Scottish Destiny

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

When Emma arrived up in the courtyard, the scene she witnessed wasn't what she was expecting.   Gavin was dismounting and Andrew was cradling Evelyn in his arms.   The rest of the McGregor soldiers were dismounting as well.   Murdoch was hovering around, helping them with their mounts and leading them up to the stables.    Angus, she noticed was over by Gavin extending his hand and welcoming Gavin to Castle McKenna.

It was her sister that was worrying her for Andrew was still holding her, he had not put her down yet.   Emma broke out into a run, she wasn't far but her heart was in her chest and now she knew that her sister, something terrible had happened to her.

"Andrew," Emma called out to her husband.   He heard her call his name and turned towards her.  Gavin turned towards her voice as well and Emma noticed he looked tired and haggard.   A lump formed in her throat as she got closer.   Her sister didn't even flinch at the sound of her voice.

Emma tried to keep her emotions guarded, she didn't want to fall apart at seeing her sister's lifeless body in Andrew's arms.   She needed to be strong now, for Evelyn and for Gavin.  For Gavin now was looking at Emma with hope in his eyes, she wasn't a miracle worker but she would do everything in her power to help her sister.

She lovingly caressed her sister's cheek and went over to Gavin now.   She held her arm out to him and he hesitantly took it.   Relief she noticed crossed over his eyes, Emma knew that her sister and Gavin, they both needed help.

"Come," she turned towards the castle steps.   "Let us get ye and Evelyn to your chamber."   Her voice wasn't steady, it quivered a bit when she saw the look of sorrow in Angus' eyes as she passed him.   Andrew followed behind them to the chamber that Emma had prepared just for their arrival.

She made only one stop, to delegate orders among her servants.   A hot bath was to be prepared for Evelyn and a meal of broth also to be brought to their chamber.   She knew by the condition of her sister's skin that Evelyn had not been eating well or not eating at all.

"What has happened Gavin?" Emma asked her brother-in-law as she knelt beside the bed.   She had Evelyn's hand in hers, pale and thin her sister was and Emma's heart was breaking.  Her sister was sleeping peacefully.  Her face so very pale, the blue veins were noticeable underneath her skin.

She felt Gavin move closer to stand behind her, she knew that he was looking down upon his wife.  "Tis a long tale Emma, do ye wish for me to start now?" he asked her, his voice was shaking a bit.

"Nae," Emma replied standing up and placing her hand on his forearm.   "Perhaps ye will wish to bathe yourself, and I wish to care for Evelyn now.  The servants will be coming with the tub, I wish to speak with ye in private," Emma said to him.

A knock on the door, Andrew went to answer as he ushered the servants in to drag the tub by the fire.   Emma started to unlace Evelyn's gown and that was Andrew's cue to leave the chamber.  He told Gavin that he would wait for him in the hall and then take him to the bathing chamber so that he could bathe and change clothes as well.

Gavin and Emma bathe Evelyn gently, found her a clean nightshift to wear and then placed her back into the bed.  With a kiss upon her forehead, Gavin left his wife in her sister's care as he went to find Andrew so that he may refresh himself.   A journey that was only supposed to take two days, ended up taking them four.  Evelyn's condition was very severe and Gavin went as slow as possible for her comfort and safety.

Emma was ushering the servants out of the chamber, asking only one of the younger girls to stay behind, when she heard her name being called faintly.  She immediately rushed over to Evelyn's side and sat on the edge of the bed.  She watched her sister struggle to open her eyes, they flutter and then closed but then they opened again and stayed open.   A soft smile Emma saw her sister make, "I'm so happy to be here," Evelyn whispered out.  Her voice was hoarse, very dry.