Thomas cursed under his breath. “You never do let me sleep in, do you, Cullen?”
The dog whined until Thomas gave in and rumpled his fur. The shepherd stretched full long and stood, showing me his bare backside, broad shoulders, and shapely legs. A flush spread across my cheeks. Now Itrulydid not wish to leave the cottage, or at least not the shepherd’s side.
Out Cullen bounded, eager to get started on the day’s work.
Thomas faced me, his eyes sleepy as he gave me a lazy grin. “Sorry if he did wake ye.” He stood and stretched, grabbing his breeches. “’Tis well past time I was up anyway. Must look in on young Douglas before I take out the flock.”
I grabbed his shirt and hid it behind my back. “Ye must rest your leg.”
Thomas sighed deeply. “Young Douglas is ill. I wouldna go if he could tend them.”
“What is wrong with the boy, then?”
Thomas must have sensed some skepticism in me. “He’s an honest lad, Bess. I do not believe he is lying.”
Nor do I.“That is not why I am asking. I meant, what are his symptoms? I may know something that could help.” A gargle of mustard seed and vinegar if he had caught a cold; beeswax for a toothache; ginger for stomach troubles.
“Oh.” Thomas cocked his head, considering me. “They say ’tis a bit of a cough. Mayhap the croup? Did you mean to look in on him?”
Well, why shouldn’t I?
I had set and bandaged Thomas’s leg; now it was healing straight, and he barely felt any pain. With Mairi Grieve, I had delivered infants, brewed up elixirs, and taken them to the ill and the infirm. All these years, Eamon Grieve had let me feel I was worthless, of no import at all, but it was not true. I knew things. Had skills.
And if I was Thomas Shepherd’s leman, that did not mean I was good for naught but warming his bed.
“I could look in on him, yes.”
A warm grin spread across Thomas’s face. “I am certain his family would appreciate it.”
His family.
Nay, this was the Douglases we were talking about, who held the largest allotment of land in the village, whose standing Eamon had greatly aspired to, and only just fallen short. The boy’s father had been twice reeve already, and the family was distantly connected to nobility throughout the Borders. They could well afford the services of a university-trained physician if there were one in the village.
My services were just as good as those of a university-trained physician. Mairi had cured diseases that troubled them numerous times. “Of course. I will look in on him this evening.” I smiled, and clutched Thomas’s boots to my front. “You will get these back when I return from watching your flocks.”
“Bess, I...”
“I will brook no argument. Come now, Cullen.”
The dog gave me a contemptuous sniff.
I would brook no argument from him either. “I said, up!” And I made my way out to the sheepfold, with Cullen barking at my heels.
Do not follow in your mother’s footsteps.So had Eamon Grieve and the priest advised me.
It was already too late for that. I had tended Thomas’s wound. I had attempted to help Glenna Baker, and if she still needed me, I would do it again. For better or worse, I could no longer call myself Eamon Grieve’s dutiful daughter. He had already booted me out.
If I must pay the penance, I might as well commit the sin.
My only fear now was what might happen if my efforts went wrong. I could go from disgraced daughter to poisoner or even witch, and if they thought me such, well, the Douglases would be dangerous enemies to have. Though my fae blood meant I did not die easily, I was not eager to put it to the test. But when had Mairi ever worried about what could go wrong? Never had I known fear to stop her when she could be of help.
No coward would I be. Let Eamon call me ingrate, let the priest label me heretic and slut. Mairi’s healing wisdom was inside me, and I would not shrink from the opportunity to put it to use.
And so, after a brief day in the fields—for in May the flocks go out late to avoid the troublesome dew, and come home early to avoid the troublesome heat—I returned to find Thomas lying abed, feigning sleep.
Restless knave,I thought.You don’t fool me.I knelt beside him and kissed his forehead. “Sweet mite, ha’ ye been lying here abed all this time?”
Thomas allowed his eyes to flutter open, batting his long dark lashes. “Have done as ye bade me, nymph.” Then he grabbed for me, far too vigorously for one just roused from his nap.
