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The next morning, Charlotte awoke, and while there was a faint pounding in her head after what she’d imbibed last night, she felt rested, ready to take on the day. She knew that thoughts about Angus were trying to crowd into her mind, but she brushed them aside. Rose arrived to help her dress into her riding habit, and she had brought her tea and a roll as well to provide her sustenance before her trip around the island.
Charlotte had mentioned to her the night before that she would not need to sit downstairs for breakfast. She had no intention of spending another long meal with Angus, allowing the weight of what had happened the previous evening to sit heavily between them, waiting to be recognized and acknowledged. They would have to move on as normal and go about their daily duties. She also expected a letter from her father to arrive today, and it could hold the key to her future. There was simply too much to occupy her mind.
After today, she might have to leave the isle anyway and would have no reason to think of Angus MacLean anymore. That might be a slight relief, but she felt the sting of a little disappointment. She did her best to hush her thoughts. Thinking about the man would not serve her endeavors to find some purposeful pursuit.
After she was ready, she fled towards the side door. She did not want to bump into Angus this morning. She had nothing to say to him at this time, and she didn’t want to appear bumbling and awkward, whatever she could find to say. She rushed to the stables and found Liam there, all smiles.
“Hello, Charlotte. I had a feeling ye’d come early tae the stables, and Angus told me that ye’d be wanting tae visit yer patients. He said I am tae accompany ye.”
She smiled widely at Liam. He was like a little boy with his bright red hair and winning smile, green eyes open and ready. He had a thick beard when she’d first arrived on Mull but now had trimmed it short, matching Angus’ look. Other than that, he was nothing like his darker, more reserved counterpart, who seemed to hold all of Charlotte’s desires in his hand after last night. She coughed, wishing to remove any thoughts of the evening from her mind.
“Hello, Liam. Yes, Angus told me that as well. But I am surprised to see you’re back from the hunt so soon. I hope it will not trouble you too much, as I have many people I wish to visit today as well as many questions to ask.”
He shook his head. “Nae, lass. ‘Twill be an honor. I must confess, I have always been interested in the way healers work, and so I may ask ye a question or two as we ride along.”
Charlotte nodded and felt a little lighter. Liam was like a lovely bright spot, full of energy and happiness. They would get along just fine, and she was certain that he would give her all the freedom that she desired. “Come,” she said after Liam helped her to mount her horse. “David will be the first person we see.”
She tried not to think too much about how Liam’s hands on her had no effect. They were merely the hands of a friendly helper, not an object of desire, ready to reduce her to a molten heat whenever they came near.
“Ah, I almost forgot. Did you deliver the letter to my father yesterday?”
“Aye, ‘twas delivered tae the Fort as quickly as we could get it there.”
“Thank you, Liam. I hope to receive a reply from him as soon as possible.”
They rode on along the coast, and her initial calm slowly disappeared. She held her breath as they passed by the very place where the near-rape had occurred. She hadn’t thought about it for many hours, and if she was honest, she had Angus to thank for that, and she was grateful. There was no point in thinking about it over and over again until she could feel her throat closing in fear. She had Liam there to protect her.
While she didn’t want to admit it, she felt safer having protection, but she was so grateful that she didn’t have to accept Angus’ help. It would have been too uncomfortable to try to work together. They rode along merrily, with Liam asking a few questions here and there to keep the conversation going.
“Why is it that ye have decided tae practice healing, Mistress?” He asked, his eyes open wide and his expression so ready to listen to her every word.
“She held onto the reins and kept her gaze forward, mulling over the question. “I suppose because I enjoy the freedom and power that knowledge provides me. If I can help someone who is suffering, and they can be assisted by the knowledge that I have, then that is a beautiful thing.”
Liam nodded. “Och, I understand ye well enough, lass. ‘Tis the same if ye can protect someone with yer skill of the sword. It feels good tae help and tae be useful tae someone.”
Charlotte sighed and looked at Liam with fresh eyes. He was kind and understood things of the heart. “Yes, Liam. You’re absolutely right. It definitely does. And what are we here for if not to be of use to one another?”
She rode forward, racing towards David’s house, which she saw peeking out over the edge of a large hill. She could hear Liam’s horse pounding after her own, and she smiled. Angus would never deign to follow her like Liam. He would want to be ahead every step of the way or try to find ways to watch her and keep her safe when she didn’t even realize, giving her the illusion of independence.
They rode to David’s small stone hovel, and she waited for Liam to assist her in dismounting. “Oh, these dreaded skirts,” she said to him. “If only I could wear the same as men, then I could dismount on my own and not trouble you with it at all.”
Liam chuckled. “Nae man would say that ‘twas a trouble tae do so, Mistress. ‘Tis one of the ways we can help, as we just discussed.”
Charlotte threw her head back and laughed. “You have got me there, Liam, and what a clever way you have gone about it. I suppose I should feel the same about being helped as I do about helping, but I’m afraid that I struggle with that.”
She and Liam walked towards the door. “Ye are right, lass. Many a Scotsman have trouble with that as well. We wish tae prove tae everyone that we can handle ourselves and dinnae need anyone else.”
Charlotte nodded. “I could definitely see that, Liam. ‘Tis the same for all men, I believe. They are all trying to appear that they are strong, when, in fact, we all suffer from fear from time to time, do we not?”
“Aye, ye can be sure, lass, but ye must promise nae tae tell any of the other men I told ye that.” Liam smiled brightly once again and winked at her. Charlotte felt much more comfortable again. She was used to light flirtations with men that ended in laughter and merrymaking, not anger and nervousness.
She knocked lightly at the wooden door of young David’s cottage. The door was closed, but she could tell it was hanging slightly at the top and would soon come off in a strong wind. She felt sorry for them, and she looked down at her fur gloves. She had always been given everything she desired, and she was embarrassed now by her finery. Did it seem like she was bragging about all of the niceties she’d received in life when she made her rounds?
The door squeaked open, and David’s mother, Breya, peered out. She looked like she’d aged in the last evening. “Och, hello, Mistress. Come in, come in.”
She waved her hand, and Charlotte and Liam entered. “I came to see how young David is doing, but when she took a glance at the bed, her heart flew to her throat. David appeared much, much worse.
