Page 62 of Highlander's Captive Bride
“But perhaps there is a way,” Daisy continued, talking to Bellamy now. “Ye could allow Elodie to attend the celebrations for an hour or two, saying it was her fervent wish to do so, and that because there has been a small improvement in her condition, ye agreed.”
“And ye could say ye asked Daisy, since she’s the healer, and that she said it would be all right,” Elodie suggested hopefully.
Bellamy muttered something under his breath and looked from one to the other for a moment.
“Och, very well,” he grumbled, at last, unable to resist the pleading looks from the two sets of eyes he loved the most.
Elodie immediately gave him an enormous hug and peppered his face with kisses. Daisy had to smile to see him hug the child back and laugh.
“Ye have me wrapped around yer wee finger,” Bellamy muttered in mock complaint, casting Daisy a warm glance over the child’s shoulder.
“Thank ye, Da. Thank ye, too, Daisy,” Elodie crowed, transferring the hug to Daisy and kissing her cheeks soundly before settling back into her bed, her face glowing with happiness.
“But ye still have to remember to act sick, all right?” Bellamy reminded her.
Elodie nodded vigorously. “Aye, I’m getting very good at that,” she told him.
* * *
Beltane Eve seemed to arrive far too quickly. In the last day or so leading up to the festivities, Daisy had forced herself to prepare a few things for her journey. She had a little money, a warm cloak with a hood, sturdy boots, and enough warm clothes for the chilly nights. It was all stowed in a cloth bag she intended to take with her.
It was her plan to leave the castle through the small east gate, the one Bellamy had shown her when they had gone on their jaunt to the village. It was usually quiet there, and she figured she would have less chance of being seen. She resolved to conceal her bag somewhere around there so she could collect it before slipping out of the gate.
Then, she had decided to make for St. Tristan’s monastery. She was certain the abbot there would not refuse to assist a woman traveling alone. If she could persuade him to help her reach the nearest town, then she figured she would likely be able to find some sort of public transport that would take her in the direction of home. After that, she would just keep traveling until she reached Castle McGunn, where she would at last be able to tend to Violet.
These preparations took on an almost dreamlike quality as she went through them. Her heart was pulling her in one direction, while her sense of duty was pulling her in the other. In an effort to overcome how her inner battle was weighing on her, she tried to keep in mind her resolution to try to enjoy her last night with Bellamy and Elodie. But she knew it was going to be hard.
When darkness fell on Beltane Eve, she made her way out into the castle courtyard, which was already filling with people, some of whom already appeared the worse for wear. Kitchen servants were on the green, tending to several spits containing large cuts of roasting meat, basting them with the meat juices.
Two of the spits were loaded with the huge carcasses of wild boar. The delicious smell of the meat cooking filled the air, teasing her nostrils. She longed to stay and partake in the food and drink with everyone else, for, as Nadia had told her, it promised to be a grand celebration.
The castle gates stood wide open, and out in the fields beyond, Daisy could see that bonfires had been lit seemingly everywhere, filling the night with an orange glow, smoke, and the scent of burning wood. Music was everywhere, too, the sound of fiddles, drums, and even bagpipes creating a cheery cacophony. Some folks were already dancing, clearly determined to make the best of the opportunity to make merry.
Feeling somewhat apart from it all, she wandered through the gates and out into the fields, to wander aimlessly among the bonfires, lost in her sad thoughts. She had already hidden her bag near the east gate, determined to leave the next evening, however much her heart ached at leaving.
19
“Daisy! Daisy! Over here!” Elodie’s voice calling her name broke into her thoughts.
Daisy turned in the direction the voice had come from to see Elodie in Bellamy’s arms. He was striding towards her, with a couple of footmen trailing behind them, bringing a large chair loaded with cushions and blankets.
Bellamy chose a prime position near one of the largest bonfires to have the chair set down. He fussed over Elodie, making sure she was settled comfortably on the cushions before covering her legs with the blankets. Daisy waved at them and went to join them.
She kissed Elodie’s head and crouched down next to her. “Why, ye have a fine view here,” she told her, putting on a cheery smile. “This is where all the jugglers and dancers and acrobats are going to be performing,” she pointed out, gesturing to the large area that had been left clear to accommodate all the various entertainments. “D’ye see the maypoles as well?” she asked.
“Aye, I wish I was allowed to dance,” Elodie whispered ruefully. “But Da says I must wait for next year for that.”
“I think that’s for the best,” Daisy told her. “Ye need to get yer strength back a bit first.” She noticed Elodie had a cloth bag in her lap. “What have ye got in there?” she asked, nodding at it.
“Well, it’s supposed to be a surprise for ye. Ye remember I promised to make ye a thank ye gift?” Elodie responded, mischief in her eyes.
“Aye, I seem to recall that.” Daisy chuckled.
“I’ve decided I’m goin’ to make ye a crown of flowers, so I got Poppy to get me some flowers and stuff. I thought I could make it for ye to wear tomorrow at the Beltane ceremony.”
“Och, that is so sweet of ye, Elodie. I would love that. Thank ye. I look forward to wearing it with pride.”
Daisy’s heart clenched, deeply moved by the child’s earnest thoughtfulness.
