Free Knight's Legacy by Trenae Sumter Page B

much more adept at dealing with the practical aspects of her life here than longing for her past. Cat was never one to sit and whine for something she could not change. Merlin appeared to her twice. Maybe she would have to wait for him to appear again.
    Afraid of being vulnerable with Roderic, she was running away from him, but he was, after all, her husband. Roderic might be a man of honor and integrity, but he was in a position of power over Cat, and she was not ready to accept that. A man could treat his wife any way he chose in this time. Cat remembered reading that the expression ‘rule of thumb’ came from a law in early England that forbid a man to beat his wife with any stick wider than his thumb; a stick smaller than that was, of course, perfectly acceptable.
    Cat Terril would never tolerate such behavior, from Roderic, or any man. Lady Brianna, however, would be forced to suffer her husband’s wrath. Cat knew it would be impossible to root out traits in her personality that would be unlike Brianna. Knowing her faults well, she acknowledged them; she was stubborn and, at times, reckless. Those traits had served her well in her time. Taking no note of the danger to life and limb in her work, she plunged in with abandon and was rewarded for being fearless in a profession dominated by men. It was not an attribute that would be appreciated in Lady Brianna Montwain.
    Cat felt a sudden respect for all the actors she had worked with in the past. The part of Brianna was, for Cat, a creative stretch. A medieval wife would be submissive to her husband. Brianna would take these men back to the keep, to the priest.
    Yet, what if Cat could help the woman? She pulled her horse up to stop.
    â€œIf your wife’s condition is that serious, we have no time to lose. Send these men with the boy. He will take them to the priest. I don’t know if I can help, but I would like to try. You could take me to your wife.”
    The large man’s expression was one of suspicion.
    â€œYou are the daughter of Calum Mackay, yet ye speak as though ye are English,” he accused.
    Cat did her best to lend a slight brogue to her accent.
    â€œNay. My husband is an Englishman. What does it matter if I can help? Please, let me try.”
    He stared into her eyes as if assessing her character while the other men admonished him not to trust her. He held up his hand to silence them. Cat was sure he looked at her for a full five minutes before he spoke.
    â€œSo be it. I have nothing to lose.” He turned to the men. “Ye take the boy and do as she says. Fetch the priest. I will go back now … for if I am to lose Helen, and she leaves this world, I want to be by her side before it is too late.”

    Cat rode swiftly with Maitland to his holding. He made haste to bring her inside and did not stop to make introductions, but brought her immediately to his wife’s chamber. The Laird spoke briefly to the midwife as the woman sat at the end of the bed, her hands under the blanket, between the lady’s legs.
    â€œShe’s come from the Mackay holding. She married Montwain, but she offered to help, and I’ve sent the others for the priest.”
    The older woman stood to glare at Cat. She had long, gray hair and was tall, large-boned, and looked capable of throwing Cat out of the chamber bodily.
    â€œA Mackay that means to help?” The woman spoke in outraged disbelief.
    â€œAye, and if it be my decree, ye shall bend to it!” The Laird could be formidable, for when his eyes turned stormy and he pinned the midwife with his glare, she relented.
    â€œBe you a healer, lady?” she asked. Cat knew if she was thought incompetent she would not be allowed inside the chamber, so she answered the midwife affirmatively.
    â€œAye, for many a birthing I’ve seen.” Cat did not go on to explain that all the births were foals. Robert Maitland sat down behind his wife to prop her shoulders upon his