Page 50 of Anice’s Bargain

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Anice’s stomach dropped with James’s declaration.

If she was his hope, and Leila had declared their marriage would be a failure, then James’s well-meaning intentions for his people would not hold promise.

Anice did not tell him as much while he held her in the protection of his large arms, nor did she bring it up again the following day as their belongings were packed into a waiting carriage. Most of their necessities had already been delivered to Caldrick Castle in Carlisle, and the Graham men would follow after Anice and James’s arrival.

What lay only moments ahead was what she’d been dreading most: leaving her family. It had been easy to put from her mind over the past weeks, when her father and sisters were at her side—the same as they had always been. But now, with the cart loaded and the horses saddled, the time had come to face the most difficult part of her marriage.

James put a hand to her shoulder in a gesture both intimate and comforting. “We can come to visit any time ye like.”

Anice nodded and tried to swallow the knot forming in her throat as she walked into the bailey where her family waited with strained expressions. She’d already said her goodbyes to the servants, and had received gifts of their affection upon doing so: a basket of honey pastries from Nan, a small Bible from Bernard, and a very large pot of the sweet-smelling balm from Isla, who gave a flash of a wicked grin with her white teeth when she handed it over.

Leila broke from the clustered line of their family and threw her small arms around Anice. As if knowing what was happening, Piquette broke from Anice’s side and made his way to the sisters, bumping his large body against their legs.

“I didn’t mean what I said.” Leila’s large eyes filled with tears.

Anice knelt, securing the embrace more tightly with her youngest sister.

“I thought I saw…” Leila shook her head. “I’ve made this wrong and it’s not meant to be that way.” She buried her head against Anice’s shoulder and sobbed.

“Don’t think on it any further, Lamb.” Anice smoothed a hand down Leila’s dark, glossy hair. “You can visit once we’re settled, and James has already said we’ll return to Werrick often.”

“I’m sorry,” Leila whimpered.

Anice pressed a kiss to Leila’s warm brow. “Do not think on it again, my sweet sister. Shush now.”

Leila clamped her lips together and nodded. She knew the false assurance for what it was, despite Anice’s insistence. It was far too difficult to lie to the girl who always seemed to know better, even if it had been said for the child’s own good. Anice got to her feet and touched Leila’s solemn face. It was still as preciously soft as it had been when she was a babe.

Catriona was next, with Geordie at her back like a shadow, as the lad always was. Her bow was slung over her shoulder, as much a part of her as her windblown curls. What was usually a bright smile on her comely face was now grave, and her eyes sparkled not with joy, but with tears.

“I will come visit you any time you need me.” Cat gave Anice a fierce hug, all her exuberance squeezed out into that one embrace. “Even if Papa says I can’t go.” This statement was followed by the mischievous grin Anice knew too well.

Anice tucked back a lock of Cat’s golden hair into her braid. “Don’t go getting into trouble on my account. You’ll see me often enough. I’m not so very far away.”

Cat nodded and the stubborn lock sprang free from where Anice had secured it.

“Geordie,” Anice addressed the lad who had been squire to Sir Richard.

The boy leapt to attention like a soldier ready for battle.

“I wish you the best in finding a new charge to train you to knighthood,” she said. “I know you will excel.” And he would, with the ferocity of his determination. She gave him a hug, this boy who was nearly a man, who had been raised alongside her and her sisters. “Take good care of Cat.”

“I swear it on my life.” And he meant it too. Not only in the fortitude of his words, but in the tender, longing way he regarded Cat, whose sole attention was fixed on Anice.

Next came Ella with a small rabbit tucked in the palm of her hand, most likely an injured little beast she’d found in the forest. She cradled it against her body and embraced Anice with care so as not to crush it.

“Mind you stay safe,” Anice cautioned.

Ella nodded, but Anice knew it wouldn’t do any good. The girl would be up in a tree by sundown. The melancholy cast in her gaze said as much.

“I wish…” Ella blinked back tears. “I wish you could have married for love,” she whispered.

Anice pulled her sister into another gentle embrace. “We are safe. That is what matters most.”

Next came Marin. Bran removed the arm slung around his wife’s waist and she came forward.

“I would offer my assistance with setting up the household, but I know you are already aware of what you are doing.” Marin stroked a hand over Anice’s hair. “You’ve done such a lovely job with Werrick Castle, and you were so brave in how you kept everyone safe. I’m so very proud of you.”