Niall at least was never mean with his words, nor did he ever attempt to undermine her with others. Whatever was going on with her estranged friend, she had hope of one day renewing their camaraderie.
The next week was one of the most convivial of Abigails life. She and her sister worked in her herb garden together while Gail napped in the shade. When the baby was awake, they played with her and spent more time visiting amidst Abigails clan.
Emily exclaimed over and over again about the friendly attitude the clan treated her with now that she was wed to someone besides their laird. I can only think my absolute lack of desire to marry their laird showed in my every action.
He learned from the way he treated you and established my role with the clanspeople immediately.
Emily grinned, and like most days, Abigail found herself telling her sister all about her life since Emily had left her fathers keep, including Abigails experiences as a newly married lairds lady. They had not yet got around to Emily telling Abigail the full story of how she had ended up married to Lachlan.
Remember, you had letters to read from me. I got no correspondence from you. Sir Reuben had been unwilling to send a messenger all the way north to the Highlands with nothing more important than a letter. Unlike Lachlan of the Balmoral, the English baron did not have allied clans willing to pass the letters along. I have hundreds of questions still unanswered.
Abigail did her best to answer them.
They were visiting in the bedchamber Emily and Lachlan were sharing while staying with the Sinclairs. The baby was napping and Abigails escort waited in the hall, outside the door.
Your husband is very conscientious of your safety, Emily observed.
Osgard once told me it was because neither Talorc nor the clan trusted me to be alone. Because I am English.
You did not believe him, did you? Emily looked ready to do bodily harm to an old warrior. It is obvious your clan loves and trusts you.
Abigail nodded in agreement. Even after finding out about my secret.
It is so different from Fathers keep, is it not?
Oh, yes. I feel so free here.
And valued.
Filled with pleasure at the thought, Abigail smiled. Yes. For so long the only two people who believed I had value were you and the abbess. Now, I have a whole clan.
It would probably amaze her until the day she died, but she would thank God for it every day, too.
Its wonderful. Emily started crying again. Shed been doing that a lot.
Abigail laid her hand over Emilys stomach. Sister, are you sure there is not something you wish to tell me? I do not remember you being so easily led to tears, happy or otherwise.
Its not certain. I am only a little over a week past when my monthly should have begun. But I can feel a change in my body, odd food cravings and nausea at the idea of meals I usually love. I have not told Lachlan yet, though I imagine he must know. Emily laughed, her delight at the prospect evident. I did not want him to use it as an excuse to put off our visit.
When will the baby come?
If my calculations are correct, early spring.
That is such wonderful news.
Thank you. I did not expect to have two babies so close together. Gail is only eight months old.
They will be playmates.
I imagine they will, but I sense this one is a boy.
Im sure that will not stop them.
Oh, Abigail, I am so happy to have you back in my life, Emily said with a hiccupping sigh.
Me, too. Abigail gave her sister a spontaneous hug. I wish you could stay longer.
Emily nodded. But you will come to Balmoral Island for a visit soon, Talorc has promised.
Yes, and he keeps his promises.
It is good to be able to trust your husband in such things.
It is. Abigail let her gaze slide to the sleeping baby and then back to her sister. Um . . . there is something I have been wishing to discuss with you. The one worry she desperately needed her sisters wisdom in dealing with.
They had already briefly discussed the Una problem and Emily had made no bones about the fact that she thought the other woman should be sent away. Abigail should have been prepared for the protective stance and realized Emily would be no more unbiased than she was, just in a different direction.
Shed brought it up to Guaire and he had suggested she discuss it with her husband, since as laird he had a right to know Una was once again flaunting his directive to accept Abigail as lady of the Sinclairs.
But as frustrating as Una was, she was not Abigails most pressing concern.
Emily cocked her head at Abigails prolonged silence. What is it?
You remember what the English priests taught about deafness?
The demon thing? Emily frowned. Pshaw. We know that isnt true. You havent been worrying about that old tale, have you?
Ive been hearing voices in my head, she bluntly admitted.
Voices? In your head? Emily asked, not sounding overly concerned. In fact, if it was not stretching the bounds of belief too far, Abigail would have said her sister sounded almost excited . What do you mean?