Bryan wanted to make her feel more than just welcome in their lands. He wished to do all that he could to make her feel like she was one of the Oliphants. That their people would gladly embrace her, far more than her own family had.
He knew it would take time and patience. Nevertheless, he was determined to try.
“I’ve selected two of the finest creatures in our stables for ye today,” Clyde croaked happily. He tottered to a pair of lovely-looking steeds and took their reins, bringing them over. “I’d like for ye both tae meet Heather and Bluebell. They’re sisters I acquired from a traveler a fortnight ago, and from what I’ve seen, they’re the fastest we have. The most docile as well.”
“They sound delightful,” Katherine exclaimed. “May I ride Bluebell?”
“Certainly, lass,” Clyde helped her into the saddle.
Bryan mounted Heather. “Follow closely, now!” he admonished lightly. “Dinnae make me chase ye.”
“I won’t,” Katherine agreed, but there was a daring gleam in her eye, as though she might choose to make him ride after her at that.
He led her away from the castle, toward the nearest village. He did not dare pull ahead of her too much, for he knew she may yet challenge him to pursue her—either in jest, or perhaps not. Either way, he could take no chances.
But when he frequently glanced over at her, he found her keeping pace with him easily. Each time, she gave him a reassuring smile, as if to tell him that she had chosen not to flee.
Not yet, at any rate.
Bryan knew that word of Lady Katherine’s peculiar captivity at Castle Oliphant would have traveled among the villagers over the past two days, and he fretted mildly that she might not receive a warm welcome when they arrived. Still, he felt confident that he could keep things under control and make sure they understood that she was to be treated as a guest rather than an enemy prisoner.
“These lands are beautiful,” she called out to him. “I feel that I am far more able tae enjoy the scenery, now that I am not trussed up on yer horse with an uncertain fate ahead of me.”
Bryan chuckled. “Aye, I hoped that would be the case.”
When they arrived in the village, Katherine did receive a few odd looks from the people there, but when they saw Captain Black at her side, they mostly just shrugged and went about their business.
She and Bryan dismounted and tied up their horses, and began to stroll through the avenues of the town. Katherine looked around, wide-eyed.
“What do ye think?” Bryan inquired mildly.
“It seems a wonderful place,” she replied quietly. “The lasses here are just like the ones back home, the mothers and daughters I helped with their sewing and the like.” She laughed to herself, bemused. “I’m not entirely sure what I expected tae see here.”
“‘The Other,’” Bryan suggested.
She blinked at him, confused. “I beg yer pardon?”
“‘Twas an unfortunate thing my own father tried tae impress upon me,” Bryan explained, “In order tae make me more committed tae thievery. It was too easy for me tae feel for the people we stole from, so he would come up with ways tae make me feel that we had nothing in common with them. That they were so different from us with their wealth and privilege; that they were nay even the same species as us. Realizing the falsity of that perspective was a large reason I chose tae defy him in the end. Likewise, yer father taught ye that Oliphants have no commonality with yer people. That we are the enemy.” He snickered. “No doubt ye expected tae find a pack of savages, crunching on the bones of our own bairns as we plotted the downfall of the McGregors.”
Katherine nodded slowly. “Aye, something like that, I suppose.”
As they strolled through the market square, there were more curious and belligerent glances from the Oliphant clansmen, though most of them continued on their way in silence.Katherine did her best to ignore them, and focused her attention on the sights and sounds around her; the blacksmith’s hammer hitting red-hot steel, the smell of baking bread, the voices of the shopkeepers and farmers calling out their wares and prices.
She spotted a little girl, no more than eight years old, walking alone. She approached her carefully, not wishing to startle her. “That’s a marvelous dress ye have on, lass,” she said to the girl. “Did yer mother make it for ye?”
The girl shook her head, smiling proudly. “I made it myself! It took weeks, but I think it turned out well. Look!” She twirled, showing off the garment from all sides. “My mothertaughtme how tae do it, though.”
“Is she here with ye?” Katherine asked.
The lass nodded, then took Katherine’s hand. “Come, I’ll take ye to her. She sells candles. Perhaps yer friend might buy one for ye?” she added, smiling up at Bryan.
“Och, ye’re a shrewd one and no mistake,” the captain laughed. “All right, then. Let us inspect yer mother’s wares, and see if any of them are worthy enough tae decorate Lady Katherine’s chambers.”
There was a table set up nearby, covered with candles of various shapes and sizes. The woman standing behind it looked pleased to see the girl, but when she saw who was accompanying her, the smile faded immediately.
“Come away, child!” the woman said coldly, gesturing for the girl to get away from Katherine. “We ought tae have no dealings with the likes of her.”
“Why not, Mama?” the girl asked innocently.
