Chapter Four
Ailith studied the flames in the hearth; her mind constantly going to Hendry. Why was he back in her life? It seemed that either on purpose or by happenstance, the warrior was showing up too often in her life.
It had been difficult not to think about the what ifs and recall their past time together when he’d been there, in her home. The picture of his body kept reappearing in her head. And as much as she tried to push the images away, her mind ignored it.
There had been a deep and abiding love between them. Then she’d married another. Ailith got to her feet and added a log to the fire though it really didn’t need it. She had to keep busy, not idly sitting about giving free rein to her thoughts.
Teller, who’d been dozing by the fire, stood and stretched, then went to the back door, scratching it with his large paw.
Since Hendry’s attack, she’d been wary of straying too far from the cottage.
It was best to be within running distance in case those terrible men returned.
They’d been very close to her home and may have noticed smoke from her chimney.
If that was the case, it was possible they’d come to find out who lived there.
“Out ye go,” Ailith told the obedient dog, holding the door open. She stood in the opening, eyes scanning the dark woods. Thankfully the moon was full, so she was able to track Teller as he sniffed the ground, searching for the perfect place to relieve himself.
Later in bed, she stared up at the roof, sleep unable to come. Every sound outside made her jump, and she had already checked to ensure both doors were barred securely twice.
Teller’s barks woke her the next morning and she sat up groggy from lack of sleep. She threw on a skirt, tucked her nightshift into it, and left the bedchamber to quiet the dog.
Peering through a hole in the window covering, she noted that a young man on horseback rode toward the cottage. He was escorted by two fearsome warriors, who constantly scanned the area.
What were the laird’s guard doing there?
Suddenly her stomach plummeted. Had they come to inform her that Hendry had died? Or perhaps to inquire if he was there after he’d not managed to make it to the keep?
Ailith hurried to the door and flung it open. Teller rushed out and stood in front of her baring his teeth.
The lad hesitated to dismount until Ailith touched Teller’s head. “Down, Teller.” Teller lowered to sit, his wary gaze on the visitors.
The young man neared, his eyes moving from her to Teller. “Are ye Ailith?”
“Aye,” she replied.
“I am Sir Hendry’s squire, Tobin. He sent me to bring ye these items.” He motioned to the warriors who’d dismounted. Each held a large sack that they carried toward the door.
“Wh-what is this?” she stuttered. “What are ye doing?”
One of the warriors slid a look to her. “I dinnae ken what is in here,” he replied gruffly, brushing past to put the heavy burden just inside the door while she gaped at the audacity of the man, not bothering to ask if he could enter.
The second guard did the same, though with a bored expression. Upon walking from inside her cottage, his gaze roamed over her, more with curiosity than interest.
Tobin held out a small sack and placed it in her palm. “He asked that I tell ye he wishes to ensure ye are well provided for and have little need to venture far from the cottage.” He smiled down at her dog, who wagged his tail, seeming to ken the lad was harmless.
The squire turned to the warriors who were mounting. “The shorter one is my uncle,” he said with pride.
The warrior motioned to Tobin. “Come along. Dinnae linger. We have duties to perform.”
Tobin leaned and patted Teller’s head. “Take care, Mistress Ailith.” With that, he hurried back to the horse, mounted gracefully, and the trio turned their horses and galloped away. Teller racing after them, barking with excitement.
Speechless, Ailith shook her head. It was then she realized she still held her hand out, with the sack of coins in it.
“What just happened?” she asked Teller, who ran back, tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth, his face bright with joy at having performed a duty.
As dogs do, Teller couldn’t care less. Instead he trotted to the side of the house to find the garden water tub.
She went back inside and looked at the bundles. She opened one and gasped. Inside were a pair of thick blankets, two large sections of fabric, two wooden bowls, a small pot, and two goblets. It was an interesting assortment of items, she considered.
Now very curious, she went to the second sack, which had been placed on the table, and pulled it open.
She was shocked by the bounty she found.
