“Aye,” Liam confirmed, reaching out to stroke Brimstone’s muzzle. The horse calmed himself but still seemed displeased, likely because Katherine wasn’t around. “I will be takin’ Katherine and Agnes on a short ride. I’ve come to request ye ready Brimstone and me mare.”
“Aye, Me Laird,” the groom said, immediately following Liam’s commands.
As the groom took care of the preparations, Liam scanned the grounds. Several of his men were doing their rounds, but most of the residents of Clan MacDougal were still sleeping soundly. Just before he turned to assist the groom in the stables, the front doors swung open, revealing Agnes with a blanket folded in her arms. Behind her, Katherine looked nearly healed, and she carried what must be their lunch in a parcel in her hands.
As soon as Agnes spotted him, she broke out into a trot. Katherine laughed at the girl’s excitement and ran with her. Their joy was contagious, and Liam had to force a smile.
Just because I’m lettin’ her in, doesnae mean I can let meself get too close. If I’m goin’ to protect them, it’s on me to keep from makin’ Katherine a target.
“I didnae expect ye to be movin’ about so early,” Liam said, taking the folded fabric from Agnes. “I told ye we were leavin’ after ye both ate.”
“We have already eaten,” Agnes reported.
“She dragged me out of bed as soon as the first ray of sunlight came into me chambers,” Katherine said with a grin. “The staff gave me our lunch as we were finishin’ up.”
“Then it’s a good thing that I’ve already instructed the groom to prepare the horses,” Liam said, glancing toward the stable doors. “I imagine Brimstone is nearly ready.”
“I’ll load his saddle bag,” Katherine chirped, sounding so much more like herself.
She disappeared within the stables, appearing a few minutes later on Brimstone’s back. The groom led Liam’s mare out, passing him the reins before taking the blanket from him. As he loaded it into the saddle bag, Liam gestured for Agnes to come closer.
Once the groom stepped away, walking back to the stables, Liam lifted Agnes onto the saddle. When he got her settled, he threw himself onto the mare’s back behind her. As he grabbed the reins, Agnes pressed her small body back against him.
“Ye’ll be leadin’ the way, aye?” Katherine asked, stroking Brimstone’s neck.
She looked at peace atop the steed, comfortable. Brimstone had settled, seemingly pleased that his favorite handler had arrived. Though her insistence on looking after the animal had grated on his nerves at first, he found himself grateful that the two of them had forged a bond.
Ach, I daenae even recognize meself.
“Aye,” Liam confirmed, clearing his throat. He adjusted his grip before urging his mare into a canter. “Stay close so that ye can hear me explanations.”
With that, they were off. The girls kept quiet, both of them holding onto each word he said. He pointed out marks made in trees, scars in the ground, and ponds that all fell under the ownership of Clan MacDougal.
“This is the river on the map,” Katherine said as they came to a stop several feet away from the bank, as the sun stationed itself high in the sky.
“Could we eat here?” Agnes asked, wiggling in the saddle. “It’s quite bonnie.”
“Aye,” Liam said as he dismounted. After his boots hit the ground, he helped Agnes down. As he pulled the blanket free, he said, “Ye and Katherine pick a spot and get everythin’ set up.”
Agnes nodded, taking the bundle of fabric from his hands. She surveyed the area, her face etched with the grave seriousness he knew she had learned from him. Before Katherine could dismount, he stepped beside her, offering a hand.
“Thank ye, Me Laird,” she said, her fingers wrapping around his palm.
“Of course, Me Lady,” he replied, letting his touch linger for a beat longer than entirely necessary.
Even after his hand dropped, he didn’t step out of her space. His eyes darted down to her lips without his permission, and he heard the sharp intake of breath she took. His gaze returning tohers, he reached for the saddle bag, pulling out the parcel she’d tucked away.
“Let’s have our picnic.”
She swallowed hard, and he watched the way her throat moved. Feeling almost like a predator stepping away from his prey, Liam took a step back. Finally, he looked away, his eyes settling on Agnes. Katherine seemed to regain her composure, blinking several times before she moved to offer her help.
Turning his back on the girls as they chattered and spread the blanket, Liam turned his face up to the sky. He wasn’t sure what had compelled him to invite the lesson the day prior nor the ride this morning. It was the same thing that he’d felt bend and then break when he’d seen Katherine lying in bed, looking as though she were fading away.
“Father!” Agnes called, waving her hand, “we’ve found the perfect spot.”
He spotted her and Katherine beneath a large, shaded tree. The grass around them fluttered with the light breeze, and Katherine was busy arranging the bread, cheeses, and fruits that they’d brought along. Something warm that he hadn’t felt in years took hold of him; it was a fundamentalrightness.
“Ye work well together,” Liam praised as he crossed the short distance to join them. Brimstone and his mare wandered over to the river, and a bird called in the distance. “I can continue the lesson as we eat.”
