Page 48 of His Secret Highland Bride

Chapter Eighteen

Despite Shane’s warning not to go into the village alone, Lindsay needed to get a few things, as well as get out of the cottage for a bit. And since he was gone again up to the castle for the rest of the day, she would have to see to the errands herself.

She didn’t begrudge his work at the castle, but she did miss him through the day. As she walked through the woods toward the village alone, she spotted one of the guards he’d set to watching her. She glanced down at her faithful companion. Tre wasn’t very big, but she would surely defend Lindsay if these guards proved disloyal to her husband.

Her heart calmed when she broke through the trees and entered the village. However, her worries shifted from running into the MacPherson soldiers alone in the woods to running into someone who may be looking for her from the castle.

She brushed it off and went about her errands. It was a beautiful day, and everyone in the village seemed lightened by the sunshine and blue skies. She shared a smile with everyone she met and was surprised to find most of the people offered a smile in return. She’d thought the village to be filled with miserable people like her uncle. When she’d been out before, no one had paid her any attention. But perhaps they all had their weights to carry and some days the load felt more manageable than others.

As she was looking through bundles of yarn, she felt someone watching her. Glancing around, she spotted a young woman who looked away as soon as their gazes connected. The woman was wearing a simple but well-made gown. Something a maid at the castle might wear. As Lindsay moved, the woman followed. Lindsay’s chest pounded. Had she been found? What could she do? Run? That meant leaving Shane behind, since he’d refused to leave this place.

She thought of her cousin with the MacKenzies, and the refuge didn’t feel as freeing as it had before. She didn’t want to have to leave her husband. Moving along to the next stand, Lindsay waited a few moments and then turned quickly, finding the woman watching her yet again. Rather than continue playing this game, Lindsay marched up to the smaller woman and raised her brows. “Why are you following me?” she asked directly, crossing her arms to keep her hands from shaking. It was better to know if she’d been found out than worry herself to death over it.

“Who are you?” the other woman asked.

“Who am I? You are following me. Who are you?” It seemed this woman’s stubbornness matched Lindsay’s own, but eventually, after they stared at each other for a few seconds, the other woman relented.

“I am the laird’s sister.”

Lindsay was surprised by this. Someone from the castle following her around surely meant they had learned who she was and planned to tell the new laird his bride was living secretly in a cottage with her new husband.

“I am Lindsay MacPherson,” she answered, hoping that by using her new surname she could throw the other woman off the trail.

“A MacPherson?” The woman looked her up and down. “I do not know of you. You must have married a MacPherson.”

“Aye. Shane MacPherson. I was a…a Cameron before I married.”

The woman’s eyes grew large. She knew the Camerons were not well liked by the MacPhersons, but that wasn’t the cause of the woman’s shock.

“You’re married to Shane MacPherson?” She nearly choked on the question.

Pity for this girl made Lindsay back down. It was clear this woman knew Shane and was upset to hear he had married. Had she been in love with him and wanted him for herself?

“I am. For several weeks now.”

“I see. Well, then. I wish you every happiness.” She turned and sped off toward the men who were clearly guarding her.

When Lindsay arrived home, she found Shane rushing from the cottage. When he spotted her walking up the path, he relaxed for a moment before coming toward her, irritation clear on his handsome face.

“What are you doing walking about? I told you to stay in the cottage.”

“I only needed some yarn and a bit of cheese. Besides, your guards did not let me out of their sight. Neither did this formidable warrior,” she said as she dropped a bit of cheese for Tre.

“What could she do? Bark the person to death?” He leaned down to pet the little dog.

She smiled but shook her head. “The only danger today was from a woman watching me in the village.”

“A woman?”

“Aye. The laird’s sister was following me.” She watched his face as she shared this news, but he didn’t hide his surprise. “You know her.”

“Aye,” he said slowly, still watching her carefully.

“I think the lass cares for you a great deal and was unhappy to hear of your marriage to me. Whatever she may have been to you, you should have told her. Tender hearts break easily. It’s better to be honest.” What a shrew she was to accuse him of dishonesty when she was living a life not her own.

“Aye. I should have told her I was wed.” Tilting his head, he continued. “Is that all she said?”

“She ran off upset before I had the chance to speak to her. I didn’t even catch her name.”