't even returned to lift her out of the bath when Florie had gone below to tell him that she was done as

he'd insisted the maid do. Instead, Florie had returned with Kenna and their mother to assist her out of the bath. She'd been

told Graeme had received a message from Morgan and that he, her father, her brother, Teague and Symon had immediately ridden

out to meet with their neighbor and ally.

Even with the three women working together, getting her out of the tub had been an effort. Which is why Annella decided right

then that she would start walking and lifting things to try to build up her strength more quickly. She'd known everyone would

protest and insist she wait and take things slowly, so she'd decided she'd start these small efforts only when she was alone.

Her mother, sister and Florie had sat with her through the morning that day as they'd awaited news of what happened at Morgan. The other three women took turns at looking out her window whenever there was a clatter in the bailey that might be the men returning. They were all curious about what Morgan's message had been about, and worried over what might come of it.

It was well after the nooning meal when the men returned. Annella, her mother and sister had taken their meal in her chamber,

and were still there when the men on the wall began calling to each other that "the laird is back." Her mother had gone below

to find out what had happened, leaving Kenna and Florie with Annella to wait. All three of them had been bursting with curiosity

and worry by the time her mother had returned. Annella had been more than relieved to be told that Morgan had written because

there had been a sighting of a woman fitting Agnes's description on Morgan land. Unbeknownst to Annella, Graeme had sent messengers

to all their surrounding allies describing Agnes and asking them to keep an eye out and inform them if she was seen.

Unfortunately, Agnes had disappeared by the time Morgan had led Graeme and the others to where her small camp had been. A

search was performed without success, and Morgan had then invited them to enjoy the nooning meal before leaving. Over the

meal, Graeme had explained what Agnes was wanted for. Morgan had immediately promised to have his men take her into possession

should she be spotted again.

This was all well and grand. Annella was certainly relieved that Morgan appeared to have gotten over the near war that Graeme had almost caused on first taking up the mantle of laird. From what her father later told her when he'd come up to sit briefly with the women, it even seemed that Graeme and Colban Morgan had got along well and were becoming friends. Always good for allies. However, Annella would have been happier if her husband had come up to share this news with her himself. When she'd said as much, her mother and father had pointed out that he'd taken a week away from his duties to care for her and had much to do now. She would no doubt see him at the sup.

But Annella hadn't seen her husband at the sup. Her sister had arrived with the servants following behind with food and drink.

As they'd set it all out for them, Kenna had announced that Graeme was still out working and had not come in at all for the

meal so she thought she'd dine with her that evening in his place.

Their mother had joined them after the sup, and the women had sat with her, continuing on with their sewing until Annella

had begun to nod off. They'd then insisted she sleep and left her alone.

Tired as she had been, Annella had taken that opportunity to try to walk a short distance. It had indeed been short. She'd managed less than a half a dozen steps that first try before collapsing back onto the bed, dragging herself under the linens and furs and quickly falling into an exhausted sleep. Graeme had come to bed at some point after that. He'd also been gone before she woke in the morning. Annella only knew he'd been there at all because his side of the bed had been disturbed and the shirt he'd been wearing the day be fore was lying over a chest for Florie to take away for washing.

The second day had been a repeat of the first, only without the business with Morgan as part of it. Instead, her husband had

apparently just been kept busy taking care of neglected business around the keep. Too busy to join her for a single meal,

and again sneaking into the chamber after she was asleep and leaving ere she woke in the morning. Annella had tried to remain

awake to speak to him that night. But her efforts to walk and rebuild her strength had left her too exhausted to be able to

keep her eyes open. She was annoyed with herself over that, but not too annoyed. Annella knew her body needed that rest to

heal.

However, this was the third day. It was past the nooning and, again, she hadn't so much as seen her husband. She'd been told

the men had gone on a hunt to fetch back meat for Cook, something that had been neglected while everyone waited to see if

she would survive. Her mother had explained that to her, which was good since her husband couldn't be bothered to tell her

himself.

Annella was beginning to think her husband had lost interest in her and decided she was a troublesome wench he regretted marrying.

Would he set her aside? Would she have to return to MacKay after all? Or did he just intend to ignore her for the rest of

her days?

Well, bugger that! Now that she had experienced the bedding, she had absolutely no intention of doing without it. And she wanted children, dammit! Graeme would see to his husbandly duties, or she would... Well, she'd complain to Father Gillepatric, Annella thought grimly. Or the king even. As her husband, Graeme was expected to bed her and get her with child, and she would see him do it. She would not have another marriage like the one she'd had with William. She would not be abandoned alone and childless while he was off

doing as he wished, even if it was right here at Gunn rather than off in some foreign land. And she would not spend another

moment stuck in this chamber where he could easily avoid her.

