Kyla and Lorna had arrived in the center of the village, and they walked through the main thoroughfare, past the well, and out to the busy market at the edge. Sellers called out their wares, villagers were bustling around, and a host of smells filled Lorna’s nose.
She smiled. It was so very home-like, and even if Watt had accepted her love and she’d become his lady, she would miss the village that lay at the foot of McAdam Castle.
“Come, let us see if we can find some remedies for Mother,” Lorna said, peering at a nearby stall with wooden boxes filled with herbs.
“Anythin’ ye like, me lady,” the wizened seller said to her, his eyes gleaming, happy for a sale.
“I should like…” she paused, grabbed Kyla’s arm, and pulled her out of the edge of the market to hide behind a wagon. The seller was watching them as if they were mad, but Lorna didn’t care.
“What in the…Lorna, what is it?” Kyla asked, confused as they bent low together behind the wagon.
“Bryce is here. In the village.” Lorna’s heart was racing. She hadn’t thought about what she was going to say to him.
Kyla shrugged. “So?”
“So, I have nae idea what tae say tae the man who I kissed desperately yesterday. Och, greetings, lad, want tae kiss again?” she said in a fake voice making Kyla giggle.
“Aye, ye could say that I suppose.” A familiar male voice made Lorna’s heart stop. Both Lorna and Kyla looked up to see Bryce looking down at them with a smile.
* * *
It was not hard to know where Lorna was at all times. Ever since he was young, he was always completely attuned to her presence. There was something about her that sent movement through the air, that always drew his eye. And her beautiful blonde locks and bright green eyes were like beacons, always calling him home. Even in a crowded place, like a village market day, he would always be able to spot her.
His chest tightened when he saw her standing next to an herb seller with Kyla at her side. She looked even more beautiful in the bright light of day, with the color of determination lighting her cheeks. Her blond hair was tied up behind her, and a leather string was tied around the mass of beautiful hair. She was smiling at the seller, but then she turned his way.
He frowned when he saw her rush away behind a wagon, pulling Kyla along with her. Was it because of him that she was rushing away and hiding from him? He had been afraid to talk to her that day, after what had happened, but now that he saw her, he was determined to bring it up.
That kiss was no mere brief dalliance. There was something there, and he needed to find out what it was. Right then and there, he resolved not to leave for his castle until the murders were solved and until he had professed his affection to Lorna and gauged her feelings. He would regret it forever if he did not.
He moved around the outer edge of the market, squeezing between the crowds of villagers that had begun to gather. Finding his way through to the far edge of the stalls, he spotted Kyla and Lorna crouching behind a wagon, looking into the crowd, and he knew then that they were trying to look for him to make sure he didn’t see them.
As he approached quietly, he saw the fear in Lorna’s eyes as she spoke to Kyla. Was it truly that bad to see him? He smirked, hopeful that at least he had aroused some feeling in her. She was not indifferent to him, and that was something.
He paused when he overheard her say, “So, I have nae idea what tae say tae the man who I kissed desperately yesterday. Och, greetings, lad, want tae kiss again?”
“Aye, ye could say that, I suppose,” he said to her, grinning at the lovely blush that was coming over her cheeks. She stood, brushing off her gown and looking to Kyla for help who looked very amused.
“Aye, well, I will nae be saying that,” she said. “What are ye doing here?” Bryce couldn’t stop smiling as he noticed that Lorna was looking anywhere but at him.
“I am working tae help Tobias, of course. Come to question a few people.”
Her shoulders stiffened as she turned her eyes to him. Finally. Her lovely green eyes were on him, just where he wanted them to be. “Well, we were going tae do that, were we nae, Kyla?” Lorna reached out for her companion and pulled her close. “We want tae help, too.”
“I see.” Bryce put his hands behind his back, loving the situation just a little much. He had always loved teasing Lorna, and it was no different now, even years later. “Then why were ye buying herbs? Surely ye donnae need herbs tae question people.”
Lorna made a huffing sound and flushed even more. “I was getting them for me mother. She is unwell. Perhaps ye’ve heard.”
“Aye, lass, I have heard. I went tae see her meself.”
Lorna’s angry expression softened, and so did Bryce’s heart. He had the greatest urge to reach out for her again, but he stilled his hands.
“Ye did? Why?” she asked, her lips parted, making his eyes look there.
He swallowed and shrugged, attempting to appear relaxed and casual, but he was anything but. “I have a bit of experience with healing. I wanted tae see what I could do.”
“And?” Lorna stepped closer, so close, in fact, that he could see the flecks of gold in her eyes again, and he could smell the rose water she’d used in her bath. “How is she? Me father willnae let me see her.” She bit her lip, and Bryce wanted to pull it free and to ease her pain.
“I think she will be well, lass. Donnae worry. She was feverish, but there were servants there, attending tae her needs. I made sure they were giving her the proper herbs. She needs tea and rest. Lots of it. I think it is just a chill. Too much stress of late, perhaps.”
“A chill? But it is the summertime.” Lorna looked desperate. “Thank ye. Ye didnae have tae do that.”
She stepped back, and Bryce felt slightly bereft. “I wanted tae. Our families have kenned each other for a long time now. I want tae do what I can. Especially since I am here for a little while longer.” He searched her eyes, hoping to see something of desire in them or longing. But he saw nothing.
“Aye, well, it is good of ye.” She crawled back into her shell again, and she was hidden from his view. One day, he wanted to get her out of that shell and remove it forever. Make her see just how beautiful she was. And strong, powerful, intelligent.
Bryce turned when he saw a couple of English soldiers running by. He frowned, wondering if they were there to deal with the current situation. It was then that Tobias rushed up to him, breathless and looking completely fatigued.
“I was on my way home when one of my men stopped me. He’d heard the news from a villager. Come. The midwife’s house. It’s completely ransacked.”
