Page 21 of Reviving Her Highland Spirit

Ye are going tae fall.

“Come on, Lady Maggie, I’ve got ye.”

Callum’s calm voice cut through the haze. He was standing beside her, arms stretched up. Maggie wasn’t sure whether she had slid forward or whether he had grabbed her waist and pulled her down, but the next thing she knew, she was standing with her feet on solid ground, and Stardust was looking over her shoulder and nuzzling her cheek.

I didn’t fall.

Maggie knew that it was hardly an achievement. She’d sat on a horse for a couple of minutes, and walked a few steps. Yet she wanted to sing and dance, to grin like a loon, and throw her arms around Callum's shoulders.

That would be very inappropriate, of course, and would make him as uncomfortable as it would be improper. She found herself with her hands on Callum’s shoulders, which she’d probably put there to steady herself as he lifted her down. His shoulders were broad and muscular, which was something that Maggie should not be noticing.

She took her hands away at once. There was something odd on Callum’s face, and Maggie was about to ask what it was when she heard a familiar voice.

“Very well done, Maggie.”

Maggie whirled around, but not before she saw fear and panic flash across Callum’s face.

“Aunt Lyla! I didn’t see ye there.”

Aunt Lyla was wrapped in a thick, long tartan shawl. Her hair was undone, twisted back in a simple braid, and she seemed older and softer in the early morning light. She was smiling.

“Aye, did ye think I wouldn’t see ye sneak out o’ the keep? I saw ye ride Stardust. Well done, lass.”

Maggie flushed with pleasure. “I couldn’t have done it without Callum.”

“So I see,” Aunt Lyla came closer, sizing up Callum. Maggie saw that his hands were clamped around Stardust’s bridle, knuckles standing out white. She wondered if this was the first time he’d come face to face with Lady McAlister. “I don’t need tae tell the both of ye that this is no good for Maggie’s reputation.”

“Auntie…”

“So it’s best tae keep it quiet,” she continued, shooting Maggie a Look. “Callum, I hope ye understand this?”

“Aye, Lady McAlister, I do,” he replied, voice stiff.

She nodded. “Ye have done well, Callum. There have been times when I never thought I’d see Maggie on horseback again. Well done. Ye won’t be a stable boy for long, I can guarantee ye that.”

“I don’t intend tae,” Callum said. He immediately flushed bright red at his own daring.

Aunt Lyla only chuckled. “What have ye done tae ye arm, Callum?”

He swallowed visibly, glancing at Maggie as if she might save him. “I… nothing, your ladyship. I caught it on a thorn.”

“Let me see.”

He unwillingly offered his arm, and Aunt Lyla deftly unwrapped the bandage. Maggie winced at the wound. She’d seen enough bad thorn injuries to recognize it. The wound was red and angry, the gouged flesh not sitting right in the wound. Aunt Lyla frowned, tutting.

“I’ve not seen a thorn wound this bad for a while. Thorns this long and sharp are usually only found deep in the forest. This needs a poultice.”

“I’m fine, Lady McAlister.”

She shook her head. “It could get infected. A lemongrass and sage-rose paste should clean out the wound. I’ll make ye up a poultice and have one of the healers bring it over,” Aunt Lyla discarded the dirty bandage, automatically reaching for a clean bandage in her pocket and beginning to re-bandage the wound. It had always amazed Maggie how many medicinal items her aunt could hide on her person. “In the meantime,” Aunt Lyla continued, “Keep the wound as clean and dry as ye can.”

“Robert, the groom, says I’m tae muck out the stalls today.”

“No,” Aunt Lyla said briskly. “No dirty work like that. I’ll tell him ye are to take it easy today. Light work only.”

Callum was glancing between Maggie and Aunt Lyla, eyes wide. What was he thinking?

“Aye, Lady McAlister,” he finally managed.