Grinding her teeth with determination, Annella tossed the furs and linens aside and slid out of bed.

"Annella! What are you doing?" her mother asked with alarm. Setting aside her sewing, she stood quickly and rushed around

to catch Annella's arm as she made her teetering way to the nearer of the chests holding her gowns. "Get back in bed, sweetling.

You are not strong enough for this yet."

"And I will no' be until I use me arms and legs and build up me strength again, Mother," she said grimly in response, refusing

to be urged back to the bed. "Ye ken that."

"Aye, but you have been terribly ill. We nearly lost you. Another day or two of rest, at least, would—"

"Another day or two o' rest and I shall surely start pulling me hair out," Annella growled, shaking off her mother's hand

and dropping to her knees before the chest.

Her efforts to walk each day to build her health had helped a great deal, but she suspected actually eating again had helped too. It appeared some of her lack of strength after waking had been because she'd lain on her back for a week, with naught but drips of broth and other liquids to sustain her. Her second day of trying to walk had seen a vast improvement over the first, and she suspected it would be the same again today. She could walk down to the great hall, she told herself firmly.

"Annella, why do we not get you back into bed, child? 'Twould be—"

"Why is my husband avoiding me?" Annella interrupted her mother to ask.

Lady Annabel straightened from trying to grasp her arm to urge her up. "I am sure he is not avoiding you."

Her mother couldn't even meet her gaze as she spoke the lie. Annella turned back to the chest as she felt tears swell to fill

her eyes. Mouth set, she opened the lid of the trunk and began sorting through her gowns in search of one that was wearable.

"I'm nearly done the neckline on this gown," Kenna said suddenly into the silence. "And I think Florie is almost ready to

sew the hem o' the surcoat, then 'twill be ready to wear too. I think we can get it done by the sup. Can we no' Florie?" she

asked hopefully.

"Aye," Florie agreed quickly.

Annella turned to look as Kenna stood and shook out the ivory-colored gown she was working on. Florie followed suit with the dark surcoat for her to see. It was the first gown, started even before her being wounded and her family arriving. They'd begun with it because it was as simple to make as it was lovely. It consisted of a plain white gown that would be worn beneath a dark blue surcoat, or any other color of surcoat really. This one was dark blue though, with flared sleeves, and the lacing crisscrossing over the front from the neckline down to nearly waist level.

The white gown had intricate embroidery along the neckline, which was what Kenna was working on. It was more than three-quarters

finished and beautifully done. Kenna had always done fine embroidery. As for the surcoat, it had fine silver embroidery along

the trim and around the arms just before the flaring of the sleeve started. Annella could see that Florie was just finishing

with the lacing, but then the hem would be all that needed doing to make it wearable. Her gaze slid from one item to the other

and she could envision how it would look when worn together. It would be lovely, she knew.

"This is a good plan," her mother said suddenly. "You girls continue working, and I'll go call for a bath to be sent up."

"A bath?" Annella asked with surprise. She'd had a bath on first awaking and hadn't done much since then but lie about in

bed being bored.

"Aye, a bath," her mother said firmly. "A nice relaxing soak, and then I shall change your bandages, followed by drying your

hair before the fire and dressing it nicely for you so that you look pretty in your new gown for the sup... and for your

husband."

Annella held back any further protest at that and nodded reluctantly. It couldn't hurt to look as nice as she could for her

husband. Maybe it would encourage him to stop ignoring her, she thought hopefully.

"Oh," Kenna breathed. "Ye look lovely, sister."

Annella gave a little nervous laugh. "Ye've seen me in naught but me sleeping gown fer days, and that af ter arriving to find me on death's door and debating whether to stay or go. I'm sure me being up and about in anything would look lovely to ye at this point."

"No doubt," Kenna agreed with a grin before her expression became solemn again and she added, "But no' as lovely as ye look

in this gown and surcoat. Blue has always looked more than fine on ye. Whether a fine sky blue or a dark blue like this surcoat.

It brings out the color o' yer eyes, and the style is very flattering."

"And yer hair looks lovely too, m'lady," Florie told her with some wonder, and then added, "Ne'er fear, I paid attention to

what yer mother was doin' and can do it meself fer ye next time."

