“Here,” he said, climbing down from the horse and slipping something into her hand, folding her fingers over it.
She looked down as he moved away. In her palm was a heavy gold coin. She ran back to the house. The man had vanished back inside. Lindsey could hear him attempting to shush the baby. “Take this,” she said, pressing the coin into the woman’s hand.
“And this,” a voice said behind her. She turned to see Tavish standing next to the horse. He looked at her and shrugged. “We’re nearly there, we can walk the rest of the way.” He spoke in a clear voice as he turned to the woman. “Take this beast and ride with your bairn to Castle Sinclair. Tell them Tavish will return with the sacred stone. They will feed you and your child for a lifetime in return for such news.”
The woman was still staring down at her hand as if she thought she might be dreaming. “This is more than ah’ve seen in ma life,” she said quietly. “I cannae take it. It is too much.”
“Ah willnae take it back,” Tavish said. “Leave the MacIntyres to their fate and take yours in your hands as we do our own. Come, while the light lasts. Get on.”
Lindsey stood to one side, watching as Tavish carried the baby out of the hovel. He held it while the man dragged himself up onto the horse.
It was hard to see people living like this. She’d read of Highlanders starving to death during the wars between the clans but this was the reality of it. Death leaning on the shoulders of three people who deserved so much more.
She wept quietly as she watched the man take the baby while Tavish helped the woman onto the horse.
“God protect you,” the man said as Tavish whispered into the long ear of their steed. The horse listened, understanding every word before turning and heading back south.
Lindsey wiped her eyes before Tavish reached her. “Ye must walk the rest of the way,” he said.
She threw her arms around him and burst into fresh tears. “Thank you,” she said into his shoulder.
His arms held her tight while she cried until she could cry no more. “I’ve never seen anything like that,” she said when the tears finally began to ease.
“The war brings hardship upon those who can least bear it,” he replied. His hands were still on her back, their faces inches apart.
“You are a good person, Tavish,” she said quietly, blinking up at him, feeling his hand in the small of her back.
She could feel his breath on her cheek. He looked as if he might be about to kiss her but then he didn’t, pulling away.
“Time is short,” he said. “And without a steed, we must make haste if we are to reach MacIntyre Castle by tomorrow.”
“We are that close?”
“Aye. One more night’s rest and we’ll be there. Home to those that would blind old men and burn crops out of nothing but spite.”
That night Lindsey was glad to stop. They had marched long into the dark, settling deep in a wood where there was little risk of being seen. As she sat rubbing her aching feet, Tavish strung together a basic shelter made of leaves and branches.
Though it looked little better than sleeping in the open Lindsey was surprised when she climbed inside. It was roomy, warm, and kept out the night chill far better than she expected.
“It’s so warm,” she said, making space for Tavish to lay down next to her.
“Lots of leaves under you,” he replied as if that explained everything.
“You did a good thing today,” she said, reaching out to touch his shoulder in the darkness.
“As did you,” he replied, leaning up and squeezing her hand. “Ah wouldnae have stopped.”
They lay together in the darkness as outside an owl hooted loudly and then a twig snapped. Lindsey shuddered without knowing why. Before she knew what was happening Tavish had taken her into the cruck of his arm, holding her close to him.
“What was that?” she asked, the sound of rustling growing closer.
“You are safe,” he replied. “I will let nothing hurt you.”
“But something’s out there.”
“It’s only a boar and he’s after truffles, not you.”
“How can you tell?”
