Page 59 of Highlander's Captive Bride
Once again, Daisy felt guilt niggling at her.
“I ken it’s a crying shame, but she’s in no state to play games with anyone, I’m afraid. That’s why the Laird has given orders she shouldnae be disturbed any more than is necessary,” Daisy explained, thinking quickly. “She’s very poorly, indeed.”
She squirmed a little under Nadia’s intense gaze, which felt like it was boring into her, almost as if the girl was trying to read her thoughts. It was somewhat disquieting.
Finally, Nadia nodded and began looking through the reels of thread again. “I cannae tell ye how sorry I am to hear it, Daisy. For coming from ye, I ken it must be the truth,” she said with an air of finality.
Yet, once again, though there was nothing Daisy could put her finger on, she had the distinct feeling that she had failed to convince Nadia.
While Nadia paid for her purchases, Daisy waited by the door, inwardly cursing herself for her poor acting skills. She was grateful when Nadia did not bring up the subject of Elodie again after they left the haberdashery.
The next stop was the apothecary, for which Daisy had quite a list of ingredients she required, both for Elodie’s medicines and to replenish the healing room stock. While an assistant busied herself with filling her order, Nadia selected some hair and skin preparations and purchased them.
“I’ll wait for ye outside,” Nadia said.
“I shouldnae be too much longer, I hope,” Daisy told her apologetically.
“That’s all right, I’m in nae hurry.” Nadia smiled at her and then left the shop.
18
When her order was finally ready and packed into the cloth bag she had brought with her, Daisy stepped outside the shop, immediately looking around to locate Nadia. At first, she did not see her. But then, she spotted her.
Nadia was standing by the monks-run stall, looking at the wares. Daisy set off to join her, thinking that, this time, she might buy herself one of the pots of honey with the honeycombs in, which she so adored, and keep it for herself.
While she was walking towards the stall, she saw a tall monk come out from behind it. To her surprise, he approached Nadia and began talking to her. He had his hood pulled up over his head, so Daisy could not make out his features, but he seemed to be talking intently, and he made sharp gestures with his hands.
Daisy was worried when she saw Nadia take a couple of steps backwards, away from the monk, who continued talking. Now, Daisy noticed, he was actually stabbing his finger at Nadia as he spoke.
“Nadia, is everything all right?” Daisy called when she drew level with the pair.
The monk ceased talking instantly, bowing his head slightly so she could not see his face. He tucked his hands in his sleeves and stood silently. Nevertheless, she had the feeling she was being watched.
“Er, um, aye, of course,” Nadia told her, yet she sounded unsure, and her smile appeared false, which Daisy found worrying.
“Ye seemed to be deep in conversation,” Daisy noted, looking at the monk.
“Aye,” the monk spoke, his voice deep and melodious. His sudden interjection startled Daisy. “We were talking about the honey we sell and how the bees feasting on the heather gives it a special taste,” he said.
He had turned to her, his hood falling back a little to expose his features. Daisy saw with surprise that he was young and good-looking, with deep blue eyes and fair hair cropped close to his skull under his hood.
He smiled at her, and she found herself smiling back.
“Is that so? Well, I can personally vouch for that, for I have a jar of that honey in me room, and it is, indeed, delicious. In fact, I intend to purchase another from ye in a moment,” Daisy told him. “I can certainly recommend it, Nadia,” she added, turning to the young woman at her side.
She did not know what she expected from Nadia at that moment, but it was certainly not the look of fear she could clearly see in the girl’s eyes, above a nervous smile.
Daisy’s curiosity was piqued. Why should Nadia be afraid of the young monk, who appeared perfectly charming and kind?
“I’m Braither Edmund, by the way. Nadia here tells me ye are the healer at Castle Murdoch, and that ye have been treating the Laird’s daughter. A very unfortunate business,” the monk said.
“’Tis a pleasure to meet ye, Braither Edmund,” Daisy replied, confused to learn that he and Nadia were already acquainted. “Aye, it is, indeed, but of course, ye understand I cannae discuss the matter.” She drew the line at sharing information with strangers, a little irritated with Nadia for clearly having done so. “How d’ye ken about that?” she asked.
“Och, everyone around here kens about it, Miss. We braithers pray for her recovery every day.”
“Ah, I see,” Daisy uttered, feeling bad for having blamed Nadia for something that was clearly common knowledge, as Braither Edmund had pointed out.
“Can we go now, Daisy?” Nadia suddenly asked, grabbing hold of her arm.
