Cora appeared reluctant and it took her a moment to speak. “I have arrived earlier than usual since Stuart is not here. I must do his chores as well as my own.”
“Why?” Cree asked.
Again, Cora was reluctant to speak. She appeared to force herself to do so. “Stuart is my husband, so it is my responsibility to see to his chores when he is unable to.”
“Your husband should have thought of the consequences of his foolish actions not only for himself but for you as well,” Cree said.
“Aye, my lord,” Cora said, the quiver in her voice stronger and tears glistening in her eyes.
Cree shook his head when his wife went to the woman and patted her on the shoulder and smiled. The woman stared at her in shock.
“All will not be fine yet for her and her husband,” Cree said, annoyed.
Dawn kept a smile on her face as she returned to her husband’s side and curled her arm around his and led him from the kitchen. Everyone there stared after the couple wondering how the voiceless woman commanded the mighty Cree with such ease.
Dawn was glad that Henry waited for Cree in the Great Hall. It diverted his attention away from Stuart, a subject that only added to his annoyance.
“What have you found?” Cree demanded, finished with the subject of Stuart for now.
“Nothing so far, my lord. The falling snow and the numerous tracks left by others near the kitchen masks whatever track Hume had left. I am going to see if I can find anything once inside the woods not far from the kitchen.”
Dawn stepped forward and pointed to Henry, then to the food and drink on the table.
Henry understood her offer. “Thank you, my lady, but with the snow falling ah cannae dally. I will eat when I am done.” After a respectful nod to the couple, he was off, two warriors joining him.
“That is why he is a superior tracker and why I can count on him every time,” Cree said with pride and turned to Dermid. “Did any of my warriors see anything? And what of the sentinels stationed near the kitchen, did they see anything at all?”
“I can only tell you what I have heard through others since I have not spoken to anyone myself. No one seems to have seen anything. There are whispers that the demon makes himself invisible, unable to be seen by anyone. That is why he is able to snatch a person and sneak off with him.”
“That is possible,” Flora said with a slight cough to her voice upon entering the room. Speaking loud enough to be heard was placing far too much of a strain on her ailing throat. She waited until she drew closer to continue and in a much lower tone. “There are tribes that paint themselves to blend with their surroundings, making themselves seem invisible.”
“That is nonsense,” Newlin said, hurrying into the Great Hall, Tavia following him and shaking her head.
“Because you believe it untrue does not make it so,” Flora said. “It would be much wiser of you to open your mind to possibilities before you lose more of your clan.” She turned her head as another cough caught her.
Tavia went to her. “You really need to be silent until your throat heals.”
Flora nodded, knowing she was right. “Difficult,” she whispered.
“It will do you good to keep silent, or I will never be able to find you a husband,” Newlin said.
Flora shook her head.
Newlin shook a finger at her. “You may not want to wed, but I have a duty to your father to see that you do. A husband and children will do you much better than any nonsense your father and mother taught you. There is much beauty here in the Highlands, but you need a husband to protect you against its harshness. Isn’t that right, Lord Cree?”
Cree took his wife’s hand, thinking how difficult things would be for her if she was not his wife. “Newlin is right. You need a husband.”
Dawn wanted to disagree, but she was far too aware of the truth to their words. Even though women were courageous and resilient, alone they were vulnerable to any number of dangers—men being one of them. Having a man—a good man—provided a safety that was necessary here in the Highlands and she imagined other places as well.
“I will find you a good husband, Flora. Have no fear of that,” Newlin said.
Flora shook her head, knowing it was futile to argue, but still letting her uncle know she had no interest in marriage. Keeping silent, even though she had much to say, she went to sit at the table closest to the hearth.
Tavia walked over to the table to join her.
Dawn could feel her husband’s anxiousness to be off to talk with his warriors and see what he could find for himself. She had no desire to join him since a chill was already creeping through her and she was hungry.