Chapter Six #2
Although the MacEgans had offered her the chance to stay longer at Laochre, her own protection was fragile, at best. It was only a matter of time before her father found her here. The sooner she left, the safer she would be.
She knew that the MacEgans would help her, but she couldn’t stop thinking of Raine.
Trahern had offered to find out what had happened to him, but it would take time.
It might be better to travel toward the abbey on their way west. Then she could see for herself if he was still there. The thought reassured her.
“Liam, come back here,” the queen demanded.
When her young son only giggled, staggering in his attempts to walk, Isabel put aside her sewing and scooped him away from the fireplace hearth.
“I vow, this child terrifies me. Every moment I turn my head, he finds a new danger. Yesterday, I caught him trying to touch Patrick’s sword.
” She snuggled him close, and Carice smiled at the baby’s antics.
“At least my Duncan cannot walk yet,” Genevieve countered. Her own son was sitting up, chewing upon a piece of fur, while the young mother was seated at her harp. She had played music for them the night before, and the soothing sounds filled the room.
It helped keep Carice’s mind off her churning stomach, for the illness had returned again this morning. She’d tried to eat a little bread to calm the aching, but the pain had only worsened.
Carice let out a slow breath and lowered her gaze to her sewing, pretending as if nothing was the matter. If she didn’t eat at noontime, it might help.
As a distraction, she asked Genevieve, “May I hold your son?”
The young woman smiled, still plucking at the harp strings. “Of course.”
When Carice took the babe in her arms, Duncan seized handfuls of her hair, offering a gummy smile. She spoke nonsense words to him, but the moment was bittersweet, reminding her of the children she would never bear. Her heart grieved at the truth of it.
She braved a smile at the babe, trying to imagine what it would be like to live her days without pain. Or what it would be to have a child of her own.
Resentment gathered in her stomach, for she knew it would not happen.
The sense of unfairness heightened, for what had she done to deserve this illness?
Why should she have to die when other women could live and leave a part of themselves in their offspring?
It made her wish that her sickness was a tangible enemy, one who could be struck down by a blade.
She wanted a different life than this one, and she wished to God there was a way to have it.
A knock sounded at the door, and when the queen called out for the person to enter, an adolescent boy peered inside. He sent a brilliant smile toward Carice and said, “Queen Isabel, there is a man at the gates.”
The queen sent the boy a wry smile. “Ewan, that’s not very useful information. Who is there?”
His smile widened, and he entered the solar. He gave a dramatic bow before Carice and added, “It’s a Norman soldier. And he’s demanded to see the lady.” Then he knelt and offered, “Would you like me to slay him for you?”
Carice straightened, startled by the lad’s declaration.
The only Norman soldier who knew she was here was Raine.
Her emotions threatened to spill over, and she fought to hold them back.
Raine was alive, and he’d come back for her.
The rush of anticipation made her pulse quicken, though she knew her thoughts were running away with her.
She was no longer a silly adolescent girl, and she needed to calm herself.
Queen Isabel groaned. “Save us your chivalry, Ewan. He’s only a Norman soldier, not a dragon.” To Carice, she added, “My family is Norman, and Ewan is my husband’s youngest brother. He believes he will one day be the greatest Irish warrior of the MacEgans.”
“And so I will.” He flexed skinny muscles and shot her another wide smile. “When I’m stronger.”
His good spirits made it impossible not to be amused. Carice returned his grin and said, “I believe I know who the soldier is.”
Let it be Raine, she thought to herself. But a flush suffused her cheeks, one that the queen didn't miss.
“Who is he? And why is he here?” Isabel asked.
“If it is the man I believe it is, he is here for me,” Carice answered. “He saved Trahern and me when we were pursued by King Rory’s men.”
“Where are the rest of his men?” Isabel demanded. “Norman soldiers don’t travel alone.”
Ewan shrugged. “This one did.”
The queen’s expression turned suspicious, and Carice worried that Isabel would not allow Raine to enter Laochre.
Carice fumbled for an answer. “He was supposed to return to them. They were traveling back to Tara, I think.”
Isabel glanced over at Lady Genevieve. “Why would Norman soldiers go to Tara? That doesn’t sound right.” Her expression turned troubled. “Our people are at peace now. There is no reason to bring any soldiers there.”
To Ewan, she added, “Allow him to enter, but I will expect you to find out everything you can about this man. Ask him to wait in the Great Chamber. If he is truly alone, he may be no threat to us, but Connor and Bevan should be there.” The lad nodded and quickly departed their chamber.
“Do you think King Henry is planning another visit to éireann?” Genevieve suggested. When the baby began fussing, Carice handed Duncan back to her. The young mother took him and adjusted her léine, allowing the baby to nurse.
“Perhaps.” Isabel appeared unconvinced. “But Patrick should know of this. He may want to warn the Ard-Rígh.”
