Forget Me Not, My Scottish Love by Allie Palomino
Chapter Seventeen
Two weeks passed, and Gillyanne was quite docile. She couldn’t remember what had happened to her or who did it to her. She didn’t make any rude remarks and there was no malice. Abby took this as a sign for the better. An understanding had formed between them.
“Bess! May I have a moment?”
Abby ran to the woman and pulled her aside. Bess’ gaze stayed on Gillyanne where she sat before the fire next to Abby’s vacated chair.
“I have a question but I’m needing it to be kept a secret.”
Bess moved her further away and nodded. “Aye, lass. I shall keep it so.”
Abby nodded and gripped her hands tightly. It contradicted the excitement Bess saw in her eyes.
“How does one know if,” Abby stopped and looked around, “she is with child?”
Bess’ eyes widened and she looked down at Abby’s flat tummy. It was hard to miss the joy that began to blossom on Bess’ eyes.
“What are ye feelin’, lass?”
Abby’s smile threatened to bloom as she spoke. “Well, I feel ill in the morns. At times, I’ve been wanting to heave the contents of my stomach. I’m very tired, sleeping a bit too much but trying to mask so that no one suspects me ill. I feel a bit unstable as if I will swoon or fall. That has me concerned.” She blushed just then, and said in a hushed tone, “I have to relieve myself more often.”
Bess smiled and Abby grabbed her hands. “Tell me, Bess. Could it be?”
Bess slowly nodded. “Aye lass. When did ye last ‘ave yer monthly?”
Abby thought on this for a moment. “I have definitely missed one.”
Bess smiled and squeezed Abby’s hands. “I knew ye were a miracle when ye first came ‘ere.” Bess took a moment to compose herself, but Abby saw the tears in her eyes. “Aye. ‘Twill be a great time ‘ere with the laird’s bairn.”
Abby gripped Bess’ hands and gave them a light shake. “You must not tell anyone yet. Let us wait to be certain. I won’t have the family’s hopes aroused, especially that of Cameron’s, and then be disappointed.”
Bess nodded. “I willna tell a soul.”
Abby’s smile was wide. “I am happy, Bess. So very, very joyous, I can barely contain it.” With one final squeeze of Bess’ hands, Abby left to return to her seat by the fire. Bess’ eyes narrowed on Gillyanne, as the other woman watched from afar.
“I doona trust her, Bess,” Amy whispered as she came to stand next to her. They looked over to Gillyanne and Abby sitting by the fire, talking.
“Aye, neither do I,” Bess said. “I doona believe that wench can change overnight. I said so to Abby, but she just shook ‘er head, saying that trauma changes a lass.”
“Aye, she said that she understands Gillyanne. That her father was much the same with her mother and that she had been hit before by him, too.”
“Our Lady is far too innocent an’ trusting, an’ Gillyanne takes advantage o’ that,” Bess said, shaking her head. “I’m keepin’ my eye on that one. She’ll nay be foolin’ me,” Bess said, and left the room.
Margery came in with tea.
“Oh Margery, ye’re so thoughtful, but Gillyanne had brought me tea earlier. It was quite good, too,” Abby said with a nod of her head.
Margery curtsied and left, but was called over by Amy.
“I’ll drink that, Margery, so it willna go to waste.”
“I’m sorry, Amy, I should have brought ye some, but ‘tis a good thing ye can have this tea since Gillyanne made Abby hers,” Margery said apologetically, but her interest was caught by the two in front of the fire. Her doubt was echoed in her face.
“Nay, no need to apologize. I know.” Amy paused and took a sip. “I doubt her as well,” Amy said, looking over to the pair. Margery looked at Amy stunned.
“I’m beggin’ yer pardon, Amy, ‘tis just that-”
“No need. Bess and I were thinking much the same. I doona trust her.”
“Aye, neither do I,” Margery said on a sigh and left.
Later that evening, Cameron, Keith, and Aidan were seated at the table discussing matters concerning the clan, when Amy and Alice approached. They sat down.
“Cameron, ye must keep yer eye on Gillyanne,” Alice said sternly. He recognized the look in her eye.
“Mother, I know. But Abby-”
“Cameron, listen to me. She’s up to something. She’ll hurt Abby.”
“I’ve warned Gillyanne, Mother. I told her that if she behaves as she did before towards my wife, she would be tossed out of here. I made it very clear to her.”
“She’s pure evil, Cameron. Ye never saw because ye wanted to get underneath her skirts, but ‘tis the truth. Keep alert, she’s intent on something,” Alice said, and left the table with Amy.
“They really never liked Gillyanne. Must be a woman thing,” Cameron said.
“Actually no, Cameron, it isna solely a woman thing. I never liked Gillyanne, either,” Keith said.
“Neither did I,” Aidan said.
Cameron looked at them in surprise. “Why?” He despised Gillyanne now as well, but why had his family not liked her?
“She was after a title, Cameron. She didna care for ye, and there was word from some men that she had a large appetite and rutted with many.”
Cameron narrowed his eyes at them and looked over to Gillyanne and Abby. Abby was sewing and Gillyanne was staring at his wife.
“I would like more tea, Abby, would ye like some more?”
“Actually, yes, it’s quite good. Thank you,” Abby said, smiling.
“Gillyanne would never be subservient, Cameron, and well ye know that,” Keith said.
Abby looked up and saw Cameron staring. She smiled at him and stood up, bringing her knitting project over.
“Do you like it? I made it using our clan colors,” she said, kissing his brow.
He wrapped his arms around her and rested his head on her chest. She combed back his hair with her fingers and leaned down to kiss his head. He sat back again and nodded.
“Aye, Abby, it looks verra fine. Ye look radiant, love.”
Abby studied him for a long moment, a smile playing on her lips. He had the feeling there was something to her stare, but then she spoke and broke the spell.
“Thank you. Excuse me, husband.” She kissed him and returned to her chair. Gillyanne came back with the tea.
An uncomfortable feeling settled over Cameron.
He would keep an eye on Gillyanne.