Page 6 of The Burden of a Scottish Chieftain
Alaric said, “Her horse. I see him.” He pointed and headed that way, Derric behind him.
Broc dismounted and said, “Allow me, Dyna. I’ll get her.”
He lifted Astra, and they managed to get back on their horses, Astra leaning against Dyna. “Astra, wake up. Please.”
Derric returned with Astra’s mount, shaking his head.
“Nay, nay…”
Astra opened her eyes and lifted her head.
“Astra?” Dyna asked. “Are you all right?”
“They took her! They knocked me off the horse and took Tora. Oh, my Lord in heaven, please help us. Tora! Tora!”
Tora had disappeared.
Chapter Four
Meg
Meg hadn’t said much to her father because she knew it would be a waste of time. She’d asked only one question: “Why?”
“Because it’s time. You need to marry. Have a life away from here. Like your sister. She’s probably living a happy life with two bairns by now. You could be in the same situation in two years, if you give it a chance.”
Away from youis how she interpreted his reply.
There would be no arguing, so she had only one alternative. She would have to run away in the middle of the night. Grateful that her father said he had much to do outside, she spent time in her bedchamber, packing a small sack to take with her, hiding it under the pile of clothes she had yet to wash.
There were only three horses, but one was supposed to belong to her, so she would take that one. Big Blue wasn’t the fastest horse, but she would get Meg to her destination.
That was her biggest question.
Finished with her packing, she stepped back into the main chamber, wondering where exactly she would go. She didn’t know anyone other than the few neighbors in the small nearby village. And no one there would help her.
Many years ago, when her mother was still alive, they attended a church about an hour away, but that would be too close now. Her father would search for her and discover if she were nearby. It had to be farther away. She glanced into a small bowl on the side table, then reached for the one thing she would add to her travels.
Her sister’s bracelet. Tamsin had made it for Meg years ago from a fine yarn she’d found, winding it into a circle of tiny, light-blue loops. She’d made herself a matching one and they’d vowed to wear them whenever they were together. Meg hadn’tworn it since Tamsin left. Since Tamsin’s departure, the bracelet had sat here in the bowl of collectibles, attracting dust with the other pieces. Meg picked it up and moved back into her bedchamber to tuck it into her bag.
Her father came in and stood just inside the door, staring at her. “Look, lass. It may not be the best match, but he’ll not live long. Once he goes, you’ll be a baroness and will be able to do whatever you wish. You’ll have a couple of bairns, and you’ll be happy then. Your mother adored you two girls. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more for you. Just be a good girl and all will be fine.”
She nodded, not knowing what else to say. “I’m tired. May I go to my chamber, Papa?”
“You’ll need a good night’s sleep, I’m guessing.” He waved her on, so she moved into her chamber, closing the door softly behind her. There was one other thing she had to get before she left.
Her axes. She had two of different sizes.
She and Tamsin had practiced using an axe long ago. Tamsin had been a total failure at it, but Meg had learned to use it well. If she hadn’t learned, they’d not have eaten as well over the years. Her skill had branched from rabbits to deer, to her father’s delight, though they had little ability to smoke much meat here. He’d taken it to the village smoker, though they had to share with the other villagers, but deer meat was the best of all.
In fact, that was the time they’d met the wee lass named Alana. She’d been seven summers and had cute blond curls. When they left, Tamsin had whispered to her, “Someday when I marry, I’m going to have a wee lass and I’ll call her Alana, just like that girl. Was she not precious?”
Meg had never given any thought to having bairns or getting married.
She listened to her father fiddle in the main chamber. She knew he would then sit, read the Bible by candlelight, then go in to find his bed.
She planned to give herself another hour before she dared sneak away.
Resting on the bed, she counted in her mind the same way she always did. Numbers calmed her. Ever since her mother had taught them numbers, she’d loved them. In fact, long ago, she and Tamsin would play adding games. If one had twenty and you gained thirty, then how many would one have? After a bit of help, Meg taught Tamsin how to do it easily in her head. Adding was fun.
