"Chief MacTavish and his wife will be with us, along with their clansmen," Torr said. "I want them to be safe."
Looking even more worried, Aggie nodded again.
Cat's stomach knotted and ached. She clenched her fists, wanting to hold onto Torr with all her might. He was her husband in body and spirit, even if not legally yet. What if her clan or the MacPeters ripped him from her grasp?
"We will leave in an hour or so." Torr bowed, then exited.
"You must eat, m'lady, then I will help you dress for the journey," Aggie said.
"I'm nay hungry." Cat stared longingly at the door, wishing she could follow Torr. Her stomach was too upset from worry to eat. What if her clan and the MacPeters joined up to attack Torr and Gavin's clan? 'Twould be her fault.
"Why was Sir Torr in your chamber this early?" Aggie's mouth tightened with disapproval.
"He was wishing me a good morn." She dared her maid to argue the point. Besides, the older woman had to know what was going on. She was not naïve.
"Och. What is this?" Aggie reached down and picked up Torr's sporran from the floor beneath the settle.
"He must have dropped it." Cat took it from her and set it on the table by the door. "He will be back for it." She tried to ignore her maid's look of censure, but 'twas like an auger drilling into her back.
The tension grew oppressive.
"Is it because he's not a chief?" Cat snapped. "Is that why you disapprove of Torr so strongly?"
Aggie gave a slight shrug and turned away to fold some of the clothes on the chair. "You're disobeying your mother and your clan."
"But not my chief. Brodie did not order me to marry that boorish brute. Nor will he, ever."
"Your mother made a decision in your brother's absence."
Cat ground her teeth. "A mad and foolish decision."
Aggie gasped, appearing shocked.
"If you love MacPeter so much, you marry him," Cat offered.
"Humph. I'm a maid. 'Tis a ridiculous notion."
"Are you saying if you were me, you would marry him over Torr?" Cat asked in dumbfounded disbelief.
Aggie thought for a long moment, making Cat wonder about her sanity. The woman had no inkling what MacPeter was really like.
"Consider the daily beatings," Cat added.
Aggie narrowed her eyes. "I'm neither a lady nor young, so 'twill never happen."
"Anyone who would choose MacPeter over Torr is daft. Torr professed his love for me."
Aggie nodded and continued straightening the room. "I hope he can provide for you and give you a comfortable life."
"He was the spokesman for his brother, and now that the curse is banished, he will be again."
"I hope you're right. And I hope Chief Brodie approves."
Cat was thankful Aggie did not persist in her disapproval. The woman had been her maid near her whole life, and she did not wish to relieve her of her duties.
After eating a few bites of bannock, Cat wondered why Torr had not returned for his sporran. He probably didn't want conflict with Aggie again.
Cat pulled on a cloak over the smock and headed toward the door.
