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“Aye,’tis time fer him to seriously consider it,” his father added. “I need grandsons to carry on the McKenna legacy.”
There was a murmur of agreement from those near enough to hear the laird’s remarks. James refilled his goblet and took a long drink.God help me. ’Tis going to be a very long evening.
Emotions scattered, Davina somehow managed to negotiate the dimly lit hallways and find her chamber. Thankfully, someone had left a candle burning, though the chamber was filled with dark shadows. Heart racing, nerves drawn tight as a bow string, she scurried to her small trunk and started pawing through it, crying out in relief when her fingers closed around the medicine bottle.
Her fingers shook, clumsy with nerves, as she struggled to remove the cork. So intent was her concentration, she didn’t hear the chamber door open.
“Gracious, milady, whatever are ye doing?”
Davina bit back her startled scream and slowly got to her feet. “Help me, please,” she implored, holding out the bottle.
Colleen shrank away, her face twisted with disapproval. “That’s not the answer. In truth, I believe it makes things far worse.”
“What?”
“Ye heard me. Forgive me fer speaking so boldly, but it needs to be said. That medicine is nothing but a crutch and one that has imprisoned ye. Just as yer aunt and uncle have done all these years.”
An indignant shiver raced up Davina’s spine. “They love me!”
“Aye, they do. But their coddling has not helped ye. It’s made ye a prisoner in both yer mind and body.”
“No longer! I’m here, away from Armstrong Castle.”
“That ye are, and I cannae be prouder of how far ye have come in conquering yer demons. But rendering yerself senseless with that medicine willnae aid ye in regaining yer strength and independence.”
Davina pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, worrying it back and forth as a niggling thought played over and over in her mind. Colleen had voiced one of Davina’s greatest worries. She knew the benefits of the medicine had long since faded—’twas the very reason she had resisted using it for the past year.
“Take it,” Davina said impulsively.
Colleen’s eyes widened and Davina faltered. Yet before she could change her mind, Colleen snatched the bottle away. “What shall I do with it?”
Davina took several deep breaths until she felt calmer. “Empty the contents in the privy.”
Colleen’s wide smile of approval eased the bolt of panic Davina felt as the widow hurried to follow the instructions. Needing a distraction, Davina began to prepare for bed. With all the excitement of James’s unexpected arrival, she doubted the servants—or Lady Aileen—would remember that she had been promised a bath.
No matter. Davina would manage. She poured water from the pitcher into a basin and washed her face and hands, not minding that it was cold.
She removed her veil and circlet and started unbraiding her hair. Colleen returned just as she finished, and the widow helped her change out of her gown and into her nightclothes.
Davina folded her hands, ready to begin her nightly prayers, but her mind froze. What could she ask of God? Relieve her of this nightmare situation? Return her to a time when the love she shared with James was young and innocent?
Knowing the impossibility of those wishes, Davina recited her usual litany of prayers and ended by asking God to bless all the McKennas and Armstrongs. She then climbed into the narrow bed and hastily pulled the furs and blankets up to her chin.
The straw mattress was firm beneath her back, but it felt luxurious after spending so many nights sleeping on the hard ground.
“Do ye have enough warm covers?” Davina asked, as Colleen settled herself on the pallet near the wall.
“Aye,’tis a welcome feeling of warmth to snuggle beneath them. And ye?”
“I’m fine. Good night, Colleen. And thank ye fer all that ye have done.”
The widow muttered a soft reply. Colleen’s gentle snores soon filled the chamber. ’Twas a comfort knowing she was not alone, but the noise was distracting, making it even harder to sleep.
Davina took several deep, long breaths, shut her eyes tight, and commanded herself to sleep. But her mind refused to quiet, playing over and over the sight of James walking into the great hall.
Muttering with frustration, Davina threw off the covers and rose from the bed. The chamber felt closed and airless. She paced its confines slowly, carefully, mindful of the sleeping Colleen. Yet it didn’t help. Pale moonlight spilled from the very narrow window, drawing her toward the fresh air, but there was little breeze blowing.
Turning back to her bed, Davina yanked off a wool blanket and draped it over her shoulders. Her chamber was at the end of the short corridor. She had noticed an archway just beyond it and assumed the staircase led to the battlements—where she would find the much-needed fresh air.
