The woman hesitated only a second. “Now I think ye may have been sent for a reason.”
The words struck deeper than Lilliana had expected.
Before she could respond, the distant clip-clop of horses’ hooves echoed through the trees.
Kayden got to his feet. “I think the carriage is here,” he announced.
The mother went to find her daughter.
Lilliana rejoined him by the fire. “I think we can put it out. They should be able to travel now that they’ve expelled the toxins from their bodies.”
Kayden nodded, turning to watch mother and daughter approach. It was not long before a familiar carriage came to a stop, and the boy hopped out, still looking worried.
“Ma!” he cried before running to his mother and throwing himself in her arms.
She murmured soothing words to him, rubbing his back comfortingly. He let out a relieved sob before moving out of her embrace and taking his sister’s hand to help her walk. She looked better but was still much sicker than her mother.
The women, together with Conall, all climbed into the carriage, while Kayden took the horse they’d arrived with. With Cormag driving the carriage, they all made their way to the village.
The mother, after registering their surroundings, began to thank Lilliana profusely for helping them. “I want to thank ye, MeLady, for what ye did for me daughter and me. I cannae imagine what would have happened if Conall hadnae found ye.”
“Please, it was my pleasure to do so. Your son is the true hero of the day. He ran for help as soon as he saw you both collapse.”
The mother smiled at Conall proudly. “He’s a good lad.”
Lilliana nodded, smiling as well. “Could you tell me exactly what happened?”
The mother shrugged. “We were heading back to our croft after checking the traps. Beth here felt thirsty”—she nodded towards her daughter—“and we stopped by the loch to drink. Conall ran off after a rabbit, and just as he returned, both Beth and I began to feel addled. Our bellies hurt.” She shook her head. “It came on so fast. Me neighbor, Isaac, suffered from the sickness, but he didnae fall ill so quickly.”
Lilliana nodded. “We’ll find out who is responsible for this, don’t you worry.”
“Aye,” Kayden called from atop his horse, leaning slightly in the saddle so his voice carried through the open window. “Daenae trouble yerselves. Me wife and I will see it sorted.”
Lilliana glanced at him through the open frame. He met her eyes, giving a firm nod, and she returned it with a small, determined smile.
It was strangely comforting to feel, even for a moment, that they stood on the same side of the battlefield.
20
They arrived at the village just as the sun reached its zenith. With the cloud cover, it was not hot but a pleasant, balmy day. Cormag parked the carriage and then got on the horse, and Kayden ordered him to go back to the castle.
Lilliana lifted her face to the sun. She could feel Kayden watching her, his gaze like a brand on her face, and she could not help but blush.
“Yer skin in the sunlight is something to behold,” he said softly.
She turned her head slightly, curious to see what look he might have on his face.
His eyes were dark, smoldering, fixed on her. It made her body feel hot—and not from the sun rays.
She cleared her throat. “Well, thank you.” She looked towards the carriage, where Cormag was unloading her bags. “Where do you think we should set up our wares?”
Kayden tore his eyes away from her to point towards an empty stall. “I think we can use that one. I believe it belongs to Young Ian, who is off to the hills with the sheep at the moment.”
Lilliana gave him an impressed look. “Do you know who every stall belongs to and what they’re doing?” she asked.
He smirked, shrugging one shoulder. “Most.”
She nodded, taking a deep breath to compose herself. “Well then, shall we go and set up?”
