“All right, calm down, I believe ye. He does seem like a good man and he’s awful braw,” Ella replied, putting the lid carefully back on the pot of salve and setting it aside.
Despite her throbbing head, Isla smiled and said musingly, “Aye, he is, isnae he? Very braw. And so clever too. He sees the way ahead so clearly. That’s the trouble. He’s dangerous. He thinks of things I never would.”
Ella chuckled. “Hmm, like I said, sounds like yer soft on him.”
“Is it so obvious? I cannae help it, Ella! I didnae mean tae, but I’ve grown so fond of him. But me loyalties are torn in two the whole time. I feel like I’m betrayin’ Gregory and me clan by sympathizing with Ewan’s cause. But Ewan’s cause is just! He’s nae the warmonger or thief everyone’s been led tae think he is. Ach, ’tis all so wrong!” She threw up her hands, half in despair, half in confusion.
“I dinnae blame ye fer bein’ confused. This is a very difficult situation ye find yersel’ in, I understand that. ’Tis a unique situation that ye’ve made the best of so far. Ewan clearly thinks a lot of ye.”
“D’ye think so?” Isla’s heart warmed at the notion.
“Aye, I dae. But there’s nae book of instructions tellin’ ye what tae dae,” Ella pointed out.
“So, what should I dae, Ella? Tell me, please. I’ve had nay one tae confide in, and I really need yer advice,” Isla replied earnestly.
“Ye’ve a good heart, Isla. As yer friend, all I can tell ye tae dae is tae trust it.” Ella inspected her handiwork and brushed Isla hairback into place with gentle fingers. “Right, that’s all good. I’ll give ye some salve, some willow-bark tea fer the pain, and some extra dressin’s tae take back with ye. Keep the wound nice and clean, and with luck, ye’ll only have a small scar. It’ll add tae yer mystique,” she added with a playful wink.
Isla batted at Ella’s arm. “Ye goose! What mystique? Och, I suppose I dae have a wee bit when I’m disguised as Harris and everyone in the camp thinks I’m a lad.” They chuckled over that for a few moments but then grew serious again. “Ye should hear me pretend tae speak like a lad.”
Ella made up some willow-bark tea and had Isla drink a cup immediately to help ease her headache. While they were talking quietly, there was a gentle tap on the door. It opened a crack, and Ewan’s head appeared around the edge. “Are ye done yet?” he asked, unusually hesitant.
“Come in, come in. Aye, she’s done. She’ll be good as new after a week or so,” Ella declared, smiling warmly at him as he stepped inside.
“D’ye think there’s a chance she could have a concussion?” he asked, going over to them and peering at Isla. Her heart melted when she saw the worry in his eyes.
“’Tis impossible tae say. I advise ye tae keep her awake fer as long as ye can tonight. And when she falls asleep, try wakin’ her up every couple of hours, just tae make sure. If she seems feverish, or gets sick and dizzy, or her eyes seem dull, send fer me at once.”
The broad smile of relief that broke out on Ewan’s face had Isla’s heart fluttering in her chest. She felt a great wave of affection flow from her heart towards him. “Thank ye, thank ye so much. I was very worried about her,” he said, looking into Isla’s eyes and squeezing her hand. She found herself squeezing it back and beaming at him.
Soon after that, they took their leave of Ella, with Isla bidding her friend a polite, grateful goodbye fitting for two people who had only just met. “I’ll come back and see ye as soon as I can,” she whispered to her friend when Ewan stepped away to untie the horse and helped her up into the saddle once more.
Her headache was starting to recede, so she simply gave in to the tiredness that overcame her, letting herself loll against his warm, broad chest as they rode back. She forgot all their troubles and dozed off, lulled by the steady beating of his heart beneath his coat and the rhythmic clopping of the horse’s hooves.
“Annie, Annie, wake up.” The deep, gentle voice broke into her sleep.
“Hmm, what is it? Is it mornin’?” she murmured, disoriented.
A slow, rumbling chuckle resonated in her ear. “Nay.”
She opened her eyes, surprised to find it was still nighttime and the moon was shining high above. She looked up at Ewan and realized where she was.
“We’re halfway back tae the camp,” he said, his eyes soft as he gazed down on her. “Ye need tae change out of yer dress and back intae Harris’s clothes.”
“Och, aye, I remember,” she murmured, stirring in his arms, trying to sit up between the hard, muscular thighs enclosing her. He slid from the saddle and lifted her down, his hands easily spanning her waist. She put her hands on his forearms to steady herself, saying, “Thank ye. And thank ye for takin’ me tae see the healer too. I’m glad ye did. Me headache’s almost gone now.”
“I’m pleased tae hear it. She was very kind, and I’m glad ye’re feelin’ better. Now, can ye remember where ye hid yer clothes?”
She scrunched up her face, trying to think. “I’m nae sure.”
“Shall I come with ye?”
“Would ye mind? I think I put them at the base of a big old oak, among the roots.”
“Well, this is the wee path ye took intae the trees. Did ye go far in?”
She shook her head and instantly regretted it. “Nay, about ten feet maybe, straight ahead on the path.”
“Come on, then. Let’s go look for them.” He started off down the narrow track. Acting on instinct, Isla caught hold of his hand as she followed him into the trees. It felt good when his large, warmpalm closed around hers. They followed the track for a short way and soon came to a small clearing, in the middle of which was the oak tree.
