“That I wasn’t, and still you sound proud of me.” A smile crept over him and he gently wiped the single tear away, and at that moment realized he loved her even more. “I can’t believe that you’re proud of my foolishness.”
Another tear slipped down her cheek. “Love produced your foolishness. Love for me.” She giggled. “I love a fool, how wonderful!” She threw her arms around him.
He hugged her tight and laughed. “You forever make me smile, and over the most senseless things.”
They were about to kiss when they heard footsteps on the stairs. Artair hurried her into the bedchamber. Closing the door on her smile, he said, “We will talk later. I love you.”
Lachlan appeared in the hall, his anxious footfalls slowed when he spotted Artair, and he looked as if he approached with a cautious grin. “Are you my brother?”
Artair clipped him on the shoulder when he got close enough. “Have I made a mess of things?”
“Cavan handled it.”
“He soothed the bishop?”
“Not exactly,” Lachlan said. “Cavan told the bishop that you take your vows seriously and your duties to your wife even more seriously. And part of your vows is protecting your wife and you will do that no matter what the circumstances.”
“My brother defends me.”
“You doubted he would?” Lachlan asked, surprised.
Artair hesitated.
Lachlan laughed. “You gave thought to nothing but defending your wife, and I don’t blame you. Everyone can see how madly in love you two are.”
“Even so, that doesn’t help the situation.”
“True enough, which is why Cavan wants to see you in his solar,” Lachlan said. “Once we can’t produce the marriage document…” He shook his head. “Zia is no longer considered under our protection and the bishop—”
“Can take Zia from us.”
Chapter 32
Zia rejoined her grandmother, easing into the empty chair beside her only a short distance from the bed where Honora slept peacefully. She sighed softly, stretching out her legs in front of her.
“Content, are you?” Bethane asked.
“Ever so much,” Zia said, giving herself a huge hug.
“Artair makes you happy?”
“I never imagined such happiness or that he would fall foolishly in love with me.”
“He is good for you,” Bethane confirmed with a strong nod.
“So you told me from the beginning.”
“You needed to find out for yourself,” Bethane said, glancing at one of the babes, who stirred restlessly in his cradle then settled once again.
Zia sat forward in the chair and took her grandmother’s hand. “All will turn out well, will it not?”
“A problem with the bishop?”
“I’m not sure.”
The door creaked opened and Addie slipped in, closing it quietly behind her. Zia got up and plopped down cross-legged on the floor, leaving the chair vacant for Addie. She shook her head at Addie when the woman tried to protest, and Addie relented with an appreciative smile and sat in the chair.
“There is some trouble,” she whispered.
Bethane and Zia leaned in closer, not wanting to wake Honora or the babes.
Addie continued. “The bishop insists on seeing the marriage documents by tomorrow.”
“Shouldn’t the cleric be here sometime today?” Zia asked.
Addie shook her head. “He’s been detained due to ill health.”
Zia almost laughed for here she was a healer and out of reach of healing the man who could possibly solve all her problems. “What happens now?”
Addie shrugged. “I don’t know. Cavan will meet with Artair to talk over possibilities.”
“Can the bishop’s mind be changed?” Bethane asked.
“I don’t know how,” Addie said again. “The bishop seemed adamant in his edict.”
“What is the bishop doing now, at this moment?” Bethane asked.
“He strolls the village again, visiting, or so he says, but it seems he investigates and interrogates without anyone realizing it. And while many offer praise, they unknowingly provide fodder for doubt.”
Bethane nodded knowingly. “Many do not realize that generous praise can be misconstrued to make an innocent healer appear a witch who works magic.”
“What am I ever to do?” Zia asked, wishing she possessed a magical potion that would chase away ignorant notions.
“Leave it to my sons,” Addie said. “They will find a way.”
“Addie is right,” Bethane said, and reached her hand down to Zia. “What say we talk?”
Zia looked to Addie. “Would you mind watching Honora and the babes for a short time? We’ll be close, in my bedchamber.”