I posted this in 90 days only by mistake so am reposting here for traffic. 
I read a book years ago and can’t remember the title, the author or indeed much of the plot. I hope that somebody can come to my rescue!
I think I probably read it around 20 years ago although I don’t think it was a new title then. I think the author was female, although I can’t swear to that.
It was set in Scotland during the time of the plague (1350ish?) and the main character was a young woman who was in charge of a town/castle. She had a small child who had gone somewhere with a nurse/servant of some description. The child and their companion returned to the town but had plague symptoms so the mother refused to allow them entry and left them in some sort of tent outside the walls to their fate. I can’t remember if the child survived. I think it was a daughter aged around seven but again I can’t be sure.
And that is literally all I can remember! If it rings a bell for anybody I’d be most grateful - it’s driving me mad.
TIA.