crying of the child greeted them when they entered her chamber. A servant came in with a tray, and Suisan handed the baby to Gwenyth to hold. To Gwenythâs relief, Suisan ate well. Gwenyth peered into the little oneâs face. âSheâs a tiny thing, but she has a strong, lusty cry.â Gwenyth turned back to Suisan. âWe came today to ask for harp lessons for Nola, once you have regained your strength.â
âI would love to teach her. She plays well.â
âExcellent. We thought perhaps Nola might pay for your time by helping with the babe.â Gwenyth didnât want to bring up the issue of fosterage until Adam had a chance to discuss it with William first.
âHow do you feel about that, Nola?â Suisan asked.
âI would very much like the lessons, my lady. And I could be very helpful.â Gwenyth wondered if Suisan sensed Nolaâs lack of real enthusiasm. Nola enjoyed her little brothers but often begged off taking care of them. Perhaps if she fostered with Suisan, she could do other chores and leave the care of the babe to its mother.
Gwenyth laid the now sleeping baby in her cradle and covered her. âWeâll let you rest, Suisan. Iâll make arrangements with William to send for Nola when you are ready.â
When she and Nola rejoined the men in the main hall, Adam gave the briefest of nods. So, they had agreed. Now all that remained was to tell Nola.
They rode home, talking about everything but what lay so heavily on Gwenythâs heart. No matter that her daughter would be less than an hourâs walk away. She would miss her high spirits and willing hands with the work of running a castle.
After the evening meal, Adam rose and asked them both to join him in the solar. He gestured to the bench. Gwenyth pushed aside the tapestry-covered pillows and sat down. Nola sat next to her, on the edge of the seat.
Adam cleared his throat. Evidently he feared Nolaâs reaction as much as Gwenyth herself did. âNola, your mother and I have considered that you might be happier if you were to go away to foster with another family. I know you are older than most girls who leave home, but there is still time.â
âIâm not unhappy, Da.â
âAye, youâre so happy that you would like to go to Edinburgh for harp lessons.â
Nola grinned. âWell, I would like to see a bit of the world.
Motherâs tales of Paris and seeing the world sound like great fun.â
Gwenyth hoped to spare her daughter some of the pain that had accompanied her own journey. âYou might travel thus with a husband one day.â
Nola made a face. âI donât think it likely Iâll marry such a man, do you? Especially if I never leave the glen to meet him.â
Adam shook his head and smiled. âIâm afraid youâll have to settle for a highlander, Nola. For better or worse.â
Nolaâs expression dimmed.
Adam told Nola of the agreement heâd made with William Macpherson.
She leaped to her feet. âFoster with the Macphersons? But you didnât even ask me how I felt about it!â
âParents are not required to ask their children in such matters.
Your mother and I believe this is best for you. You are wanting to escape the confines of Moyâhereâs your chance.â
Nola twisted her hands in her skirt material. âTo live at Inversie!
That wasnât what I had in mind in the way of an adventure.â
âWell, it will have to do for now. Iâll not send you out of the glen.â
Hoping to soften the blow for her daughter, Gwenyth reminded Nola that Suisan truly needed her and that she was willing to provide Nola harp lessons.
âThe harp lessons will be welcome. But do not make plans for me to marry a highlander if the man is Will Macpherson.â
âWhatâs wrong with Will?â Adam demanded. âUniting our families and lands makes perfect
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