Free Beast of Caledonia by Kate Poole Page A

at
least for a time.”
    Sara’s gaze took in the extent of the small building. “There
are no windows.”
    “No,” replied Letitia, “it is only a shed, after all.”
    Sara shuddered. “Please, do not let me run out of lamp oil.
I could not bear it.”
    “All right,” Letitia said.
    Sara could tell the woman wanted to ask her some questions,
and she would tell her in time, but not now. She turned to her old nursemaid
and began to cry. “Oh, Thea, you were right. You told me to be careful. Now I
have endangered my life and the baby’s.”
    “I know, my precious girl, I know.” Thea embraced her and
patted her back, trying to comfort her. “There, there, be easy. I will see that
you get away from here as soon as possible. And I will tell him where you are
going so he can find you. You said that young boy was going to help him
escape.” Sara’s throat was so tight with sorrow and fear that she could only nod.
“You will be together soon, I promise.”
    Sara found her voice. “You have never made a promise to me
that you have not kept, Thea. Thank you for making me believe that Annachie and
I being together is possible.”
    “There is a small cot along the back wall,” Letitia said,
“and a chamber pot beneath it. When it is safe, you will be able to walk around
a bit outside but it will not be often. I will bring you meals whenever I can
but it might only be once a day.”
    Letitia sounded so apologetic that Sara hastened to reassure
her. “That will be fine, thank you. I know you are risking your position and
perhaps your life by harboring me here. Why are you willing to do this?”
    Letitia glanced at Thea and said, “We both know how it feels
to lose the man you love. Just once, we would like to see a happy ending.” Then
she smiled, “And if we can tweak the nose of the Empire in doing so, all the
better.” She handed Sara the oil lamp she had carried, and the women left,
closing the door securely behind them.
    * * * * *
    Sara marked the passage of time by the growth of the baby
inside her. Rarely had she asked Letitia what day it was, for the woman had
little time to do anything but give Sara food, empty her chamber pot, and
replenish the oil lamp. The only things keeping Sara sane were her baby,
thoughts of Annachie, and the lamp.
    The oil lamp was her comfort, keeping the dreaded darkness
at bay. At times, when the flame flickered as the fuel burned low, Sara would
remember the darkness of the ancient forest in Caledonia, the grunts of the
boar, and the pain. Oh, gods, the pain. Then the door would open and Letitia
would be there with food and more oil.
    Oftentimes Letitia would come late at night, after the rest
of her household had gone to sleep. Occasionally she was able to bring enough
water for Sara to take a sponge bath.
    “How can I ever repay your kindness, Letitia?” Sara asked
one night.
    Letitia shook her head. “Just have a happy life with your
baby and that man of yours.”
    “Thea has not told you who he is?”
    “No, and it is best that I not know.”
    “Whom did you lose, Letitia?”
    The older woman sighed deeply. “Thea and I are from the same
village. I was in love with her brother, and she was married to mine. When the
Romans came one day, our men fought back. The soldiers killed every one of
them. They took all the women and sold us for slaves.”
    “Oh, Letitia, I am so very sorry.”
    At that moment, the baby gave an especially vigorous kick,
and Sara instinctively placed her hand over her abdomen. Letitia smiled and
bent over to kiss Sara’s belly. “Be well, little one.” Then she faced Sara.
“And you, too, Sara.” She gathered up the bowl from Sara’s last meal. “I must
get back now.”
    Before Sara could thank the woman, she was gone…and Sara was
left alone again in the tiny enclosure.
    * * * * *
    Marilla peeked out from behind the tall hedge bordering the
garden. She watched Letitia close and lock the door of the tool shed across
from where she