Page 64 of Bride of the Beastly Laird

“Thank ye, Nell,” Matheus said, clearly deferring to the older woman’s authority. He turned to Arran. “These lads will guide ye a little further and ye can settle the horses.”

Nell addressed them again. “I’ve a cauldron ready on the fire. Ye’re welcome tae partake of some nourishment with me and me husband once ye’ve settled the horses.

Once they’d been shown the old cottage and seen to the horses with hay and water for the night, Arran, Dahlia and Craig rejoined the others in Nell’s cottage where they met her husband Thomas. He grunted his hello and regained his timber seat in front of the fire. Arran smiled to himself. A man of few words.

It was clear old Nell was the village healer, judging by the bunches of herbs swinging on hooks near the fireplace and the shelves stacked with bowls and jars of tinctures and the makings for poultices. The air in the cottage was thick with herbals and the enticing aroma of Nell’s stew. Unlike most of the otherdwellings in the village, this was one stored with no space for animals. A pile of blankets and pillows had already been turned into a makeshift bed near the fireplace to be occupied by Nicol and Beattie.

After offering around the remains of their food, the little gathering supped Nell’s rich stew.

“Can ye tell me where ye be heading fer?” the old woman asked, cocking a curious eyebrow in Arran’s direction.

“Mayhap ye can give us some help in our quest. We’re searching fer a bothy that may once have been use by hunters.”

Arran held his breath as Nell nodded thoughtfully. It was Nicol who intervened. “And it mayhap have used in more recent times. We’re searching fer a lady who may be staying in the old place.”

“Aye.” Nell said after a pause. “I ken the old place ye speak of. In recent times there have been horsemen coming and going in that direction. It may be, as ye say, that a lady is staying there.”

Arran immediately stiffened. His hope of finding his mother at last, came alive.

His face mirrored his impatience. “If only the weather permitted, I’d be off searching fer this bothy even as we speak.”

Nell patted his hand. “Never fash, lad. The bothy will be there in the morning and by then the storm will have passed. Ye’llbe able tae make yer way without danger of rolling down the mountainside and be smashed on the rocks below.”

He nodded, curbing his eagerness, and gave her a rueful smile but he was itching to make that final bid in the search for his mother.

After filling their bellies with Nell’s fine stew and honey cakes they were making their way back to the old cottage where they were staying when a door to one of the other cottages swung open and a young woman emerged. They paused, heads down against the rain, as she darted across to speak with them.

“Ye two,” She took in Dahlia and Arran who were sheltering close together, “I see ye’re a couple, but ye…” She tugged gently on Craig’s sleeve. “…why ye’re in the way, lad. Dinnae ye ken that three’s a crowd?”

He chuckled. “Aye, lass. I dae at that.”

“Then I’ll take nae argument but ye must spend the night under me roof.” She grinned up at him cheekily. “A widow’s house is a fine place fer a strong young man such as yersel’ tae be taking shelter.”

He looked helplessly at Arran and Dahlia, who both smiled in agreement.

“Och, Craig. The lady speaks sense,” Arran nodded knowingly. “Three is indeed a crowd and sheltering from the storm with a pretty young widow beside ye is hard tae beat fer enjoyment.”

It seemed that was all the encouragement Craig required and he splashed off through the rain towards the widow’s cottage, a broad grin on his face.

“I’ll see ye on the morrow,” Arran called after Craig’s fast-disappearing form.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

They hurried into the dimly lit old dwelling that was theirs for the night and climbed the ladder into the hayloft. Beneath them the horses nickered and sighed in the warmth of their dry haven.

Dahlia giggled holding up two thick woolen blankets and spreading them out. “Well, I didnae expect we’d be spending this night alone together, safe and snug in a mountain refuge. I was ready tae sleep beneath a tree on a bed of pine needles, shivering me arse off with the rain coming down.”

Arran laughed softly, busy with the buttons on her dress. This was a rare and unexpected moment for them to spend the night together and he had no intention of wasting a precious second.

“Ye dae need tae take off these damp clothes, melady. I dinnae wish tae see ye catching yer death of cold.”

He peeled the dress over her shoulders, baring her smooth, creamy skin to his gaze and leaned in to layer a series of kisses across her shoulder. His groin twitched and hardened.

She chuckled. “Methinks ye should take offyerdamp britches.”She wriggled out of her dress and petticoat. “I’d hate tae think of ye suffering in the cold when I can keep ye warm and snug in me arms.”

Arran needed no further bidding, and within a brief space of time he was lying naked beside her under the warm blanket, his manhood standing to attention. He folded her into his arms and bent his head to take her lips with his in a passionate kiss.

The storm raged outside but they were deaf to the thunder and the torrents of rain falling on the roof. All their fears and worries fell away as they lost themselves in the kiss.

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