Page 69 of The Beast

“Ye do not have to heat up the meat pie, it will hold for a of couple days,” the woman said with a wide smile.

“I appreciate it,” he told the vicar’s wife as he and her husband walked back out.

The man met his gaze. “Ye should return to yer people. When we run away from our problems, we do not realize that they come with us. Whatever yer troubles are, ye should seek courage from God.”

Duncan remained silent, unsure what exactly he would do. “Do ye know of someone who would want to live out there, in Fergus’ cottage?”

The vicar thought for a long moment. “There is someone. He is without a home and has been living in a farmer’s barn. I will go speak to him.”

“Thank ye.” Duncan mounted his horse. He would not return to the cottage, but instead headed to the shore to hire a bìrlinn.

Chapter Eighteen

Ella walked along the loch’s shore and stared off into the distance. Being away from the sea was different. Interesting how very distinct the smell and sound of the loch were in comparison.

Her mother and Lady Macdonald had spent the day sewing a quilt for Isobel to take back with her, while Darach and both Macdonald sons had gone hunting for the day.

Poor Beatrice spent most of the days in her bedchamber. She joined them for some meals, but the rest of the time she spent alone. Her friend was brokenhearted, and Ella wanted nothing more than to find Duncan and drag him back to his wife.

At the same time, she knew her brother’s demons must have returned, affecting him so hard that it had forced him to flee.

Caelan sent the letters that Duncan left to both Darach and Beatrice. In the letter to the family, he had apologized for leaving and asked that they forgive him for making the family look bad in the eyes of the Macdonald. He also asked that they not search for him.

Knowing her brothers, Ella was sure both Caelan and Gideon had been dispatched to find him and bring him home.

When she turned to the keep, her brother and the Macdonald men had returned from their hunt. They rode toward the keep, a large boar in a cart behind them.

They would be in good spirits, Ella mused, her gaze focused on Evander Macdonald. He was an attractive man, with golden-brown hair and a handsome face. His broken nose told of his quick temper and his two-colored eyes reminded her of Duncan.

Ella wondered why her mother had not considered one of the Macdonald’s as a possible match for her. Her mother had yet to find a suitable husband for her, and Ella was not about to complain. Being she was the only female sibling, her brothers found fault with every suitor that had attempted to court her. At times it was frustrating, but when the suitors were old or ugly, she was glad for it.

A sigh escaped and she shook her head. Evander was not the man for her. He was to be laird one day and it was certain that his marriage would be one arranged by his father.

She considered Padraig, he was handsome and roguish. Already she’d spied three women leaving his bedchamber since arriving. Like her brother Gideon, Padraig would make a good husband one day, but not anytime soon.

Making her way back to the keep, Ella mused on what the day would bring. More time sewing, a delicious meal, and perhaps some time with the family.

The Macdonalds were welcoming people and Ella felt comfortable there. She’d visited several times over the years with her mother and each time, it was a nice break from the routine of life in South Uist.

When she fell sideways, it took a moment to realize her foot had slipped between two rocks. It was only seconds later that agony registered and she cried out. A sharp pain raced from her ankle, up her leg, and Ella could not keep the tears back.

She didn’t dare move her foot as every little movement made her cry harder.

One of the riders made his way toward her. Ella squeezed her eyes shut as pain shot up her leg again.

“Do not move,” Evander called out as he guided his horse toward where she was.

He dismounted and walked closer to look at her foot and then met her gaze. “I was about to take my horse to the stables when I saw ye fall,” he explained. “Yer foot is caught. I will have to move the rocks. It will hurt.”

Ella nodded, angry that he saw her cry. “I am crying because I’m angry.”

His lips curved softening the hard angles of his face. “I would be crying because my ankle was broken.”

“D-do ye think it is broken?”

He shrugged and looked up at the sky. “A bird.”

Ella followed his line of vision and yelped when he moved a rock and lifted her foot from its trapping.