Page 31 of Highland Spy

“Thank ye,” said Bridget, slipping a small bottle of liquid herbs into her bag that Wren handed her. Bridget had been talking to Wren and Trea about her father’s health. She had brought him food earlier but he had still been having hallucinations. So she’d given him more of the tincture and he was sleeping once again.

“Brathair,” said Trea as Caleb walked up to join them. “I finally met the girl ye’ve been talkin’ about for months.”

“Trea, what’s goin’ on?” asked Caleb, looking at them suspiciously.

“It’s nothin’,” said Bridget. “Why do ye ask?”

“I saw Lady Wren give ye somethin’,” he told her, his eyes going to her bag. The man didn’t miss a thing. And although he was already privy to the fact that she was writing the chronicles, she didn’t want to tell him what bad shape her father was really in.

“If you’ll excuse us,” said Wren. “Caleb’s sister, Finnea, is waiting for us to help finish making the wreath that will be placed on the winner’s head tomorrow.”

“Aye, we should go.” Trea reached over and kissed her brother on the cheek before they walked away.

“Are ye busy, lass?” asked Caleb.

“What do ye mean?” Bridget didn’t look at him when she spoke, so Caleb figured she was still sore about what happened earlier.

“I was hopin’ we could take a ride down to the river since it is such a bonnie day.”

“I really shouldna leave my faither.”

“Where is yer faither? I didna see him at the meal. Is somethin’ wrong?”

“Nay. He’s just no’ feelin’ well. He’s in our chamber sleepin’.”

“Then ye dinna need to stay here, unless ye plan on watchin’ him sleep.”

“Nay, I dinna plan on that,” she said, realizing her father wouldn’t awake for hours. She could see Caleb was trying to make amends, and she honestly felt bad for what happened earlier. “I suppose a quick ride to the river to cool off my feet wouldna be a bad idea.”

“Guid. Then, shall we go retrieve our horses from the stables?” He held out his arm to escort her. His pine marten popped its head out of the bag and it all looked so sweet that she couldn’t refuse him.

“To the stables,” she said, holding on to his arm as they left the great hall.

Ten minutes later, they were riding out of the castle and it was just what Bridget needed. The sun shone down brightly and the summer breeze blew against her face, relaxing her and making her troubles seem far away. Reaching up, she pulled the ribbon loose that held back her hair, reaching back to unwind the braid that had trailed down her back. With her hair loose and not having to watch after her father as she rode, she felt free and playful. She hadn’t felt this way since she was a child.

“Bridget, slow down. What’s the hurry?” shouted Caleb from behind her.

“I’ll race ye,” she said, taking off on her horse at a run before he had the chance to object. She managed to stay just ahead of him, and when they reached the river, she stopped her horse, giggling like a child. “I bet ye didna think a girl could ride so fast.”

“Nay, ye surprised me.” He dismounted and hurried over, holding out his arms and she eagerly accepted his assistance. When he lowered her to the ground, his hands lingered at her waist. She could feel the warmth of his hands on her body and she liked it. “Where did ye learn to do that?” he asked her.

“I taught myself to ride when I was just a child.” She looked up at him and her body stirred. The sun shone on his face making him look even more handsome than before. The darkness of his eyes that she thought were black, lightened and she could see brown specks in them now. His shoulder-length hair lifted in the breeze. Brown-black waves and even some small curls fell across his face. She felt comfortable being so close him, and found herself wanting to kiss him again.

He was looking at her mouth so she bravely took the chance, standing on her tiptoes and brushing her lips against his. His arms slid around her and he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss and making her inner core come to life.

“Mmmm,” he said with his mouth still against hers, making a buzzing sensation that tickled. It made her giggle. “And where did ye learn to kiss like that?”

“That was self-taught, too, I guess,” she responded. “I mean – I havena had a lot of practice.”

“Why no’?” he asked, his arms still around her. “After all, ye’re a bonnie lass. I canna see why ye are no’ married by now.”

“Ye are a handsome lad, so why are ye no’ married?”

“I havena found the right girl yet.” He looked deeply into her eyes when he spoke. “But I think mayhap I’m gettin’ closer.”

He was looking at her like he wanted to eat her. And although it excited her, it frightened her at the same time. Her body became heated and she stepped away. “I think I’d like to walk in the water and cool off my feet.”

“Aye,” he said, nodding and clearing his throat. “I think coolin’ off is a guid idea.”