Page 11 of Bewitching her Highland Savior

“What are ye thinkin’?” Liam asked; making her wonder if he could read her thoughts. “Ye seem far away.”

“Nothin’,” she said.

“I dinnae think it’s nothin’.”

“Weel, perhaps it’s nothin’ that concerns ye,” Muriel said but there was no real bite behind her words.

From the corner of her eye, she could see Liam watching her; his gaze never straying from her face. She had no idea what he was looking for, but whatever it was, she was not going to give it up willingly.

Liam walked towards the wagon and returned with some bread and cured meat. Muriel eagerly took a bite after he handed it to her. The bread was tough between her fingers and tasted stale, but that didn't stop her from eating it.

“At least ye’re eatin’, Miss McNeil,” Liam said. “I’m hopin’ ye’ll get some sleep tonight, too.”

“Ye can call me Muriel, ye ken,” she said after a moment of silence. “Ye dinnae have to call me Miss MacNeil.”

Muriel noticed Liam smiling just a little when she looked at him.

“As ye wish, Muriel,” he said.

The sound of her name on Liam's lips brought a small smile to Muriel's face, but it vanished quickly. She didn’t want him thinking she was getting comfortable with him around or that she enjoyed his presence as it couldn’t be farther from the truth. Besides, the less they talked, the less attention Liam would give her, and the easier it would be for her to run away.

But what if I cannae run away from him? What if he stops me again?

The thought was brief but rattled her still. Her stomach sank as she imagined a faceless man by her side, someone she didn’t want and would never want. The mere idea of him was enough to bring a frown to her face – one that Liam would no doubt notice.

Once Liam put out the fire, he helped Muriel sit on the wagon, wary of her leg. He even arranged his spare coat under her seat, so she would have something soft to sit on; startling her by the care he was showing her.

“Ye dinnae have to do all this for me,” she said. “Yer job is just to take me to me husband.”

“There’s nae reason for ye to be uncomfortable, is there?” Liam asked. “Just let me do this for ye, lass. Ye’re hurt and… weel, ye’re nae verra happy right noo so it’s the least I can do for ye.”

Muriel despised the fact that her emotions were so obvious. She didn't mind Liam seeing her angry, as she had been when she tried to persuade him to take her home. She didn't mind if he thought she was a nuisance either. It was only her sadness she didn’t want him to notice. She didn’t want his pity. She didn’t want anyone’s pity.

She fell silent as they made their way through the forest, her gaze unfocused; taking in none of her surroundings. After a while, she heard Liam humming softly and when she listened carefully, she recognised the tune as an old song. She leaned back, closed her eyes and listened to him; letting it wash over her and take with it all her sadness.