Page 49 of A Laird and a Gentleman

Mariam’s frown deepened as they headed toward the rowboat. “Will we need your warriors once we arrive on the isle?”

Cameron helped her into the boat. “I have no idea what to expect. I want to be prepared for anything.”

Seated beside him, Cameron wrapped his arm around her, offering her both warmth and protection from the wind as one of the sailors rowed them to the double-masted ship that awaited. Once aboard the ship, Cameron left her at the railing to attend to their departure.

The pungent scent of the sea swept across Mariam’s senses, clearing them of the acrid smell of ash that had lingered for the past two days. The scent was not only refreshing, it also brought with it a sense of revival, and a hope that she would soon discover who and what she was meant to be. As the sea mist touched her face, she could feel the ash and soot there begin to wash away. With the sleeve of her dress, she wiped her cheeks until her skin felt renewed.

Mariam remained where she was for a time, watching the small boat return to the shores of the bay to retrieve the others who waited there. Her thoughts soon turned from the here and now to those back at the castle. How did Vivian fare in her efforts to defeat influenza? Was she making strides in healing Cameron’s people while trying to avoid the illness herself? Was Mistress MacInnes continuing to improve as she had been before Mariam was abducted?

A sudden sound brought Mariam’s attention back to the moment. She tilted her head, listening. Was it the wind playing tricks on her? For a moment she thought she had heard Nessie’s voice.

“Mariam?”

Puzzled, Mariam spun around. It wasn’t a trick. Her eyes went wide at the sight before her. “Nessie! How are you here?” Not believing what her eyes told her, Mariam pulled the older woman into an embrace. Nessie’s arms came up to wrap around her.

A slow warmth curled in Mariam’s stomach and her muscles relaxed. After a long moment, Mariam stepped back. “How do you feel?” The pale color of the older woman’s skin had returned to a healthy glow.

“I am much improved, thanks to Lady Douglas,” Nessie said.

“But how did you come to be here? On this ship?”

A seriousness suddenly shadowed her face. “I had to come with you to the isle. So, when they started loading supplies from the castle to bring here, I came along.”

“Are you certain you are well enough for such travel?” Mariam asked with concern. The woman did look much improved, but she suspected such an illness would take longer than a few days to overcome.

“I assure you; I am quite healthy now.”

“And the others?” Mariam asked.

Nessie dropped her hands to her sides, and her shoulders slumped slightly. “The castle residents are improving, and the villagers who came recently are starting to show improvements.”

Instantly, Mariam’s thoughts moved to the little boy who Vivian had tried so valiantly to nurse back to health. “And Jasper?”

Nessie’s hands came up again to touch Mariam’s arm. “He is doing well, sitting up and taking his meals himself when I left.”

Mariam released a sigh. “I am thankful Cameron’s people will be all right. Vivian has worked wonders.”

Nessie nodded. “As have you.”

Unease and frustration crept through Mariam. “I fear I have only made matters worse for Cameron. His people know I have powers. The villagers saw me use the wind to clear the air, and his men saw me use the wind to stop my attackers in the forest.”

“Do not be afraid of who you are.”

Mariam swallowed roughly. “It is not my fear that concerns me, but everyone else’s.”

“Have you ever used your powers for anything but good?”

Mariam’s stomach knotted. “Mostly for good, but in the forest, I deprived the village men of air and I knocked them down. I made certain no one was seriously hurt, though.”

Nessie’s lips pulled up in a smile. “There, you see? You only use your powers to help others or to keep them from harming others, even yourself. Why would Cameron’s people not respect and admire such skills?”

“There is too much witch fever.”

“Perhaps, but once you come into your own on the isle, you can prove to them that having you around is more of a benefit than a fear.”

Mariam narrowed her gaze on the woman before her. “Come into my own? Why would you say that?”

“Were not those your mother’s own words?” Nessie asked, her brows arching.