"Nay." Catriona hoped not. She didn't wish to cause her mother distress. "Ma kens I can swim."
"But nay in a gale storm with waves crashing in off the ocean."
Regardless of whether her mother worried over her, she could not go back. "I hope 'tis over quickly so we can be on our way."
Though the high winds ended, the drizzle did not. 'Twas pitch black for the rest of the night, and they decided to sleep until morn.
Unused to such a primitive bed, Catriona slept fitfully on the straw. Though she had her cloak, her feet grew cold. At daybreak, she awoke and stood up to peer out the doorway. The drizzle had stopped, and the clouds were parting. "Thank the saints. We must be on our way."
Aggie arose and joined her. Catriona tore off a chunk of bread and handed it to the maid, then a piece of cheese. They ate, even as they quickened their pace toward the orange rising sun.
"We must hurry because the clan will be searching for us in earnest today," Catriona said.
"Indeed."
Catriona remembered all the trails and landmarks that led to MacElrath clan holdings. They had to climb a few hills and even go through a mountain pass. They walked along rivers and a loch. Much of the violet-rose heather was still in full bloom. By the time they reached Loch Mirich, one of the MacElrath borders, 'twas near gloaming again. She was thrilled to see the ferryman near his dock, but he started to walk away.
"Can you ferry us across, kind sir?" she called to him, trying to make her speech more peasant-like.
The short, broad-shouldered man turned and frowned. "Humph. 'Tis late, and I'm off to my supper."
"Please, our lady sent us on an urgent errand. I have silver. And bread if you're hungry."
"'Twill cost you twice as much, lassie," he grumbled.
"Very well." She hoped she'd brought enough coins.
Several minutes later, Catriona shivered as the ferryman—she'd learned his name was Hamish—oared his small wherry along the length of dark Loch Mirich. Thankfully, no storm raged this night as it had the previous one.
She had not told Hamish their true names lest he tattle if her clansmen came searching. At the moment, no one would guess she was a lady, thanks to the cow dung aroma from the byre that clung to her old clothing and her grimy face.
Despite the chill breeze, she could not help but admire the stark white full moon and the millions of stars that twinkled in the midnight blue sky. She focused on the splash of the oars leaving the water and plunging in again. She prayed no giant loch monsters lurked beneath, waiting to rise up and devour them. She forced herself to take a deep breath of air scented with fish and peat bog.
Aggie gripped her hand and scooted closer. Despite her maid's physical toughness, it seemed she was losing courage on the water and in these strange surroundings. She had never traveled far from home before.
"'Tis all right, Aggie," she whispered, squeezing her hand. "We shall be there forthwith."
Hamish huffed as his robust arms pumped the oars. She'd told him she wanted to arrive quickly. And, of course, he wanted to hurry home and eat his supper.
When they arrived an hour later, Hamish jumped into the shallows and tugged the boat toward the bank. He held a hand up and helped her alight. Icy-cold water splashed onto her shins and filled her shoes.
She released a short scream. "Blast! I hate getting wet."
"Pray pardon. 'Twas as close as I could get."
"Grrr." Catriona dug into her pocket for the number of coins they'd agreed upon and pressed them into his palm.
"Many thanks."
While he helped Aggie off, Catriona lifted the bottom edge of her skirt and squished onto dry land. She convulsed into shivers.
"Hurry, Aggie. My feet are like blocks of ice now. And we need to reach Castle Dubhuisge before it gets much darker."
Aggie grabbed her arm, stopping her. "What's that?" she whispered.
Catriona followed her gaze to a large white horse standing in the moonlight at the wood's edge.
Hamish cried out a prayer and paddled away quickly. Why had he done that?
