Duncan laughed. “I’ve checked the trail myself. We’ve seen to the worst ruts. Ye’ll be fine.” He moved in closer, glancing around to be sure he was not overheard. “One thing about that tea. It makes ’em very… needy, if ye know what I mean. Best to keep her with ye.”
Darragh sent him a withering glance. “I would prefer not to have known that.”
The older man nodded in understanding then shrugged. “A tea can only do so much, Darragh. If she didn’t desire ye at all, no herbs would make her direct her affection toward ye.”
Darragh glanced toward the wooden conveyance, considering a stop along the way. Not the most comfortable spot for him to take her. The men circled around him with expectant expressions, and he knew his needs would have to wait.
“Take yer time, lad.” Duncan moved in closer. “If ye handle this right, she’ll not know when the herbs wear off and when yer own prowess takes over.”
Nodding his head, a smirk on his face, Darragh asked, “Did ye do this apurpose?”
“The lass had a fever. I’d never put her in harm’s way.” Duncan crossed his arms about his chest and planted his legs into a warrior stance. “I help where I’m able.”
Darragh hopped up onto the seat, quirking a brow at him. “Do not feel ye need to hurry.”
Chapter 16
The roundhouse had definitely seen better days. The walls had gaps where the weather had worn away at the structure, but it was clean and there was no sign of damage to the two small sleeping areas toward the back. Fitted with straw pallets and draped with material for privacy, the space looked much more inviting than the makeshift lean-to they had fashioned. The elderly couple that lived there seemed genuinely pleased to have guests, claiming they seldom had anyone pass by.
“My wife is excited to be cooking for yer men as well.” The gray-haired man stood tall. Mayhap nearing sixty, but the years seemed to have been kind to him.
“Ye’re far from anything here.”
“We’ve been seeing to the sheep our whole lives,” he wrapped an arm around the woman who came to stand beside him. She was a small woman, with long gray hair and hazel eyes that twinkled with humor. “Gwen and I do fine.”
“We appreciate yer welcoming us all in like this,” Brighit said, her eyes slightly glazed.
“Ehh?” The man named William scrunched up his face.
Gwen’s eyes widened, and a small smile touched her lips. “My husband is in good health except for his hearing.” She turned to him. “But he does well if he can see lips.”
William nodded, tucking her closer to him.
“Please, sit.” The small woman gestured with her hands then went about setting the table with a clay pitcher of ale and mugs.
The three of them settled at the large trestle table, scarred with age—no doubt from playing host to many such meals over the year. Gwen turned from the fire, a heavy cloth wrapped round the handle of the battered iron pot. “Hope ye enjoy soup, ’tis hardy and filling.”
Darragh nodded. “The others should be here anon.”
“Ach, she’s made plenty. Had several nephews on both sides we helped to raise and she still cooks as if they’re with us.”
“Where are they?” Brighit faced William when she asked the question, then reached over and broke off a piece of the hardy brown bread in the center of the table as she awaited his answer.
“Not far but far enough.” William winked at her. “How about ye? Any bairns?”
Darragh cleared his throat, trying to ignore the telling glance exchanged by the couple. “Not yet. We’ve only just wed.”
Her sigh of relief was audible, at least to him, but Gwen was settling beside her husband. “Soon enough.”
She stretched out the word ‘soon’ and Darragh kept the grin from his face. Was his need for his wife that obvious? He let the smile escape as he accepted the bread, which Brighit had slathered with thick cream.
She prepared a slice for herself and closed her eyes in pleasure as soon as she bit into it. “This bread is wonderfully sweet.”
“It has honey in it.” Gwen answered, pleased with the compliment.
“What a wonderful idea.” Brighit’s eyes widened. “I have never heard of that before.”
Gwen’s cheeks blushed in embarrassment. “I can show ye how I make it if ye like.”
