Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

" S ince the Laird's visit yesterday, Sophia has refused even water."

She was curled up like a kitten on her bed inside her dark room. She could hear her mother speaking with her father. Her windows were shut; her candles had burned out.

"I shall have a word with her."

A gentle knock sounded on her door. Sluggishly, she unfurled herself and climbed down from her bed to open it.

"Sophia?" Angus said. "Goodness, bairn!" He leaned on the doorway, stretching his neck out of the room. "Blair!" he called loudly to his wife. "Bring a few candles and a thing with which to light them."

"Aye, Angus," her mother shouted in reply, and Sophia heard her scurry away.

Sophia couldn't read her father's expression. His face was completely obscured by the darkness. They stood silently until her mother lit the candles and the room was illuminated.

Angus took a seat next to Sophia's reading table, while she remained on her bed. Sophia's mother ran her fingers through her tangled hair that was in such disarray that shereached for a comb.

Sophia's skin pricked as her mother ran her fingers through her hair. Her father sat motionless, his eyes closed. Sophia could tell he wanted to say something but didn't know how. She knew exactly what it was, too. "Father," she called.

He flickered his eyelids open quickly. "Aye, bairn."

"I ken, yer angry that I broke my betrothal. Believe me—I have my reasons."

"What is the reason then, bairn?" Angus leaned forward. "If ye tell me, perhaps I can help ye."

"Nae, ye cannae. This is between the Laird and me."

"Ye ken the Laird was here yesterday—even he did nae have the slightest idea what the problem is."

Sophia held her mother's hand to stop her from brushing her hair further. She walked over to her father and kneeled before him. "Can't ye trust me this once, Father?" She took his hands in hers. "I wouldn't have left without a very braw reason to do so."

"Whatever reason it is, I…" His eyes focused on her mother, and Sophia turned to look at her, her head was swinging side to side in disapproval.

Angus sighed deeply. "I trust in whatever reason ye have." He pried Sophia to her feet. "I believe ye'll always make decisions that are best for ye."

Sophia embraced him. If she was certain of anything, it was that her father was the greatest man in the Highlands. She had always found joy in his words, and she had sought to see himsmile. She could not bear his sadness or disappointment. He had no idea how much comfort he had brought her with his response. "Thank ye, Father, truly. I am grateful that ye understand."

Angus returned her words with a very bright smile. He got up from the chair. "I've a meeting at the Laird's castle at noon. We are yet to make a decision on the harvest issues."

"What solution could there be if Laird Munro refuses to help us?" Her mother asked with a frown. "Surely, a few good lashes might bring the man to his senses—"

"Careful with yer words, woman," Angus warned. "It has nae gotten to that yet."

"Oh, dear husband, it has!" Blair replied. "The council threatens to remove the Laird from his position because he has no wife nor children. Yet, the Munro clan lets a greedy scoundrel lead them into famine. It's barbarous, I must say."

"If only ye were a man," Angus stood hesitantly at the door, rubbing his jaw. "Ye would've been a wise council member."

Blair's frown turned into a wide smile. "Do ye really think so, my love?"

"I ken so, my wife," Angus returned with a grin of his own, making Sophia retreat.

These two are still young at heart.

She sighed. If only her love had turned out perfect like theirs.

She was confused as to why men could be involved in politics but not women... but that was the very least of her worries at that moment.

"Father," Sophia said. "Ye mentioned the harvest… is the Laird still considering going to the Mackenzie clan for aid?"

"Aye, bairn—he is. If ye care so badly for him, I'd better get ready for the meeting at the council."

Sophia looked dumbfounded as her father left.

The Laird… he never listens at all.

"What was that about the Mackenzie clan?" Blair asked, interrupting Sophia's thoughts.

Sophia went to sit with her mother on the bed. "Laird Munro plans to attack the Mackenzie clan," she explained. "He proposed to let Laird MacNeil take half of the lands they won if he helped in the attack. The Laird, dinnae want me to ken such things, but I happened to overhear them talk about it during their meeting."

"And?" Blair widened her eyes with interest.

"The Laird…" Sophia continued, "He has refused to accept the offer. He plans to inform the Mackenzie clan of Laird Munro's treacherous plans."

"Of course, he will.' Blair looked proud. "He is that type of man to do what is right. He indeed has a good heart."

"What if he gets hurt, Mother?"

"Hush, Sophia." Blair stroked her daughter's cheek. "He will nae get hurt—the Laird is a terribly strong warrior."

"Mama! Sister!" Emilea cried from outside. She leaned into the room. "Sir Logan is here," she whispered frantically. "He wishes to talk to ye, Sophia."

Sophia felt her stomach fill with anxiety. She was not fond of him. She turned to her mother as if seeking permission. Blair gave her a nod, and she turned back to Emilea. "Emilea, tell him I will be with him shortly."

"Aye, sister," she answered then took off.

Sophia got dressed in a plain, brown day dress. She was not in the frame of mind for colorful materials or patterns. She headed downstairs.

When she did not catch a glimpse of Logan, she looked at Lorena, who was working on a heart-shaped embroidery pattern, rocking in a chair their father had commissioned from an English carpenter. Then, she looked at Emilea, who was enthusiastically watching her sister's hands work.

"Where is Sir Logan?" Sophia asked.

Lorena glanced up at her. "He preferred to wait for ye outside," she replied.

Sophia lifted her skirts. She went outside, Loganhad crouched like a toad in front of the manor to admire the flowers. "Sir Logan," she called, "I must apologize for keeping ye waiting."