Inside were potatoes, carrots, and onions.
Wrapped separately was a loaf of crusty bread, a small block of cheese, and dried sausage.
In two other bundles were a choice section of pork and a portion of beef.
And lastly, there was a wineskin filled to almost bursting.
It was truly a bounty like she’d not had in years.
Although she didn’t want to accept the items, it would be impossible to return it all. She didn’t own a mule or a wagon. Both had been sold long ago for much-needed coin for food and such.
The sack of coins was the last thing she opened. He’d given her more than enough coin that she’d be able to purchase food for an entire season. That was the one thing she’d not accept.
The aroma of the cooking made Ailith swoon with anticipation. She grew a few vegetables in her garden, which rarely made it to full ripeness. Now that she had food that she could preserve and eat, it would allow her garden time to flourish.
In a broken clay jar she’d found, Ailith set some freshly picked flowers on her table. After rinsing one of the new bowls, she served up a meal of roasted carrots, savory meat, and just a bit of the bread. She then spooned some of the stew into a small clay pot, she used to feed Teller.
Once seated, she looked at her meal and, without warning, tears slipped down her face. Despite her pride and still not caring for Clan Ross, the meal and other provisions were a blessing. One that came at a time she barely any resources left.
The food was wonderful. Ailith had seconds and sopped up the last of the meat juices with the delicious bread and finished it with a half cup of the sweet wine.
The next day, Ailith was cutting the softer fabric to make a chemise and a simple shift dress. With the other fabric, a wool, she had enough to make a skirt and blouse that would keep her warm when venturing out.
Once she finished the task of cutting, she planned to sit by the door, taking advantage of sunlight and fresh air as she sewed.
After stopping only once to eat, the morning went by quickly. Already she’d finished the chemise and was starting on the shift dress when Teller alerted her that someone was coming.
Ailith quickly grabbed her sewing and retreated into the cottage, calling Teller to come inside.
Once the door was firmly latched, she peeked out through the hole in the curtain and saw her sister’s husband, Boyd, coming up in their horse-drawn wagon.
Next to him was her sister, Erin, holding the youngest of their four.
As they pulled closer, Ailith opened the door, and she from the noise level she could tell the other three in the back were ready to be set free.
It was a whirlwind of activity as the family climbed from the wagon, the father helping the children and then hoisting a sack upon his shoulder.
Her sister was the first to reach her, baby in her arms and two-year-old grasping her skirts.
The two older, both boys, raced around the cottage playing with a delighted Teller.
After depositing the sack inside on the table, Boyd grabbed the toddler and went back out to keep an eye on the boys.
“Peas, beans and oats,” her sister said by way of greeting as she pulled a blanket from a chair and placed it on the floor, then settled the sleeping infant on top of it. “Ye can make a hearty pottage that will last ye for a few days.”
Ailith filled two glasses with cool well water, placed one in front of Erin, and took the second one to Boyd.
“I am so grateful that ye always look out for me. I must admit to having more than enough food at the moment. Please take it back to feed yer bairns.”
Erin waved her protests away. “It is only a small portion of what we got after Boyd’s work at the Macdonald farm. The farmer is a very generous man. Each of the four workers received good compensation along with their pick of the crop.”
“That is quite generous indeed,” Ailith agreed.
Erin looked at the sleeping child. “That blanket is new. Did ye make it?”
The sisters never kept secrets from one another.
Erin was privy to all that had occurred when she’d chosen to marry Brant over Hendry.
Her sister had been against the marriage and had never warmed up to her late husband.
Despite Ailith explaining that Hendry was not being faithful, Erin refused to believe it, claiming Brant had lied in order for Ailith to agree to marry him.
Over their three years of marriage, if ever doubts or thoughts that perhaps Erin was right crossed her mind, Ailith pushed them away.
She took a deep breath. “I found Hendry just outside the door. He was badly injured and unconscious. I dinnae understand how he managed to get here.”
