“Good mornin’ tae ye, Captain,” she said brightly, pleased to see him. But when she saw his expression, she realized he was perhaps not quite so pleased to see her. “Is anythin’ wrong?” she asked, puzzled by his frown. He came closer. She smelled whisky on him, and some things became suddenly clearer. It was obvious it was Colin with whom Ewan had been drinking the night before. “What’s up? D’ye have a headache?” she asked teasingly.
He did not smile as she expected him too. “I asked ye where ye’re goin’,” he repeated, his shrewd gaze sweeping over her face as if searching for something.
“Tae see the healer,” she replied, frowning in puzzlement, supposing he had gotten out of the wrong side of the bed with a bad hangover. She could not think of any way she could have offended him. “She lives in a village nae far from here. I want her tae give me somethin’ fer Ewan. He’s gonnae feel awful when he wakes up. He must have drunk quite a lot of whisky last night.”
He did not respond to that. He only said, “Ye cannae be trusted tae go alone. I’ll come with ye,” he said, still scrutinizing her face.
Cannae be trusted? But why?Not knowing the answer, she shrugged. “Aye, please dae. I’ll be glad of the company,” she told him honestly and turned away to continue securing the saddle. A short while later, they rode out of the camp together, heading for Ella’s cottage.
It was pleasant ride in the daylight and one that was very familiar to Isla. She attempted to talk to Colin as normal, but he was not very forthcoming. “Ye seem very sure of where we’re goin’,” he said at one point, sounding suspicious again.
“I-er-I remember the way from last night,” she lied. She had already told him what had happened at the inn when she was injured, and that Ewan had taken her to the healer to be treated. Thankfully, he had not asked too many questions. They ended up riding all the way to Ella’s mostly in silence, which made Isla feel tense. She could not account for his change in demeanor from the day before. She was glad when they reined in their horses outside Ella’s cottage.
Gray smoke was curling up from the chimney, so she was sure her friend was inside. “Will ye come in?” she asked, dismounting and slinging the reins around a fence post before going to knock at the door.
Colin slid from his saddle and stood looking around the neat vegetable garden with interest. “Nay, I’ll wait out here. But dinnae be too long. I’m needed back at the camp.”
“Aye, all right. I willnae be long.” She knocked, and within a few moments, Ella came to the door. She looked surprised but pleased to see Isla again so soon. She was about to open her mouth when Isla shot her a warning look and said, “Good mornin’ tae ye, Miss Moore. I’m sure ye didnae expect tae see me here again so soon, but I need yer help with somethin’.”
Taking the hint, Ella looked over Isla’s shoulder and took in Colin standing a short distance away. She nodded a silent greeting to him, which he returned, then looked at Isla with raised eyebrows.
“Where’s the one from last night?” she whispered, holding the door wide and gesturing for Isla to enter.
“It’s him I’ve come about,” she explained. They stepped inside the cottage, and Ella shut the door behind them.
“What are ye doin’ back here? Is yer head all right?” Ella asked as the pair hugged.
“Aye, ’tis fine, really. ’Tis just a bit achy and sore, but that tea ye gave me has eased it.”
“Well, just make sure tae keep it nice and clean.”
“I will, Ella.” She eyed the half-eaten bowl of oatmeal on the table. “I’m sorry tae call so early. Did I interrupt yer breakfast?” she asked, feeling a little guilty.
“Dinnae fash yersel’, I’ll finish it later,” her friend told her with a smile. “I’m just glad tae see ye’re all right. My, it was certainly a surprise tae see ye last night. Now, will ye have some tea? I’ve just made some.”
Isla shook her head. “I’d love tae stay, but Colin out there insists he’s needed back at the camp, so I havenae got much time. I really only came tae ask ye fer somethin’ tae cure a bad hangover.”
“A bad hangover?” Ella laughed and said jokingly, “Who’s sufferin’ then? That braw fella who brought ye here last night?” She crossed to the crammed shelves on the opposite wall. They were lined with carefully labelled jars, flasks, and other containers full of dried herbs and potions. She reached for a particular jar.
“Aye, Ewan. When we got back to the camp last night, he went to see Colin and they must have got drunk together.” While Ella put up a mixture for her, she explained all about Ewan’s drunken antics and how he had told her she was beautiful.
Ella found it all hilarious. She giggled as she opened the jar and began measuring out a generous amount of an herbal mixture into a small square of paper. “So, he wanted tae kiss ye, kept tellin’ ye ye’re beautiful, and made ye sleep on top of him like that all night without lettin’ ye go?”
“Aye. It sounds funny now but it wasnae funny at the time,” Isla said and found herself joining in her friend’s laughter. “But I got used tae it after a while.”
“Mmm, I’m sure ye did. I bet he’s nice and warm. I wouldnae mind sleepin’ on top of him mesel’. Are ye sure naethin’ else happened?” Ella asked teasingly, deftly wrapping the herbal cure into a square of paper and making a neat parcel of it.
“Nay, it did nae!” Isla exclaimed, finding she was not as shocked as she thought she should be.
“I believe ye.” Ella handed her the package. “Steep a couple of good spoonsful in boiling water fer ten minutes and have him drink it. I put extra in there fer him outside. He must be feelin’ rotten this mornin’.
“Aye, I expect he is.” Isla giggled, having not thought about Colin. Of course, it made sense that he would have a hangover. “Maybe that’s why he’s in such a funny mood.” She stashed the package in the inside pocket of her coat and squeezed Ella’s hands in gratitude. “Thank ye so much, Ella. I really appreciate yer help. I wish I could stay and talk tae ye some more, but I suppose I’d better go.”
“Aye, I wouldnae want ye tae get intae trouble with that braw man of yers, especially if he’s got a sore head.”
“He’s nae me man, he’s the enemy,” Isla declared without conviction, unable to stop herself from smiling as she thought of Ewan’s sleeping face on the pillow. “Ach, I hope he’s nae awake yet,” she murmured a little anxiously, loath to leave her friend but at the same time eager to get back to him. “He’ll be angry and worried if he finds me gone. I want tae get back before he wakes and surprise him with the cure.”
They walked over to the door. But before she could leave, Ella put her hands on Isla’s shoulders and said, “Ye say he’s the enemy, but from what ye’ve just told me about last night, it sounds tae me like he’s rather sweet on ye, Isla. When men are in their cups, they often speak truths they wouldnae dare tae say when they’re sober.”
