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“My ears listen well while my mouth remains firmly shut,” Dolca said with a laugh.
“As your secret has proven,” Bliss said, and gave a sigh. “Unfortunately, I’m not sure what burdens me, and I think that is what disturbs me the most.”
“Give it to fate and let it be.”
“You give much the same advice that I do.”
“My wisdom comes with age; yours has always been.”
Bliss smiled. “You are so like my grandmum, teaching and reminding when I need it.”
“Hester taught you well, I but remind now and again.” A tear caught in the corner of Dolca’s eye. “I miss your grandmum. She was a good friend to me.”
“I miss her terribly, and though no one can replace her, you have filled a great void in my life, and I am grateful.”
They hugged and talked and hugged again, their bond forever strong. Bliss advised Dolca to get a good night’s sleep, for her mettle would be tested once she reached the MacAlpin keep.
Dusk was fading fast as Bliss approached her cottage, and she stopped suddenly as she sensed something so strongly that it startled her. She and Trey would not continue on with Roan and Dolca to MacAlpin village. Their arrival would be delayed, but why?
No answer came, but at least she had been warned.
She entered her cottage, disappointed not to find Trey there, and she shook her head. She had never felt disappointment upon returning home to an empty cottage. Actually, she had enjoyed the solitude, the time simply to be herself, no demands being made of her.
Perhaps that was why, while she wanted to find a man to love and spend her life with, she had hesitated. Could she really share her cottage with someone? Always having someone underfoot?
She laughed. If she had ever known love, she would never have thought of someone’s being underfoot. But still, there were times she needed her aloneness, needed to recuperate from difficult healings. That was when she most sought the solitude of her cottage.
The thought rushed at her, and she was surprised that she had not considered it before though perhaps she hadn’t wanted to.
Trey would expect to live with his family on MacAlpin land, and she expected to remain with her people on Pict land. Neither of them had mentioned it, but a wife was expected to follow her husband. Though Bliss had made friends with Mercy and Tara and loved visiting with them, she still looked forward to going home.
The idea of leaving her home, her people, disturbed her, and she wasn’t sure what to do about it. After giving it too much thought, she decided, as always, that fate would show her what was best.
A faint rap sounded at the door, and Bliss wasn’t surprised to see one of her people there offering her fresh-baked bread. Another villager arrived a few minutes later with a cauldron of stew. It never failed that when she was gone for a day or more, her fellow Picts would arrive with food for her. It was their way of seeing to her care, so that she would be there for them when they needed her.
Again the question haunted her. How could she leave them? They were her people and depended on her. Fate had better hurry and show her an answer.
“What’s wrong?”
Startled, Bliss turned from where she stood by the fireplace to find Trey standing not far from her. She had been so engrossed in her concerns that she hadn’t heard him enter. His unexpected arrival reminded her of another reason she was so comfortable in her home. She never worried about anyone’s entering without permission—everyone respected her privacy. Could she expect the same at the MacAlpin keep, where it seemed no one had time to themselves?
His arm went around her waist though he didn’t tug her up against him as usual. “Something troubles you, tell me.”
It wasn’t a command, but more of an urging, as if he wished to share in her dilemma. Did she discuss this with him now or wait? There was the possibility that it wouldn’t need discussing, that they were not meant to live their lives together.
The thought worried her more than the possibility of leaving her home. It made her realize that when the time came, the problem would be solved, and getting distressed over it now did no good.
“I have no doubt that you can settle my dilemma for me,” she said.
“Tell me what it is, and it will worry you no more.”
“I could not decide if we should enjoy the evening meal or feast on each other first.”
Trey grinned, his actions answering for him. He gave her a kiss that was meant to stir both their passions, and stir them he did, Bliss tingling all over and growing wet with anticipation. Then he scooped her up into his arms and carried her to the bed.
Chapter 22
Morning came too fast for Trey and Bliss. While they had made love once before supper and another time after supper, it was the length of time they had talked while in bed that had prevented sleep. And he had been sorry when they had fallen asleep, for he couldn’t recall a more enjoyable time. Bliss and he had talked about anything and everything. In that few short hours, they had learned much about each other, and he felt all the closer to her and fell all the more in love with her.
