Page 68 of Highlander’s Forbidden Fruit

Evanna wanted to warn Sarah against losing all her earnings on some fool’s errand, but it would be rude to do so in front of Kezia.

“As much as I would have liked to, I can’t teach you.”

“Why not?”

“We’re moving away.”

“What?” Evanna was shocked.

“We have decided to decamp and move further south. Scotland is too cold to settle in the winter.”

This was odd. Evanna remembered the last time the gypsy had camped near Glenlivet they hadn’t left till the spring thaw. It would be difficult to wander about the countryside in the winter looking for shelter and food. Gypsies weren’t welcome wherever they went. There were only a few places they could settle. But how fast could they get there in the middle of winter?

Why were they braving so much risk? What was the urgency?

Part of her was glad that Vano would be vacating the lands and going somewhere far away, yet the other part of her was perturbed.

“Isnae traveling in winter dangerous?”

“It’s kind of you to worry, but we’re used to danger on the road. Our houses are our caravans and tents. It is all we know. We will be in less danger if we find a warmer place to stay.”

Though it sounded logical, Evanna had an odd feeling of foreboding. Yes, it was good that the tribe was leaving. Winter stores were plenty, but there were some villagers that tended to get paranoid about food shortage and sharing with the tribe would trigger grumbling and ill will.

Personally, Evanna was all for sharing their stores; they had plenty for everyone. But she was also conflicted. She wanted Vano gone, but at what cost? Vano was an opportunistic lecher, but that was not true for all his tribe; and she did not believe in women and children suffering for one man’s reprehensible actions.

“Ye are welcome to ride out the winter in Glenlivet. We have food, and we can find accommodation. I’m sure my people will nae mind sharing their homes with ye till spring.”

Kezia smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. There was kindness in there, mixed with pity. For what, Evanna knew not, but it made her uncomfortable. Kezia was a nomad; she carried her home wherever she went. She had no secure means of work or source of food, yet Kezia, the gypsy woman, pitied Evanna.

“I will tell my people of your generous offer.” She bent her head in gratitude. “But I am certain they will not accept. We will remember your kindness and hope you can remember us just as fondly.”

That was a strange thing to say. But maybe not so if you were a gypsy. Evanna was aware of the bad reputation gypsies courted. If they planned on coming by Glenlevit again, they would want to leave a good impression.

Kezia took a vervain root from her basket and handed it to Sarah. “When it is your time of the month, just clean and crush an inch of the root. Then steep it in boiling water for a few minutes. Drink the tea and the pain shall go away.”

“Thank ye!” Sarah enthused, eyes wide, and smile wider. “I’ll make good use of this.”

Kezia patted Sarah’s cheek goodbye, leaving a streak of dirt on her pale cheek. Evanna stopped herself from wiping the dirt off, in case she offended Kezia. Sarah’s excitement was palpable. Evanna made a mental note to ask Mrs. Lane if they knew any medicine woman that Sarah could be apprenticed to. It was great to see the girl flourish and find something meaningful in life.

She had Kezia to thank for that. Now she hoped fate would bring her to her life’s purpose.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

They were two days away from Glenlivet and Aleck was more deeply conflicted than he had been before the start of the journey. Aleck had expected John to bemoan the lack of inns and public houses on the way, but John had not only been stoic about sleeping out in the open, he had pushed on when Aleck had ridden long after dark the first night without complaint.

There was nothing John couldn’t do. From foraging for firewood, to watering the horses, and keeping a lookout in the night, John matched Aleck inch for inch, so Aleck couldn’t complain he was being treated like a servant.

In fact, and it hurt Aleck to admit it, John was actually great company on the road. Yes, he was still obnoxious, but he was also very funny. Aleck could see the charm that had swept so many people off their feet. If he wasn’t careful, he’d be swept up too.

They had settled down for the evening in a small clearing in the woods just off the road. The horses had been brushed down and watered by John while Aleck started the fire and prepared a meal.

The silence was not companionable, but it wasn’t strained either. Aleck finished eating and took up his sword. “I’ll take the first watch.”

“I’m wide awake, actually,” John said. He pulled out a pocket watch and checked the time. “I could give you company for a while.”

“That’s kind of ye.”

“I must admit I am rather surprised by your sudden desire to join the East India Company.”