Page 4 of Married to a Highland Brute

She decided not to bring the picnic basket this time. Instead, she slipped some bread and cheese into a small cloth bag and hid it with her shawl.

She sneaked out of the house and into the woods, following the small path that circled the estateuntil she arrived at a small cottage at the end of one of the lanes. It was mostly hidden by the forest.

Nora's heart had sunk when Naomi showed her where she lived with her son. Since then, she'd done everything she could to alleviate their suffering.

She imagined what it would be like to live so close to the woods, not liking the eerie feeling she got when she walked or rode alone out there. But herdesire to assist Naomi outweighed her fear. Arriving at the cottage, she notice the thatch roof leakingin several places.

She knocked twice before the door was flung open.

“Naomi, it’s me.” And the woman’s eyes lit up.

“Ach, milady! Ye made it. Come in, come in!”

“Thank you, Naomi. How does Nathan fare?”

Nora was led into the small house which was slightlysmaller than her bedchamber. Removing the shawl, she handed Naomi the bag.

“Very poorly, milady.” the woman said sadly.

Nathan lay in the corner on a straw bed.

“Oh, Nathan! You do look poorly,” Nora said in a comforting voice, stroking his hair.

“‘Tis jolly good to see ye, milady,” the boy replied weakly. “Ma said ye were nae sure to come, but I told her ye were.” He offered her a small smile.

Nora's heart clenched as she looked at Naomi, glad she eventually took the risk and paid them a visit. “I must leave shortly,” she told them both, “but I will be back. Farewell, Nathan. How I worry so…”

“Ye daenae have to worry about Ma, at least,” Nathan said, despite the weakness in his voice. “I can take care of Ma.”

Nora laughed despite how sad she felt. “I’m sure you can, Nathan. That’s why we need you to be strong again.”

The boy nodded slowly before closing his eyes.

Nora shifted her gaze to Naomi. "What medicinedoes he take?"

The woman turned away. "We cannotafford medicine, milady."

Nora walked to the door, deep in thought.

“Milady, do ye need a hand finding yer way back?”

Nora’s eyes snapped up. “I’ve got it,” she replied, then sighed. “Do you remember the short path through the woods that you showed me? From the farmers’ market?”

“Aye,” Naomi nodded, opening the door.

“Well, someplace along there, I noticed a white willow tree. You must find it and scrape off some of its bark. Boil it down and make it into a tea for him. It might help some. Now, I really must be off.”

And with that, she was gone.

* * *

Nora hurriedly made her way home. Her father's estate was larger than any of the surrounding residences. The main gates opened onto a large plot of land that housed his horses, servants, and a few other structures.

Unlike their home in England, the manor had a garden that Nora adored; enclosed bya small fence and gate leading into the woods. Shesneaked in and out of the manor from here.

Nora closed the wooden gate quietly behind her. She dashed through the garden and into the house andquickly peered down the corridors. There was no sign of Henry so taking a deep breath, sheset out to find Amelia.

“Lady Nora… Lady Amelia?” a voice asked from behind. Nora turned back to Henry whose face held a menacing grin. “Your father summons you and your sister to his study immediately.”

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