“Stabbed him like a sword, Laird, aye, right through his leg,” Caden said with excitement.
He didn’t want to hurt his brother further but there was no getting out of it. Breckin noticed Gideon walking toward them. When he reached them, he peered at him with a silent message. His comrade understood. As Breckin took hold of his brother and lifted him, Gideon yanked out the splintered wood and tossed it into the water flowing beneath the bridge.
At once, one of his soldiers offered a cloth. Breckin wrapped it around Connor’s leg and lifted him. “We will get ye to Willa’s. She will tend to ye.”
“Let me take him, Laird,” Gideon offered.
“Aye, I am searching for Eva. She’s not at Clare’s cottage and has gone missing. Go with them, Caden, and try to be helpful. I shall come when I can.”
Gideon carried his brother away and they set off toward his mother’s cottage.
Breckin stood on the lane on the other side of the bridge andconsidered where Eva might have gone. Surely someone had to have seen her, unless she decided to walk back to the border. The nonsensical thought caused him to grunt because if that was what she’d done, he’d be furious.
Father Murphy walked toward him, holding a thick volume under his arm. The clergyman smiled widely and bowed to him when Breckin reached him.
“Good day, Father. Have ye seen my wife, Milady Eva?”
Father Murphy chuckled. “Oh, aye, indeed, Laird. I did see her.”
“Where?” Breckin waited for the man to reply but he seemed flabbergasted. “Father, where did ye see her?”
“Oh, pardon me, Laird Buchanan. I saw her in the church. Be quiet when ye enter and ye shall be rewarded.” Father Murphy bowed to him and hastened away.
Breckin peered after him, confounded as to what the man meant. Rewarded? But when he reached the door of the church, he pulled it gently open. Someone was singing and he stepped to the center of the aisle. His wife sat on the first bench before the altar and sang with all her heart.
He was astounded by the beauty of her voice and the ethereal sound. Breckin didn’t want to interrupt her and waited for her to reach the end of her song. When she ceased singing, he marched forward and sat on the bench behind her.
Eva gasped and turned when she heard him. “Oh, Breckin, ye startled me.”
“Apologies, lass. Ye sing like an angel.”
“You heard me? Father Murphy told me that it was not forbidden so I…could not resist.”
He felt the tugging of his lips and wanted to smile but instead, he bowed his head to her. “Why would it be forbidden?”
“At home, women are not allowed to sing in church. My father paid a brother to teach me the songs and how to sing them properly. Itwas a great pleasure of mine. So you have finally returned from your war?” Eva stood and a slight frown set betwixt her eyes.
“Aye, only just. I remind ye, Eva, this is now your home. Things are far different here than they are by the border. Och, I went to see ye when I arrived but when I got to Clare’s cottage, ye were gone. I worried for ye.”
“Sincerely? Why in heaven’s name would you worry for me? You cared not a whit about me when you left me here with strangers whilst I ailed. Surely you gave me no thought when you left and I see not why you would bother worrying about me now.”
Breckin was appalled at her put down. “Ah…ye are angry. Well, I was called upon by our ally and had to go. I hoped ye would understand.”
She clutched her hands together and continued to glare. “Oh, I understand, Breckin. Is war more important than your ailing wife? Do not answer because I am certain what your answer would be. I cannot speak to you right now.” With that, she turned and fled from the church.
“Bollocks,” Breckin uttered, taken aback by her forwardness. Rarely did anyone speak to him thusly but he supposed he should excuse her. He had left her but certainly not without thought. “Forgive me, God Almighty, for my blasphemy.” He bowed before the altar, made the sign of the cross, and marched toward the exit, intent on finding and placating his wife. Being married was going to cause him much distraction and turmoil.
Outside, he saw her ahead on the lane but she was going in the wrong direction. When he caught up to her, he grabbed her arm to stop her. “Eva, ye are headed away from the bridge.”
She yanked her arm from his grasp. “I know that, Breckin. Please, leave me be. I need to be alone.”
“I want to speak to ye about what ye said in the church.” He tried to step in front of her but she turned away. Breckin stood behind herand let her have her way as she faced the flowing waters below the bluff.
“I do not want you to see me weep. Ye shall think me weak or a coward. Go away.”
Breckin sighed heavily because he’d caused her distress. “Why are ye weeping? Because I was called away? Believe me, I wanted to stay to ensure ye fared well and that Willa healed ye. As laird, I am beholden to my duty. Many lives were at risk and I had to go to protect my ally. Ye should understand that, Eva. Was your father not often called away?”
She wiped at her eyes. “He was, but not because of war. My father traveled most of the year to other lands. I was left alone with servants but you left me with strangers… I awakened and was uncertain if I could even leave the bedchamber. Your aunt was not unkind, but she was not friendly either. I did not know what to do…” Eva stammered and sighed between words. Her distress further disgruntled him.
