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“Then tell me what you know,” the pilgrim said.
“I ken where she will be during the days. She follows a loose routine. I have been watching her. If you mean to capture her, it will have to be at one of those moments where she is most vulnerable.”
“And when is she most vulnerable?” he asked.
“When she is around the bairns. She would die to protect them.”
***
Chapter 13
Wreck and Ruin
As things settled again, Yesenda awaited further instructions from the abbey, but nothing came. She even managed a sneak away to the blackhouse and the Gibson farm, but both were empty. So, she decided she would remain one more week to make sure she was not followed. Given that she was to leave soon, she tried once more to keep her distance from Iain, but each morning when she awoke; she found him asleep in her bed and curled around her. Although he never pushed for anything more. The connection between them was growing stronger, but she could not give herself to a man, knowing that she would have to leave him forever.
In hindsight, Yesenda wished she had savored those quiet moments wrapped in his arms because things were about to take a drastic turn in their relationship.
***
News
Yesenda was waiting for Iain at the Keep when Kieran appeared.
“Yesenda, Iain has clan matters today. I’ll walk you home.”
Kieran ushered her forward, and they set off for the glen.
“Thank you, Kieran. I haven't seen you in a while.”
“Aye, I’ve been a little busy.” He frowned.
“Is this related to a certain widow in the village?” Yesenda raised her eyebrow and kept winking at him.
“Och, is nothing a secret to this clan?” Kieran grumbled.
Yesenda laughed. She heard the clanswomen gossiping about Kieran that morning. Apparently, his latest love interest was slightly weird.
Yesenda asked, “Is it true then? The lass really made you burn your plaid to remove the evil eye curse?”
“Aye, she did. She said she had to transfer all the evil froman droch-shùil,into me plaid and not just a thread of yarn.”
“Was there affliction? Did someone really put the evil eye on you both?” Yesenda asked.
“Of course not! The lass may be bonnie, but she is daft like all the women I seem to attract.”
Yesenda sobered and asked, “So, what happened afterwards?”
“Well, she set my plaid alight so all the evil would vanish, and it caught fire to my trews, which were hanging by the window. So I come home last night and my cottage is on fire.”
Yesenda tried hard to stifle her laugh. “So that’s why you’ve all been busy rebuilding.”
“Aye. What I would not give to have a bonnie sweet woman who doesna frighten the life out of me half the time.”
“You wish to wed. Kieran?”
“Aye, I do.”
“I thought you were happy to be single and have your way with as many women as you please.”
