Page 64 of The Highlander’s Tempting Touch

She wanted to ask more, but Sorcha rose. “Fer yer other questions, the answers are best found elsewhere. And ye’ll be wanting tae get home afore yer husband does.”

That was true. Niamh drank the last of her tea and rose. “Thank you fer explaining things tae me. And fer welcoming me. I ken… it cannae be easy.”

“’Tis nae. But ye’re more pleasant company than most.” To Niamh’s surprise Sorcha came around the table and kissed her brow. “For luck and courage lass. And if the darkness seeks ye, remember well, ‘tis nae just yer hair that holds the spirit o’ fire. Yer eyes are a window tae who ye are, and yers are the color o’ earth and life and strength - ye’ve more than ye ken o’ the last two.” She caressed Niamh’s auburn locks with a gentle hand. “Now go, and go safely.”

Unable to do anything else, or think of anything to say, Niamh bid her hostess a quiet farewell and left, her thoughts occupied by everything Sorcha had told her.

And on how to best broach the subject with her husband.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Alistair was surprised to find Niamh absent from the Samhain preparations when he returned home, but not too concerned. Catriona mentioned that she and Niamh had been discussing some things, and that his wife had mentioned some ‘personal matters’.

He was, however, a good deal more concerned by the fact that the western gate guards reported that she’d gone looking for herbs for a new sachet. It was all he could do not to send the men out searching for her. The only thing that stopped him was the knowledge that Niamh had gone west - the opposite direction from MacTavish lands - as well as the fact that he and his men had tracked the sign of the men who’d camped in his territory, and there was every indication they’d left the bounds of his lands.

Fergus MacTavish would know he was on guard. Ruthless and cruel he might be, but the man wasn’t fool enough to make another attempt so soon after his last one had failed.

He kept himself busy by informing the council of his discoveries, then working with Ewan to arrange for heavier patrols and more guards in the surrounding area. Perhaps a candle-mark or so after the noon meal, a servant brought him word that Niamh had returned, red-cheeked from the cool weather and slightly pensive, but otherwise completely unharmed.

The news made him sigh with relief, but it also ignited a sense of anger in his belly, that she would be foolish enough to go wandering off so soon after she’d been kidnapped. Did the woman have no sense at all?

He tried to put the thought out of his mind, but it remained, like a slumbering coal in the back of his thoughts, darkening his mood and shortening his temper until at last he excused himself and went to find his wayward wife.

He found Niamh in their shared quarters, at a small desk he had ordered the servants to bring for her, so she could write or draw as she liked, in the privacy of their chambers. She looked up at his entry and smiled, but he could see the smile was strained, the warmth he wished to see clouded by apprehension or some other emotion. “Did ye have success in yer business? The maids told me ye and Ewan left early.”

“Aye. We did. And success - ye can call it that, if that’s what ye wish tae term it, when we found evidence o’ a troop o’ strangers on MacDuff lands. They were gone when we spotted their camp, but likely as nae, they were waiting fer the sellswords who tried tae tak’ ye, and only left when they realized their compatriots had failed.”

He tried to keep his voice calm, but despite his efforts, it dropped to a low growl, laced with anger. “Ye can imagine how I took it, after I returned from such a discovery tae find me wife had gone a-wandering.”

Niamh colored slightly, but she didn’t look away. “Aye, I ken, but I was safe.”

“Ye didnae ken that when ye went out.” He moved closer to her, and Niamh rose to face him, her arms folded. “Ye could have been hurt or killed.”

Niamh scowled. “Why should that stop me, when it’s near as likely tae happen inside the castle walls? After all, I was in the Great Hall when I was nearly poisoned.”

The reminder was like a blow to the gut, and Alistair felt his temper flare, stung by her words. “But ye’re at more risk, and if ye wanted herbs so badly, there are servants who could have gone tae fetch them for ye.”

He saw a flash of guilt on her face and knew at once that whatever reason she’d left the castle, it hadn’t been herbs. “Where did ye go?”

“Tae find out more about the things ye dinnae wish tae tell me.” She met his gaze. “I heard yer first betrothed had a sister. I learned her name and went tae visit her.”

She’d gone out the western gate, to visit Constance’s sister. Alistair felt his heart sink. “Ye went tae see the witch, Sorcha?”

“Aye. I did.” Niamh didn’t flinch under his gaze. “I wanted tae ken why she cursed ye, and how, and if there was aught I could dae tae convince her tae free ye.”

His stomach clenched so hard he felt he’d be sick. “What did she tell ye?”

“That she’ll nae be lifting the curse. And what happened tae yer betrothed and yer faither, and why she cursed ye afterward.” Niamh’s voice was quiet, and faintly apologetic, but her expression was unyielding. “I didnae feel right asking ye about it, when it caused ye so much distress.”

Gratitude for her consideration warred with anger for her foolishness, mixed with a healthy dose of frustration that she hadn’t at least tried to ask him about the whole thing first.

The anger won. “Ye didnae ken ye would be safe! Ye should have spoken tae me first.”

Niamh’s eyes flashed as her own temper ignited. “If I thought I’d be able tae talk tae ye about the matter, we’d nae be having this conversation at all.”

“That’s me point. Ye didnae ask me anything first.”

“And when was I supposed tae? When we first met, and the mere question o’ yer betrothed’s ring sent ye intae a black mood that I fear ye took out on me best friend? Or when ye were near senseless two nights ago, after ye interrogated that mercenary, and choked tae the point o’ wordlessness before ye could say aught? Or any time between that, when I didnae even ken what questions I should be asking?”