The Talisman (Heart of the Highlander Series Book 2)

by Gafford, Deborah

  She raised her chin and met his look with confidence. "Aye, I will be glad to help for a time. Until I leave."

  A shadow seemed to cross his face. It darkened his eyes for a moment and then was gone. "Thank you, lass. As to you leaving, surely there is no hurry for that."

  Chapter Six

  Ailis glanced at the dais in the great hall as she and Megan entered to break their fast the next morning. Gavin sat in his place at the table. So much for her hopes to start the day without her nerves becoming as tense as a bowstring. She forced a smile to her lips and continued through the large room. As she neared her seat from the eve before, Gavin stood and pulled out the chair nearest him.

  With a pleasant grin, he said, "Sit beside me, lass. We can share a trencher and discuss how you would improve our brewing. Then I will take you to see the alehouse." He stood patiently holding the back of the chair, as she hesitated. His expression seemed to say he would remain there until she agreed, so she sat down.

  Gavin took his seat next to her and handed her an eating dirk as if its threat of danger meant naught.

  Hesitantly, she reached out. As she took it from him, their fingers touched. A warm tingle ran up her arm and sizzled through her body. Instinctively, she jerked her hand back and rubbed her fingers.

  She dared a quick glance at Gavin. He stared at her with a startled expression. 'Twas as if he, too, had felt something when their hands met.

  Disturbed by her reaction to his touch, Ailis looked down at the dirk in her grasp. 'Twas larger than the one hidden in her gown. With such a blade, she could easily avenge her family's murder.

  By giving it to her, was Gavin daring her to do so? Or did innocence of the crime give him naught to fear? Surely if he were guilty, he would not hand her a deadly weapon with such careless ease.

  Heat flowed through her once more at the thought of their simple touch. Anxiously, she chewed her lip. How she wished she could be certain. Once again, troublesome emotions plagued her thoughts.

  From the moment she spotted Gavin and his cousin in the forest, she had been sure one or both of them were the killers. But Calum's talisman had proved him innocent last night. And now… now she had strong doubts about Gavin's guilt.

  Sweet Mary, what was she going to do? If he was not guilty, then she must leave. Soon. Her family's spirits cried out for vengeance. It must be done. She dare not stray from her task no matter how appealing Gavin's offer of friendship or her wish for anything else.

  His deep voice brought her thoughts skittering back to him. "You can look over the supplies in the alehouse, and then tell me what we need. I will leave later this morn for the village and then on to buy goods in Craigmuir, a town one day's ride from here." He smiled and continued. "Each year at this time, we hold a feast to celebrate our good fortune at Kirkholm. I have a long list of things to purchase and will obtain whatever you think necessary as well."

  Ailis nodded, unable to speak, her thoughts tumbling haphazardly. She was careful to keep the dirk close to her as she ate. Glancing at Gavin as often as she dared, she noticed never once did he look at it in concern. He spoke of the many activities necessary for the well being of his clan and the smooth operation of the keep as if he were accustomed to conversing with her over a shared trencher.

  Finally, he set down his mug of ale and wiped his mouth on a linen cloth.

  Ailis' gaze followed the path of the cloth as it slid across his full lips. What would it be like to feel the touch of those lips? Would they be warm and gentle as his manner often was? Or would they demand and possess?

  Fie, 'twas foolish to think on it. Even if Gavin were innocent, he was not for the likes of her. She was a mere brewer's daughter. He would want no relationship with her. At least none that he couldna get from any willing bar maid. And that she would not do, no matter how bonny the man was.

  She shook her head to clear her wayward thoughts and set the dirk down determinedly on the table. 'Twould be foolish to act rashly. She would wait, watch and learn. As long as doubts of his guilt plagued her mind, he was safe from her. Would that she could say the same about herself.

  Unease gnawed at her as she considered her growing interest in him. What would happen if her appreciation turned to stronger feelings? Nay, she must guard her heart well. For if he was the murderer, he must die. And if he was innocent, she must leave him. Either way, her heart would ne'er be the same again.

