Page 12 of Bewitching her Highland Savior

CHAPTERSIX

Liam and Muriel sat in silence for the majority of the ride and he didn’t know what to do about it. He tried to ignore Muriel’s sour mood at first but her sadness now slithered all around them like a living being. He hoped that as the day progressed, she would revert to her usual, snarky self.

Once they reached Perth, Liam pulled the wagon to a stop and headed into an apothecary in hopes of finding a concoction of herbs for Muriel. He left her outside, thinking it was best for her leg to rest, and wasn't concerned about her attempting to flee again, since she couldn't walk unassisted. By the time he returned, she appeared to be asleep.

He couldn't blame her after staying awake all night, though he wished she had been wise enough to try to sleep. They'd have to waste precious time now, but Liam couldn't bear the thought of letting her sleep like that, sitting upright on an uncomfortable wagon.

“Muriel,” he said softly; shaking her shoulder. “Come, lass. Let’s find a room for ye to sleep in.”

Muriel opened her eyes just enough to look at Liam or rather, glare at him, unhappy at the sudden disturbance.

“I promise ye, it’ll be better on a bed,” he said and offered her his hand to help her off the wagon.

The room that he got for her was a small one, but it had everything she would need including the bed, a small dresser with a washbasin on it, a mirror, and several candles if she needed them. Most importantly, it was warm, unlike the clearing where they had camped the night before, and the ornate red wallpaper on the walls gave the place a homey feel.

Soon, Liam had put Muriel in bed, checked that she was comfortable, and returned to the ground floor. The inn was cosy, with comfortable chairs and thick carpets, and mostly empty, thankfully. Liam had learned early on that wherever there were crowds, there was trouble, and the last thing he needed was to have to fight off a gang of drunk men or, worse, brigands.

He ate his food in silence, discreetly keeping a close eye on the people around him. None of them seemed particularly threatening and no one paid him any mind, so by the time he was done with his lunch, he felt more at ease. He let himself relax as he leaned back in his seat and enjoyed his ale.

It wasn't until much later that he heard footsteps coming down the stairs and saw Muriel approaching. Liam rushed to assist her, wrapping an arm around her even as she tutted at him.

“I can do it on me own,” she said even though he felt her lean against him a little.

“Ye need to give yerself time to heal,” he pointed out. “At least ye look rested noo.”

Liam placed Muriel on the chair across from him before he sat down once more. He saw Muriel glance at the table next to them, where two men were eating, and ordered some food for her, too.

She didn’t try to stop him.

“Why are ye bein’ nice to me?”

The question took him by surprise. Liam thought of himself as a decent person, and he couldn't see why he couldn't be nice to Muriel or anyone else. But he assumed that didn't match her perception of him after he told her he would not defy her father's orders.

“Why wouldna I be?” he asked. “Would ye rather I wasnae?”

“Ye werenae verra nice to me at first,” she said.

“Neither were ye,” Liam pointed out. “Ye yelled at me a lot.”

Muriel cracked a small, apologetic smile. “I suppose ye’re right. But I dinnae think I’ll yell at ye anymore.”

“Nae?”

“Nae… I think I may have yelled at ye enough,” she said. “Ye’re doin’ yer job, I suppose. It’s me faither I should be blamin’.”

At that moment, Muriel looked so defeated; slumped in her chair as though she never wanted to leave it and Liam couldn’t help but feel bad for her. “Are ye certain ye dinnae wish to write him?”

Muriel shook her head silently just as the barmaid placed the food in front of her. Despite the fact that she seemed to have an appetite only moments before, she now grabbed the spoon and began to stir the stew absentmindedly.

“Weel… it seems like we’ll be here for a while,” Liam said – deciding it was best to change the subject and try to cheer Muriel up. Outside, the sky was darkening, deep gray clouds were gathering above them, and Liam would rather avoid travelling in the rain. “Why dinnae ye tell me about yer home?”

Muriel looked at him as though he had sprouted a second head. “Me home?”

“Aye. I wish to hear about it.”

“Oh… I dinnae ken what to tell ye,” she said; scratching her temple as she considered his question. “It’s a bonny place. Bonnier than Edinburgh. There are many beaches and the sand is white. But there are also cliffs, and they’re verra tall and when ye stand there, ye can see nothing but the sea and the sky.”

Her smile returned to her lips as she spoke of her home, and her voice became brighter. Liam could see why she wanted to return so badly. She adored it..