‘Not much. From what I hear, Ralph Hennaut prefers the taverns of Inverness to his niece’s company. The man is in the habit of imbibing a little too frequently.’ Bryce smiled. ‘Of course, I am sure the insufferable Mistress Shaw visits along with the Reverend. But not today. ‘Tis Sunday, and time to trap some unfortunates in the kirk for one of Reverend Shaw’s interminable, icy sermons.’ Bryce gave him a broad grin. ‘Now, are you going to buy this mare or not?’
‘I am,’ murmured Callum as he gave Bryce a steely glare. Damn his so-called friend for stoking his curiosity when he had buried it these last weeks with hard work and ale.
‘I am for home, Callum,’ said Bryce, no doubt content that his mischief was done. ‘I will send word to Uncle Dunbar that you are coming to the gathering.’
‘I haven’t decided yet.’
‘Oh yes, you have, you fool.’
***
Tara wiped a strand of hair off her face with the back of a wet hand and stared at a tepid sun breaking through clouds. Thank goodness it had not snowed for a few days, and she could seize her chance to wash the linens from the beds. The day had been piercingly cold when she had risen at dawn, with the mist still coming off the river and everything brittle with frost. The woods were now silent and dripping as the sun rose higher.
She pegged a pile of linens onto the crude washing line strung between two trees and bent over for another. Her hands were red and raw from the lye soap, and her apron was dirty from her chores. What a long way she had come from Truro and polite chit-chat over afternoon tea taken from delicate china cups. That life seemed to belong to a stranger now.
When she stood up, the wind took a sheet sideways, and there was Callum Ross, watching her. Tara froze as the sheet flapped back down, and when it rose again, he was much closer. Her heart leapt to her throat, and she turned and ran for the cottage doorway just as he shouted, ‘Do not be fearful. It is I, Callum Ross.’
The thud of his horse’s hooves seemed to shake the ground behind her. Tara turned to face him, clinging to the door jamb.
‘Do you not remember me, lass?’ he cried, dismounting.
‘Of course I do, Laird Ross, but you must go. My uncle will be back from his walk soon, and he will not want you on his land. Forgive me. I must go inside.’
Callum rushed up to her. ‘Do not be afraid of me. I mean you no harm, and if you tell me, I will go. But what has frightened you that you cower from me, lass?’
‘I do not like strangers creeping up on me.’
‘I am no stranger, surely? And I did not creep. Is there anything else amiss?’
Tara twisted her hands in her apron, as much to warm them as to hide their raw redness from Callum Ross. There was compassion and concern in his look, yet he was more intimidating than she remembered now that she was all alone with him. Could she confide in this man?
‘I…a man was here yesterday, watching me.’
‘What man,’ he said, rushing forward and then stopping.
‘I was getting water from the river, and when I looked up from my task, he was watching me from the opposite bank.’ She sucked in a breath, for there was not enough air in her lungs. ‘He looked like a bad man, Laird Ross.’
‘Do you think he was a traveller, just passing through?’
‘I don’t know. He had a mask over his face and black eyes. There was something sinister about him.’
‘Did he say or do anything?’
‘No. He just kicked his horse and rode off, but I felt the need to cross myself, for he seemed so evil.’
‘He was probably a traveller, just curious, is all, lass. Do not be alarmed. I can send men to patrol out here if it would make you feel safer.’
‘Oh, do not trouble yourself, and my uncle would not like it anyway. It is just that I am not used to being so alone. And when we first came to Braecaple some weeks ago, soldiers were prowling about the place.’
Callum Ross went very still, and his face grew dark with anger. ‘Redcoats? Did they lay hands on you?’
‘They accused me of looting. I mean, the very notion! And then an officer appeared, a Lieutenant Forster, and he chastised them for the offence they had given. I ran back here as fast as I could, and I have not seen any of them since.’
Callum heaved out a sigh and frowned. ‘So this is why you ran from me. You were frightened.’
Tara nodded. Now that the big Scot was standing before her, she felt safer than she had for weeks. His sturdy presence was somehow comforting.
‘And where is your uncle now?’ he asked.