17
Margaret’s hands quivered as they tried to raise the latch of the door behind her. Her darting eyes followed her brother’s impatient steps as he paced the small room. He came to a sudden halt.
“So you’ve decided to return to us at last.”
She pressed her back hard against the door and looked down at the rushes on the floor.
“Where were you, Margaret?”
She wiped her wet palms on her skirts, but never raised her eyes.
“Where the Hell have you been, Margaret?”
The vehemence in Allan’s voice caused her to cringe. Hesitantly, she lifted her gaze and looked into his angry eyes.
“Vaw...cuh...”
“Nay. Molly was there, but she said she hadn’t seen you.”
She shook her head and repeated her broken words. “Vaw...cuh...”
“You would never lie to me, now, would you, sister?”
The violent shak
