Page 18 of Highlander’s Captive Bride (Troubles of Highland Lasses #4)

18

W hen her order was finally ready and packed into the cloth bag she had brought with her, Daisy stepped outside the shop, immediately looking around to locate Nadia. At first, she did not see her. But then, she spotted her.

Nadia was standing by the monks-run stall, looking at the wares. Daisy set off to join her, thinking that, this time, she might buy herself one of the pots of honey with the honeycombs in, which she so adored, and keep it for herself.

While she was walking towards the stall, she saw a tall monk come out from behind it. To her surprise, he approached Nadia and began talking to her. He had his hood pulled up over his head, so Daisy could not make out his features, but he seemed to be talking intently, and he made sharp gestures with his hands.

Daisy was worried when she saw Nadia take a couple of steps backwards, away from the monk, who continued talking. Now, Daisy noticed, he was actually stabbing his finger at Nadia as he spoke.

“Nadia, is everything all right?” Daisy called when she drew level with the pair.

The monk ceased talking instantly, bowing his head slightly so she could not see his face. He tucked his hands in his sleeves and stood silently. Nevertheless, she had the feeling she was being watched.

“Er, um, aye, of course,” Nadia told her, yet she sounded unsure, and her smile appeared false, which Daisy found worrying.

“Ye seemed to be deep in conversation,” Daisy noted, looking at the monk.

“Aye,” the monk spoke, his voice deep and melodious. His sudden interjection startled Daisy. “We were talking about the honey we sell and how the bees feasting on the heather gives it a special taste,” he said.

He had turned to her, his hood falling back a little to expose his features. Daisy saw with surprise that he was young and good-looking, with deep blue eyes and fair hair cropped close to his skull under his hood.

He smiled at her, and she found herself smiling back.

“Is that so? Well, I can personally vouch for that, for I have a jar of that honey in me room, and it is, indeed, delicious. In fact, I intend to purchase another from ye in a moment,” Daisy told him. “I can certainly recommend it, Nadia,” she added, turning to the young woman at her side.

She did not know what she expected from Nadia at that moment, but it was certainly not the look of fear she could clearly see in the girl’s eyes, above a nervous smile.

Daisy’s curiosity was piqued. Why should Nadia be afraid of the young monk, who appeared perfectly charming and kind?

“I’m Braither Edmund, by the way. Nadia here tells me ye are the healer at Castle Murdoch, and that ye have been treating the Laird’s daughter. A very unfortunate business,” the monk said.

“’Tis a pleasure to meet ye, Braither Edmund,” Daisy replied, confused to learn that he and Nadia were already acquainted. “Aye, it is, indeed, but of course, ye understand I cannae discuss the matter.” She drew the line at sharing information with strangers, a little irritated with Nadia for clearly having done so. “How d’ye ken about that?” she asked.

“Och, everyone around here kens about it, Miss. We braithers pray for her recovery every day.”

“Ah, I see,” Daisy uttered, feeling bad for having blamed Nadia for something that was clearly common knowledge, as Braither Edmund had pointed out.

“Can we go now, Daisy?” Nadia suddenly asked, grabbing hold of her arm.

Daisy looked at her, perplexed by her behavior. “Aye, of course. Let me get me honey, and we shall go,” she said.

“Then I shall bid ye ladies good day. May God bless ye both,” the monk said, making the sign of the cross over them. With a slight bow, he retraced his steps and disappeared behind the stall, out of sight.

Daisy purchased the honey and rejoined Nadia, who had moved further away, back down the main street. Daisy noticed she looked very pale. “Are ye sure ye’re feeling all right, Nadia? Ye’ve lost all yer color.”

“I’m fine. Just a wee bit tired,” Nadia said, giving her a weak smile. “’Tis the heat, no doubt. I’ve always been sensitive to it.”

Daisy glanced up at the sun overhead. “Aye, ’tis a bit warm. Ye’re nae used to it, I expect. Ye look as if ye could do with a wee rest. Shall we head home, then?”

“Aye, if ye dinnae mind,” Nadia replied, looking relieved.

Daisy took her arm companionably, concerned for her, and they walked slowly back down the main street.

“It seemed that ye and Braither Edmund are already acquainted,” Daisy observed, her curiosity getting the better of her. “May I ask where ye met?”

Nadia turned to face her, apparently startled by the question. “Nay, we’re nae acquainted,” she said, shaking her head vehemently.

“Oh. But he called ye by yer name,” Daisy pointed out.

“He… he just came and asked me what it was, ’tis all. I’ve never met him before in me life.”

“What? So, he just came up and started talking to ye, just like that, and asked yer name?”

“Aye.”

“That’s strange. Monks usually make a point of avoiding beautiful young ladies,” Daisy said lightly. “Too much temptation of the flesh. Ye have to watch some of them, ye ken, Nadia. Some arenae what they seem,” she warned playfully. “Ye can hide all manner of things under a cassock and a hood.”

Nadia laughed, but Daisy sensed nervousness in it.

