After the previous day’s labour among all the villagers, Amanda knew that she needed to mix some more medicines, and perhaps go and pick more willow bark, which was the item she used most. She rose from bed and put on one of her dresses, the dark blue one, wishing she had a mirror to look at herself now that she had new clothes.
She was surprised to realise that she wanted to look good for Hamish, then told herself angrily that any woman would want such a handsome man to admire them. The feeling was quite natural and nothing to be concerned about; it was a matter of vanity and nothing else.
Amanda left the tent and moved to the middle of the camp to get her breakfast, passing Fiona on the way. As usual, she received a poisonous look, and as usual, she ignored it. She had long ago realised that the best way to deal with women like Fiona was to deny them the attention they craved.
She picked up her breakfast and wandered over to seat herself away from the fire.
Meanwhile, Gregor followed Hamish’s gaze and said, “Does she mean somethin’ tae ye, Hamish?”
Hamish sighed and looked at his friend; he could never keep anything from Gregor. “I have to admit to being a little fond of her. She is a very caring person. I saw that yesterday when we went to the village, and by the time we left she had helped many sick people and gained many admirers.”
“Fiona will no’ be pleased,” Gregor observed.
Hamish sighed irritably. “I don’t care what Fiona thinks,” he said. “She is not my wife or my betrothed, and I am not courting her.”
Gregor huffed. “I dinnae think she sees it that way,” he said, frowning.
Hamish made no answer, but strode over to sit beside Amanda. “Good morning, lass,” he said pleasantly. “Did you sleep well?”
Amanda nodded, but she was avoiding his gaze. “Yes,” she replied, with an awkward half-smile. “Did you?”
“I did—as always,” he answered.
The subject of the kiss hung between them, and neither wanted to be the first to mention it.
“Your dress suits you very well,” Hamish observed. “The brown one is pretty, but this is a better colour on you.”
Hamish, you’re babbling,he thought desperately.You sound like a complete idiot.
“Thank you, you’re very kind, Hamish.” Amanda could hear the slight nervous tremble in her voice.
“Have you heard from your sisters?” he asked, desperate for something else to say.
Amanda turned to him and treated him to a disapproving frown, then she gave a cynical laugh. “How can they get in touch with me when they have no idea where I am?” she asked in disbelief.
Hamish groaned. “Forgive me, Amanda,” he said, shaking his head at his own stupidity. “I wasn’t thinking. I can be such a fool sometimes.”
“We all can,” she replied. “May I start preparing some tinctures and tisanes for our next trip? I will probably need to go into the forest and pick some herbs.”
“Of course,” Hamish replied. “But you will not go in without an escort. You will take at least two of my biggest, strongest men with you. I will not have you falling in the river or being ambushed by any more creepy old men.”
Amanda nodded in agreement. “I’ve learned my lesson, don’t worry, Hamish.”
She stood up, but Hamish grasped her arm to stop her from walking away. “Come with me, please,” he said, with a smile.
Amanda frowned, puzzled. “Why?” she asked.
“You’ll see,” he replied.
Amanda dutifully followed him till they arrived at his tent, then she waited while he fetched something from his small desk. When he handed her several sheets of parchment, a quill and a bottle of ink, Amanda gasped in surprise and pleasure.
“Oh!” she cried, and her face broke into a wide smile.
Hamish watched her, enchanted and warmed by the pleasure on Amanda’s beautiful face.
“I thought you could write to your sisters,” he told her. “I’m sure they would be glad to hear from you.”
Her eyes had lit up and as she looked up at him, she breathed, “Thank you, Hamish! You have no idea how much this means to me.”
