Saving Grace

They spent the afternoon together. They looked over the horses first, then made their way down to the meadow to visit Auggie. The old warrior had just returned from the ridge and looked like he was in a foul mood.

"What has you scowling, Auggie?" Joha

Alex saw the soldier's glare and immediately edged behind Joha

"It's all right, Alex," she whispered. "Auggie likes to grumble, but he has a kind heart."

"Like Papa?"

Joha

Auggie waited until the pair reached him before giving an answer for his frown. "I'm ready to give up my game," he a

"This is Alex," Joha

"Of course I remember the lad," Auggie answered. "But I'm in the middle of a sour mood, Joha

Joha

"No, I couldn't spare a few minutes," Auggie muttered even as he motioned the little boy over to his side. "This isn't a child's game. How old are you, boy?"

Alex had a death grip on Joha

"Alex doesn't know how old he is," Joha

Auggie rubbed his jaw with concentration. "Open your mouth, boy. Let me have a look at your teeth. I can tell you how old you are."

Joha

"When it comes to teeth, they could be the same, at least with the young ones."

Alex tilted his head up and opened his mouth. Auggie nodded with approval. "You've been taking good care of your teeth, haven't you now?"

"Papa showed me how to rub them with green hazel and wipe them with a woolen cloth," Alex answered. "I only forget some of the time."

Auggie squinted against the sunlight as he bent down to have a good look.

"He's close to five, I'm guessing. He couldn't be any older. His first teeth are still nice and tight," he explained after he'd reached in and tried to wiggle Alex's two top front teeth. "Too snug for six and two big for three. Aye, he's going on five. I'd wager my game on it."

Alex was finally allowed to close his mouth. He turned his gaze up to Joha

"Almost," she answered. "We'll have to choose a day and give you a proper birthday celebration, Alex. Then you'll officially become five."

Alex had gotten over his fear of the leathery-looking warrior and now begged to play the game. Auggie spent close to two hours supervising the child. Alex didn't understand the word concentrate and he talked nonstop all the while. Auggie was extremely patient with the boy, but he did cast several glares in Joha

Joha

The sun was setting and Alex had started yawning when Joha

She didn't remember what happened next. She opened her eyes and found both Auggie and Alex leaning over her. Alex was crying. Auggie was gently patting the side of her face and trying to soothe the boy at the same time.

It didn't take Joha

"Oh, Lord, I fainted again, didn't I?"

"Again?" Auggie asked, his brow wrinkled with worry. He helped his mistress sit up. Alex immediately sat down on her lap and leaned against her chest. He obviously needed her assurance, she decided. She put her arm around the child and gave him a quick hug.

"I'm quite all right now, Alex."

"You fainted before?" Auggie persisted.

Joha

"It sure as certain was quick," Auggie agreed. He squatted on the ground next to Joha

Auggie was deliberately trying to make light of the topic for the child's sake. He hid his worry as best he could.

"I don't understand what's wrong with me," she whispered.

"You'd best go and see Glynis," Auggie advised. "She knows a few healing tricks."

"She wanted to sew Calum's arm, so she must have some experience," Joha

"No," Auggie countered. "You'll go now. I'll take Alex home."

From the stubborn set of his jaw, Joha

"Alex, let's not mention this faint to your father. We don't want to worry him, do we?"

"Shame on you telling the boy not to…"

"Auggie, I'm thinking of Gabriel's feelings now," Joha

Auggie nodded agreement. He had every intention of telling his laird what had happened, of course; and when his mistress pitched a fit, he'd remind her she hadn't made him give her his promise not to stay a word.

Both he and Alex accompanied Joha

"Lady Joha

"Have I done something to displease you, m'lady?" Glynis asked.

Joha

"Please sit down, Glynis," she requested. "A friend of mine is ill and I would like to gain your advice on what's to be done to help her."

Glynis immediately looked relieved. She sat on the ledge, folded her hands in her lap, and waited for Joha

"Twice now this woman has fainted for no apparent rea son," Joha

Glynis simply nodded. Joha

"Is she dying of some dread disease?"

Joha

"She could be," Glynis replied. "I'm needing more facts before I give you my suggestions for treatment, m'lady. Is your friend young or old?"

"Young."

"Is she married?"

"Yes."

Glynis nodded. "Does she have any other symptoms to speak of?"

"I… that is to say, she awakened feeling very sick and did in fact throw up. Her stomach is queasy most of the morning. Yet when she isn't feeling queasy, she's feeling quite fit."

"I'll have to ask a few personal questions before I give you my opinion, m'lady," Glynis told her mistress in a low whisper.

"I'll answer them if I know the answers," Joha

"Has your friend missed her monthly?"

Joha

Glynis was trying not to smile. "Would you happen to know if her breasts are feeling tender?"