  #

  A young boy ran up to Gavin and Ailis as they walked across the courtyard. "Laird Gavin, quick, come see! Sealgair has had her puppies and there are six of them!"

  Gavin smiled down at the boy and ruffled his hair. "'Tis grand news, Petar. Run ahead and tell her I will come later to inspect them." The young boy grinned and ran off. Turning to Ailis, Gavin said, "Petar has helped his da care for our hunting dogs since he was not much bigger than the hounds, himself. I told him he may name one from the next litter and train it himself."

  Ailis watched the lad scamper over to a large pen beside the stables. "How excited he is." A bitter sweet memory darted through her mind and she fought to control her emotions. "We ne'er had hounds, but Jenny and I loved to watch them when we traveled to different keeps."

  "Then you must come with me. Shall we go look?"

  "But the ale—"

  "It can wait a bit longer." He smiled and held out his forearm to her.

  Ailis froze. Why did he do that? He knew little of her, only what she had spoken of, yet he offered his arm to her as any man would do for a fine lady. And by the saints, she was nay fine lady! Did he find it amusing to mock her?

  His voice broke through her thoughts. "The ground is rocky near the pen, lass, and I would not want you to fall." When she remained still, he added, "I will not harm you, Ailis. 'Tis no need to fear me."

  Was her doubt so obvious? She must take better care to hide her thoughts. Taking a deep breath, she gingerly laid her hand on his arm and walked with him. Reaching the pen, Gavin called out to an older man caring for an injured dog. "Tomas, Petar has told me of Sealgair's new litter. How fares Cu?"

  Ailis jerked her hand from Gavin's arm before the man reached them. 'Twas foolish to have done so. She wanted none there to know of her daft act.

  The man walked over, opened the gate and motioned for them to follow him to a dog lying on a pile of straw. Its left hind leg was wrapped in bandages. "He is mending Gavin, but I fear he may ne'er again be fit for the hunt as he was afore the boar cut him." The older man looked over to the corner of the pen where his son sat admiring the puppies. A look of obvious regret crossed his face and he lowered his voice. "If ye wish me to—"

  "Nay." Gavin's firm response cut across the man's words. He bent down and rubbed the dog's head for a moment before he spoke again. "Cu has earned his place here. If he can no longer hunt, he can sire more hunters. Give him the best care you can."

  "Laird Gavin!" Petar's excitement was easy to see as he called them to come closer. "See, 'tis six of them!" he said as Gavin, Ailis and his father joined him. The boy pointed to the smallest puppy in the litter. "I picked that one, the black with the two brown feet."

  "Why not the fat brown one?" Gavin asked.

  "Nay, he doesna need a lad like me to care for him." Petar knelt down and picked up the small squirming animal. "I will call him Dubh Mor."

  Gavin grinned. "Mayhap you should call him Wee Dubh for he is surely the smallest."

  "He is small now," the boy shrugged, "but after I have cared for him, he will be the biggest and best hunter we have!"

  Tomas patted his son's shoulder then turned to Gavin. "The litter looks to be hale. They will be big enough to hunt come late summer."

  "Tis good to hear."

  "But," Petar added as he put the puppy back with the others. "Dubh Mor will be the best!"

  "Lad," Gavin said, "I leave Seagair and the pups' care to you and your da. Remember, I shall expect fine hunters."

  "Aye, Laird Gavin!" The boy looked up at his father, his face beaming wi
th happiness. "We will train them well, won't we, Da?"

  The boy's words touched Ailis and she silently forced back tears that threatened to spill. How like Jenny he sounded. Jenny had been so happy, so full of life when she was young.

  Ailis quickly looked away, watched the coming and going of clan folk, listened to their words and the sounds about her, anything to help push back the sad memory. As she and Gavin walked out of the pen and continued across the courtyard, she kept her arms at her sides and did not touch him again.

  When they neared the alehouse, Gavin stopped and spoke. "Lass, Paddy has been brewing our ale since I was a lad. He is a bit possessive of his craft and will nay thank us for interfering. 'Twould be a kindness for all, if we let him think I have asked you merely to observe and learn what you could from him. Will you do that?"

