It was a benediction that sent a chill to Portia’s heart.
“His death.Youwill behisdeath,” Lizzy repeated.
Harry had dismounted and come over to them, leaving Ajax to stand. He heard what Lizzy said. “Why?” he asked, kneeling beside her.
Lizzy started to speak, and then her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she collapsed. Portia held on to her. “She’s swooned,” Portia said in surprise.
“Here, let me have her,” Harry said. He carried Lizzy into the hut, where he laid her on her pallet.
Having picked up the bowl and the basket where Lizzy had dropped them, Portia set them on the table. She found some strips of material that she made into a compress. She doused it with cool water and rested it against Lizzy’s brow. Her hands shook as she worked. Lizzy’s outburst had been unnerving. It had been frightening.
Harry seemed calm. “What was going on between you?” he asked. He was wandering around the hut, investigating the rows of herbs on the shelves. He had to stoop because the ceiling was low. The air was smoky and oppressive from the peat on the fire. He coughed.
Before Portia could answer, Lizzy moaned andopened her eyes. “Hello, Miss Maclean,” she said as if greeting Portia for the first time. “Good to see you today.”
“It’s good to see you,” Portia said, uneasy. She glanced at Harry. He took a step forward so he would be in the woman’s line of vision.
“Hello, Lizzy.”
She smiled up to him as well, her earlier distress gone. “How did you come in here?” she asked the two of them.
“You invited us,” Portia said.
“I forgot,” Lizzy answered with her toothless grin. “Did I have a spell?”
“I believe so,” Portia answered.
“I’m all right now,” Lizzy assured her, and started to sit up to prove the truth of her words.
Portia came to her feet as well, taking the hand Harry offered.
“Ye are a couple, aren’t ye now?” Lizzy said. She chuckled. “There will be an uproar in the valley about this. There are those who don’t want ye together.”
“Who?” Harry asked.
Lizzy became sly. “I’m not to be telling. I know better.”
Portia placed a hand on Lizzy’s arm. “You don’t remember anything you said before you swooned?”
“I swooned?” Lizzy tilted her head in happy surprise. “Aren’t I fancy now? Swooning!”
The light was growing dark outside. Portia knew she needed to leave. “I must return home. Will you be all right?”
“Let me escort you home,” Harry said.
Portia shook her head. Lizzy might have forgotten what she’d said but Portia hadn’t. She needed a moment to herself to clear her head and steady her nerves. “Perhaps if you would stay with Lizzy a moment until we are certain she is all right.”
“I’d be happy to do. She can explain to me what all these herbs are for,” he said.
“I will, if you wish,” Lizzy answered.
“Then I’ll go,” Portia said, and went out the door. Harry followed.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“I don’t know. She seems to have forgotten everything we had discussed.”
“And whatwereyou discussing?”
