Page 80 of A Rogue in Firelight

“Sweet lassie! We are nearly done, my darling,” Ellison said.

“She is fair calm. She must be used to people.” Ronan ran his hand over the animal’s head, soothing the ears, patting the little belly.

“She knows we are helping her.” Ellison pulled at the thorny, flowery gorse. “Ow!”

“Gorse is pretty, but it has a bite.” Finally the branches bounced free, and Ronan scooped up the lamb and stood. Taking off her shawl, Ellison tucked it around the creature.

Glancing down, Ronan saw red streaks on his fingers and drew back the shawl. “She has quite a gash on one hind leg.”

“What should we do?” Ellison patted the little head.

He made a quick decision. “Mairi Brodie lives nearby. She treats illness and wounds. I will take the lamb there while you return to Strathniven with the others.”

She shook her head. “I want to go with you. Is it far?”

“Three miles or so across the glen. You would be safer going back.”

“If you mean smugglers, I would like to meet some—for my book.” Her eyes flashed with determination and courage. Though warmed to see that strength in her, he could not risk any harm coming to her. He felt an eerie sense of trouble nearby.

“Trust me, madam, you do not want to meet that sort.”

“I met you.”

He huffed. “Fair enough. But I am a nicer sort.”

“Sometimes. But if you are with me, all will be well. Please,” she added.

Her faith in him touched him unexpectedly. She wanted adventure, a challenge to test her mettle, and he would not discourage that. Yet he had a strong urge to protect her from danger. Looking at her big bonny eyes, he sighed.

“Very well. I will at least know you are safe if we all go together.”

“Oh my dearie,” she cooed sweetly to the lamb. Something melted inside him.

“Come on.” He spoke curtly to dispel the feeling and headed down the slope, the lamb shaking like a sapling in his arms, Ellison keeping pace.

“A lamb!” Donal said as they drew near. Ellison explained quickly. “Should we look for the flock?”

“Later,” Ronan said. “This one was separated from its mam and injured her leg. She cannot walk, and we cannot leave her prey to a wildcat or some rogue wanting a bit of tender shank for supper. I want to take her to Mairi Brodie,” he added.

“She is at Invermorie now, but I could fetch her over to Strathniven,” Donal said.

“This wee bit needs attention now. We will hurry to Invermorie.”

Chapter Sixteen

Built of fieldstone,Invermorie Castle overlooked a hillside thick with heather and gorse to one side, with a precipitous rocky slope to the other. Ellison remembered seeing this castle at a distance and recalled a woman crossing the yard.

“That slope looks a treacherous climb,” she said, touching the lamb’s little head. “The castle looks quite old.”

“And formidable in its day. The eastern incline leads to the gate. We will go that way,” he said as Donal guided the cart along.

“Donal’s mother lives here, you said. Will she welcome visitors? I know it is Highland custom, but one never knows.”

“She will.” He spoke quietly. “Mairi is my brother’s widow.”

Startled, she stared at him. “Your sister-in-law? But that means—Donal is your nephew? You never mentioned.”

“He was assigned as my valet. I thought it rather awkward.”