Page 41 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

At dawn the next morning, they were up dressing and preparing for their trip. Tadhg had decided that as few people as possible should know they were leaving so early, nor that Alana was going with him. He had been down to the kitchens the night before and asked the cook for some provisions to take with them on a picnic the following day. No questions were asked, and he arranged for the supplies to be delivered to their chamber later that evening.

“I’ll take our things down tae the stables,” Tadhg told Alana as he packed their spare clothing in his saddlebags. “We should leave a soon as possible.”

“All right. I’m just gonnae run up and see Moira. We need tae take a few medicinal herbs and supplies with us with us, just in case of any emergencies,” she replied. “I’ll nae be very long.”

“I’ll meet ye in half an hour in the courtyard,” he called after her as she went out the door.

Alana ran up the stairs to the infirmary. The hour was very early, so she was not surprised to find Moira still in her night things, enjoying a cup of tea by her fire.

“Hello there, Alana,” the old healer said, greeting her unexpected visitor with a welcoming smile. “Why, ye’re certainly up with the lark. What brings ye here at the crack of dawn?” She eyed Alana’s warm outfit and riding boots. “Off somewhere, are ye?”

“Good mornin’, Moira, I’m sorry tae disturb ye so early, but me and Tadhg are going’ out fer the day, fer a picnic,” Alana replied. She did not like lying to the old lady, but that was the cover story she and Tadhg had agreed on. They did not want anyone, least of all Blaine, preventing her from accompanying Tadhg.

“A picnic, eh? Now, that’s a romantic man ye have there, lassie. Ach, I envy

ye, I admit. ’Tis a long time since old Moira had any romance in her life.” She gave Alana a comically wistful look which made her laugh.

“I was wonderin’ if I could trouble ye fer a few herbs and maybe a salve tae take with us,” she said. “Better safe than sorry. Plus, the midges are very troublesome at this time of year.”

“Very wise, me dear. Always be prepared, that’s what me old maither used tae tell me, and I’ve never had cause tae disagree. Help yersel’ tae whatever ye need. Ye never ken what might befall ye, even on a picnic.”

“Thank ye, Moira, ye’re very kind,” Alana thanked her and went to the shelves, picking out a few essentials she thought they might need.

“There’s some cloth bags on the back of the door,” Moira told her. “Ye can put yer things in one of them.”

“Och, that’ll be grand,” Alana replied, going to fetch one of the bags and then packing the items she had chosen inside.

“’Tis terrible that we’ve heard naethin’ about the laird, is it nae?” Moira suddenly asked.

“Aye, terrible,” Alana said, though she was unsure if she agreed or not.

“He’d love tae meet ye,” the old healer went on. “Ye ken he’s been searchin’ fer ye and yer maither fer years?”

“Aye, I heard that.” Alana packed the last of the supplies and turned to thank the healer. She felt a little bad because it was obvious Moira thought highly of John MacIver even if she did not. “I hope he comes home safe, and I get to meet him,” she said, wishing to soothe the old lady’s concerns.

“Aye, lassie, me too, but with every day that passes, I have tae admit, me hopes are fadin’. But still, we must keep prayin’ fer his safe return, eh?”

“Aye, we’ll keep prayin’. Now, I must run. Tadhg’s waitin’ fer me. I’ll see ye later, Moira, and thank ye again fer yer help.”

“Goodbye, dear, and enjoy yer picnic. Give that big, braw husband of yers a wee kiss from me!” the healer called laughingly as Alana left.

She hurried upstairs to gather her last few belongings for the journey, wondering what would happen if she kissed Tadhg and then claimed it was not for her but for Moira. The very idea made her smile as she skipped down the stairs and out of the keep, on her way to meet him.

The courtyard was deserted but for him, holding the reins of their horses, and Knox Stewart. As she went over to join them, she noticed the laird had his bulging saddlebags slung over his shoulder and realized he too was leaving the castle.

“Good mornin’ tae ye, Laird Stewart,” she said, returning his smile. “It seems yer off early this mornin’ as well’.”

“’Tis Knox,” he told her. “Aye, I’m off home at last. The documents I was waitin’ fer came last night. It turns out there’s nae need fer me tae stay here any longer.”

“Ye dinnae sound too pleased about it,” Tadhg observed.

“Ach, I’m disappointed. What with things as they are, it looks as though the treaty between me and Laird MacIver is off the table, fer the time bein’ at least. I just hope John’s all right and he turns up in one piece before too long. Blaine will keep me informed of any developments.” He looked at Tadgh. “Speakin’ of which, I wish ye every success on yer mission. Mayhap ye’ll be able tae solve the mystery of what’s happened tae John.”

“Ye told him where we’re really goin’?” Alana asked Tadhg, surprised.

“Aye, I trust him tae keep his mouth shut,” Tadhg assured her. “Anyway, he owes me.”