“Poor Seema has been dealing with a stomach affliction,” Moirapiped in. “We had hoped that she would feel better this morn.” She smiled at Seema, patting her hand.
“I am sorry, Miss. I dinnae think I can continue on our journey. Mayhap I should stay here and await ye on yer return to MacLeod Keep?”
Moira shook her head. “I cannae leave ye here. We will stay until ye have recovered.” She said matter-of-factly and pierced Errol with a fierce look. “Right?”
He sighed, but reluctantly agreed. They couldn’t leave her here to fend for herself. There was no other choice to be made.
“MacLeod Keep, ye say?” Caroline interjected. “We are headed there ourselves and we have room. We would be glad to return ye home.”
None of them spoke up to say that MacLeod Keep wasn’t Seema’s home. But Anna and Fina were there. They would no doubt welcome her in their circle.
“We cannae accept such a kind offer,” Moira spoke. “But—”
“That is verra generous of ye. I will gladly accept if the offer still stands,” Seema said quietly.
Caroline beamed happily. “Of course, child.”
The rest of the meal went quickly. Errol and Richard spoke about the journey and he ensured the man that he would be rewarded generously for his kind offer.
His father would not be happy to find out that their original party of six was now a party of two. He would deal with those ramifications at a later date.
Two hours later, Moira and Seema said their tearful goodbyes and Moira waited until the Carlyles and Seema were out of sight afore turning to him.
“It seems ’tis just us now.”
Was that wariness cracking her voice?
“Aye. We should get moving.” He picked up her satchel andmoved to their waiting horses. Securing Moira’s bag on her mare, he turned to find her standing in the same spot. “Lass, we need to leave.” His urgency to be on their way had him sounding gruff even to his own ears.
“Has anyone e’er told ye that ye are grumpier than a mutt stung by a bee?” She mumbled as she shuffled over.
Helping her mount, he made sure she was settled afore mounting his own horse. “In not as many words, aye.” He finally said and chuckled as he kicked his horse into a slow walk, waiting for Moira to catch up.
“How long will it take to get to our destination?”
“If we hurry we can make it by late afternoon.” That was a lofty goal. The ride would take them the better part of the day. The coming night they would have to sleep under the stars.
She prodded her horse into a trot, and he followed suit.
“Do you really think at one time our clans were united by marriage?” Moira asked.
“Nay.”
“’Twould be something if it were true, would in no’?”
“Aye. ’Twould be most unexpected.”
“Ye’re for certs ye ken where we are going?”
Errol closed his eyes and said a silent prayer for patience. It would be a very long day if the lass didn’t cease her rambling. He preferred traveling with his warriors. They didn’t feel the need to fill the silence with incessant chatter.
“Errol?”
“What, Moira?”
“Ye didnae answer me.”
He sighed, feeling as if the world was weighing his shoulders down. “I ken the area verra well.” He wouldn’t tell her why. Some things needed to remain secret—especially if her family was behind his brother’s death.
