Page 16 of Bewitching her Highland Savior

CHAPTEREIGHT

When the constable handed Liam the piece of paper and Muriel saw a sketch of herself staring back at her – her mouth fell open but no words came out. She didn’t know what to think, let alone say. Why would a murderer have a sketch of her? Who had sent the man after her?

She was certain that Liam and the constables were thinking about the very same thing. Muriel had no enemies. In fact, she hardly knew anyone apart from her family and her friends in Edinburgh.

“We’ll have to ask ye some questions, Miss MacNeil,” the constable who had been doing all the talking said. “Me name’s Domhnall Ceallach. Noo, do ye ken the attacker?”

“Nae, I’ve never seen him before,” Muriel said. She hadn’t taken a good look at him, what with the dim light in the room and her panic, which prevented her from remembering much from the whole affair but she was certain that she had never seen him before. He had the kind of face that was difficult to forget.

“And ye said that ye’re Miss MacNeil’s escort?” Ceallach’s question was directed at Liam but it was Muriel who responded first.

“Aye,” she said. “Me faither sent him to take me to Lewis. It’s where I’ll be meetin’ me future husband.”

“I see. Yer faither’s a wealthy man, then? Could it be that whoever was after ye wanted gold from him?”

“I dinnae see why he would try to kill her if that were the case,” Liam said. “If he wanted gold from her faither, he would have tried to kidnap her – nae kill her. And when I walked in that room, I saw him holdin’ a pillow over her head. It doesna sound to me like he intended for her to live.”

As much as Muriel tried to stop it, her hands began to tremble as she listened to Liam’s account of the events. It occurred to her in that moment just how close she had come to dying for a second night in a row and a nervous laugh escaped her lips.

“Forgive me,” she said; seeing everyone’s alarmed looks. “It’s just that I almost died yesterday as weel. I tried… we were in the woods, and it was dark, and I fell in a ravine. I wouldnae be here if it werenae for Liam. I suppose it’s twice that ye’ve saved me noo.”

“It would be best to nae make a habit out of it,” Liam said; drawing another chuckle from her. When he placed his hand on her shoulder; perhaps sensing her fear and nervousness, she was grateful for it. She liked the grounding weight of it – like an anchor.

“And ye dinnae ken who could have sent the man?” Ceallach asked. “Yer faither’s rival, perhaps? Does he have any enemies?”

“I’m sure he has many,” Muriel said. “But I dinnae ken who they are. Besides, I dinnae think that there is anythin’ ye can do noo. The man is dead and I’m nae from around here. I’m from Barra. If it’s someone who kens me faither, it’ll be from around there.”

“I suppose ye’re right,” Ceallach said. “We will still search for any accomplices the man may have. Rest assured that if there is anyone else in these parts – we’ll find him.”

Muriel breathed a sigh of relief when the constables left. Their mere presence felt overbearing, and she was already shaken by the attempt on her life. All she wanted was some peace and quiet, to be able to breathe without being bothered by anyone.

By then, the first rays of sunlight had begun to break across the horizon, and Muriel didn't think she could sleep any longer that night even if she tried. Blood still rushed through her veins; her heart thumping out beat after beat until she was dizzy with it.

“Can we leave?” she asked Liam. “I dinnae wish to stay here any longer than I must.”

“Ye’re nae tired?”

“Nae, I’m fine,” she said. “I think it’s best if we go. Are ye tired?”

“A little but we may as weel leave early and nae waste any of the day,” Liam said.

As Liam carried her belongings back onto the wagon – Muriel waited by the fire. Once he was ready to go, she followed him outside and when he offered her his hand to help her onto the wagon, she gently squeezed it.

“Thank ye,” she said. “I really would be dead without ye.”

“Nae need to thank me,” Liam said. “How could I let ye die?”

“Ach, of course… me faither would take his gold back.”

Liam laughed but his expression turned serious again after a moment, and it was his turn to hold Muriel’s hand. “Ye ken that’s nae the only reason. I’ll keep ye safe, I promise.”

Muriel’s cheeks heated. She could have sworn her entire face had turned beet red, and she averted her gaze, too embarrassed to look Liam in the eyes. Thankfully, he didn't mention it. Instead, he simply jumped on the wagon, and the two of them drove away from Perth, heading towards the Highlands.

The day was cloudy but not cold enough as to make their journey uncomfortable. Muriel enjoyed it as much as she could, considering everything that had happened in just two days. It felt more like a lifetime to her since she had left Edinburgh and it was hard to believe that her life had changed so much in such a short time. Just the previous week, she had no idea she would be getting married or that assassins would try to kill her.

“How did me life come to this?” she asked; not really expecting a response from Liam. “I never thought any of this would happen to me. I hadnae even thought about marriage, let alone murderers!”

“It is strange,” Liam said. “Why noo? Did yer faither do somethin’ to anger someone?”