She wrapped another surcoat over the one she was wearing and left. The yard was full of busy labor. But it was the young McJames’ captain that she had to escape the watch of now. He was instructing a younger lad with a bow, showing the boy how to aim. They let the arrow fly and it soared over the stable. With a good-natured laugh, the captain climbed onto the roof to seek the arrow out.
Anne hurried out of the gate while he was distracted, searching along the thatched roof for the arrow shaft. If fortune favored her, he would never know that she had descended from her chamber. There were many on the road. Carts full of newly cut grass and goods. She was merely one more walking with the others, her woolen surcoat blending with the tartans of the others.
The bells did not ring. She kept walking, hugging to her heart the knowledge that Bonnie was safe. Her child kicked and she walked faster, determined to see him born legitimate.
Helen peeked into the chamber that night. Lifting a hand to her lips, she cautioned the maids to be quiet. Pointing them toward the fireplace, she stepped lightly across the floor to retrieve the letter.
Bonnie stood quietly on the steps, waiting to be told what to do.
Helen did not worry that the mistress had retired early. Her time was growing near, the babe taking more of her energy. News from her mother had no doubt made her teary as well. Tomorrow she’d try to keep the mistress away from herding geese. Soon it would be time to have Agnes moved into Sterling. The arrival of first babes was always hard to anticipate, but if the mistress was taking to her bed, the time must be growing near.
Motioning to the maids, she hurried them from the chamber. The fire popped and crackled. Helen shut the door to leave the mistress in peace.
“Och now, she’s sleeping already. I’ll see to settling ye and ye may spend tomorrow chatting.”
Bonnie let the kind hands of the maid shepherd her to a bed. Horror and fatigue made it impossible to think. All that mattered was that she and Anne were sleeping someplace far removed from Cameron. She fell into a fretful sleep.
Cameron pressed his men to ride through the night. The trip was faster because a good amount of it was downhill. Anne did not care for she wouldn’t have slept anyway. Not with having witnessed the unseemly lust in Philipa’s lackey’s eyes. Instead, she noticed the stark difference between her two journeys. Brodick’s retainers with their honest service and Cameron with his bullies. She had willingly stayed near the kitchens at Warwickshire because Cameron’s group of men were known for debauchery. Philipa never reprimanded them because they did her bidding, no matter how foul.
They crossed onto English soil shortly after dawn. Anne tightened her hands on the saddle. By night, she’d be standing in Philipa’s presence again.
Sterling
Helen screamed for the first time in years. She ripped the bed curtains as she tried to find her mistress. It made no sense!
The maids flew from the chamber, their shrieks awakening the manor. Retainers rushed in from the yard, hesitating for a moment when they realized the commotion was coming from the mistress’s chamber.
“The mistress is missing.”
Helen shouted, pulling on her hair. “I dinnae ken. She mussed the bedding to look as if she were there. I should have checked.”
“You cannot blame yourself.” Bonnie’s soft voice froze everyone in their tracks. She stood at the door, her face shining with tears. “Philipa has always hated her more than any other.” She shuddered, hugging herself. “But my sister is the kindest soul, always thinking of others first.”
Captain Murry gripped her by the upper arms.
“Tell me where the mistress is.”
Bonnie recoiled from his touch, her heels sliding on the stone floor as she tried to escape. Panic held her features as she pushed and struggled. The man looked confused by her reaction.
“Don’t touch me. Please don’t touch me.” Bonnie’s voice was a thin wail that stirred pity in everyone in the room.
“I’ll let ye loose if ye tell me what goes on here.”
Bonnie bobbed her head up and down. The captain released his grip on her, careful to do it slow enough so that she didn’t fall in a heap. He placed his body between her and the door, making it clear that he would get what he wanted.
“Philipa has ordered her back to Warwickshire else she will set our brothers to sea for the New World.”
“That’s insanity. There is nothing across the ocean save death for those foolish enough to sail toward it.” Helen shook her head and even made the sign of the cross over her body.
“That’s why Anne went. She knows that Philipa means to do it if Anne does not return.”