Pressing her hands back onto the table, she returned her surprised gaze to Teagan.“Ye think we can do something with it?”
“Even if ‘tis no’ the best solution for a wound, a well-cleaned wound will heal on its own.We can ascribe the healing to the mushroom.‘Tis no’ much, but ‘tis a start.”
“A wonderful start,” Ailith marveled, a wash of excitement mixed with relief filling her.“Let’s get started.”
It was near sunset by the time Ailith stepped outside to return to Drumoak and cursed her foolish absent-mindedness that caused her to lose track of the day and leave so late.She’d be lucky if she made it back before night blanketed the Highlands on her slow-moving palfrey.
At least William wasn’t home to chide her for riding home in the near dark.She had already caused him so much distress, she’d hate to cause him more.
Her palfrey, which the stable lad had called Bonnie Bride due to her sleek white coat, pawed at the ground as Ailith wiggled her way into the saddle.Her riding had improved, but her mounting technique still left much to be desired.A giggle followed her as she adjusted in the saddle.
Teagan leaned against the side of her wattle house, trying to bite back the laughter that emanated from her entire being.Ailith frowned at her.
“I’m sure ye looked the fool when ye were first learning to ride.”
Teagan giggled again.“’Tis why I dinna ride much.Never could quite take to it well enough for any long ride.I always took a streetcar or a cart.Or I walked.”
“But ye have a horse in your lean-to?”Ailith asked as she flicked her head to the side.“Ye dinna ride it?”
Teagan shook her head, her orange curls falling around her ears.“I use him to pull my cart.I’ve ridden him a few times, but neither he nor I are much good at it.”
Ailith leaned forward and swept her hand over Bonnie Bride’s smooth mane.“If ye ever want to try again, I recommend this one.She’s as patient and easy to ride as any streetcar.”
“If I have the need or desire to learn, I’ll hold ye to that.”Teagan glanced west where the sun kissed the horizon.“Will ye make it back before dark?”
With the reins tight in her hands, she walked the palfrey to the path.“I dinna believe so.But if I ride fast enough, night will have just fallen by the time I reach Drumoak’s gate.I’ll be fine.”
The lines of Teagan’s face tightened slightly as if she didn’t quite agree with that proclamation, then her thin smile returned.
“Be safe and fare thee well, then, voyager.It seems ye are good at it.”
Ailith bowed her head in respect to her fellow traveler through time and kicked her heels into Bonnie Bride’s sides.The horse shifted between her thighs into a comfortable canter.Without looking behind her, Ailith lifted her hand in a goodbye wave at Teagan.
The trees in the shady grove made the day seem darker when the sound of horses echoed in the distance.Ailith’s heart raced.Was it William?Was he back already and decided to come for her?
The sound grew closer, just around the bend, and Ailith slowed.That wasn’t one set of hoofbeats, but several, all racing in her direction.
Her heart slammed in her chest as a chill coursed over her spine.Not William.And that meant possible danger.She whipped her head from side to side, blinking through the misty rain as she glanced through the trees.Maybe she could hide ...
But it was too late.A trio of riders emerged around the curve in the path, close to the main path leading toward Stonehaven.The typically comforting weight of her knife against her thigh felt far too small.What might she do with a small knife against a gang of men?
At first, she thought they were the Keiths coming for their revenge.Then the leading rider was close enough for her to recognize him.
Eoghan?
What was he doing here?
Her heart surged in panic again.Oh no!Has something happened to William?
Bonnie Bride pranced under her saddle.The horse certainly didn’t care for these new riders.And the palfrey’s agitation brought a further measure of trepidation in Ailith.
What did Eoghan want?
His face, once so open and kind when he attended as a visitor at her wedding, was severe and closed off, his amber eyes mere slits against his skin in the low sunlight.
It wasn’t fear or concern that drove him to her.It was anger.
“Eoghan,” she said, deciding to start on the offense.