Annella smiled faintly and touched her hair. Her mother had created several loose braids along the front of her head, loose

enough that she would not suffer a headache. She'd also left several wispy tendrils of hair to frame her face before drawing

the smaller braids back and down into larger loose braids on either side of her head that lay over her shoulders and down

her chest. Her mother had then hurried to her room and returned with a diamond-and-sapphire-studded circlet for her to wear

as well. Annella felt beautiful. In fact, she hadn't felt this beautiful since she'd left MacKay. It was a nice feeling.

"Are the men back yet?" she asked, lifting her head to glance at the women facing her. She knew from her mother's expression

that they were not.

"Nay," her mother admitted, "but—" She paused and whirled to the door when a knock sounded, "Oh, that will be our new man."

Annella glanced to Kenna in question. "New man?"

"Aye." She smiled. "We're taking a Gunn soldier back to MacKay with us when we go. Father and yer husband have already arranged it between them."

Annella's eyebrows rose slightly at this news and she glanced to the door with curiosity as her mother opened it. She heard

her say, "Aye. She is ready. In fact, your timing is perfect. Pray, come in—"

"Raynard," Annella gasped as she recognized the soldier entering the chamber.

"M'lady," he said politely, closing the door and following her mother across the room.

"Ye're no'—Ye—" Annella broke off and turned on her mother. "Kenna said ye're taking him to MacKay?"

"Aye. But right now he is here to carry you below. Your father, brother and husband are not yet returned, and I do not trust

you can manage the stairs alone. So, let us go. We can be seated at table and enjoy a mead or cider while we wait for the

men to arrive."

Annella opened her mouth to protest that Raynard wasn't going anywhere. The words never left her lips, however. Instead, a

surprised gasp slid out as Raynard—responding to a gesture from her mother—scooped her off her feet and turned toward the

door with her in his arms.

Annella remained silent as Raynard carried her out of the room and along the hall. Not by choice. Unfortunately, caught by surprise as she'd been, she'd instinctively reached toward him to hold on... with her right hand. The action had caused sharp pain in her shoulder as the muscles that had been damaged there by the arrow protested the unexpected movement. It took her until they reached the stairs for the pain to ease enough for her to speak.

"Ye do no' have to go, Raynard," she assured him solemnly as he started down the stairs with her. "I shall talk to me husband,

and—"

"I want to go."

Annella frowned. His words had been solemn and sad, but firm. "Why? Is it me husband? Me? Have I been too hard on ye about

yer drinking?"

A short laugh slipped from his lips. He shook his head. "Nay. Me goin' to MacKay has naught to do with anyone but me." He

hesitated briefly and then said, "There are too many memories here fer me, m'lady. Wonderful memories o' me Ella and our wee

bairn, Colleen," he added unhappily. "They tear at me e'ery minute o' the day and I can no' bear it."

He paused to clear his throat as if something blocked it, and then said, "I can start afresh at MacKay. Those memories will

no' follow me there and torment me. Or, at least, do they follow me, they'll fade sooner away from here."

Annella swallowed back a thickness in her own throat as she took in his words and had to fight not to give in to the sudden

urge to cry. She missed Ella. She missed the old Raynard too. The pair had always been smiling and laughing and had made her

laugh too. Raynard had changed since the death of his wife and child, but he was still her last connection to her dear friend.

It felt like she was losing Ella all over again in a way, or at least the last connection she had with her, and she wanted

to weep.

"Ye'd best no' cry, m'lady," Raynard said quietly as they reached the bottom of the stairs. He started across the hall toward the high table. "Ye'll make yer eyes and nose all red and spoil the pretty picture ye make just now fer yer husband."

His words surprised a snort from Annella. "I fear me husband would no' even notice."

"Aye, he would," Raynard assured her, and then slowed as he dropped his gaze to meet hers. "Ha'e ye no' yet realized our laird

loves ye?"

Annella peered at him with disbelief. "Nay."

"Aye," he assured her. "He's as besotted with ye as I was fer me Ella."

"But he's been avoiding me," she protested. "I have no' seen him in almost three days. No' since the morning after I woke."

"Aye," he agreed, and then said dryly, "And he's been rushin' about Gunn like a boar with a sore hoof e'er since."

When Annella glanced at him with surprise, he nodded solemnly. "Reminds me o' meself after Ella finished birthin' our Colleen.

She was torn up pretty bad in the birthin' if ye'll recall?"

"Aye," Annella agreed, unsure why he was bringing that up.

"Afterward, ye said as how she could no' indulge in... wifely duties," he finished, a blush rising up his neck to his cheeks

that suggested he was embarrassed to be talking about it with her. But he struggled on. "At least, no until she was healed

all proper."

