Page 14 of The Highlander's Captured Bride
Now, it was her turn to be startled. “How did ye ken that?”
“Yer tone dipped when ye said the last parts, as if ye were remembering something,” he mentioned. “Kenning how ye and yer faither worked together for so many years, I assumed.”
He’s quick on the take...
Appeased that Ethan could follow her, Violet said, “News about yer brother’s death has spread far and wide, that’s a given, but I am betting that we use his ‘final’ last words. Before he died, he mentioned to a fellow soldier that he wanted to help her through her troubles.” She eyed Ethan. “It’s a gamble, I ken, but if me suspicions about this woman is right, we’ll find her.”
“I hope we will,” he added. Twisting, his eye caught her smile and her eyes shining at him, and his chest tightened oddly. His leaping pulse began to thunder in his ear and a myriad of emotions began pounding in his chest, the prominent—and unbidden one—selfishness.
7
He hoped Violet had not caught his wince as he had jerked his head away to hide it. How could he not with the thought ringing through his head?
I hope we won’t find her too soon, I want to spend more time with ye…
He knew it was inappropriate. The only thing he should he wanting is to find the man who was responsible for killing his brother and make him pay. Then, he would be free to grieve as he needed. But her smile…it was like the sun’s rays breaking through his darkness. He wanted it all to himself. They were near the closest settlement when he asked, “We start in the pub, right?”
“Ye will start in the pub, I’ll begin in the marketplace,” Violet said.
Ethan shook his head, “I ken we should stick together at first. After we get a good lay of the land, so to speak, then we can separate. We’ll go to the marketplace first, then the tavern, as the latter willnae be of any use to us in the daytime.”
Her head swiveled to him, and she arched her eyebrows, but then nodded, “I agree.”
Her features did not show that she fully agreed, but he supposed she was hedging on the edge of caution. He did know these places better than she did, so she must be relying on his familiarity with the place before she launched out into doing her own thing.
The hill pass began to widen and the scrubby shrubs evolved into taller pine trees. Ethan spotted Violet’s head swaying from side to side as she took in the highland scenery. He felt pleased that it was still summertime as the trees, tall, verdant, and majestic towered above them, and though she did not see them, the rolling fields far off were clothed with vivid crimson and golden flowers. Perhaps she would see them when they descended the knolls and got into the plains.
The horses took on a quicker trot onto level ground, and soon, Ethan spotted the large twin trees that straddled the roads, the unmarked entrance to the Sellek. This place had two roads: the main one that went right through and led to the other towns beyond and a perpendicular street that took them to the far side of the settlement. As they rode in on the main street, he spotted the squat inn that catered to the random visitors and then the smithy.
He mentioned which was which in low tones as they passed by-- the butchery, a small meeting hall, and then, the tavern. Luckily, it was at the corner where the adjacent road would take them to the marketplace. He eyed the shuttered window of the tavern as he passed by it.
Stone and wood cottages of various sizes lined this road while some were set further from the road. Women were hanging out washing, some villagers were puttering yards, they even passed one where a handful of gray-headed elders were seated on a low porch, chatting and puffing from their pipes.
Ethan spotted the market cross and rode towards it. Violet mirrored him and they passed by. He slowed his ride while he scanned the bustling street for any women who might fit the description the soldiers had given him. His sharp eyes spotted merchants and dark-clad women armed with baskets, haggling with them, before they swiveled to the beggars, idle children, and, lingering at the sidelines, sharp-eyed thieves.
He looked over to Violet, who was grasping the reins a little tighter than she should. Was she nervous? Ethan slid from the saddle and went over to her. He appreciated Violet’s choice, to disguise herself in lad’s clothes had been wise.
Prying her hand from the cold leather, he asked, “Are ye all right?”
She shook her head and smiled. “Aye, I am.”
Stepping away, he stopped himself from helping her down as it would be very peculiar to see a man helping a lad dismount a horse. The short wig and cap did transform her into a young lad lingering in the ages between boyhood and old enough to have whiskers.
Tugging her shirt down, she nodded to the stalls. “We should begin.”
Keeping a few feet between each other, Ethan led her past the first merchants and into the mess of stalls placed haphazardly. With Violet constantly in the corner of his eye, he noticed her nose wrinkle at the cloying smell of cooked and raw meats.
He spotted a circle of older women in drab stained aprons and hood caps chatting amongst themselves. Pointedly looking over to them, Ethan saw Violet nod and they went over. The one in the middle noticed him first and then jabbed another into awareness.
“Good day, elders,” he said. “Sorry to intrude, but I’ve got a question and I’ll be very appreciative if ye could help.”
One of the women squinted, the knowing tone of her drawl matching the look in her eyes. “Yer the youngest Master MacFerson, ain’t ye?”
“Sadly,” Ethan swallowed, “I am.”
“Who’s the laddie behind ye?” another asked, nodding to Violet.
“A squire boy from me faither’s ranks,” he lied smoothly, then steeled his quivering chest. “As I’m sure ye all ken, me brother was laid to rest yesterday—” he paused and nodded in gratitude when they offered their condolences, “—but before he passed, he mentioned to a fellow soldier about a woman with dark hair, very pale blue eyes and a scar on her forehead. He neglected to mention a name but said that she had fallen onto hard times and he wanted to help her. Dae ye ken anyone with that description? I want to honor me brother’s last wishes.”
