She nodded, then gave Gil a kiss on his cheek so she could sneak into the kitchens and change out of her gown. Her gown was beautiful, but she didn’t wish to ruin it riding a horse, so she was pleased her mother had thought ahead.
A short time later, they were riding away from Grant Castle on their horses, she and Gil riding separately because they had supplies for the horses to carry. They’d managed to sneak away without being seen, for which she was grateful. “Papa, did you tell my brothers to keep the crowd at bay?”
“I did,” he said. “I remember another golden-haired lass who blushed every time someone mentioned the words ‘wedding night’ around her, so I wished to keep the drunken guests away from you. I know how delicate your mother was about it. Though I think you are of stronger constitution than your mother was when we were married, I wished to spare you the embarrassment.”
“I would agree with you, Papa. Mama is still verra shy at heart. ’Tis her nature.”
“Aye, unless someone threatens a bairn of hers or a grandbairn, she is shy. Or any bairn for that matter.” He spurred his horse into a gallop, and they followed him, sailing across the meadow and in the light of dusk.
It was a beautiful ride. There was little wind, but the sun was nearly down, the pink clouds making it quite a view this eve.
She pointed to the horizon and said, “’Tis a most perfect sunset for our wedding day, Gil.”
So entranced with the view of the sun dropping in the sky, she didn’t pay any attention to the route, instead blindly following her sire until he led them down a path that wound through the thick forest.
An area that was more than vaguely familiar.
They were headed to their cottage.
Theirs!
Her father stopped his horse in front of the cottage they’d been using for five moons now. She said nothing as they dismounted and tied up the horses, reminding herself that if anyone had come upon it, they would have no way of knowing that she and Gil had fixed it and made it usable.
In fact, though she’d brought linens and furs there, she’d taken care that none of them could be traced back to her. They were all cast-offs from the cellars, threadbare from use but still suitable for their adventures.
She said nothing. Gil gave her a glance after her sire dismounted that served as a warning. His look told her their thoughts were in exact alignment. The others had no way of knowing this was their cottage, and it would be best to keep it that way.
“’Tis a fine area,” Gil said, his voice remarkably steady. “Are you sure ’tis unused?”
Her father said, “Kyla found it after the betrothal, so Mama has been out here adding her feminine touches. She and Maevecleaned and spruced it up with new coverings for the windows. No one has been here that we’ve seen.”
Once they stepped inside, she couldn’t help but gasp. “’Tis lovely. Oh, Papa, Mama and Maeve did a lovely job.” Fresh rushes on the floor added a fine odor of heather to the air. There were new thick fur coverings on the windows and dried flowers had been added to the hearth mantle. New blankets sat in a basket by the hearth, and the bed had a brand new covering, a beautiful shade of blue.
Her father set the basket of food on the table and banked the fire. He checked the urns and pitchers, full of fresh water. He pointed to the basket. “Aunt Jennie and Uncle Aedan sent a nice bottle of wine from France. And there’s plenty of ale, too.”
He strode over to her and clasped her shoulders. “I’m pleased to see you so happy, lass. I wish you a lifetime of joy.” He kissed her cheek, then clasped Gil’s shoulder. “Take good care of my lassie. If you need anything, let me know.”
They followed him to the door, watching him mount his horse and turn it toward them.
He was about to leave, but then stopped, turning back to face them. “Gil, I have one more question for you. When you return, would you mind building me a chair as large as the one you made inside?”
“It would be my honor, my laird,” Gil said immediately.
Elizabeth squeezed his hand, trying to tell him to stop, but one look at her poor husband told her he’d already recognized his error.
They’d been skillfully caught.
They both stared at her father, waiting for his response, but he just winked. Then, with a grin, he said, “Glad to see you kept enough wood cut to keep her warm. A true sign you’ll take good care of my lassie.”
HIGHLAND HEALERS
THE SECOND GENERATION
1292
The Scourge of Black Isle
Book 3
