Page 60 of Highlander's Captive Bride
Daisy looked at her, perplexed by her behavior. “Aye, of course. Let me get me honey, and we shall go,” she said.
“Then I shall bid ye ladies good day. May God bless ye both,” the monk said, making the sign of the cross over them. With a slight bow, he retraced his steps and disappeared behind the stall, out of sight.
Daisy purchased the honey and rejoined Nadia, who had moved further away, back down the main street. Daisy noticed she looked very pale. “Are ye sure ye’re feeling all right, Nadia? Ye’ve lost all yer color.”
“I’m fine. Just a wee bit tired,” Nadia said, giving her a weak smile. “’Tis the heat, no doubt. I’ve always been sensitive to it.”
Daisy glanced up at the sun overhead. “Aye, ’tis a bit warm. Ye’re nae used to it, I expect. Ye look as if ye could do with a wee rest. Shall we head home, then?”
“Aye, if ye dinnae mind,” Nadia replied, looking relieved.
Daisy took her arm companionably, concerned for her, and they walked slowly back down the main street.
“It seemed that ye and Braither Edmund are already acquainted,” Daisy observed, her curiosity getting the better of her. “May I ask where ye met?”
Nadia turned to face her, apparently startled by the question. “Nay, we’re nae acquainted,” she said, shaking her head vehemently.
“Oh. But he called ye by yer name,” Daisy pointed out.
“He… he just came and asked me what it was, ’tis all. I’ve never met him before in me life.”
“What? So, he just came up and started talking to ye, just like that, and asked yer name?”
“Aye.”
“That’s strange. Monks usually make a point of avoiding beautiful young ladies,” Daisy said lightly. “Too much temptation of the flesh. Ye have to watch some of them, ye ken, Nadia. Some arenae what they seem,” she warned playfully. “Ye can hide all manner of things under a cassock and a hood.”
Nadia laughed, but Daisy sensed nervousness in it.
“Did he say something to upset ye?” Daisy asked, concerned the monk might have taken liberties with the young woman’s sensibilities while they had been alone.
“Och, nay, I was just surprised when he came to speak to me, ’tis all,” Nadia assured her.
“All right then. Let’s go home,” Daisy said, dismissing the matter from her mind since Nadia claimed not to be upset.
Nevertheless, she wanted to get the girl back to the castle as soon as possible, for she still appeared somewhat wan, and Daisy thought she really needed to lie down.
* * *
With Beltane fast approaching, Bellamy found himself incredibly busy. But he had promised himself and Elodie that he would spend as much time as possible with her in her chambers. He made sure he did just that, regardless of whatever his other responsibilities demanded of him.
He had hoped that, by now, the poisoner would have made a slip-up in trying to get in to see Elodie, to make another attack, and would have been exposed. But so far, nothing had occurred. The increased security on the gates had turned up nothing either, and he could not use his usual network of loyal spies within the castle to report anything noteworthy to him because it was vital that the secret of Elodie’s condition was kept between himself, Elodie, Daisy, and Jamie.
In truth, he was growing frustrated with the lack of progress in his plan, and the matter constantly simmered beneath the surface of his thoughts. Just about the one thing that was keeping him going, apart from knowing that Elodie was out of danger and was fully recovered, was the amount of time he was now able to spend with Daisy.
In fact, he had to admit to himself that the hours they spent, the three of them, together in Elodie’s chambers, talking, laughing, reading her stories, and playing games had become the highlight of his days.
“Yer move, Da,” Elodie was saying, bringing him out of a short reverie in which he had become almost mesmerized by the graceful way Daisy moved her pieces on the checkerboard.
“Och, aye, hang on, let me see,” he said, resting his chin on his hand and scanning the board for his best move. He took another of Daisy’s pieces, laughing at the little line of disapproval that appeared between her eyes when she saw what he had done.
It was Elodie’s turn next, and it was soon Bellamy’s turn to frown when she made her move, taking two of his pieces in the process. He mock-scowled when Daisy smiled at him.
“Serves ye right,” she told him, making Elodie giggle.
“Ach, she’s wiping the board with us,” he said ruefully, rubbing his chin.
“I’ve had a lot of time to practice,” Elodie quipped, her expression triumphant.
