Page 29 of Fearless Heart
Makenna grinned and set the tartan she’d wrung out aside. “Have you known Heath long?”
Lillia sighed before answering, “All my life … since we were practically bairns. I’ve always loved him but—”
“If you love him, you can easily gain his heart.”
She peered at Makenna knowing that wasn’t certain. She wished she had as much faith in love as they did. The women were beautiful and probably had no difficulty winning their men’s affection. “Heath’s heart is already taken, I fear.”
Annag scoffed and all shot their gazes to her. “Heath has no woman. He’s never claimed to love a lass. His heart is his to give.”
Lillia wished that were so. “His heart belongs to God, always has been. I cannot compete for his love when he is set on giving life to—”
“Nonsense.” Kerrigan picked up William who now fussed. She gently rocked and soothed him. “Heath may say he wants to serve God, but his actions will bespeak his true heart’s desire.”
“Aye, I agree,” Makenna said. “Has he shown any interest in you? Lover-like interest?”
Lillia’s face heated. She was used to discussing intimate topics with her sisters-in-laws, but not with strangers. With her gaze on her lap, she was about to nod when Makenna scoffed.
Kerrigan giggled low. “Be not coy around us, for we’re your sisters now. Besides, there is no sense in denying it for my Graeme told me he found Heath naked when he went to relay a message to him in Liam and Makenna’s cave. I believe you were with him, in that way.”
She had to be four shades pinker. “Lord above. You know …” Mortified, she lowered her eyes and kept them on her lap. “Aye, we … coupled, but I will not be shamed by it for I’ve wanted him for the longest time.”
Her newfound friends fell back in a riot of laughter which caused William to wail. Darcy pleaded to know what was so funny and Makenna distracted her by giving her the small spear she’d made.
“Go and see if you can spear a fish akin to Lillia.”
Darcy giggled and went to stand in the shallow water.
Kerrigan touched her arm. “If Heath is interested in you … in that way, you can easily compete for his heart.”
“Aye, you must constantly remind him what he risks losing if he chooses to let his heart follow a different path.” Makenna finished her conjecture with a smile.
Lillia wouldn’t pretend to misunderstand them. “I’m to use my womanly wiles to affect him enough to want me and give up his pursuit? I don’t deem it’s possible.”
Makenna took up the tartan from the ground and folded it. “If he wanted you once, he shall want you again. Men are simple in their needs. You must use his desire to your benefit.”
She nodded. Somehow she would get Heath to love her, to want her more than his quest to serve God. And if what her friends spoke, it wouldn’t be as vexing as she thought.
“’Tis almost time for supper. Lillia, will ye help me prepare the fish?” Annag asked.
She nodded and filled her arms with the many fish she’d caught. Carrying the slippery things back to the caves would be difficult, especially if she kept dropping them. She wound up using her overdress as a basket.
They walked back to the caves and Gilroy helped them make a big fire surrounded by rocks. He used many iron pokers to make a grate of sorts to lay the fish upon.
Lillia returned to the stream to wash and change her garments lest she smell like fish. She rejoined the others hastily. The evening was enjoyable and the fire warmed her as did the conversation, food, and company. She hadn’t felt as eased since she’d fled Hunter land.
That is until the men returned. They hadn’t heard their approach, and the men frightened them beyond all sense when they bounded into the camp and yelled akin to berserkers. The men laughed, bellowing more like when the ladies jumped from their perches and screamed to the trees. When the ladies calmed, they sent glares to their men. Lillia found it somewhat comical and hid her grin.
Graeme sat beside Kerrigan and took his son from her. “’Tis a fine night for an outside fire but you risk us being seen.”
Kerrigan shushed him. “Nonsense, Graeme. None can see the fire through the dense wood surrounding us. Have you supped?”
The men didn’t wait for an invitation to join them at the meal. They took the used trenchers and jabbed the remaining fish with their daggers.
Lillia sat, watchful, and solaced by their easygoing friendships. Heath sat alone on the opposite side of the fire. His gaze was enough to enflame her. She daren’t speak to him. He didn’t appear mollified by the company or the food. Whatever disenchanted his mood, she hoped she wasn’t the cause.
One by one, the couples sought their beds. Graeme and Kerrigan helped Annag clean up the remnants of their supper and left soon after. Makenna kept giving her commiserating glances until she suggested they put Darcy to bed. She lifted her sleeping daughter and handed her to Liam.
Once they’d gone, Gilroy removed the iron bars from the stones and threw the soiled trenchers into the fire. “I’m off.” He hastened away as if he fled from foes.