Page 13

S hortly thereafter, Ailis McAfee hurried to the cottage where Doirin, a feverish widow who had just given birth to her first child, struggled for life.

Lachlan had followed her from the keep. He stood vigil outside the cottage door, following Ailis with concerns beyond duty.

Inside the dimly lit cottage, Ailis prepared poultices for the fevered Doirin. The baby, close to the hearth, cried softly as Ailis hummed a generations-old lullaby—a soothing balm for both mother and child.

As soon as the mother was seen to, she picked up the bairn and held him close, making certain he was clean, before trying to hand him to his mother to feed.

Doirin was too feverish to understand what was happening, so Ailis put the babe at her breast.

Ailis stuck her head out the door. “I need cold water from the well. She is burning with her fever, and I must bring it down.”

“Ye shouldna be here, lass,” Lachlan scolded, warmth in his gruff voice. “I cannae leave ye unprotected.” He called to a passing soldier. “I need ye to bring me cold water!”

The man nodded and hurried off to do what he’d been told.

Ailis shook her head. “Ye could have left long enough for ye to get cold water.”

“I’m not certain of that. I worry about ye when I’m not there beside ye.”

She started to ask him why he hadn’t had her followed while she was with Cameron, but she needed to give her attention to Doirin. She turned and moved back to the bed where the bairn was suckling noisily.

While he nursed, she hurried about the cottage, cleaning what she could. She always felt that a person would get better when they were in clean surroundings. Her grandmother had taught her that a woman would worry if their house was dirty, and it would take their energy from healing.

Finally, the soldier returned with the water. She put half on the stove to boil before taking the now-sleeping babe from his mother and putting him in the cradle by the hearth. There he would keep warm, and sleep while she cared for his mother.

She took the remainder of the water and moved to Doirin, rubbing a cloth with cold water over the woman’s face and then her arms. She pulled her nightdress up and washed her legs, which still had blood on them. The midwife had obviously failed to clean this mother properly after she gave birth.

When she’d finished, she went back to the door where Lachlan waited. “Please get word to me family that I will be staying here for some days to come. She needs help, not only to break her fever but with the bairn.”

“I will find someone to carry the message,” he declared. “I’m not leaving ye here alone.”

“Lachlan, yer concern is appreciated but unwarranted,” Ailis replied without glancing up. “Doirin and the babe are me patients now, and I will care for them. Nothing bad has ever happened to me while I cared for the sick.”

“Those duties can wait,” Lachlan insisted. “The safety of a laird’s daughter—and a healer at that—is not something I take lightly.”

Ailis admired his stubborn loyalty despite its conflict with her independence. Clans’ expectations hovered over them like ever-present mist. Nevertheless, she served life within these walls.

“Very well,” she conceded with an exhausted smile. “But rest assured, Lachlan, I am far from helpless. Please see to it that me father is told where I am.”

Lachlan nodded and settled into his post. He remained vigilant outside while inside Ailis ministered to Doirin. He had soldiers bring fresh meat, and she took him a meal every time she ate herself. It wasn’t the most comfortable place to be, but he was thankful for the freedom to watch over her.

At dawn, Ailis tended to the hearth, warming the chilly cottage and preparing a simple broth for Doirin’s recovery. On the fourth day, her fever began to subside under Ailis’s care.

In the afternoon, Ailis sat by Doirin’s side, weaving a tale of a fiery-haired lass conversing with stars, seeking their ancient secrets. Doirin found solace in these stories, craving comfort rather than grandeur.

Ailis knew that comforting Doirin’s mind was as important as caring for her and her child. It was something she’d learned from her grandmother as a lass. She must make certain the spirits of the ill were taken care of before they could make a recovery.

Lachlan stood watch outside, prepared to protect the people inside from anything that happened. Ailis couldn’t help but be grateful for his sacrifice and the hours and hours he spent guarding her.

While Ailis told her story, he listened to every word, smiling at times. She was a wonderful storyteller, and he loved to listen to her.

Ailis’s story traversed enchanted forests and towering peaks, soothing the weary soul before her. In this realm, she melded her healer’s touch and bard’s tongue.

As evening approached, Ailis concluded her tale about the lass becoming one with the night sky.

*

Ailis had been caring for the widow and her son for more than a week when she approached Doirin with a heavy question.

“Ye have been a McAfee for barely a year, and yer roots lie with the Campbells. Would ye choose to stay here or return to the bosom of yer kin?” Ailis knew if she were to lose a husband when she had only been a member of his clan for a short time, she would want to go back to her clan.

If the decision was made soon, Ailis could accompany Doirin to her family.

It seemed the right thing to do, though she was more than willing to embrace the other woman and keep her with the McAfees forever.

Doirin turned past Ailis to the window, determination in her eyes.

“Me heart yearns for home, among those who share me blood. I wish to return to the Campbells.” She sighed.

“I was happy enough here before me Daniel passed on, but without him here, it’s hard to stay with people who I’ve known for a short time.

Me parents would be thrilled to have me returned to them.

