Stepping back, Archie removed his boot, letting the door slam shut. He stood there a moment, staring at the weathered wood, then turned to his companions.
Ross grimaced, while next to him, Ian wore a scowl. “The ale house,” Archie muttered.
“Right.” Ian’s scowl disappeared, a smile creasing his face instead. “I could do with a tankard or two.”
“Ye aren’t here to drink,” Archie snapped. “We’ve got questions to ask.”
“Aye,” Ross replied, glancing back at the closed door, his brow furrowed. “Someone in this village must know what happened to that bairn.”
The three warriors turned and walked back up the path. Moments later, they were striding back toward the center of Lochbuie, boots raising small clouds of dust from the sunbaked road.
9: BLACK HAIR. BLUE EYES
THE ELDERLY WOMAN’S hands were gnarled like tree roots.
Hazel knelt beside her, gently working the salve into the swollen joints. The cottage was dim and stuffy despite the summer warmth outside, the air thick with the smell of peat smoke.
“Does that ease the pain, Elspeth?” she asked softly.
“Och, aye.” The woman sighed, her weathered face relaxing. “Ye have yer mother’s touch, lass. God rest her soul.”
Hazel’s throat started to ache.Lord, I miss her.
Five days had passed since her visit to Lochbuie market. And with the passing of each one, the kernel of bitterness lodged deep in her chest had softened.Hearing the genuine respect and affection for Siùsan in Elspeth’s voice made grief break over her in a rogue wave. “Thank ye.”
Across the smoky room, seated by the hearth, Elspeth’s husband, Malcolm, cleared his throat. “We were sorry to hear of her passing,” he said gruffly. “Siùsan had a big heart. Kept to herself … but was always there when we needed her.”
“She was.” Trying to ignore the pain that had now spread to her chest, she finished applying the salve and reached into her basket for the clay jar she’d prepared. Siùsan had kept the truth from Hazel, but until that fateful conversation, she’d been her world. Her absence had left a void. “This is comfrey and willow bark mixed with goose grease. Use it morning and night. It should help with the joint ache.”
Elspeth accepted the jar with trembling fingers. “What do we owe ye?”
“A copper penny will do.”
“That’s not enough, lass.”
“It’s plenty.” Hazel stood, wiping her hands upon a damp cloth. Truth was, she could barely afford to charge so little. But Elspeth and Malcolm were poor as kirk mice, and she wouldn’t take food from their mouths.
Malcolm rose stiffly and crossed to a shelf, returning with a single penny and a wrapped bundle. “Then take this too. Fresh bannocks. Morag next door made them this morning.”
The gesture brought tears to Hazel’s eyes. “Ye don’t need to do that.”
“Wewantto.” Elspeth’s gaze was shrewd despite her age. “Ye are alone now. No shame in accepting help.”
Alone.Hazel’s breathing quickened. Aye, loneliness had started to gnaw at her of late.Anger had been easier to deal with. Solitude gave her too much time to think, and even Duncan’s easy company couldn’t ease the hollowness in her chest.
Accepting the bundle, she tucked it into her basket alongside her other supplies.
“There’s talk in the village,” Malcolm said then, his tone wary. “About ye and the Maclean.”
Hazel stilled, even as her heart jolted. “It’s just gossip.”
“We know that.” Elspeth reached out, patting Hazel’s hand with her twisted fingers. “But others might not be so understanding. A young chieftain, betrothed to another … folks will draw their own conclusions.”
“There’s nothing between us,” Hazel said, even as irritation bubbled up. “He took a tumble from his horse, and I tended him.That’sall. People need to mind their own business.” The words came out sharper than intended. Softening her tone, she added, “I’m not foolish enough to get tangled up with a chieftain.”
Elspeth and Malcolm exchanged a glance—the kind of wordless communication that came from long years of marriage. Finally, Elspeth nodded. “Sorry, lass … we didn’t mean to upset ye.”
“Ye haven’t.” Hazel squeezed the old woman’s hand gently, mindful of the aching joints. “I’ll check on ye again in a fortnight.”
