"Poor lass. Come on, let's get ye sorted properly."
Alpin waited outside while Mhairi tried on clothes, leaning against the shop wall and watching the crowd pass by. He was just considering whether to find something to eat when the shop door opened.
And Mhairi stepped out.
Alpin straightened so fast he nearly knocked over the person walking behind him.
The dress Morag had put her in was simple—deep blue wool that brought out the grey of her eyes, properly fitted through the bodice and waist, with sleeves that actually ended at her wrists. Her dark hair was still braided, a few loose strands framin' her face.
She looked...
"Christ," Alpin breathed.
Mhairi's cheeks flushed. "Is it... is it all right?"
"All right?" He couldn’t stop staring. "Lass, ye're... ye look..."
"Beautiful?" Morag supplied helpfully from the doorway, clearly enjoying his speechlessness.
"Aye," Alpin managed. "That."
Mhairi's flush deepened, but she was smiling. "I'll take it, then. And maybe a few others?"
"Take whatever ye want," Alpin said, still slightly dazed.
The dressmaker grinned and ushered Mhairi back inside. Alpin stayed where he was, forcing his heartbeat back to something resembling normality.
That was dangerous. He knew it was. Mhairi had been through hell—she didn’t need him making things complicated with... whatever that was. That pull he felt toward her.
But God help him, he couldn’t seem to stop.
When they finally left the dressmaker's shop—with promises that the rest of Mhairi's new clothes would be delivered to the castle within days—Alpin offered her his arm.
"Where tae now?" Mhairi asked, taking it without hesitation.
"Wherever ye like. Is there anything else ye need?"
They wandered through the market, stopping occasionally so Mhairi could examine wares. She was drawn to a stall selling ribbons, running her fingers over the colorful silk with obvious delight. Alpin bought her half a dozen without her asking.
Then she stopped.
Dead still in the middle of the street, staring at a merchant's cart piled high with dried herbs and medicinal supplies.
"What is it?" Alpin asked.
"Those herbs." Mhairi moved closer, her eyes wide. "That's yarrow, and comfrey, and... is that feverfew? I havenae seen such a good selection outside of..." She trailed off.
"Outside of what?"
She glanced at him, suddenly shy. "The healer's chambers. At me faither's keep. I used tae sneak in when I was a child, watch him work. He'd let me help sometimes, when no one else was around."
Alpin's interest sharpened. "Ye ken healin'?"
"A little. Naethin' formal, accordin’ tae me faither it wasnae appropriate fer a laird's daughter tae learn such things. But I loved it. The way herbs could help people, the way a skilled healer could ease sufferin'..." She touched a bundle of dried lavender gently. "I always wished I could learn properly."
An idea formed in Alpin's mind. A way to give her something she needed, somethin' that was hers alone.
"Ye can," he said.