"Nae, lass." Logan came to a stand. "I did nae wait for long. I must confess, these flowers are delightful. Yer younger sister told me ye planted them."

Sophia caught on quickly—he was trying to appeal to her.

"Aye, Sir Logan. I planted them, but I am certain yer nae here to talk about my green thumb."

Logan gave a half smile. "Yer a smart one, lass." He gestured to the path leading away from her home—the path she had seen Kendrick ride down a day prior. "May we take a walk?"

Sophia was reluctant, yet she could not refuse. The man meant her no harm, but knowing Sir Logan, she guessed it would be a walk of a never-ending interrogation.

"Very well, Sir Logan. It must be a brief walk, though. I shall call for my mother to watch us."

The pair of them drifted down the lonely path, her mother following behind to chaperone. Sophia enjoyed the beauty of the sky. It was a lot brighter than the day before. Its color shifted from deep blues to white in patches.

They came to a halt when they arrived at the pond behind the house. Sophia could feel her body trembling as the breeze picked up in the gardens, herhair blowingaround by the wind.

"I would like to ask, Sophia—why did ye leave the castle?"

There it was. Of course, she took no offence. She figured the quicker she gave a reply, the faster his interrogation would end.

"Sir Logan, I will have to disappoint ye. I am lacking an answer to yer question."

"Perhaps, lass… is it because of Catherine?"

Sophia held herself back from flinching.

How long has he ken the relationship between the Laird and Catherine?

Sophia did not answer.

"I ken it is, Sophia. Aye… she and the Laird were close for a moment, but—"

"I understand, Sir Logan," Sophia interrupted. "I do ken he is yer nephew and ye care for him, but I dinnae want ye to make excuses for him." She tucked her hair behind her ear. "The truth is, I cannae share the Laird with another woman, aye… but that is nae the reason I left."

"Sophia…" Logan said her name in such a gentle voice that, for a minute, she felt pity for him. "The Laird must make haste in finding a wife. He will be asked to step aside if he does nae get married."

A jolt of pain passed through Sophia. She wondered if Kendrick only wanted to marry her for the sake of saving his title.

Surely, there are many other lassies he could marry. It does nae have to be one from our clan. It does nae have to be me, either.

She thought of seeing Kendrick exchanging vows with another lass, and then she felt bile travel up her throat. She reminded herself to keep her feelings to herself. She did not want to give the Laird's uncle false hope.

"I ken yer concerns. Ye see, I care about the Laird—very much, too. Still, I cannae marry him just so he can keep his title."

Logan's face washed over with sadness. Sophia could tell he felt embarrassed by her rejection. It was written on his face by the way he averted his eyes to the water. It was a relief, though. Kendrick had people who cared deeply for him.

"And Sir Logan, please take care of the Laird. It will give me some peace to ken he has someone like ye protecting him."

"So, ye've really made up yer mind not to return, lass?"

"Aye, I'm afraid I have."

Sophia and Logan stood quietly for a moment, both looking out over the gardens.

"If that is all, I will have to return inside." Sophia could swear that if she stayed any longer, she might want to reconsider her decision. Logan's sad eyes were too pleading. She turned back to her mother.

"Aye, ye may leave," Logan mumbled.

When Sophia went back inside the manor, her mother darted off upstairs.

"What say ye, sister?" Lorena jumped from her chair as soon as Sophia entered. "Does this look fanciful?"

"Let's see," Sophia answered. She collected the fabric from her sister. "Is this for me?"

"Absolutely not!" Lorena exclaimed. "Tis for someone special." She grinned shyly.

"Tis beautiful, Lorena." Sophia observed the pattern of the embroidery. Red thread formed a heart. Inside it were small clusters of pink wool posed as roses.

"Tell me…" Sophia raised her brows in a mischievous way. "Who is it for?"

"I'll tell ye—and even make one for ye—if ye first tell me why ye left the castle."

Sophia's stomach sank. She hadn't felt the same way when her parents or Logan had asked. Lorena asked out of curiosity and concern, and shewas certain that her sister would not give up until she extracted the truth from her.

More than that, Sophia recognized the importance of sharing her truth with someone before it consumed her entire being.

"The Laird, he…" She sighed. "He is having a bairn." Her eyes began to sting.

"Are ye with child?" Lorena asked, terrified. "If yer with child, tis nae—"

"Catherine is carrying his bairn," Sophia blurted out, her breath quickening.

Lorena yelped, then clamped her hands over her mouth. "Heavens… Sophia… I am so sorry. How did ye come to ken?"

"I caught them bare, lying next to each other. Her head was on his chest and her arms were crossed around his neck."

"The Laird would nae hide something like that. I mean, I very well do nae like him, but I am sure he cares enough to nae do something like that with ye in the keep!"

"And yet, he did," Sophia's cheeks were wet with tears as she recalled everything she had seen.

"Ye should talk to him, sister—find out why he did nae tell ye. Maybe, there is a reason for it," Lorena suggested

"Tis of nae use! I cannae be with him if he has a child from a mistress, nae matter what the reason may have been."

Lorena dried Sophia's face. "Och, sister… if that is what ye desire." She hesitated. "How about, to cheer ye up, I tell ye who the handkerchief is for?" She leaned closer to Sophia's ear. "He is—"

"Sister, Mother requires yer assistance in the kitchen," Emilea interrupted.

I guess I'll never get to ken this lad Lorena is foolishly in love with.