Highland Courage(64)
“Well, ye would certainly have plenty of help at Carraigile.”
“Aye, but I think my mother is a wee bit jealous of yours. She says your mother already has plenty of grandchildren living with her.”
“Your oldest sister and her husband live at Currancreag with their children, don’t they?”
“Aye, they do, but Lara is married to the Davidson heir and lives there, and Shaw is only a year or so older than Flan. It will be years before she has as many grandchildren as your mother.”
“Speaking of Flan, where is he?” asked Peadar.
“He is with Rowan watching the archery contest,” Tadhg answered.
“Are ye competing in anything this year?” Peadar asked.
“The sword fighting, tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll see ye there, then. Without Fingal MacIan here, the fiercest competition will be from Rowan and Darcy Fraser so we might stand a chance.”
~ * ~
By the end of the first day at the fair, Mairead was utterly exhausted. She fell asleep almost instantly, sleeping soundly in Tadhg’s arms all night. Even so, she awoke the next morning still feeling tired. Reluctantly she rose, dressed slowly, and splashed her face with cold water before joining Tadhg outside the tent.
“Mairead, love, did ye not sleep well last night? Ye look a bit pale.”
“I think I slept well, but in truth I don’t feel rested. I’m also a touch queasy.”
“Perhaps if ye eat something it might settle your stomach.”
“Aye, perhaps,” she said and took the oatcake he offered. After only swallowing a few bites, she ran to the edge of the encampment, where she vomited. Tadhg was right behind her. He put an arm around her to steady her, holding her hair back as she emptied her stomach of what little it contained. When she stopped retching, he lifted her into his arms, carrying her to their tent.
“Tadhg, I can walk,” she protested.
“Mairead, ye are ill, don’t argue. Ye need to rest.” He lowered her to their pallet, before helping her wash her face and rinse her mouth.
“I’m fine now. I want to go with ye to watch ye and my brothers in the sword fighting.”
“I know ye do, but I don’t think ye should. I want ye to rest. I will send Elspet to sit with ye.”
“Please, Tadhg, I’m sure it will be fine.”
“Nay, Mairead. Even with blunted swords, it can be brutal. There will be other sword fights to watch. Ye are ill, please rest. Pol and Cael will stay here to guard ye.”
“They aren’t competing?”
“Pol hadn’t planned to, and while Cael won the archery yesterday, he isn’t the finest of my swordsmen. He’ll stay.” She frowned. “I know ye are disappointed, love, but I will be better able to focus on the competition if I am not worried ye might collapse amid the spectators.”
“If it is what ye wish, I’ll stay here. Truthfully, I am tired.”
After sending for Elspet, Tadhg said, “I’ll lie beside ye till ye fall asleep again.” She curled up next to him, and he rubbed her back lightly.
She must have fallen asleep even before Elspet arrived. She woke hours later, with the late morning sun streaming in, hearing Elspet talking outside. “I’m sorry, Lady MacBain, she wasn’t feeling well and she is still asleep.”
“Nay, I’m awake now,” Mairead called, “come in.”
Both Annag and Elspet entered. Elspet asked, “How are ye feeling, my lady?” as Annag knelt beside Mairead, putting a hand to her forehead.
“Flan said ye were ill, pet.”
“Oh, I was. I felt dreadful earlier, but I’m feeling much better now. In fact, I’m terribly hungry. I think I just needed a bit more sleep. I have been more tired than usual lately.”
Elspet asked, “My lady, have ye had many mornings like this when ye felt tired and sick?”
“Aye, a few recently, but it doesn’t last.”
Annag smiled. “Does it not? Sweetling, when was the last time your monthly courses came?”
“I’m not sure. It was sometime before Easter, I think. In fact, it wasn’t long after Lent started.”
“So it is well past time they are due?”
“Aye, I suppose it is.”
Annag smiled and shook her head. “Mairead, ye are more tired than usual, sick some days, and your monthly is well overdue. Eight babies have been born at Carraigile in the last five years. Did ye learn nothing from your sisters?”
“I’m going to have a baby?” Mairead asked, dumbfounded.
Annag laughed. “I suspect ye are, little sister. Ye will need to check with a midwife when ye get home to be completely sure.”
“Katy will see to ye,” Elspet said. “Oh, of all years for Ian to be left in charge of Cnocreidh. Rest now, I’ll go get something for ye to eat.”