  Ailis looked at his hopeful expression. Would a treacherous murderer be concerned with the feelings of an old man? Especially one who was not even capable of performing his duties as he should? Or for the care of a wounded hound that would not hunt again? Nay, she thought. He would not. With each day Gavin seemed less like the monster she thought him to be when she had come upon him in the forest. She nodded her head, granting him an honest smile. "Aye, I will."

  A strong yeasty smell surrounded them as they entered the stone building. Ailis' chest tightened painfully as she glanced about the room. Each familiar implement and cask forcefully brought back memories of the tasks she had performed daily with her father.

  Tears threatened to spill so she hurried over to a large barrel giving her a moment to calm her emotions. Her hand trembled as she ran her fingers through the barrel's dried hops. Their rich aroma rose to enfold her like a warm embrace.

  Gavin followed her and pointed out the vats and drying floor as an older man joined them from the rear of the large building. A cloud of dust rose as he shook off his long leather apron and hung it on a peg. "Gavin what brings ye to—" His words halted abruptly as he turned toward Ailis. "Och, lass, dinna be puttin' yer hands in that. 'Tis naught fer ye there."

  Ailis drew a deep breath against the sadness that threatened to overwhelm her. How many times had she heard her da say something similar when she was learning at his knee?

  She looked up to see Gavin gazing at her with a bemused look. He cleared his throat and turned to the man. "Ah, Paddy. Just the person I was looking for. Have you met Ailis? She is staying with us for a time. Her da was a brewer. Just last eve, she remarked on the unique quality of your brew." He darted a quick glance and winked at her before he continued. "I thought you might take her under your wing and show her some of the things you do to produce such fine ale."

  The old man scowled. "Och, I dinna have time to play nursemaid to some wench. An' would ye be havin' me tell her my secrets fer makin' good ale?"

  Gavin shook his head and put his arm across the man's shoulders. He led Paddy a few feet away, but even so, Ailis still heard his words. "The lass has recently lost her family. She needs someone to look up to. I would take it as a personal favor if you would let her follow you about and teach her some of what you know."

  He lowered his arm from the old man's shoulders as he continued to speak. "Who knows, perhaps she can help you with some of the simpler tasks."

  Paddy's disgruntled sounding sigh carried across the room but the expression he turned on Ailis was not unkind. "Och, 'twould seem I have a new apprentice. Mind ye, I willna tell ye everythin'. 'Twould overwhelm a wee lass like yerself an' I dinna wish the secrets o' my fine brew to be copied o'er all o' Scotland."

  Gavin clapped the old man on the back and nodded as if in agreement. "Now show us around and tell us what you need to brew a new batch of ale. I will ride to Craigmuir today and will collect any supplies you need."

  After several minutes, Gavin and Ailis walked back to the keep. She chewed her lip, hesitant to tell him of the many things she had found that needed to be changed.

  He smiled down at her and said, "Surely it cannot be as bad as that. Your lips are far too pretty to be bruised with worry. Spit it out, lass. Are we doomed to bitter ale for all time?"

  His joking manner brightened her mood and she laughed. "Nay, I think with my help and a wee bit of good fortune, we could be drinking brew as sweet as heather ale come feast day."

  "Well then, come along with me to Craigmuir and you can give me your list as we travel."

  Ailis stumbled and froze. "What? You want me to go with you?"

  Gavin looked almost as if he were surprised by his own suggestion. "To be truthful, lass, I had not thought to ask you. But since I know naught of what you will need and I dare not question Paddy more on the few things he mentioned, I think 'tis the only way we will be assured of it."

  "But… but you said 'twas a day's ride past the village. I cannot travel alone with you for all that time."

  He cocked his head and gave her that boyish grin she was beginning to recognize. "Fie, lass you have already done so."

  She shook her head and began to chew her lip again. "We were not alone, just the two of us. Your cousin was there."

  "True, but you have naught to fear from me without his presence." Gavin held out his hand to her. "Come, I will secure you a room at Craigmuir's inn. None will dare utter a word against your honor. I will not allow it."

