Impulsively, she hugged him, then planted a soft kiss on his cheek before turning on her heel and running out of the tent to make a start on her letters. Hamish watched her for a moment, feeling warm and happy inside that he had pleased her, although he wished that she had stayed with him for a little longer.
Whatever happened next, he resolved to spend as much time as he could with Amanda because the plans he had formed for the retaking of the castle might mean that his time was very short.
14
Amanda spread the paper out in front of her and thought for a long while before she put her quill to paper. There was not much of it, so she was going to be as economical as she could with her supply, since she thought that paper was likely to be a precious commodity. She decided to write to Claire first.
My dearest Claire,
No doubt you have been worrying about me, but I want to reassure you that I am in good health and good spirits. I was sold off by Father, just as you were, and at first, I was very afraid, but I seem to have landed in a good place.
She paused, wondering whether to tell her about the old man in the coach, then decided not to. It was not important anyway, and would only worry her.
I have landed on my feet here, Claire. I am in a community of people who need my help, and I am doing what I love, seeingto their needs and looking after them. I think I may even have a baby to deliver soon (not my own, don’t worry!) It is quite a long story, but the man for whom I work is called Hamish McNeill, and although I was a little doubtful about him at first, he seems to be a good person who cares about his people.
I have to say I’m enjoying my work, although it is quite exhausting sometimes. Father forced me into the profession of a healer, but I love it, although I am sure he would not be glad to hear that, since his mission in life seems to be to make us all suffer. Yet, he has not succeeded, since I have found my reason for living. Anyway, enough about me.
How are you feeling? Please write back to me and tell me if you have any problems, Lady Ross. I think about you and Rose all the time, and I miss you both so much. Please tell me you are well; I know that pregnant ladies often suffer little setbacks, but I hope you have someone competent to help you, although I do wish I was there. Please be assured that I think of you every day, dear sister, and I love you so much.
Your own,
Amanda.
Amanda folded and sealed the letter, then began on the next one. As before, she thought long and hard before putting the quill to paper. Rose was nothing like Claire, and now that she was a mother and a wife, her whole world would have changed.
My Dearest Rose,
I know you have been worrying about me and I want to reassure you that I am safe, well, and in good spirits. Fathersold me too, but through a somewhat complicated route I ended up among some decent people doing what I love—healing and taking care of people. I feel as though I have found my reason for living, and for me, that means everything.
The leader of these people is a man called Hamish McNeill. I was a bit doubtful of him at first, since he seemed very intimidating, but now I feel that he is a decent person who cares for his community.
I am writing this to assure you that I’m fine, but I want to know about you, Cormac and Barbara. Is Babs crawling yet? Does she look like her father or her mother? Is she a lively little thing or placid and calm?
I really wish I was there with you all, since I miss you so much. I am placing this letter into good hands, so I know it will reach you.
Please contact me as soon as you can, give my love to Babs and Cormac, but most of all, take loads and loads for yourself.
Your own,
Amanda.
Amanda sealed the second letter then sat back and sighed. She was surprised at how hard it had been to put her thoughts down on paper, since she had not seen her sisters for so long. However, she smiled at the thought of Rose’s and Claire’s faces as they opened their letters and saw Amanda’s handwriting. She knew they would be thrilled, and the thought warmed her heart.
Amanda stood up, stretched, then strode outside to take the letters to Hamish, but when she reached his tent she found it empty. Puzzled, she looked around the camp to see if she could see him, then was startled to hear a distant neigh and the tail of Hamish’s stallion as he disappeared into the forest.
Amanda frowned and went to the stables to find her mare still saddled from the last time she had ridden her. She was mystified as to the reason, but she mounted the horse carefully, remembering that she was still a novice. She was unable to ride fast, but fortunately Hamish did not seem to be in a hurry, and she was able to follow him at a reasonable pace.
What is he doing?she thought, remembering that he had told her how dangerous it was to go into the forest alone.Is he meeting someone? Fiona?At the thought of that, a spear of jealousy pierced her.
Presently, she saw a line of trees, and noticed that Hamish’s horse was tied loosely to one of them. She dismounted from her mare, then tied her next to the stallion. Her heart was beating furiously as she wondered what she was going to find, and an awful feeling of foreboding assailed her.
Amanda crept forward and then stopped abruptly as she saw the last thing she had expected to see. She had thought he would be meeting someone, but Hamish was doing no such thing. He was kneeling between two worn headstones, head bowed.
She saw him laying down a large bouquet of wildflowers between the two tombstones, then she heard the deep rumble of his voice as he spoke, but could not make out the words he was saying. Was he praying?
She crept closer, then heard that he was not praying, but speaking to the people in the grave as though they were alive. He looked relaxed and more at ease than she had ever seen him, as though the weight of maintaining the illusion of authority and strength had been taken off his shoulders for a while.
“Mammy, Da, I think I have some good news,” he murmured. “Everyone in the camp is doing well, especially Jimmy. I think he might be falling in love with the young lady who helps with the cooking, although I am not sure if she feels the same!” Then he laughed, before giving a loud, sad sigh.
