Willa ambled around the table, took a clean cloth, and dipped it into a bucket of water. “Eva, fetch that balm there on the table. The small vessel at the end.”
Breckin watched as Eva helped Willa by taking away the bloody cloths and returned with the medicinal the healer asked for. “Willa, Connor should stay here overnight. Will ye care for him? On the morrow, I will have him moved home.”
“I agree, Laird. He might need pain tinctures and he needs to be watched for infection. Caden, ye can stay too. Ise-Olcan will need to be taken out whilst I see to your brother,” Willa said.
“We shall leave ye then. Lads, listen to Willa. I will return for ye both on the morrow.”
“I shall visit you on the morrow too. Rest, Connor, and allow Willa to tend to you,” Eva said and pressed a hand on his brother’s head.
Breckin led the way from the healer’s cottage and Eva followed him. Across the bridge, several of his clansmen gathered. Their gazes stayed on Eva as they passed. Gideon’s observation was astute because his men would have difficulty paying attention when she was within view. Her beauty was going to cause disruptions, he was certain of that, but he couldn’t help but be pleased with her. Not only was she beautiful, but she was graceful and caring. Beckin wanted to learn everything about her.
Yet it might take time to win her trust.
Gideon approached with his wife Deena beside him. “Good day, Milady. I wanted to meet ye. I am Gideon, the commander of the laird’s army. This is my wife, Deena.” Both bowed to Eva, and Gideon’s smile spread across his face.
“It is a pleasure to meet you both,” Eva said and slightly curtseyed to them.
Deena said not a word and quickly left her husband’s side. She walked away, down the lane, where she met with another woman. They seemed to whisper and used their hands to shield their mouths. Breckin did not appreciate the way his commander’s wife failed to welcome Eva and he’d have to have a word about it with Gideon later.
“Milady, if ye need anything, anything at all, just say the word. I am happy to oblige. ’Tis good to see our laird happily married,” Gideon said, still flashing his smile.
“Go on and get back to duty. I shall come and see ye later. Some matters need discussion,” Brecken said.
Gideon tipped his head and marched off.
Breckin took hold of Eva’s hand and led her toward his aunt’s cottage. When they reached it, he stopped her from entering. “Eva, we will only stay here for a fortnight and then we will leave.”
“And go where, Breckin? Are we leaving the land? Returning to the border, to my da’s home?” Eva asked with eagerness.
His body tensed at her questions. She seemed too hopeful thathe’d return her to her father’s manor. “Nay, we are not leaving Buchanan land, lass, but will move to our home.”
“Do you have a home of your own? Must we stay with your aunt? Even a fortnight will be difficult. I do not think she is fond of me, and likewise, the clanswomen are so unapproachable.”
She sounded so overwrought. Given Deena’s actions, he could understand why she felt that way. Still, he needed to try to help her understand it would take a while for her to gain acceptance. “Eva, I told ye, lass, that my clan is…”
“Leery of outsiders? I can understand that, but to be so cold and unfriendly…” She sighed and her shoulders slumped. “It matters not because I am used to keeping my own company,” she said in a sorrowful tone.
He flinched because he should have taken the time to explain to his clan who she was and how important Eva was. Her sadness was his fault. “Truth be told, I am disappointed in them for not being accepting of ye. I should tell them to greet ye and befriend ye. Ye are now our clan’s lady and deserve more respect than that.”
She shook her head. “No, I do not want to force their friendships, Breckin. I want them to accept me in their own way. I want them to be my friends. Perhaps in time…”
“Well, I am fond of ye. Now, I have a surprise for ye. Come with me and mayhap it will put a smile on your bonny face.” Breckin led her away from the cottage and walked onward. Toward the far end of the island, past thick-trunked pines and dense yew bushes, the lane shaded and darkened. The walk didn’t take them long.
Situated beyond a copse of trees stood his uncle’s home. Isolated from most of the buildings on the island, the home would afford them privacy.
“Why have you brought me here?”
“Because this is where we shall live. It might look worse for wear now but ’tis old…an ancient building that was erected by our ancestors many, many years ago. My uncle lived here his entire life.”
Her eyes darted from the worn edifice to the dilapidated thatch, to the holes in the wooden walls, to the crumbling stone of the chimney. “We are to live with your uncle then?”
Breckin chuckled. “Nay, my uncle left on a pilgrimage years ago and I doubt he shall return any time soon. He will not mind if I take over the abode. We shall make repairs to it and make it a worthy home. I know ye are used to grandness… Your da’s manor was extensive and beyond in its elegance. We live a simpler life here in the Highlands and do not need such grand homes. I hope ye understand that.”
She reached out and grabbed his hand and wrapped her fingers around his. “I do, Breckin, but soon my belongings will arrive and I shall have our home looking as grand as my da’s.”
For her sake, he hoped that was true. “Come, let us go inside.”
Breckin stepped on the wooden rundle and it cracked beneath his weight. Eva skipped over the step and climbed until they stood together on the small landing before the door. He pressed it open and the creak of the iron hinges pierced the air. With care, he crept inside and tested the floorboards to ensure they did not give way under his weight. Eva stood beside him and she gaped with her mouth open slightly at the deplorable condition of the inside.
