The Promise of Peace by Carol Umberger

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 Gwenyth’s relief, Suisan ate well. Gwenyth peered into the little one’s face. “She’s a tiny thing, but she has a strong, lusty cry.” Gwenyth turned back to Suisan. “We came today to ask for harp lessons for Nola, once you have regained your strength.”
    â€œI would love to teach her. She plays well.”
    â€œExcellent. We thought perhaps Nola might pay for your time by helping with the babe.” Gwenyth didn’t want to bring up the issue of fosterage until Adam had a chance to discuss it with William first.
    â€œHow do you feel about that, Nola?” Suisan asked.
    â€œI would very much like the lessons, my lady. And I could be very helpful.” Gwenyth wondered if Suisan sensed Nola’s 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. “We’ll let you rest, Suisan. I’ll make arrangements with William to send for Nola when you are ready.”
    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 Gwenyth’s heart. No matter that her daughter would be less than an hour’s 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 Nola’s reaction as much as Gwenyth herself did. “Nola, 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€œI’m not unhappy, Da.”
    â€œAye, you’re so happy that you would like to go to Edinburgh for harp lessons.”
    Nola grinned. “Well, I would like to see a bit of the world.
    Mother’s tales of Paris and seeing the world sound like great fun.”
    Gwenyth hoped to spare her daughter some of the pain that had accompanied her own journey. “You might travel thus with a husband one day.”
    Nola made a face. “I don’t think it likely I’ll marry such a man, do you? Especially if I never leave the glen to meet him.”
    Adam shook his head and smiled. “I’m afraid you’ll have to settle for a highlander, Nola. For better or worse.”
    Nola’s expression dimmed.
    Adam told Nola of the agreement he’d made with William Macpherson.
    She leaped to her feet. “Foster with the Macphersons? But you didn’t even ask me how I felt about it!”
    â€œParents 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 Moy—here’s your chance.”
    Nola twisted her hands in her skirt material. “To live at Inversie!
    That wasn’t what I had in mind in the way of an adventure.”
    â€œWell, it will have to do for now. I’ll not send you out of the glen.”
    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.
    â€œThe harp lessons will be welcome. But do not make plans for me to marry a highlander if the man is Will Macpherson.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with Will?” Adam demanded. “Uniting our families and lands makes perfect