Page 5 of Bride of the Wicked Laird
As they drew near Everard’s birlinn, two men waded ashore from a small rowing boat. Davina looked at them, her eyes widening fearfully, clutching his arm.
“Those two…,” she croaked gesturing toward the men. “They were the ones pursuing me. I’m certain of it.”
CHAPTER THREE
As Everard paused and looked around at the men, Davina clutched his sleeve. There was no time to waste. If she was to escape from the guards, they must not see her with the MacNeil. Once she was on board his ship, and away, they would not know where she’d fled to.
Before they’d left the Widow Lachlan’s boarding house, she’d managed to whisper to the kindly soul that if anyone should enquire after her to please tell them naught.
“Please, me laird. Let us be away from here before those men see me.”
“I’ll speak wi’ the men if ye wish and warn them ye’re in me care and tae leave ye be.”
She shook her head, frantic to be on her way as soon as possible, before she was seen.
“Nae. Let us leave with all speed. I dinnae wish those men tae ken where I am going.”
This did not seem to sit well with Everard. She glanced at his stern face, his set jaw. It was clear to her he was a man used to being obeyed. He had the look of a laird who never shirked from dealing with trouble.
“I thank ye, me laird, but wish naething more than tae leave this place before I am seen.”
He turned toward the ship, placing an arm around her and shielding her from view with his kilt-shawl. “Ye’re safe wi’ me, lass. I make this vow tae ye.”
Her shoulders slumped against him, a wave of relief surging through her.
Perhaps she could trust this man after all.
Once they had lifted her on board, one of the crew helped her to the stern where a small bower had been set up for her with pillows and a rug. The man helped her to sit and placed the rug over her legs.
“Thank ye fer yer kindness,” she said, finding a smile.
She’d no sooner settled herself into the little nook than she heard raised men’s voices alongside the ship.
Listening in horror, she gathered the two men she’d seen were questioning her whereabouts.
Everard’s voice came in reply. “Nay lass here. We’ve upped anchor and are about tae sail.”
Moments later she felt the boat moving, and a great sense of relief washed over her. Everard had been ready to lie to protect her. This told her he believed her story.
Everard ducked his head beneath the heavy oak rigging and took his place at the rudder, not far from where she was tucked away and out of sight of the shore. She wanted to thank him but he was joined by Hugo and the opportunity was lost.
She shuddered as she heard the men discussing the route they would be taking to the island. Sailing south and then across the open stretch of water util they reached the Island of Barra. The very idea of the vast expanse of water they would be sailing over made her tremble, her heart fluttering and a giant knot forming in her belly.
There was talk of a storm moving toward them and when she looked up, she saw a sky boiling with dark, angry, clouds.
As the wind strengthened, the birlinn took off, racing ahead of the storm. But for Davina, every surge of the boat, every wave that took them up and then brought them down the other side, was sickening.
Her loud groans caught Everard’s attention.
“Och lass. Ye’re nae a sailor.” He gave her a wry smile. “Why ye’re pretty pink cheeks have turned a pasty green color.”
She groaned again. Her head was whirling and her belly was heaving, her loathing and fear of water growing to fever-pitch with every lurch of the vessel. Despite feeling faint and weak, she managed to pull herself up, leaned over the side and was heartily sick.
He stroked her hair back from her face, the unaccustomed touch leaving her skin tingling, in a manner that was not altogether unpleasant.
“Keep yer head up, fix yer eyes on the line of the horizon. It is only a matter of a few hours at sea and we’ll be at the Isle of Barra.”
“A few hours! I wish tae die before then.” Davina moaned, heaving, as every drop of the nourishing broth the Widow Lachlan had spooned so carefully into her mouth, went over the side.”
