Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
"Ye wanted tae see me, me laird?"
Donnach stood in the doorway of Alpin's office, his weathered hands still bearing traces of whatever poultice he'd been mixing. The old healer's eyes were sharp despite his age, missing nothing as he took in Alpin's tense posture.
"Aye. Come in. Close the door." Alpin gestured to the chair across from his desk. "We need tae talk about Mhairi."
Donnach's expression didn't change as he settled into the seat, but something flickered in his eyes. "She's done somethin' wrong?"
"Nay. The opposite." Alpin leaned back in his chair, studying the healer carefully. "She mentioned ye offered tae take her on as a proper apprentice."
"I did." Donnach folded his hands in his lap. "And I meant it. The lass has a natural gift."
"Tell me."
"Tell ye what?"
"Everythin'." Alpin's voice was calm but firm. "I need tae ken yer honest opinion of her skills, her focus, her potential. Nae because I doubt her, but because I need tae understand what we're lookin' at here."
Donnach was quiet for a moment, considering. Then he began.
"She's remarkable," he said simply. "I've been a healer fer thirty-two years, me laird.
I've trained four apprentices in that time.
Three of them were adequate––they learned the basics, could treat common ailments, set bones, mix tinctures.
One was good, truly good, with instincts that went beyond just followin' instructions. "
"And Mhairi?"
"She could be exceptional." Donnach's voice carried absolute certainty. "She has the hands fer it––steady, gentle when they need tae be, firm when the situation demands. She has the mind fer it too––asks the right questions, remembers details, thinks three steps ahead when treatin' a patient."
Alpin felt something warm settle in his chest. "Go on."
"But it's more than that." Donnach leaned forward slightly.
"She cares. Really cares. I've seen her with patients––the way she talks tae them, reassures them, makes them feel safe even when she's performin' uncomfortable procedures.
That's nae somethin' ye can teach, me laird. That's just who she is."
"What would apprenticeship look like? Practically speakin'."
"She'd spend most of her days with me, learnin' preparation techniques, studyin' illnesses and injuries, practicin' treatments.
Eventually she'd start seein' patients on her own, under me supervision.
" Donnach paused. "But there's one thing I'd like tae dae that goes beyond standard apprenticeship. "
"What's that?"
"Take her intae town. Regularly." The healer's eyes were steady on Alpin's.
"The castle is good fer learnin' basics, but she needs tae see more.
Needs tae treat field injuries from farmers, childhood illnesses in the villages, birthings in cottages.
Real practice with real people, nae just warriors with sword cuts. "
Alpin considered this. It meant Mhairi would be exposed, visible to anyone passing through the villages, vulnerable if someone was looking for her.
But it also meant she'd be building a life. Putting down roots. Becoming part of the community in a way that went beyond just residing in his castle.
"How often?" he asked.
"Once, maybe twice a week tae start. More as she gains skill and confidence." Donnach tilted his head. "I ken there are... complications. With the lass's situation. But if she's tae learn properly, she needs this exposure."
"Aye. She daes." Alpin made his decision. "Take her intae town as often as ye think necessary. I'll assign guards tae travel with ye, nae tae restrict her movement, but tae ensure her safety."
"Ye're certain?"
"I am. She deserves the chance tae learn properly, tae build somethin' that's entirely hers." Alpin's voice was firm. "And I willnae let fear keep her locked away like some fragile thing that might break."
Donnach's weathered face creased intae a smile. "She's lucky tae have found ye, me laird."
"I think I'm the lucky one."
The healer stood, preparing to leave. At the door, he paused. "One more thing, if I may speak freely?"
"Always."
"The lass is healin'. Nae just learnin' the craft but healin' inside where the real wounds are." Donnach's eyes were kind. "Whatever ye're daein', keep daein' it. She needs that as much as she needs the apprenticeship."
After the healer left, Alpin sat alone in his office for a long while, thinking.
Ashcombe was still out there.
The prisoner's words kept echoing in Alpin's mind:
He wants the girl. That's all he cares about. The coin, the auction, the contract with Graham, none of it matters. He just wants her back.
Every instinct Alpin had was screaming at him to keep Mhairi locked safely inside the castle walls. To post guards at her door, to restrict her movements, to prepare for the possibility that Ashcombe might try to take her by force.
An abduction. A raid in the night. Hired men slipping through their defenses while everyone slept.
The thought made his blood run cold.