“Did he say something to upset ye?” Daisy asked, concerned the monk might have taken liberties with the young woman’s sensibilities while they had been alone.

“Och, nay, I was just surprised when he came to speak to me, ’tis all,” Nadia assured her.

“All right then. Let’s go home,” Daisy said, dismissing the matter from her mind since Nadia claimed not to be upset.

Nevertheless, she wanted to get the girl back to the castle as soon as possible, for she still appeared somewhat wan, and Daisy thought she really needed to lie down.

* * *

With Beltane fast approaching, Bellamy found himself incredibly busy. But he had promised himself and Elodie that he would spend as much time as possible with her in her chambers. He made sure he did just that, regardless of whatever his other responsibilities demanded of him.

He had hoped that, by now, the poisoner would have made a slip-up in trying to get in to see Elodie, to make another attack, and would have been exposed. But so far, nothing had occurred. The increased security on the gates had turned up nothing either, and he could not use his usual network of loyal spies within the castle to report anything noteworthy to him because it was vital that the secret of Elodie’s condition was kept between himself, Elodie, Daisy, and Jamie.

In truth, he was growing frustrated with the lack of progress in his plan, and the matter constantly simmered beneath the surface of his thoughts. Just about the one thing that was keeping him going, apart from knowing that Elodie was out of danger and was fully recovered, was the amount of time he was now able to spend with Daisy.

In fact, he had to admit to himself that the hours they spent, the three of them, together in Elodie’s chambers, talking, laughing, reading her stories, and playing games had become the highlight of his days.

“Yer move, Da,” Elodie was saying, bringing him out of a short reverie in which he had become almost mesmerized by the graceful way Daisy moved her pieces on the checkerboard.

“Och, aye, hang on, let me see,” he said, resting his chin on his hand and scanning the board for his best move. He took another of Daisy’s pieces, laughing at the little line of disapproval that appeared between her eyes when she saw what he had done.

It was Elodie’s turn next, and it was soon Bellamy’s turn to frown when she made her move, taking two of his pieces in the process. He mock-scowled when Daisy smiled at him.

“Serves ye right,” she told him, making Elodie giggle.

“Ach, she’s wiping the board with us,” he said ruefully, rubbing his chin.

“I’ve had a lot of time to practice,” Elodie quipped, her expression triumphant.

Bellamy had to laugh along with Elodie and Daisy.

It was now Daisy’s turn again. While she pondered her next move, Bellamy allowed himself the pleasure of sitting back in his chair, resting his weary mind by just looking at her beautiful face across the bed. If it was possible for a person to embody the notion of sanctuary, then he felt that was what Daisy had become for him.

Just looking at her lovely features was calming to his ruffled nerves, her voice and laughter soothed his soul, and he increasingly had the sensation that the three of them were now so close and knew each other so well, they were like a little family. It was something he had never experienced before, not even growing up.

This was different. It felt like his family—his child, and his woman.

He liked the feeling immensely, having often lain awake at night thinking of Daisy, of having her there next to him in his bed to kiss and caress whenever and however it pleased her. Yet, since their last delicious encounter in her room and the time when he had told her the truth of Elodie’s parentage, he had sensed a slight withdrawal on her part.

He had noticed how she always made sure to leave Elodie’s chambers before he did and never sought out his company. It made him sad, for he wanted her with every fiber of his being. But he could understand it. She clearly knew as well as he did that it was no good giving in to the obvious attraction between them, no good allowing any feelings to take hold. Nothing could come of it.

Once the poisoner was exposed, Daisy would leave them. Then, he would likely never see her again.

All he could hope for was to spend this time with her, to enjoy her wit, kindness, and beauty, the likes of which he had never encountered in a woman before.

“There,” Daisy was saying, taking another of his pieces. “Yer turn now, M’laird.” Her lovely dark eyes twinkled with mischief.

“Och, thank ye,” he said sarcastically. “I willnae have any pieces left to play with, at this rate.”

“Da?” Elodie suddenly said as she contemplated the board.

“Aye, lassie.”

“Can I go to the Beltane celebrations with ye?”

He was taken aback. “Um, well, it disnae fit in with me plan to catch the nasty person, does it, lass? So, I have to say nae, I’m afraid.” He felt guilty about denying her, but exposing the villain had to come before anything else. “I’m sorry. But ye have next year’s festivities to look forward to.”

“Ye want me to wait a whole year!” Elodie exclaimed, pouting at him. “’Tis nae fair. Ye’ll all be enjoying yerselves, and I’ll be stuck in here with Poppy.”

“But ye ken ’tis important that everyone thinks ye’re very poorly, Elodie,” he argued, finding it hard not to give in to her request.

“How long are ye goin’ to keep me locked up, then, Da? How much longer do I have to keep pretending to be sick?”

“I dinnae ken, hinny. As long as it takes,” he told her, guilt pricking at him.

Meanwhile, Elodie took another of his pieces from the board. “So, ye dinnae ken. It could be a week, a month, a whole year, is that what ye’re saying, Da?”

