“That is why I hope ye will keep her confidence and also protect her if the need arises.”
“Ye have me word.”
How can I deny Kali’s request for me to promise the same thing about the children after Sam gave his vow so easily?They arrived in Durness finally, sunshine warming their backs, as they were welcomed enthusiastically by the folk going about their work.
Once they stabled the horses, Sam asked, “What does the lass need?”
“Cloth to make garments for the wee ones.”
“What else?”
“Shoes, thread, and needles…”
“Doona forget the last and most important thing,” Sam said.
“What would that be?” Adam prepared for whatever indecent suggestion his friend would make.
“A gift for the lass.”
…
Kali had tried to settle into a regular routine since arriving at the MacKay keep. But just as she did in Aberdeen, often late in the night, she’d awake restless and unable to fall back to sleep. So she wandered wherever she could, trying to rid her mind of all the troubling burdens she carried. But now, since the children were sleeping in the tower, she could not simply walk about the large chamber and risk waking them. Instead, she wrapped the warm length of woolen Bane tartan about her shoulders and slipped into her leather boots before she walked down the stairs as quietly as she could.
Something about the inky night sky and moonlight compelled her to go out when everyone else was abed. Perhaps the silence. Or maybe she preferred solitude. That’s when she could speak to her dearly departed mother, who Kali was sure watched over her and her sisters from heaven above.
As she went to open the door to the tower, something caught her eye on a nearby chair—a pile of what? A candle burned low in a holder on the tabletop, the flame nearly guttering out in the melted wax. But enough light was shed to see four bolts of sturdy material, nine pairs of boots in varying sizes, and a basket with a lid. She closed her eyes and thanked God she had found a friend in Adam MacKay. He had kept his word and gone to the market—quicker than she had anticipated. With a sigh of relief, she opened the basket and found a missive inside. It simply read,I hope everything meets yer expectations, lass. With admiration, A.
Underneath the missive, she found a velvety piece of blue material. She unfolded it and found a delicate silver bracelet with two gold beads for the clasp. Her name was etched in the silver in an elegant script. Such a stunning piece of jewelry must have cost… Why would Adam gift her with something so dear? She carefully set the bracelet aside and peered inside the basket. He had more than met her expectations—he had greatly exceeded them. The basket contained everything she needed to sew clothes for the children, and on the bottom, she found two of her silver coins.
The cost of the items must have been more than she had given him. Why would he… Questioning his every motive seemed rude. She had gained a true friend and needed to accept that fact. Though she had a difficult time trusting men, Adam had proven to be an exceptional person. So much so, some of her faith in the male persuasion might be restored. If he remained loyal and gentle.
She closed the basket, still intending to go for a walk outside. However, not without her new bracelet. She secured it around her right wrist and smiled as she held it close to the candle. As fine a piece as she had ever seen at the shops in Aberdeen. The artisan who had made this bracelet had done so with care.
Once outside, she breathed in the fresh air, the lingering tang of salt on her tongue. Did she just imagine that difference in the air compared to her home, or did the Highlands possess everything pure and wonderful in nature? She made her way down to the drop-off where she had first discovered the children. The burn had become one of her favorite spots to visit, for she loved to kick off her shoes and wade into the cold water.
Moonlight reflected off the crystal clear water as it rippled over the rocks. She looked around to make sure no one had followed her, tempted to free herself of the boots and hike her skirt up to her knees so she could enjoy the freedom of splashing about.
Not seeing anyone, she did just that. Laughter escaped her as she waded into the water, ankle-deep, then calf-deep. Such carelessness would not be possible during daylight. Nay, the clan members would frown upon such frivolities from a grown woman. Especially the daughter of a laird, even a fallen one.
At nineteen, Kali should be betrothed or already married with bairns of her own. But her father had smartly bided his time, waiting for the best opportunity to sell her off to an English lord. An awful beast. Lord Nelson. How could she even swallow the reality that the man might be her husband one day—have the right to touch and bed her—to command her—to bend her to his will. She tried to shake the nightmare from her mind and spun around in the water, her free arm lifted above her head, once again laughing at the absurdity of her sire’s demands.
“Woman!” an unknown voice called out.
Kali froze, unsure what to do.
“Remain where ye are,” the man said, and Kali could hear him slide down from his mount, his boots landing on the ground with a heavy thud.
A shiver wound its way up her spine, and fear set in slow and steady. Not only had she been caught acting inappropriately, but the sight of her might make the most rational of men question her integrity. For her wild red curls were unbound, and she was wearing little more than a shift underneath her shawl, and her legs… Dear Lord, she had exposed her knees, a serious transgression in the civilized world.
“Turn around slowly,” the man commanded.
She obeyed, letting the length of her skirt fall back into place.
“Jesu,” the man said. “Are ye a lost selkie? A dancing spirit? Or a witch?” He seemed struck dumb as he gazed at her in awe.
“I am none of those things, sir. Only a woman enraptured by the beauty of this place.”
“Oh?” He cocked his head, his gaze sweeping up and down her body. “And what is yer name, lass?”
