“Goodnight, Hamish,” she replied as he left. She quickly went through her medicines to see if any of them were missing, then stood up, yawned and quickly undressed to put on her new nightgown.
New bed, new nightgown,Amanda thought.Is this the beginning of a new life?
It seemed ridiculous to be this excited when laying in the middle of a makeshift camp, among the people who took her, but something made her feel whole. Feeling that she had a purpose, that she could actually do something instead of being her father’s reluctant banker, filled her with a sense of contentment.
She was so excited about the next day that it took her ages to fall asleep, since she kept visualising scenarios of herself healing people from all sorts of maladies.
There was one obstacle to overcome, though. After breakfast the next day, Amanda knew she would have to face her fear of riding. Until yesterday, she had never sat on the back of a horse, and it was only then that she had realised how far off the ground she was.
She stood in front of her mare and felt her heart beating wildly as she tried to swallow her fear. On one side of herstood Jimmy, the soldier she had healed, and on the other stood Gregor, both of them trying to coax her to mount the horse with gentle words and gestures.
“Come on, hen,” Gregor said softly. “She is a gentle wee thing, that is why Hamish chose her for ye. Dinnae be scared.”
“Dae ye know what her name is?” Jimmy asked. “It’s Honey, mistress, because she is sae sweet. There is nae need tae be scared o’ her. She is a wee darlin’.”
“We do not have time for this,” Hamish said impatiently as he swooped in from behind Amanda, took her by the waist and lifted her onto the horse.
She gave a little squeal of surprise, but did not resist him.
Hamish adjusted the length of the stirrups, then settled Amanda properly on the saddle. He took one of her hands and squeezed it.
“She will not let you fall,” he said soothingly. “And neither will I. You can do this, Amanda. I have faith in you.”
Hamish turned away and mounted his own horse, then they began to move. He gave her once more encouraging smile before he turned to look at the road ahead.
You can do this, Amanda, I have faith in you.The words repeated themselves over and over in Amanda’s head to the rhythm of the horse’s hooves, soothing and reassuring her as they trotted along.
After her initial bout of nerves, Amanda began to feel decidedly more cheerful. She was part of something important—she had a purpose, and she was beginning to win these people’s trust. She was at last fulfilling her purpose and becoming a useful member of their community who had an important part to play in their lives. It felt good.
“Tell us a bit about yourself, Amanda,” Gregor said, smiling. “Ye’re still a wee bit o’ a mystery tae us a’.”
“What would you like to know?” Amanda asked.
“Dae ye have any family?” Gregor asked curiously.
“I have two sisters,” Amanda replied. “Claire and Rose. They are both Highland Ladies. Claire is married to Laird Iain Ross, and Rose is married to Laird Cormac MacTavish. They are both very good men, so I’m told.”
“Ye havenae met them?” Gregor asked, astonished.
“I have not seen Rose for over two years, and Claire for about a year and a half,” Amanda answered sadly. Then she became cheerful again. “But we write to each other when we can.”
“I have heard o’ both of them,” Gregor remarked. “Laird Ross in particular is very fierce, so I’m told.” He grinned. “I wouldnae like tae get on the wrong side o’ him!”
Amanda felt a wave of sadness passing over her. Would she ever meet her brothers-in-law? She smiled sadly.
She was becoming used to the up and down motion of the horse’s trotting, and was actually beginning to enjoy the ride. She looked across at Hamish, smiling, but he did not return it.
His face wore a grim, almost hostile expression that made Amanda feel apprehensive, and she frowned as she watched it change to one of infinite sadness. What was wrong with him? What was he thinking about that was making him so downhearted?
Presently, he looked around and caught her eye, and Amanda saw the glitter of tears in his eyes, which he quickly dashed away with the heel of his hand. She wanted to suddenly call out his name and ask him what was wrong, but there were too many other people there, and she would have had to shout.
Somehow she thought that this was too personal and deep a problem for Hamish to discuss over the noise of horses and the shouts of the others.
The view as they rode along the shoulder of a steep hill was breathtaking. Steep emerald green slopes led down to asparkling, fast-flowing burn that was splashing over pebbles and rocks with a musical tinkling sound.
Sheep were everywhere, and Amanda smiled as she saw wisps of wool blowing in the breeze where they had become caught on the heather and gorse bushes. On the horizon were the blue jagged shapes of distant mountains silhouetted against the grey backdrop of incoming rain clouds.
However, nothing could have prepared her for what she saw next. When they came within sight of the outskirts of the village, she drew in a gasp of horror.