  Ailis wondered if she had truly lost her sanity when she heard herself agree. But aye or nay, within the hour, she found herself seated beside him on a wagon seat and riding through the gates of Kirkholm.

  #

  The afternoon sun trickled through the few remaining autumn leaves on the trees. Gavin pulled back on the horse's reins, slowing the wagon to a stop. He stretched his shoulders and climbed down, holding out his arms to Ailis.

  "Come, lass. We have been traveling for over an hour and I am near starved. You must hunger as well." He waited with his arms outstretched.

  She leaned forward and he wrapped his hands around her small waist, lifting her to the ground. For a brief moment, he held her beside him and stared down into her deep blue eyes. They reminded him of a clear summer sky. Would she still be with him come summer? He could not help wishing that he could keep her beside him for a time.

  'Twas near the end of autumn now. Soon winter's harsh weather would prevent further trips as this one. He meant to enjoy it while he could. Linking her arm in his, he led her to the back of the wagon, and with his free hand pulled out the basket of food and extra plaid he had placed there.

  They walked side by side, arms still linked, to a mossy spot beneath a large tree. Gavin spread the plaid and set the basket down, then helped Ailis sit. A lock of her raven hair had fallen forward over her shoulder and he gently brushed it back, rubbing a few strands between his fingers. 'Twas dark as night and as fine as gossamer faery wings.

  Och, what was coming over him? He had ne'er been prone to such fanciful thoughts before. Next, he would be seeing wood sprites dancing among the trees. He drew his hand back quickly and rubbed his forehead. The lass held more power over him than he cared to admit.

  Glancing down, he met her gaze. Suddenly he could think of nothing to say. 'Twas worse than when he had been a raw youth lusting after his first maid. He forced himself to look away momentarily then nodded at the large woven basket. "From the weight of this, 'twould seem Nelli has packed enough food for half of Kirkholm to join us. Shall we see what she has sent for our midday meal?"

  Ailis nodded, bent forward and opened the basket. Gavin watched her with more interest than thought for food. As she laid things on the plaid a breeze stirred, blowing her hair back. His gaze traveled over her long slim neck. Her skin glowed with a healthy pink. He itched to place a kiss at the nape of her neck. Just one.

  Aye, and then another.

  Gavin took a deep breath. By the saints, he had best get his passion under control before he made a fool of himself. The lass's beauty tempted him, but no matter her allure, he would hold to his vow to remain unwed.

  #

  Gavin swall
owed the last bite of roast lamb and leaned back contentedly against the trunk of the tree. The food had been good, but in truth, 'twas Ailis' company that filled him with a sense of contentment. He could not remember when he had spent so enjoyable a meal without benefit of hearth and home.

  Nodding to himself, he watched her finish her meal and smooth her dress over her slender waist. Her hands were small and delicate, in contrast to her shapely form hinted at by the fit of her clothing. Suddenly, he ached to hold her, to caress her.

  She looked up to meet his gaze and a pink glow lit her cheeks as if she knew his thoughts. Quickly looking away, she said, "I fear I have eaten my fill and it has left me too content to move. I may ne'er stir from this spot."

  Gavin smiled. "I agree lass, but I am afraid we must continue soon. 'Twill take some time to find the things we seek in the village and 'tis a long ride from there to Craigmuir."

  Ailis nodded, packed the empty trenchers and wineskin back in the basket and started to gather the plaid. She stopped as he covered her hands with his.

  "Och, Ailis, I did not mean we must go at once. Come sit beside me. Tell me what you think of my clan."

  "What I think of your clan?"

  "Aye, or aught you wish to speak of. I find I enjoy just being near you."

  Ailis stayed where she was. She didn't try to gather the plaid and basket again, but neither did she move to sit beside him.

  Gavin sighed. "Lass, 'tis nay need to look so worried. I will not eat you." He rubbed his stomach. "I've no room left after such a meal."

  Her easy laughter filled his ears and worked its way into his heart. Never had he known such a delightful woman. He silently vowed to do aught to hear her laughter again. He grinned and patted the mossy ground beside him. "Did you know some folk say faeries dwell in these woods? 'Tis said that if you wish hard enough they will grant your desire."