Erin gasped. “What happened? Is he alive?”
“Aye, he recovered. Although I must admit to fearing many times that he would not. Once he was well enough to leave, three days later, he left immediately.” Ailith ignored her sister’s pointed look. “I insisted he leave.”
“I am sure ye were nae the friendliest,” Erin countered. “I ken ye continue to unfairly blame him and the others for Brant’s death.”
Deciding not to begin the familiar discussion Ailith said, “He sent quite a bounty as recompense. Food, blankets, and fabrics. Also some coin.”
“Ye must keep everything,” Erin said in a stern tone. Her sister knew her too well. “Ye deserve every bit of it since ye refused to accept the widow’s allocation from the laird.”
It was true. At the time of Brant’s death, Ailith had been filled with bitterness and sadness.
Her mourning had not only been for the loss of her husband, but she had also been terrified of the future.
With no parents and her sister not having room for her, she knew the path ahead would be a lonely one.
“I am nae sure about keeping the coin.” Her words rang hollow. It would be idiotic to return the money. With winter approaching, she’d need every cent for oil and food.
“Did ye talk to him? Ask him what the truth was?” The warmth in her sister’s gaze was like an embrace. Yet, she pressed the issue about her ire with Hendry further.
Ailith ignored the question. “Tell me about what happens in the village? I have nae been able to go. First, Teller hurt his paw; then, caring for Hendry, the days have passed quickly.”
Knowing she was evading the subject, Erin didn’t repeat her question, which surprised Ailith. “There was a brawl at the village square. The hothead Cormac as usual, but this time with one of the laird’s warriors. One called Liam.”
Ailith knew both men and didn’t have to ask to ken Liam had probably overtaken Cormac, who lacked fighting skills and relied on brute strength. “Liam won.”
“Aye,” Erin laughed, the hearty sound making Ailith smile. “Cormac wrapped his arms around Liam’s chest, holding him up from the ground. Then Liam hit Cormac in the face with his elbow until Cormac fell like a tree.”
“Cormac needs a good lass to settle him down,” Ailith mused. “A strong lass will calm that temper of his.”
“I dinnae believe it is a bad temper, but more that he likes to fight,” her sister explained.
“Possibly,” Ailith said. “What else? How is Mairi?” she asked, referring to Erin’s mother-in-law, who lived with them.
Erin looked to the doorway and lowered her voice. “A constant bother. Is nae satisfied with anything I do, cook, or say.” Erin shook her head. “She fell in the garden the other day and although I was inside, she claimed it was my fault.”
Both giggled, the subject of Boyd’s difficult mother always fodder for their conversations. Her sister dug into her skirts and extracted a small pouch. “Three coins for the herbs that were purchased. I sold plenty of eggs this time as well.”
“I plan to go to the village in the next few days. I have herbs that will be ready very soon,” Ailith informed her sister.
The family remained until the sun was low in the sky and had to leave so as not to travel in the dark.
Erin stood in the doorway watching them until they disappeared from view.
As always, a few tears trailed down her cheeks.
She loved their visits but immediately missed having them there.
If she were to have one wish, it would be to live near her sister.
She sewed by candlelight until her eyes drooped, only to be awakened by Teller’s low growl. Someone was creeping about outside.
Heart thundering, Ailith grabbed the only knife she owned. Her eyes trained on the front door.
Then she took Teller by the scruff and dragged the still growling dog into her bedchamber. It wouldn’t keep her safe for long if someone managed to get inside, but at least it would offer another barrier between her and whoever it was.
At first, she considered it could simply be an animal outside.
Perhaps a wild boar searching for food. But then the unmistakable sound of a man’s murmur caused her to flatten against the door.
Whoever it was didn’t try very hard to get inside.
Instead, they seemed to hesitate when Teller growled and barked menacingly.
Although whoever it was had left soon after Teller had alerted her, it was dawn before Ailith finally allowed herself to fall into an exhausted slumber. Even then she jerked awake and breathless at every sound.