Page 21 of Highland Dove

“Angus? Is that ye?”

“Aye, now listen to Duncan before Eideard returns,” said Angus.

“I dinna understand.”

“We’re here to help ye, Mari.” Malmuira got off the wagon, pulling a bottle out of her pocket and holding it up. “I’m sorry about this, but it was Duncan’s idea.”

“About what?”

“Ye need to spread this oil all over yer body.” Duncan took the bottle from the gypsy and held it out to Mari.

“Whatever for? And what is it?” she asked.

“It’s a potion she mixed up of poisonous herbs, includin’ hogweed,” explained Duncan.

“Hogweed?” Mari grimaced. “Duncan, that will make me itch and cause my skin to break out in blisters.” She held up a halting hand. “Ye ken how sensitive I am. Dinna ye remember last summer? It took over a week to recover when I just brushed up against the plant.”

“My point exactly.”

“I dinna understand. So, ye want me to get blisters?” She wrinkled her brow.

“The more the better,” said Duncan. “It’ll give us the time we need.”

“Duncan MacLean, I ken ye are angry with me because I married Eideard, but I did it to save yer mathair,” she retorted. “So please, dinna take it out on me.”

“Lass, I’m tryin’ to save ye from havin’ to couple with Eideard,” explained Duncan. “Now, go with Malmuira to the back of the wagon and rub the oil all over yer body.”

“Oh, I see,” she said, looking up to him with wide eyes. “Duncan, I’m sorry I didna tell ye everythin’ sooner. I was afraid to disappoint ye.”

“We’ll talk later. Right now, we need to move fast.”

Once the oil was smeared all over her body, Mari put her clothes back on and walked out to take another look at Angus. “Blethers, ye make an ugly woman!”

“Thank ye,” said Angus with a smile, straightening his wimple.

“Why in the clootie’s name are ye dressed that way?”

“We’re goin’ to save ye and yer sister and nieces,” said Duncan.

“Then why dinna ye just take me away instead of spreadin’ poison all over my body?”

“It’s because I love ye, lass.” Duncan started to reach over to kiss her, but she held up a halting hand.

“Ye have an odd way of showin’ it. Now, dinna touch me because I am already startin’ to itch.”

“Make sure to get as much sun on ye as possible,” instructed Malmuira. “That will make yer skin blister as fast as possible.”

“This better work to keep Eideard away from me.” Mari scratched an itch right through her clothes. “Because if no’, it is goin’ to drive me mad.”

“It’ll work,” Duncan assured her. “And Angus will be inside the castle walls with Malmuira to watch over ye if ye get in any trouble.”

“Where will ye be?” She felt a little disappointed that Duncan wasn’t the one in disguise coming to protect her.

“First, I’m goin’ to yer clan to talk to yer faither. He’s severely wounded by Eideard and I hope he’ll live.”

“Oh, nay,” she said, not happy to hear this. “I must go to him immediately.” She wiggled and tried to scratch her back.

“No’ like that ye’re no’,” said Duncan. “Ye need to stay away from everyone so they dinna catch it. I want ye to tell yer sister what we’re up to and mayhap she can help us.”