Bellamy searched his mind for a good reason to give her. However, he was interrupted when she added, “I want to hear what Daisy thinks about it. Do ye think I should be allowed to go to the celebration, Daisy?”

* * *

Feeling uncomfortable at suddenly being dragged into the argument, Daisy shifted in her seat. She looked across at Bellamy, aware he was struggling to come up with an answer for the child to justify his denial of her heartfelt request. But when she looked at Elodie, she felt sorry for her.

Elodie was right in a way.

“Come on, Daisy, speak up,” Bellamy urged, his eyes fixed on Daisy’s as if he was challenging her to take sides. “I’m interested to hear yer opinion on this.”

Daisy sought a middle way, a solution that would suit them both. It warmed her heart to see how close the pair had become, and she had no desire to take sides and cause a rift between them. Especially not because she knew she would be with them for the last time at the Beltane festivities.

She pondered for a few moments, trying to ignore the ache in her heart, choosing her words carefully.

“Well,” she began, “it does seem unfair to expect Elodie to stay cooped up in her chambers while everyone else for miles around is enjoying themselves.”

“Ach!” Bellamy interjected, folding his arms in displeasure.

“Wait a moment, I havenae finished yet,” she told him. “On the other hand,” she went on, addressing Elodie this time, “yer Da needs to stick to his plan to root out the nasty person. Remember, everyone believes yer sickness has grown worse and that ye’re extremely poorly.”

“And poorly people dinnae attend parties,” Bellamy put in, nodding his approval of Daisy’s remarks, while Elodie’s face fell.

“But perhaps there is a way,” Daisy continued, talking to Bellamy now. “Ye could allow Elodie to attend the celebrations for an hour or two, saying it was her fervent wish to do so, and that because there has been a small improvement in her condition, ye agreed.”

“And ye could say ye asked Daisy, since she’s the healer, and that she said it would be all right,” Elodie suggested hopefully.

Bellamy muttered something under his breath and looked from one to the other for a moment.

“Och, very well,” he grumbled, at last, unable to resist the pleading looks from the two sets of eyes he loved the most.

Elodie immediately gave him an enormous hug and peppered his face with kisses. Daisy had to smile to see him hug the child back and laugh.

“Ye have me wrapped around yer wee finger,” Bellamy muttered in mock complaint, casting Daisy a warm glance over the child’s shoulder.

“Thank ye, Da. Thank ye, too, Daisy,” Elodie crowed, transferring the hug to Daisy and kissing her cheeks soundly before settling back into her bed, her face glowing with happiness.

“But ye still have to remember to act sick, all right?” Bellamy reminded her.

Elodie nodded vigorously. “Aye, I’m getting very good at that,” she told him.

* * *

Beltane Eve seemed to arrive far too quickly. In the last day or so leading up to the festivities, Daisy had forced herself to prepare a few things for her journey. She had a little money, a warm cloak with a hood, sturdy boots, and enough warm clothes for the chilly nights. It was all stowed in a cloth bag she intended to take with her.

It was her plan to leave the castle through the small east gate, the one Bellamy had shown her when they had gone on their jaunt to the village. It was usually quiet there, and she figured she would have less chance of being seen. She resolved to conceal her bag somewhere around there so she could collect it before slipping out of the gate.

Then, she had decided to make for St. Tristan’s monastery. She was certain the abbot there would not refuse to assist a woman traveling alone. If she could persuade him to help her reach the nearest town, then she figured she would likely be able to find some sort of public transport that would take her in the direction of home. After that, she would just keep traveling until she reached Castle McGunn, where she would at last be able to tend to Violet.

These preparations took on an almost dreamlike quality as she went through them. Her heart was pulling her in one direction, while her sense of duty was pulling her in the other. In an effort to overcome how her inner battle was weighing on her, she tried to keep in mind her resolution to try to enjoy her last night with Bellamy and Elodie. But she knew it was going to be hard.

When darkness fell on Beltane Eve, she made her way out into the castle courtyard, which was already filling with people, some of whom already appeared the worse for wear. Kitchen servants were on the green, tending to several spits containing large cuts of roasting meat, basting them with the meat juices.

Two of the spits were loaded with the huge carcasses of wild boar. The delicious smell of the meat cooking filled the air, teasing her nostrils. She longed to stay and partake in the food and drink with everyone else, for, as Nadia had told her, it promised to be a grand celebration.

The castle gates stood wide open, and out in the fields beyond, Daisy could see that bonfires had been lit seemingly everywhere, filling the night with an orange glow, smoke, and the scent of burning wood. Music was everywhere, too, the sound of fiddles, drums, and even bagpipes creating a cheery cacophony. Some folks were already dancing, clearly determined to make the best of the opportunity to make merry.

Feeling somewhat apart from it all, she wandered through the gates and out into the fields, to wander aimlessly among the bonfires, lost in her sad thoughts. She had already hidden her bag near the east gate, determined to leave the next evening, however much her heart ached at leaving.