"Aye," she repeated, more to fill the brief silence that followed than for any other reason.

Heaving out a sigh, Raynard said, "Well, I loved me Ella, and I always wanted her somethin' fierce. E'en when I kenned I should no' trouble her. So, I began to avoid her rather than risk somethin' I kenned she also wanted but should no' indulge in. I started takin' extra shifts, and fillin' in fer some o' the men when they were under the weather, or just lazy. It gave me an excuse to avoid her and the temptation to love her."

"The night o' the fire," Annella began, but he silenced her with a look.

"Aye. I took the watch to avoid temptation again," he admitted. "But that's no' the point I'm tryin' to make, Nella."

Annella swallowed at the nickname her family had given her as a child. She'd shared it with Ella, and she and Raynard had

taken to using it as well. Only ever when they were away from others. Raynard hadn't used it at all since Ella's passing though.

Until now.

"The point," Raynard continued, "is that avoidin' each other, e'en fer the good o' her health, made us both miserable. She

got snappy, and I was stompin' about much like the laird is now."

He stopped at the high table and looked down at her, then shifted his gaze to her shoulder, where her injury was hidden by the gown and surcoat. "He loves ye, Nella. E'ery man, woman and child here at Gunn kens it. He was beside himself when he arrived back at the keep with ye after his ma shot ye, and he did no' leave yer side fer a minute from that moment until yer fever broke. The truth is, he only left then because yer mother threatened to ha'e yer father and brother drag him away and tie him to a bed did he no' go willingly to bathe, eat and sleep."

Annella's eyebrows flew up at that, but she wasn't really surprised. Her mother could be quite stubborn and determined when

it came to someone's health and care. From everything she'd heard, Graeme had gone far too long without sleep and caring for

himself by the time her mother had sent him away.

"He loves ye," Raynard repeated firmly. "I'd bet me life on it. On that and the fact that he's avoidin' ye now to avoid temptation

and the possibility o' unintentionally hurtin' ye while ye're still healin'."

Turning toward the table, he finally set her down, gave her a sad smile and nod, then walked away.

"He's a good man," her mother said as she settled next to her.

Annella swallowed and nodded, then blinked rapidly to dispel the fine glaze of tears coating her eyes. It was the first time

she'd seen the old Raynard, her friend, since Ella's death... and everything he'd said had pretty much broken her heart.

She'd known he blamed himself for being away from Ella and their daughter when the fire broke out. She hadn't realized why

he'd taken on that late shift on the wall rather than send for another soldier though. He'd done it for Ella, and in doing

so had lost both her and their child. Annella wanted to weep and scream at the same time. Sometimes life was just so damned

unfair.

"He will do well at MacKay, child," her mother assured her. "We will help him grieve and heal away from the memories haunting

him here."

Annella glanced at her with surprise, briefly distracted by the sight of the soldiers that had been standing guard at her door, now standing behind them. They'd followed them below. Managing not to scowl at them for it, she shifted her attention to her mother. "Ye ken about—?"

Pausing, she eyed her mother briefly, as understanding rolled over her.

"Ye heard," she said, realizing her mother had been right behind them all the way from the bedchamber and had no doubt heard

every word that had passed between her and Raynard.

"I did hear," Annabel MacKay admitted. "But I also already knew about his wife and child dying in a fire. Graeme said that

he was your second until shortly before he returned and took up the title as laird. That he was a fine, dependable soldier

with a sharp mind, and that his wife was a friend to you?"

"Aye." Annella sighed the word. "Ella and Raynard were both dear friends to me. They aided me greatly as I tried to find me

footing here."

"Then your father and I owe him a great debt, and will be even more pleased to help him," Lady Annabel reassured her.

Annella nodded and glanced along the table until she spotted where Raynard now sat at the quickly filling tables. He was solemn faced as usual, but there already seemed to be a difference about him. She suspected it was hope starting to crawl out of the scorched earth of his heart. That he was seeing a possible future where his pain might ease a bit. She hoped MacKay was good for him. She would rather see him there and even just content, than here and as miserable as he had been since the fire.

The sound of the keep doors crashing open and the shouts of men caught Annella's attention and drew her gaze toward the entrance

where men were rushing in, clearing the way for the people following. Frowning, she sat up in her seat, craning her neck to

try to see what was happening through the people still milling around the tables in search of seats. Although most had stopped

moving now to stare as chaos exploded. Dauid and Symon were holding the doors open, while Teague and Angus rushed ahead, barking

at people to stand aside, aiding those slower to move with a shove here and there. Her father came in next, moving sideways

as he hovered over Graeme, who was a step behind carrying—

"Payton," her mother gasped. She had stood up the moment the chaos started and now rushed away to hurry toward her son and

the son-in-law who was carrying him toward the stairs.

