Page 54 of My Scarred Laird

Others invited her into their homes and talked with her about their ailments, their woes and anything under the sun.

She appreciated those visits. She wanted them to know she was there for them.

That she was on their side and so was Callum.

Those people who spoke with her agreed that they needed to be better to their laird who gave them so much. Who did so much for them.

One of the women, an older one named Muriel told her how wonderful Callum was.

He would send someone down from the keep to check on her daily. They would help clean her house, make sure she had food and that she wasn’t lonely.

Callum even came once to fix her roof when she had a leak.

She said he was soft spoken, as if afraid to spook her if he talked louder and that he was shy.

Islay loved learning these things about her love.

He was a wonderful man, and no one could have convinced her otherwise.

Islay made certain that Muriel had medicants for her sore toe that looked a little inflamed and after she left, the man who had accompanied her to the village took her back to the keep.

“Did ye meet everyone ye wished ta meet my lady?”

Islay shook her head, “Nay, but I ken tha’ there are some who doona wish ta speak ta Callum either.”

The man, Lachlan nodded, “Aye. It bothers me tha’ they doona see all he does for them.”

“They must see it, but they choose no’ ta.”

He sighed and when they made it to the keep, he helped her bring the chest to her room, where the note fluttered out.

He picked it up, “Where did ye get this?”

Islay shook her head, “Ye doona need ta worry about this.”

Lachlan nodded, “Aye. I do. Fraser and I are ta be yer personal guards. If we do tha’, we need ta ken all the threats against ye.”

Islay’s lips pursed, and Lachlan waited, “This is the second note I have gotten.”

Lachlan’s gaze shutters, “Ye need ta speak ta the Laird.”

Islay shook her head, “‘Tis nothin’. He doesna need ta be bothered with this.”

Lachlan glared at her, “Aye. Ta keep ye safe, he does.”

He turned and walked away, making Islay rush to follow him.

“Truly, he has more important things.”

Lachlan looked over his shoulder at her, “Nay. He would wish ta ken if ye are in trouble.”

Islay followed along behind him, and they found Callum in a room with Fraser, James and Egan.

Callum looked up at them, “Lachlan. How was the village? Were the people welcoming?”

Lachlan stepped forward, his hand over his chest, “Laird. I needed ta speak with ye.”

Callum stood straight, “Aye?”