Page 40 of Betrayed

Chapter 8

She awoke, surprised that she had slept at all. It was still dark, although the sky was giving evidence of the new day in the fading of the stars above her and a glow along the edges of the horizon. Colin MacDonald's face came into her view. He kissed her mouth slowly, and she did not resist him. What was the point now?

“We had best get up,” he told her. “We canna tarry long here. Can I trust ye if I let ye ride yer horse today?”

“I don't know if ye should ever trust me, Colin MacDonald,” she said bluntly “but if ye are asking me if I will run away from ye, where would I go? I canna return to Brae.” She stood up, drawing close about her the cloak upon which they had lain. “Send Nelly to me with some hot water,” she told him. “I will not ride this day with the scent of ye upon me.”

“Hot water, eh? Have ye always been such a fine lady, Fiona mine, or did Angus Gordon make ye such?” His look was both curious and amused.

“Do ye not bathe regularly, then?” she demanded of him. “I do. I always have done so, my lord. A vessel of water over the fire will be enough for my ablutions this morn.”

He was dismissed, and he knew it. What a firebrand this woman was. She could obviously hold her own with him, but it amused him more than angered him. Such a strong woman would breed up strong sonsfor Nairn. Colin MacDonald found Nelly wide awake and looking as if she had not slept a great deal.

“Good morning, lass,” he greeted her. “Are ye all right?”

Nelly nodded at him. “I'm not used to sleeping in the open, my lord,” she told him honestly. “I was a wee bit frightened.”

“We'll not let anything harm ye,” he promised her. “Now, fetch some hot water to yer mistress. Ye'll find her around on the eastern side of the castle's ruins.” He pointed to show the direction.

The fire had not been allowed to die completely away in the night. Nelly saw a small metal pot sitting upon the coals that was already filled with water. Sticking a finger in it, she determined the water was warm enough to wash in, and picking the pot up with the edge of her skirt so as not to burn her hands, she hurried to take it to Fiona, finding her mistress easily.

“Ye were safe in the night?” Fiona asked.

“Aye,” Nelly replied. ‘Just a wee bit cold and frightened, but none of the men came near me after his lordship's warning. I slept up in the cart atop our bedding with that Roderick Dhu fellow dozing right at the foot of the wagon, my lady.”

“I am grateful for yer safety. Do not even think of flirting with any of these savages, Nelly, unless ye seek to lose yer virginity. They will take the slightest thing as encouragement. Put the water down here.”

“I brought ye a scrubbing cloth,” Nelly said. “I was able to retrieve it from the luggage, my lady.” Handing it to her mistress, the girl then turned away to give Fiona her privacy. “I'll fetch you some food,” she said, hurrying off.

Returning in only a few minutes, she gave her mistress, who was now finished washing, a tin plate.“There was a bit of cheese, bread, and some fruit remaining from our basket. Let me take yer cup, and I'll get ye some water from the stream which is nearby.”

Grateful for Nelly's thoughtfulness, Fiona sat down and began to nibble the food her servant had brought. Moments later Nelly rejoined her. Together they ate, sharing the cup of clear water the girl had fetched for them. They did not speak. There was nothing to say, and if there had been, there was the danger of being overheard. Everything was as the women had expected it would be at this moment.

Colin MacDonald came to them as they were finishing their meal. “Come and pick the clothing ye want to take with ye,” he said. “I'm sending the cart, and most of my men, home to Nairn.”

“Where are we going?” Fiona asked him, surprised.

“To Islay, to my brother, the Lord of the Isles,” Nairn said. “He'll want to know all about this king of the Scots,andhe'll want to meet the lass who's finally turned my thoughts to marriage.” He grinned at her.

Fiona climbed to her feet and cocked an eyebrow at him. “I don't know if it is just yer person or yer foolish boasting that repels me the most, Colin MacDonald.”

“Did Gordon ever beat ye, sweeting?” he asked her. “Ye obviously need to have a hand taken to yer bottom.”

“If ye value that hand, my lord,” Fiona warned him darkly, “don't ever raise it to me. I will cut it off the first chance I get.” She smiled sweetly at him then and moved back to the encampment.

“Would she?” he asked Nelly.

“She'd try,” Nelly replied, “and if she failed, she'd try again.”

Nairn looked thoughtful, then laughed. “I don'tknow her at all, do I?” he said. Motioning to the serving girl to follow him, he turned back toward their campsite, where his men were making ready their departure.

Fiona had gotten into the luggage. She pulled out some undergarments, two pairs of knit stockings, a clean shirt, and a comb for her hair. Seating herself on a nearby rock, she began to undo her plait to comb out her raven-black hair. She then sat quietly while Nelly re-braided her tresses. The girl handed her mistress her chieftain's cap with its eagle feather, and her clan badge, wrapping a warm cloak about her afterward.

“These few things are all I'll need,” Fiona said. “My court clothing would be out of place on Islay.”

“I’ll pack them,” Nelly said. She went to gather her own things as well.

The MacDonald of Nairn had overheard Fiona. Following after Nelly, he caught her arm and drew her aside. “I will not argue with yer mistress, for she is filled with anger now and verra stubborn. Pack at least one fine gown for her and some jewelry. My brother's hall is every bit as fine as the king's. I don't want her embarrassed when she sees it.”

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