Though, I understand it’s a great deal to ask. ”

Ailis nodded, her decision made. “Then ye shall have yer heart’s desire.” She stepped outside and whispered to Lachlan what was needed. “She willnae be ready to travel for at least a few more days, but when she is, we need to see her home to the Campbell clan.”

Lachlan nodded. “I’ll see to it.” He stopped a passing soldier and assigned him to his post and hurried off toward the keep where he could speak with her father about taking some men with them on their journey.

He was back an hour later, alerting her that men would be ready as soon as Doirin was able to travel.

Four days later, Ailis told Lachlan that it was time. Afterward, he ventured forth to gather the men they would need.

Lachlan met Ailis’s gaze. “We’ll guard ye well on the journey,” he assured her.

With preparations underway, Ailis and Doirin watched as warriors readied their mounts. Ailis felt the pull of venturing beyond the familiar but remained steadfast to her duty. She would accompany Doirin to her homeland.

Soon, they were on their way, with Doirin riding double with one of the older McAfee men who was ready to guard her, and the babe rode with Ailis until he needed to be fed.

As the group journeyed across the McAfee boundary and into Sinclair land, Ailis’s gaze wandered over the heather-speckled moors under the overcast sky. The crisp air carried a sense of impending change.

Ailis rode near Lachlan, observing his stormy sea-blue eyes as he scanned the horizon with vigilance. His posture conveyed duty and responsibility as their company’s protector.

The Sinclairs were allies in name, but they were not trusted by Ailis or her father. Nay, they had proven dangerous. No matter how many times Arran claimed the kidnapping of Fiona had been Malcolm’s plan alone, she believed that the laird’s family had all been involved.

Ailis kept scanning the land, watching for anyone who could try to fight them.

Upon reaching a gentle rise, Ailis noticed two figures engaged in a heated exchange. Recognizing Cameron and Ian, she gasped at Cameron’s appearance in Sinclair land. He even wore a Sinclair plaid! How had he fooled her?

She wasn’t sure she could ever trust her judgment again because she had trusted Cameron completely. And now, she knew him to be a liar and a fraud.

She maintained her composed exterior and chose not to confront him there, surrounded by prying eyes.

Ailis offered the arguing Sinclairs a courteous nod as they passed. Lachlan, sensing her inner turmoil, asked if all was well. She held her peace for the moment. There would be a time for questions and confrontations later.

“Aye,” Ailis replied, resolve in her voice. “We shall speak later, Lachlan.”

Lachlan nodded, and they rode on, leaving the Sinclair lands behind.

Upon reaching Campbell land, Doirin was greeted by soldiers who knew her. Her father embraced the girl and smiled down at his grandson. “She will be safe with us,” he called out to the group who had accompanied her. “I thank ye for making sure she came home to us.”

As the sun set, the McClain entourage made camp upon their ancestral lands. Ailis secured a tent while glancing toward Lachlan, who directed the men with natural authority.

At twilight, she approached Lachlan. “May I have a word?” Her voice was steady but betrayed her inner struggle. She must apologize for believing Cameron, even for a moment. He had been a liar through and through.

“Of course.” He led her to a quiet spot by ancient oaks.

She spoke of what she’d seen on Sinclair land: Cameron wearing their plaid and arguing with Ian. “I did not wish to believe ye… but now, I see I was mistaken.”

Unable to meet his gaze, Ailis apologized for her earlier disbelief.

Lachlan’s expression softened in the dim firelight as the revelation established a fragile trust between them. “I wish ye could have trusted me without proof, but I am pleased ye trust me now,” he replied, his voice gentle. “Admitting when we are wrong takes courage.”

“Thank ye for understanding,” Ailis replied.

Ailis observed Lachlan pacing before her, and she could sense his growing frustration. “Ye say ye are sorry now.” He shook his head. “But it took seeing Cameron with yer own eyes to sway yer heart.”

“I have acknowledged me mistake, Lachlan,” she replied steadily. “Surely ye see that I am trying to make amends.”

“Trust is built upon actions, not just words.” He faced her directly.

“What would ye have me do?” she asked.

“Believe in me,” Lachlan answered simply, his eyes locked onto hers. “Not because ye must, but because ye choose to.”

Ailis realized that her doubts had wounded him more than she had thought. His pride and honor were bound in the trust of those he held dear.

“Yer loyalty has never faltered,” Ailis conceded softly. “And I did ye a great disservice by questioning it without cause.”

Lachlan’s voice transformed into a gentle whisper. “We must focus on the future.” He reached toward her, hand outstretched. “Can I count on ye, Ailis? Will ye be able to believe in me now?”

Ailis grasped his hand, reassurance tingling through her. “Always,” she answered, thankful he was even asking after she’d wounded his pride.

He nodded slightly. “Tis time for sleep. Go to yer tent, and I’ll sleep outside it to guard ye.”

Ailis couldn’t believe he was still so concerned with her safety, but she was grateful. And she’d find some way to make it up to him that she’d not trusted him completely.