But if he gave in to that fear, if he locked her away and treated her like a prisoner for her own protection, then Ashcombe would have won anyway. He'd have stolen her freedom just as surely as if he'd dragged her back to England himself.
Mhairi needed normalcy. Needed to keep building her life, keep learning, keep growing into the person she was meant to be. She needed to go into town with Donnach, to treat real patients, to feel like she belonged somewhere.
She needed to stop being afraid.
And that meant Alpin couldn't let his own fear control his decisions.
He would protect her, God knows he'd die before he let Ashcombe take her, but he'd do it without smothering the life she was trying to build. He'd assign guards when she traveled, double the patrols, stay vigilant.
But he wouldn't cage her.
He couldn't let Ashcombe's shadow steal that from her.
Finally, Alpin stood and headed for the door.
He had something he needed to do, something to remind both himself and Mhairi that there was more to life than fear and threats and men camped at borders.
The afternoon sun was warm as Alpin made his way to the stables. He'd sent word for Mhairi to meet him there, though he hadn't explained why.
She was already waiting when he arrived, leaning against the fence and watching the horses with that quiet intensity that took hold of her sometimes. Her brown dress was practical, worn for work rather than show, and her hair hung loose down her back.
"Ye're mysterious today," she said as he approached. "Sendin' cryptic messages through servants."
"Am I nae always mysterious?"
"Ye're always somethin'." Her eyes were warm with humor. "What's this about?"
"Come here." Alpin pulled a stool from inside the stable and set it down. "Sit."
Mhairi raised an eyebrow but obeyed, settling onto the stool with her back to him. "Should I be worried?"
"Only if ye're afraid of havin' yer hair touched." Alpin gathered the dark strands gently, dividin' them into sections. "I'm goin' tae braid it. We're ridin' out, and ye'll thank me later when yer hair isnae a tangled mess."
He worked slowly, carefully, weaving the strands together the way his mother had taught him so long ago. Mhairi sat very still, though he could feel the slight tension in her shoulders.
"Relax," he murmured. "I'm nae goin' tae hurt ye."
"I ken that." But her voice was softer now, quieter. "It's just... intimate."
"Aye. It is."
They were quiet for a moment, the only sound the distant whinny of horses and the rustle of wind through the courtyard. Alpin's fingers moved steadily, braiding tight enough to hold but loose enough not to pull.
"Where are we ridin'?" Mhairi asked.
"Ye'll see."
"That's nae an answer."
"It's the only one ye're gettin' right now." He secured the end of the braid with a leather tie. "There. Done."
Mhairi reached back to touch the plait. "Thank ye."
"Dinnae thank me yet. Ye might hate where we're goin'."
"I doubt that." She stood, turning to face him. "Ye've nae steered me wrong yet."
The trust in her eyes made Alpin's chest tight. He forced himself to step back, to put some distance between them before he did something foolish like kiss her right there in the stables.
"Wait here," he said. "I'll get the horse."
"Horse? As in only one?"
"Just wait."
He disappeared into the stable, returning a moment later leading only Dùbh. The stallion tossed his head, clearly ready for a run.
Mhairi looked around. "Where's mine?"
"Ye're ridin' with me."
Her eyes widened. "What? Why?"
"Because I said so." Alpin swung himself up into the saddle, then extended his hand down to her. "Come on. Unless ye're afraid?"
"I'm nae afraid of anythin'." But there was color in her cheeks as she took his hand.
Alpin pulled her up effortlessly, settling her in front of him on the saddle. The position put her back against his chest, her body nestled between his thighs, his arms coming around her to grip the reins.
It was... intimate didn’t even begin to cover it.
"This is..." Mhairi's voice trailed off.
"Necessary," Alpin finished. "Fer where we're goin', one horse is better." He could feel her heart beatin' fast against his forearm. "Comfortable?"
"That's nae exactly the word I'd use."
"Then what word would ye use?"
She was quiet for a moment. Then, so softly he almost missed it: "Safe."
Alpin's arms tightened around her briefly. "Good. Hold on."
He urged Dùbh forward, keeping the pace slow as they left the castle courtyard. The stallion was well-trained enough to handle the double weight without complaint, moving smoothly beneath them.
Mhairi's hands came up to rest on Alpin's forearms, where they crossed in front of her. The contact was light, tentative, but it sent warmth spreading through him nonetheless.
"So where are we goin'?" she asked again.