“Raine did not come here to fight,” Carice insisted. “I am certain of that. Ask Trahern, and he will tell you.”
It was more likely that Raine had come to ensure she had made it safely to Laochre. Carice stood up, intending to go downstairs, but her knees swayed, and she had to sit down once more.
The queen’s expression transformed into sympathy. “You aren’t feeling well, are you?”
“It’s nothing.” Carice steadied herself, but her stomach felt as if knives were carving it into pieces.
She struggled to push away the illness, desperate to see Raine again.
The idea of retreating to her bed was not at all what she wanted.
She closed her eyes, tightening her mouth as she fought to remain standing.
“Our healer should come and see you,” Isabel suggested. “She may be able to find out what ails you.”
“After I see Raine,” she insisted. And no matter how much her stomach was bothering her, she would push back the pain.
Genevieve exchanged a look with Isabel, and it was obvious that neither of them believed she was capable of walking across the room, much less going to see Raine.
She took several deep breaths and stood again, grimacing against the stomach pains.
The queen picked up Liam and balanced him on her hip while she stood beside Carice. “You may see the soldier if you wish,” she said, “but take slow steps. And promise me you’ll let our healer look at you afterward.”
She braved a smile at the queen, who seemed to understand her reasons. “Thank you.”
“I suppose if it were me, I would not let anything stop me from seeing Patrick.” Isabel walked beside her, keeping a careful pace. Liam squirmed in her arms, but she bent to him and kissed his cheeks. “You did not mention this man before. And I don’t think Killian knew of him either, did he?”
Because her brother would have been overprotective and angry with her for taking such a risk. It was better if he knew nothing.
“No, I didn’t tell him about Raine.” She didn’t miss Isabel’s curious look, but Carice saw no reason to elaborate. “If it weren’t for him granting me shelter, I wouldn’t have survived my escape.”
She leaned against the wall as she made her way toward the hall. Isabel was leading the way, but Genevieve had stayed behind to finish nursing Duncan. Dizziness washed over Carice when she reached the stairs, but she forced herself to continue.
When she made it to the bottom of the stairs, she paused a moment to catch her breath.
Isabel guided her into the Great Chamber, but there was no sign of Raine anywhere.
The din of conversation within the space was a roar within her ears.
Carice chose a seat on one of the low chairs near the wall, trying to remain out of the way while she mustered her remaining strength.
Most of the trestle tables had been pushed aside, but many people had gathered within the space.
Soon enough, several MacEgan guards emerged, and behind them, she saw Raine.
When he removed his iron helm, his dark blond hair was dampened with snow.
He wore the same chainmail armor and tunic she had seen earlier.
He kept his posture rigid as he entered the chamber, and a broadsword hung at his side.
From the linen bandage on his forearm, she realized that he’d suffered a minor wound, but it was the only injury she could see.
And for now, she was so relieved to see him alive.
She wanted to run toward him, to embrace Raine and thank him for all that he’d done. But if she dared to leave this seat, she would drop to the floor in a faint. A slight smile played at her lips at the thought of collapsing before him. It wasn’t exactly the way she wanted to welcome the man.
Two of the MacEgan men shadowed Raine as he strode toward the dais.
Queen Isabel had joined her husband, and her expression held wariness.
Carice didn’t understand the tension between Isabel and the king.
Why would Raine’s presence bother the queen?
He had not come with an army, intending an attack—he’d come for her.
She stood, and a tunneling rush of air made her dizzy. Don’t faint, she warned herself.
Slowly, she pushed her way through the crowd of people who had gathered. Trahern had joined his brother at the dais, and at the sight of him, she breathed a little easier. He could attest that Raine had saved their lives.
“Who are you and why have you come to Laochre?” the king asked. He spoke in the Irish tongue, and when Raine didn’t answer at first, the queen translated for him in the Norman language.
“I am Raine de Garenne.” He sent a direct look toward Trahern. “And your brother knows why I am here.”
The Irish warrior took a step forward, but there was wariness in his expression.
“I found him with the Lady Carice. We were attacked by the High King’s men, and he stayed behind so that I could bring the lady to Laochre.
I invited him to join us, and I presume he wanted to see if the lady was safe.
Unless he came for another reason?” He raised an eyebrow in silent question.
A rushing sound filled Carice’s ears, and she took a shaky breath, moving closer to Raine.
Then he saw her, and his green eyes turned possessive.
He looked upon her as if she belonged to no one but him.
“I have come at the Lady Carice’s request.” His eyes held warmth, reminding her of the days they’d spent together.
She wanted to speak to Raine, to tell him how glad she was to see him once more.
But his voice seemed to come from far away, the words echoing within her ringing ears.
Her knees were weak, hardly supporting her steps at all.
And suddenly, her sight grew fuzzy and the room tipped.
Though she fought to remain conscious, darkness closed over her.
And then, there was nothing.