Time and Tide (41 page)

‘So Gib is going too,' Hew smiled.

‘The lass would not be parted from it,' Robert murmured grimly. ‘God knows, you owe me for this!'

‘Quite right,' answered Hew. ‘For what could be more useful than a cat, both aboard the ship and at the beguinage? Gib Hunter will like it in Ghent. He will be a Flemish cat, and chase the Flemish mice,' he said to Lilias.

Lilias said, ‘
Ghent
. Will I like it there too?'

‘You will like it best of all,' he promised her, ‘because within the walls, you can go where you please, and you can make your whirligigs, with no one to make eyes at you. And as I have a nephew, you will have a niece. Lotte is her name, and she has flaxen hair, and pale blue eyes like you.'

Gib Hunter gave a melancholy yowl. ‘Tis likely he will settle on the ship,' said Maude.

Robert snorted. ‘Aye, well, we had best be off. Come then, little lass . . . and wife,' he added awkwardly.

‘This marriage is annulled, you say, as soon as we arrive in Ghent?' he repeated anxiously to Hew.

‘As soon as they are settled in the convent,' Hew agreed. ‘For no man can be forced to stay married to a nun.'

‘I will take them to the gate, and that is all,' Robert Lachlan warned. ‘I shall not step a foot inside the nunnery.'

‘Your fear of nuns, I see, is absolute,' said Hew. ‘Ask for Mother Ursula. She will see to all. I have no doubt they will be loved, and welcomed there. Though it will take a while to learn the Dutch, the
nuns are keen to teach, and Maude is quick to learn. And Lilias will have a freedom she has never known.'

Maude said, ‘I am afeared, sir. You send me to a land of windmills. Always, I will think of him, and what it was I did to him. What sort of life is that?'

‘I hope that you may find your peace. I know no other way to save you, Maude. Forgive me, for I saw no other way,' the plea was half to her, and half to God.

‘Well, sir,' Robert said, ‘tis time.'

Hew held out his hand. ‘God speed you, Robert. Do not fear the nuns. For it is a brave thing that you do.'

‘Brave?' Robert gazed at him through narrow, searching eyes. ‘It would take more than a trip to the nunnery to clear my conscience of its sins – and before you ask it, I do have a conscience.'

‘That I have never doubted,' answered Hew.

Robert offered Lilias his hand and helped her climb into the little lighter craft, laying down the basket with Gib Hunter in her lap. Gib seemed to settle at the murmur of her voice; she crooned a little song to him. Hew knew not what the wind would bring them, but he hoped it would be peace. Robert had returned for Maude, who bowed down her head, and stepped into the boat, without once looking back. Hew watched them till the little craft had landed by the ship and three small figures climbed upon the deck. The wind was light and cold, the day was fair to sail, as the first pale trails of sunlight rose across the bay. Hew shivered. Maybe, in an hour or two, he would call on Meg.

Giles had woken early, and was standing by the crib, looking at the infant in the moon's faint fading light.

‘Do you think he has my eyes?'

‘He has your eyes,' Meg humoured him. ‘Now let him close them. Leave him to his rest.'

‘He has your brother's chin,' persisted Giles, ‘I hope he will not prove as stubborn.'

‘Are you angry with Hew still?' asked Meg.

‘You know that I am not.'

‘Giles, come back to bed.'

He lay down on the counterpane, and allowed her head to settle on his shoulder. Absently, he stroked her hair. ‘Would you kill for Matthew?' he inquired.

‘In a heartbeat, if I had to.'

‘So would I.'

They were a moment silent. Then Meg asked, ‘What are we to do with Hew?'

‘Hhm? Should we be doing something?'

‘He means to fall in love again.'

‘Then that is to the good. Though I had not remarked it.'

‘He means to fall in love with Clare Buchanan.'

‘Ah. Then not so good.' conceded Giles. ‘But there is nothing we can do. You know as well as I, that your brother will not listen to the counsel of his friends. He has a head for danger, and must see it out.'

‘Then you are both alike.'

‘Do you think so?' Giles considered. ‘I suppose there's truth in that. Do you mind it, Meg? You never did before. But things are different now. We have a child.'

‘It makes a difference, aye. But I do not mind it much. So long as you come home to us,' Meg murmured sleepily. ‘You make our world complete.'

Giles gazed at her, and at the sleeping bairn. ‘Then I am well content. For in my eyes, you make the world.'