Page 56 of A Fearless Rebel

She walked out and tossed the dirty water. Thomas sat on a stool with a piece of wood in one hand a knife in the other. He slid the blade deftly through the wood. “Sleep well, lady. We will head out early.”

Ava nodded. “Where should I sleep?”

He looked at her. “The cot. I will sleep on the floor.”

Clean and with food in her stomach, Ava lay on the cot, grateful for not being still locked in a crate.

If only she’d not gone to see her family, things would be so different in that moment. But she’d been so stubborn and had a habit of going into things without thinking it through.

She let out a sigh and prayed that Keithen was alive and well. Then, when the door opened, she prayed that the man, Thomas, would not harm her, but instead help her get home.

To her surprise, he didn’t even look in her direction. He instantly doused the lantern on the small table and then spread a blanket he pulled from the trunk onto the floor.

Within moments, his soft snores sounded, and Ava, too, fell into a slumber.

“We will leave shortly. I will go pull my birlinn. Ye can come after breaking yer fast.”

Ava sat up and rubbed her eyes. Her fast? She hurried to find a bucket to relieve herself and then once that was done, rinsed her face and hands.

On the table was a bowl with what looked to be mutton and bread. Ava ate the portion he’d left for her and then dutifully rinsed out the bowl.

She would make sure the man was paid well for everything he’d done for her. Hopefully, he did not have sinister plans in mind and would indeed ensure she arrived back at Clan Fraser in less than three days.

Moments later, she and two men who’d been recruited to help with the rowing were on a birlinn crossing a span of water. It was the first time she’d been on a vessel like the one Thomas owned. He seemed at ease on the water, maneuvering it to the opposite shore by allowing the sea to set the speed.

When they came to the opposite shore, several men hurried out the help pull the birlinn to the beach. They all spoke in fast tones, seeming to be catching up on latest events.

The talking and laughter brought to mind the men at Fraser Keep, who often remained after practice to stand around and talk of home and families. For the first time, she’d finally felt at home, somewhat belonging. However, Esme had reminded her she was truly not wanted or needed there.

If she did return to Fraser Keep, perhaps it would be best to ask Keithen to allow her to go into a nunnery. The family would no doubt urge him to do so. After everything that happened, how could they not wish her gone?

The next day, she spotted a village in the distance. Ava recognized it. The coin purse was not heavy, but she had more than enough to pay the man who’d helped her. He’d been respectful and silent most of the trip. Although curious about him, Ava didn’t pry and ask any questions. Whatever his reason was for living the way he did was his own.

“I’ve changed my mind,” Ava told him as he guided the wagon he’d borrowed from acquaintances once they’d landed on the opposite shore. “Just take me to that village.”

Without even a shrug, he guided the horses in the new direction. Slipping her hand into her pocket, she untied her coin bag.

Drizzle began to fall, and Ava hunched against it. She’d no cloak, no shoes and only the worn frock the man had found for her. A man who stood under an overhang by the tart shop watched them with curiosity, but then disappeared through a door.

She looked about hoping to see a familiar face, but the only other person was a young man pulling two goats.

“Here.” Ava held out her coin bag. “I hope it is enough for yer troubles. Thank ye so very much.”

The man took the coin bag, plucked out three coins and handed it back to her. “Get yerself a cloak and shoes.”

Moments later, she entered the tart shop and the woman behind the counter gasped. “Lord above, what happened to ye?”

Chapter Seventeen

Catriona McKay held her face up to the cloudy sky and closed her eyes. After being indoors for over a year, she now relished time outdoors. Although she’d yet to go further than the keep grounds, it was progress from the confines of the house.

Nightmares continued to bring back images of the days she’d been brutally attacked at the hands of Mackenzie guardsmen. At least they didn’t come nightly any longer. However, they happened often enough that she could not stop the terror that seized her at being approached by men.

It was only recently that she could spend time in the great room. But she always sat at a table in the corner, with only Flora, her companion, and whatever other women decided to join them.

“There ye are,” Esme walked toward her. “I wondered where ye had gone off to.”

Her childhood friend’s assessing look came next. “Ye look good. Ye have gained back some weight.”