She moved from stall to stall, admiring hand-woven fabrics, beautifully crafted pottery, gleaming jewelry.She was examining some leather goods when she heard a voice that made her heart stop.
"Bella?Bella Sutherland?"
Bella spun around, and standing by a fabric merchant's stall with her mouth hanging open in shock was Una Murray.
Her dearest friend.The only person who'd visited her regularly at the abbey over the years.The woman who'd stood by her when Boyd rejected her publicly at the tavern and defended her when everyone else in their village had turned away.
"Una!"Bella breathed, and before she could stop herself, she was rushing forward, pulling her friend into a fierce embrace.
Una hugged her back just as tightly, then pulled away to stare at Bella with wide eyes."What are ye doing here?I went to the abbey to visit ye, and they told me ye'd married and left.Ye never said anything about a betrothal!"
"I did not ken it until the day I was wed," Bella replied, her words tumbling over each other."'Twas sudden.The king decreed it.I had no choice, Una."
"The king?"Una's eyes went even wider."Bella, who did ye marry?"
Bella hesitated, then replied, "Boyd MacKinnon."
For a moment, Una simply stared at her.Then her face went through a series of expressions including shock, horror and fury before she exploded.
"Boyd MacKinnon?"Her voice carried across several stalls, making people turn to stare."That miserable sod.Tell me this is some cruel jest."
"Una, lower yer voice," Bella replied, glancing around.
Una grabbed Bella's arms, her face fierce."Bella, that man destroyed ye!This cannot be right.Come with me right now so we can escape and—"
"Dinnae fash," Bella said gently but firmly."'Tis a royal decree.The marriage is legal and consummated."
Una's expression shifted to concern."Bella, are ye...are ye well?He's not mistreating ye, is he?If he is, I'll punch him in the bawsack."Una made her hand into a fist.
"No, dearest Una," Bella replied with a soft chuckle.She loved how fiercely loyal her friend was."It was difficult at first, but he has been very good to me.Now we ken the truth of what happened, we have made our peace with the past."
Una stared at her for a long moment, then pulled her into another fierce hug."Ye're too kind for yer own good, ye ken that?"
"Or too stubborn," Bella replied with a watery smile.
"That too."Una pulled back and wiped her eyes."Well, if ye're stuck with him, at least tell me ye're happy."
"Aye," Bella replied honestly."I am very happy."
Una's expression softened."Well then.If ye can forgive the big, stupid oaf, then I suppose so can I."
"But enough about me, Una.How have ye been and what are ye doing here?"
"I’m visiting relations here in the village.They're from my ma's side and have more money than sense, to be sure.I've been teaching their prim and proper daughters how to sew like fancy ladies so they can marry well at the king’s court.I have the day free so made my way here."
Bella's face brightened."Then let's make the most of it.I have coins to spend, and I want to buy ye something nice."
"Ye dinnae have to—"
"I want to," Bella insisted."Ye gifted me that beautiful shawl ye made when I was at the abbey, and all these years ye've been my closest friend.'Tis my turn to repay the favor."
They spent the next hour wandering through the market stalls together, chatting and laughing like they'd never been apart.Gilroy and Darach followed at a distance, relieved that their mistress seemed so happy.
Bella found a beautiful woolen shawl in deep blue—Una's favorite color—and insisted on buying it despite her friend's protests.She also purchased some ribbons, a small jar of honey, and various other trinkets.Gilroy trailed behind and placed her purchases into a large boist he carried.
Then, at a silversmith's stall, something caught Bella's eye and made her breath catch.
It was a leather necklace, simple, masculine, with an intricately crafted long leather tie and a small pendant hanging from it.The pendant was a half sun, crafted in silver, with intricate rays extending from the curved edge.
