Page 54 of Bride of the Wicked Laird
Not expecting to see someone else there, her heart jolted. She gasped and her hand shot to her mouth.
“I’m sorry, lass. Did I frighten ye?”
“Aye, ye did. I thought I was alone here. Where did ye come from?”
“Me house is yonder.” He pointed toward the woods. “Beyond the trees.”
He seemed polite enough, despite appearing beside her like a wraith. He was dressed in fine clothes and there was something about the way he held himself straight-backed and kept his head high that reminded her of the man she’d met at the market.
“I was hoping tae find the midwife.”
The man’s eyes narrowed. “Are ye with child, miss?”
She shook her head, taken aback at his bad manners in asking such an improper question.
She looked carefully at the newcomer. No, there was a similarity to be sure, but this was a quite different man. Whereas the man, Dùghall, had had a kindly, open face and sparkling golden-brown eyes very much like her own, this man had a frown permanently creasing his forehead, and a downturned mouth that told her he was unused to smiling.
“Nay. I wish tae purchase herbs from her.”
“I ken where she is. She’s at a house near me own, where there’s a lass having trouble wi’ her first bairn.”
“Oh. Thank ye.” She turned to go.
The man held up his hand and stepped into her path. “Ye seem disappointed. Can I be of assistance? I’d be pleased tae show ye where she is. Why, even now she may be walking back tae her own cottage.” He pointed toward the woodland thicket. “The path through the trees will lead ye there. Ye might meet her half-way.”
“And it’s nae far?”
The man shook his head, his mouth lifting in what might pass for a smile on his grim face.
She hesitated. Perhaps it would not take long. And if she met the midwife on the path, she could accompany her back to the cottage. Otherwise, she could simply leave and meet with Aileen in the tavern. But that would mean returning to the Infirmary empty-handed. Weighing things up, she decided that seeking the midwife was the better plan.
“I’ll show ye the way.” The man strode off to the path into the woods.
There was something about the man that made her distrust him, yet, hating the prospect of returning to Broderick without the herbs, she hurried after him.
As they walked, the trees grew thicker, and it was not long before she was out of sight of the lane and the other cottages. It was dark, the canopy of the trees preventing sunlight beaming through. She shivered. It was cold and forbidding. Not at all what she’d expected.
Where were the houses the man had mentioned?
“Are we nearing the house ye spoke of? I cannae see any dwellings along here.”
“Dinnae fash, lassie. We will soon be at our destination.” The man’s voice sounded harsh, not as friendly as it had been before.
She took a few more steps, her apprehension growing. “Mayhap I should turn back.” She came to a halt, looking around. “I have tae meet me friend. She will wonder what has become of me.”
The man turned, his frown growing deeper.
“I… thank ye… fer…helping…”
His expression now seemed angry, causing her heart to jump and begin a rapid, uncomfortable beating. “I believe I have come too far and I must leave ye now.”
He grabbed her arm, almost causing her to drop her basket.
“Sir, please let go of me arm.” She attempted to wrench her arm away but he held fast. Now her heart was racing so fast it was painful.
At that moment she saw two other men racing toward them from the opposite direction.
Surely these men will come tae me aid.
