Page 10 of Claimed Highland Brides

BEDROOM BLUES

Daividh loitered about the field, trying to pick up a trail for Fiona and her maid. There were no footprints, no little bits of cloth caught in the rough fencing, nothing to show that they were ever here. He walked back towards the inn and then detoured to the stables to find out if two women had taken out any horses.

“We havenae seen twa women alone today. Have ye men?” the head groom asked as he mucked out a stall.

There was a chorus of denials and Daividh deflated, wondering how he was to find them.

“Did ye see twa women anywhere today? Mebbe they just walked past. One is about this tall,” Daividh said, putting his hand just a bit below his shoulder, “wi’ fiery red hair and bright green eyes. Her skin is pale and creamy. She has a bit o’ a haughty look aboot her but she’s kind enough tae her servant.”

The head groom was looking at him with amusement. “We’re sorry ye’ve lost yer lady but we havenae seen her.”

“She’s nae my lady,” Daividh felt compelled to protest.

“Och aye…” The head groom sounded dubious.

Daividh whirled around and hurried off, unable to keep looking the man in the eye. Truth be told, he wouldn’t have minded if she was his lady. But he had it from her own mouth that she was promised to another. Dreaming about impossibilities would do no one any good. He wandered back into the inn and into her room, seating himself on the bed as he thought hard.

“There arenae many places she can gang on foot. She must be close by if’n she left her bags. She’s a defiant wee thing sae she’s likely just asserting hersel’.” He pursed his lips thoughtfully and nodded in agreement with his own analysis, deciding that the best thing to do would be to wait right there for her to come back.

* * *

Fiona stumbled out of the tent, feeling dazed, and was grateful when Julieta reached out for her and stopped her from falling.

“Miss Douglass are ye alrigh’?” Julieta’s voice was high, breathless, and anxious.

Fiona nodded vaguely, her eyes unfocused. “I'm fine,” she said absently, her mind churning with all the new information she had just acquired.

“Wha’ did she say? Did she tell ye yer fortune? Will ye meet a handsome prince that will sweep ye off yer feet?” Julieta laughed uncomfortably at her own feeble attempt to lighten the atmosphere. Fiona gave her a sharp look in response, much to her relief. She did not like how pale Fiona looked.

“Shall we return to the inn then, Miss Douglass? I think ye need tae rest.”

“Och aye, ye’re right. I’m tired and heartsore. Sleep will do me some guid.”

“Let us gang then. If ye want I can get us a carriage? Are ye very tired? It’s quite a walk.”

Fiona smiled, warmed by Julieta’s concern. “I’m fine. Let us walk quietly. There is a lot to mull over.”

Julieta simply nodded, taking Fiona’s arm in hers, and began to head back down the path. They walked in silence as Fiona pondered the seer’s last words.

“Miss? Ye seem...fashit?” Julieta ventured.

Fiona nodded slowly. “I am.”

“May I ask why?”

Fiona sighed. “The spaewife, she told me something. Something that would change the course of my life should I let it. Now I am wondering what I should do. I find that I am torn between my duty and mayhaps, my happiness. She told me I am at a crossroads. Which route should I take? Happiness or duty?”

“Did she no gi’ ye a hint as to which one’s the right one?”

Fiona huffed a laugh. “She said there isnae no ‘right’ one. Only what I choose. She said the Lord gave us free will.”

Julieta snorted. “Och, mayhaps he gave free will to the lads. Not us lassies.”

Fiona’s eyes softened as she turned to look affectionately upon the other woman. “Ye’re a wise one Julieta.”

The maid beamed. “Aye, I am.”

They turned into the lane leading to the inn and walked the rest of the way in silence. Fiona’s mind turned to Daividh and whether or not he might have discovered their absence. Hopefully, he was still in the hall, drinking the night away with the other men. They could slip back into their room through the kitchen and nobody needed to be any the wiser.