Chapter Six
The sun held its control over the day. As they walked through the yard and out the gates, Ailis couldn’t help but peek over at him. She’d seen him only in the shadows of the dark corridors, corners and chambers in the keep. Now, she would finally see him.
She tugged the sleeves of her gown down as low as she could, still mindful of the appearance of her hands without the gloves to cover the worst of it. ‘Twas an offering of a sort to him and she wondered how long it would take him to notice. As they walked along the road to the village, he didn’t speak at all. But she could feel his gaze on her when he looked out on the village.
“’Twas dark when I arrived,” he rasped. “I didna see the extent of the village.” His voice always began rough then it seemed to ease the more he spoke.
“Ye did not seek refuge with any of them?” she asked, pointing at the cottages and buildings along the road.
“Nay, I could see only the keep when the lightning flashed. I just kept walking to it.”
“Think of what could have happened if ye had sought the comfort of the miller’s cottage.” She pointed to it. “Or anywhere else.”
“Aye, just think of the possibilities, my lady.”
He tilted his head up and she could see his eyes clearly … and the merriment in them. He teased her. The laugh that escaped her felt good. A sense of humor was not a bad thing in a man. He chuckled and held out his hand for her.
Taking a deep breath, she placed her ungloved hands in his. The slight hitch in his breath told her he’d noticed.
“But, my lady,” he began. “I wonder if ye would feel better or worse for kenning that the pigsticker walked behind me to the keep.”
They laughed together and it eased some of Ailis’ fears. He found humor in this strange and tense situation, which spoke about his nature. Even if he didn’t know himself.
Some of the villagers called out greetings to her and she stopped to speak to several of the women along the road. Beitris’ husband had been injured recently and was not faring well. Old Elizabeth’s granddaughter had recovered from the fever that still tried to gain a foothold. Ailis promised beef broth from the keep’s kitchen for the child and promised the healer would visit Beitris’ husband on the morrow.
Iain remained on the road when she stopped, but she felt him there, watching and listening to her every word. Soon, he accepted every small gift she received and tucked them under his arm to carry them. A loaf of bread. A ribbon. None were costly but each was precious to her.
For no matter had happened in her life, these people accepted her. When her mother died, it was here among them that she found true solace. When she lost … when Lachlan died, the women held comforted her and treated her burns. She fought off the sad thoughts and continued to make her way along the row of cottages.
By the time they reached the end of the road, all sorts of trinkets and treats that the villagers had presented to their lady filled with his arms. They were not heavy and so no burden to him, but they spoke of the regard and esteem in which these people held their lady. And from the way she spoke to each one, making inquiries, offering aid or supplies, she knew those who lived on the largess and condescension of their chieftain by name. Coming to his side, she took one look at his collection and laughed.
“I dinna think to bring a sack or basket for such things.”
“They are no trouble, my lady,” he said. Seeing the joy in her face as she greeted her people lightened his own spirit. “Are there more to see to?”
“Nay, no one to visit, but I had hoped to take ye to the sea.” She glanced down the road as it curved toward the sea.
“We could ask yer father’s men to take this back to the keep.”
The widening of her eyes spoke of her ignorance of those who followed their every move. Ah, so her father had a care for her, whether he did it to protect her or to spy on Iain mattered not. The MacKinnon would play both of them against each other if it suited his aims. Iain must remember that.
“Where?” she asked, hands on hips, as she turned to face the path they’d walked.
“There, my lady,” he said, pointing back two cottages. “And there.” The guards followed them, one on each side of the road, inching their way along as Ailis had walked at Iain’s side.
“Have they been following us all along?” Her pale brow furrowed and he almost reached out to touch and smooth it.
“Aye.”
He’d noticed them in the hall first and then as they walked from the keep. It made sense on her father’s part and confirmed what Iain suspected. The chieftain had no intention of allowing his daughter to marry some unknown stranger who’d appeared on his doorstep.
“Ronald!” she called out. Though the man looked like he wanted to disappear, he nodded and came to them. “I pray ye, take these things back to my chamber.”
“But, my lady,” Ronald said, glancing between the lady and his assignment. “I must stay. …”
“I see Robbie over there,” she said, pointing at the second guard. “He can follow along until ye return.”
When faced with the lady’s orders, the man did the only thing left to him. He gathered up everything that Iain held and walked away, nodding to Robbie as he walked past him. With that settled, she stepped back to Iain’s side and waited until he raised his arm for her.