Annella frowned after her, then glanced to Kenna as she stood to try to get a better look at what was happening. Annella tried

to look herself, but nearly everyone in the hall had stood now and she couldn't see a thing through the wall of people. Sadly,

short as she was, standing would not help. "Is Payton badly hurt?"

"I am no' sure," her little sister admitted with worry as she rose up on her tiptoes in an effort to see what was happening.

Giving up that pose after a moment, she dropped to stand flat on the floor again, bit her lip, and then glanced to Annella

uncertainly and asked, "Can I go see? Are ye all right here by yerself?"

"Aye, aye, go," Annella said, waving her away. She then sighed as she watched her sister disappear into the crowd. She wanted to go herself to see what had happened, but knew she was better off remaining where she sat. While her strength improved daily, she didn't trust being able to maneuver herself through the jostling crowd. It did seem smarter to wait for someone to bring her news. Annella had to fight the urge to make the attempt though.

"Oh, m'lady!" Florie pushed through the people blocking her way as she rushed to reach her.

"What's happened, Florie?" Annella asked with concern, catching the maid's hand as she stopped beside her. "Is Payton all

right? Mother seemed concerned about him when she rushed off."

"There was an accident during the hunt," Florie explained. "Yer brother took an arrow."

"What?" Annella gasped with alarm and stood up.

"But 'tis fine," the maid said swiftly. "I was right beside yer mother when she reached the men and checked yer brother's

wound. She said he got lucky in that it did no' hit anythin' vital. Then she told yer husband to carry him up to his room

and she'd fetch her medicinals and follow. She then took a moment to send yer sister to the kitchens to ha'e boiling water

and ale sent up to his room, told me to come reassure ye all would be well because she kenned ye'd be worryin', and then yer

mother followed the men," Florie added.

Annella let out a slow, shaky breath at this news and settled back in her seat, but her mind was racing. "How did he end up

getting shot with an arrow?"

"I do no' ken," Florie admitted unhappily, her gaze moving toward the stairs.

Following her gaze, Annella spotted her husband already stepping off the top of the stairs onto the landing, Payton still

in his arms, and her father hard on his heels. Her mother was only halfway up the stairs herself, but easily moving as quickly

as the men. Stopping to give orders to Kenna and Florie obviously hadn't delayed her too long.

"Mayhap I should go help," Annella said fretfully.

"Nay. Lady Annabel said ye were to wait here. She said as how she was going to be sending yer da down once the arrow was removed

and ye were to keep him sat at the table and calm. She said the last thing she needed was him hoverin' behind her like a mother

hen while she tended yer brother."

Despite the situation, Annella's lips quirked up at the words. It would not be the first time her mother had sent her father

from the room while she tended to one of his sick or injured children. Her father had never handled such occurrences well.

She suspected it was the helplessness. While his wife was a skilled healer and went to work attending to what needed doing,

he could only stand helplessly by and watch as she worked. For a man used to being in charge of everything, events like this

must be hell for him.

Sighing, Annella glanced to her maid and suggested, "Mayhap ye should go see that some uisge beatha is brought out fer me

husband and father so that 'tis waiting when they come below. And fer Teague, Angus, Symon and Dauid too!" she called out

as an afterthought as the maid rushed away.

Florie waved to let her know she'd heard her, but didn't even slow her steps.

Annella turned back to face the table, and then paused and raised her eyebrows when she saw that Raynard had come to stand

next to her.

"I thought I'd best check and see if ye wished to go back above stairs?" he explained. "Either to yer brother's chamber, or

yer own?"

"Nay. Thank ye, Raynard. Me mother wants me here to soothe me da's nerves when she sends him down." When he nodded and started

to turn away, she said, "But, ye could go above stairs yerself and see if they need help holding Payton down while they remove

the arrow. I know Teague, Symon, Graeme and me da are there now to do it, but there were four men holding me down and struggling

with it when they removed the arrow from me. Payton is bigger and stronger. Yer help may be not only appreciated, but needed."

"Right away," Raynard murmured and hurried off as Florie rushed back.

"One o' the buttery guards is bringing the uisge beatha," she assured her. "But Cook's wantin' to ken if she should start

sending out the sup, or wait?"

Annella opened her mouth to answer, and then paused, her eyes shooting to the top of the stairs and the landing when Payton's

screams exploded from above. It seemed that the removal of the arrow had commenced.