Surely there must be an explanation. She found it almost impossible to believe someone had intended harm to her. Why would anyone wish to do so?
She rubbed her suddenly cold hands together and held them to the fire for warmth.
Her first instinct was to confide this information to Edmund. Yet, this was not a time to burden him. His heart was set on finding out about his birth and his mother. There was time enough to tell him once he’d visited the old midwife and laid to rest all the doubts and pain that had surrounded him since he was a small boy. She could only hope that whatever he discovered about his parents would not hurt him more.
Taking a few deep breaths, Annora slowly regained her calm demeanor. Drawing comfort from knowing she would soon besafely away from the castle, she gathered her cloak again and hurried out the door.
By the time she left the keep and arrived at the courtyard she was looking forward to a day out with Edmund. Riding always made her heart sing, no matter the weather. And she secretly relished every moment she could steal to be alone with Edmund.
Her heart fluttered at the sight of him waiting for her beside the ponies, the reins in his hands and she hurried across the courtyard, a smile lighting her face. There was something in his quiet strength and solid brawn that made her feel safe, despite the uncertainty the Seneschal had planted in her mind.
Edmund helped her into the saddle before mounting his stallion and signaling to the gatekeeper to raise the gate. Within minutes they were galloping towards the clifftops, her hair flying, the salt breeze in her nostrils and the only sounds the whistling wind, the pounding of the ponies’ hooves on the gravelly path and the seabirds wheeling overhead.
The fears that had assailed her at Castle Scorrybreac were soon vanquished and her sunny nature asserted itself as she reveled in the freedom the day presented.
They descended the rocky path to the seashore without misstep and before long had reached the first of the village’s scattered cottages.
After bringing the ponies to a halt, Edmund dismounted, tethering his steed on a low-hanging branch. “Wait here, I just need to find out which is the house of Bernard the fisherman.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Edmund bid farewells and thanked the old man in the cottage who had directed him to his destination. He dipped his head and stepped through the cottage door.
He’d taken only one step along the path when his attention was caught by a noisy disturbance and the sound of a bairn’s shrieks. Following the sound, he felt his heart skip a beat when he saw Annora in a tree and a small group on the ground gazing up.
Without further thought, he broke into a run, dashing frantically down the path and over the rocky terrain to the tree
At that very instant Annora lost her balance. Her scrabbling feet slipped out from under her, and she plunged the short distance to the rocks below. Edmund took one more horrified step, raised his arms, and Annora dropped like a stone, shrieking, into his embrace.
For a moment he savored the feel of her in his arms. He could feel her frightened heart beating fast against his chest as she wound her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder.
It was only then that he took note of the bairn and her mother who were clamoring for his attention.
“Thank ye, milord,” the mother said, bobbing her head in what could pass for a curtsy while clasping her wean tight to her chest. The small lass was beaming, scarcely taking any notice of him. She was clutching a tiny black kitten in her arms gazing with adoration at Annora. “Thank ye, saintly lady, ye’ve saved him. I will thank ye fer the rest of me days fer yer kindness and yer bravery.”
Annora smiled sweetly. “I am happy tae have been of service tae ye.” She turned to Morag. “Now run along and sit by the fire wi’ yer wee moggie Dubh. Gi’ him a saucer of milk and let him sleep after his adventure.” The lass grinned and skipped off with Dubh locked in her arms.
Edmund slowly lowered Annora to the ground, taking note as he did so that she took her time to unwind her arms from around his shoulders. He held her close beside him. The thought that she may have been hurt in the fall, or even worse, had him by the throat like a snake slowly squeezing away his life.
I couldnae bear it if she was lost to me.
He tightened his grip on her waist and pulled her closer.
Once they were alone, Edmund bent and ruffled the top of Annora’s hair.
“Dinnae affright me again like that lass. It crossed me mind fer a moment that ye had done yerself an injury.”
She clicked her tongue. “I only tumbled from the lowest branch, Edmund. Ye had nay need tae fear fer me.” He was still holding her close, not wishing to release her.
“I turn me back and, in a flash, ye’ve won the hearts of a maither and her wee lass.”
She laughed, but stayed close. Together they walked to the place where the horses were tethered.
“Did ye find out where Midwife Catarine lodges?”
He nodded. “’Tis nae far. I’m tae count eight cottages and the ninth is where she bides. Let us walk the horses along the strand so we can gather our breath before we meet wi’ her.”
“Aye. I’d like that.”
