Chapter Six
They reached asizeable village just before sunset three days later, choosing a space adjacent to the river to set up camp. Miran helped the other women unload the cart and assemble their tent. Inside the shelter was six bedrolls, complete with pillows and furs, three braziers, and trunks containing their clothes. They’d spend several days in this village, hoping to find recruits for Jamie’s guard and perhaps a maid for his household.
After everything was set up, Miran washed her face and hands, then changed into a clean, wool gown, fresh leggings, and her second pair of leather boots. Cadha combed her hair out and braided it, weaving dark blue ribbons into the braids to match her dress.
“Are ye comfortable, mistress?” the maid inquired.
Miran gazed at her reflection in the round, handheld mirror another maid held up for her. “Comfort isna something I’d associate with a trip through the Highlands in the middle of winter, Cadha.”
The maid nodded sympathetically. “Can ye bear the accommodations? The food? The lack of civilized company?”
Miran turned around on the stool and glanced at her servant. “Even if I couldna, I’d never complain outside of this tent. The captain and his men must never think us weak.”
“The captain…” Cadha must have thought better of what she had to say, for she bit her tongue and then sighed.
“I understand ye doona trust Captain Kai,” Miran began, “but what grudge do ye have against the man?”
“I wouldna call it a grudge, milady.”
“Nay?”
“Tis safe to say we have a difference of opinion.”
“On what?”
“I am not at liberty to say, mistress.”
Miran frowned. “By whose command?”
“I canna tell ye that, either.”
Miran dinna like vital information being withheld from her, especially from her own maid. Unless… “Are ye a spy, Cadha?”
The older woman chuckled but quickly corrected her rude behavior. “My only task, my only purpose on this trip is to keep ye safe. I swear it before the Almighty.”
Miran stood, eyeing her servant suspiciously. How many times had she heard people swear on anything holy—God, their children, even the scriptures. It made no difference; if someone wished to lie, they would. “I doona know ye very well, Cadha. And we are stuck out here together, meant to look after each other. I am accustomed to taking care of myself, as ye well know. It is unnecessary for ye to follow me around all the time, worrying whether the captain or any of his men will take advantage of me.” She quickly knelt and lifted the hem of her gown, revealing the jeweled scabbard of her dirk. “I know how to use it.”
The maid lifted her eyebrows in obvious surprise and disapproval. “Ladies doona carry weapons.”
“Who said I was a lady?” Miran let her hem drop back into place before she stood again. “I wish ye to eat here. I require a bit of freedom tonight,” she said as she left the tent alone.
She paused just outside the canvas shelter to wait and see if Cadha or any of the other maids would talk behind her back. But after several minutes of silence, Miran was satisfied she had made her point and no one would challenge her authority over the women. Just as she was about to join the men around the fire, Kai approached her.
“Lady Miran.” He bowed casually, a smile playing on his joker’s lips.
“Captain.”
“We have received a formal invitation to dine at one of the finer farms just outside the village.”
“We?”
“Aye.” He stared at her as he always did, looking through her with those haunting, dark eyes. “You, me, and Collin. For our hosts are his cousins, so he must join us. And if you wish, you can enjoy the comfort of a real bed tonight.”
Anytime Kai mentioned a bed, it made Miran’s insides squirm. “Whose bed?”
He shifted on his feet, his smile growing. “Abed,” he emphasized.
“Not yers?” She dinna mean to say it.