"Still nae tellin' ye."
"Ye're impossible."
"I prefer determined." Alpin guided Dùbh toward the western road, away from the village and deeper into MacDougal lands. "How was yer day with Donnach?"
"Good. He taught me how to prepare a burn salve. Did ye ken that comfrey root needs to be soaked for exactly two hours before grindin', or it willnae release the right oils?"
"I did nae ken that."
"Well now ye dae." He could hear the smile in her voice. "He also said he wants tae take me intae town more often. Tae see real patients, treat real injuries."
"Aye, he mentioned that when we spoke."
Mhairi twisted slightly to look up at him. "Ye spoke tae him? About me?"
"This afternoon. I wanted tae ken his honest assessment of yer skills." Alpin met her eyes. "He thinks ye could be exceptional."
"He said that?"
"His exact words. And I agreed tae let him take ye into town as often as needed fer yer trainin'."
"Alpin..." She turned back around, but he felt her lean more fully against him. "Thank ye. Fer all of this. Fer givin' me the chance tae learn, tae be somethin' more than––"
"Ye were always somethin' more," he interrupted gently. "I'm just helpin' ye see it."
They rode in comfortable silence for a while, following paths that wound through forest and over streams. The afternoon sun filtered through the trees in golden shafts, and birds called from hidden branches.
Alpin was acutely aware of every point where their bodies touched. Her back against his chest. Her thighs resting against his. The way she fit perfectly in the circle of his arms, like she'd been made to ride this way.
Like she'd been made for him.
The thought should have terrified him. Instead, it felt... right.
"Ye're thinkin' very loudly," Mhairi observed.
"Am I?"
"Aye. I can practically hear yer thoughts churnin' away back there." She paused. "What are ye thinkin' about?"
Ye. Always ye.
But he couldn’t say that. Nae yet. Not when war was coming and everything was so uncertain.
"I'm thinkin' about how ye've changed since ye first arrived," he said instead. "How much stronger ye've gotten."
"I dinnae feel strong. Most days I feel like I'm barely holdin' meself together."
"That's exactly what strength is." Alpin's voice was quiet but firm. "Holdin' yerself taegether when everythin' wants tae break ye apart. Keepin' goin' when it would be easier tae give up. Ye've done that every single day since the auction."
Mhairi was quiet fer a long moment.
"I couldnae have done it alone."
"Ye shouldnae have tae dae it alone. That's what..." He caught himself. "That's what people are fer. Helpin' each other."
"Is that what we're daein'? Helpin' each other?"
"Aye." Though it felt like so much more than that. "Among other things."
"What other things?"
Alpin guided Dùbh around a fallen log, using the movement as an excuse not to answer. They were getting close now––he could see the treeline thinning ahead.
"We're almost there," he said.
"Ye still havenae told me where 'there' is."
"Because it's better if ye see it."
They emerged from the trees onto a small rise overlooking a wide meadow. Below, a stream cut through the grass, glinting silver in the afternoon sun. And beyond that, scattered across the hillside, were horses.
At least two dozen of them, grazing peacefully in the open space. Mares with foals, a few young stallions, several older geldings. All of them wearing the MacDougal brand.
Mhairi's breath caught. "They're beautiful."
"This is one of our breedin' grounds," Alpin explained. "We keep the horses here durin’ spring and summer, let them run free, build strength. Come autumn, we bring them back tae the main stables."
"Why did ye bring me here?"
Alpin dismounted first, then helped Mhairi down. Her hands lingered on his shoulders for a moment longer than necessary before she stepped back.
"Because," he said, "ye need yer own horse. And I thought ye should choose one yerself."
Mhairi stared at him. "Alpin, I cannae take care of a horse."
"Ye can. And ye will." He gestured toward the meadow. "Any one ye want. Take yer time, look at them all, see which one feels right."
"This is too much."
"It's nae nearly enough." The words came out more intense than he'd intended. "Mhairi, ye're buildin' a life here. A real life. And part of that is havin' things that are truly yers––nae borrowed, nae shared, but yers. So choose a horse. Choose one that'll carry ye wherever ye need to go."
Her eyes were shinin' with unshed tears. "I dinnae ken what tae say."
"Say ye'll pick one. That's all I'm askin'."
She looked out at the meadow, at the horses moving lazily through the grass. Then she nodded.
"Aye. I'll pick one."
They walked down the hill together, Alpin letting Mhairi set the pace.