Where Amber was going was anyone’s guess. But Lavina’s heart clenched. She wanted to be there for the girl, to reassure her that all would be well.
Yet, how could she say such things when she wasn’t sure they were true? Not to mention that it was Maisie who Theo went to bring back. How could she not be there for her family?
“Let the lass go,” Stephen urged. “She’s got a spot she’ll go to, and I promise, that’s where ye’ll find her.”
“Right,” Lavina sighed. “I’m to stay and make sure that nay one touches the second horse.”
“That’s right. If something has happened to the Laird, I’m goin’ to need a fresh horse, ye understand?” Stephen asked.
Lavina bobbed her head. “Let’s hope ye dinnae need it.”
Stephen pressed his lips into a tight line. The smile he flashed was forced, but to her surprise, it offered comfort. She followed behind him as he trotted out of the stables and stopped outside the doors as he took off.
“Please bring them back to me,” she whispered, watching as he turned into nothing but a brown blob as he rode south. “Bring him back to me.”
Her chest tightened as she fought back the intrusive thoughts determined to steal her hope. The what-ifs and uncertainties raked across her mind like the blades that had marred Theo’s flesh. It was torment, having to wait with such clouds hanging over her head.
“What if he comes back without her? Dear Lord, please, nay.”
Lavina stared off into the distance as the mist thickened. It hung low over the earth and swallowed the path. She chewed on her nails as every sound caused her ears to perk up.
Craning her neck to spy over the ridge, her heart sank when she saw no sign of them. Even Stephen had disappeared. She strained her ears, hoping to hear something or feel the pounding of hooves on the ground as they rushed back to her.
But there was nothing. Only empty space with nothing but worry to fill it.
She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her middle as if they were enough to keep her from falling to pieces.
“Ye shouldnae worry,” a husky voice said, startling her.
She turned her head, half expecting to find her uncle standing behind her.
“I promise ye, when ye feel like there’s nothing left for ye to do, ye should pray.”
“I am,” Lavina confessed, watching the old man grab the rake and start mucking out the nearby stall.
“Aye, that’s a good lass,” he mumbled. “But I think it’s best if ye stay in the keep. The weather looks like it’s goin’ to turn.”
“I’ll stay here, if it’s all right with ye,” Lavina answered.
She tried to ignore the prickling sensation at the back of her neck. The man irked her far more than he should. The guilt of being so short with him grated on her.
“Ye’re Lady McGowan; ye do as ye please. I’m just the stable master. Pay nay mind to me.”
“Ye’re the one they call Marcus, are ye nae?” she asked.
Marcus bobbed his head. “Aye. Heard of me, have ye nae?” he huffed as he moved between the stalls, dragging the rake behind him.
“Well, nae really, but I heard Theo use yer name in passin’,” she admitted.
Marcus flashed her a gentle, wrinkled smile that reminded her of her grandparents.
“Isnae that nice?” he said. “I’ve kenned Theo since he was a babe. He’s been tough since I can remember. There’s nay way he’ll let anyone best him. He just doesnae have it in him.”
There was some comfort in his words, but Lavina wanted more than that.
She wanted Theo’s arms wrapped around her body, pulling her to him as he whispered that all was well. She wanted to feel safe and secure with her sister and Amber. Yet everything hung on a breath, on a hope that he would return victorious.
Saying a silent prayer, she turned around. Her ears perked up at the sound of hooves thundering across the field.
