The Guardian by Maeve Greyson

Author:Maeve Greyson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Highland
Published: 2019-11-18T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

MERCY OPENED HER eyes to the road ahead, her feeling of contentment fleeting, leaving her as quick as the wind. A smattering of dwellings filled this end of the glen. One might even call the place a village. A village protected and governed by Graham’s eldest brother, Alexander, chieftain to Clan MacCoinnich. She pressed the knot along her hairline and ran her fingers down the scrapes and cuts along her cheek. What would Graham’s people think of her arriving in such a state?

A meandering flock of sheep bah’d and barged into their path, wandering in and out between the horses, oblivious to the riders. Children laughed and played around the squat houses of mud bricks, stacked stones, and thatched roofs. Mercy could almost see the news of their arrival rippling through the village, spreading among the people. She could tell who had heard of their passing through by the way the people emerged from their houses or ceased their outside chores and waved for their children to come in close.

Women with baskets propped high on their hips climbed up from the low banks of a nearby burn, its crystal-clear waters sparkling across the riverbed stones as it snaked alongside the road and disappeared beneath a short, wooden bridge arched up ahead. The washer women shaded their eyes and studied the riders as they rode past. Mercy swallowed hard. Their scrutiny pricked across her skin like crows pecking flesh from her bones. No one smiled or waved. No one spoke. Was Graham unknown to his brother’s people? Was he disliked? Or was it because of her?

Graham drew up close, riding at her side. “Dinna let them trouble ye, lass. They’re still leery of folks they dinna ken, but they’ll come ’round. They’ve been through much, and it takes time for deep wounds to heal.”

“Graham!” A pretty, young woman with hair as bright and flaming as newly forged copper ran toward them, waving both hands high in the air. “Graham! Ye’ve a’ready returned!”

A pang of jealousy stabbed through Mercy just as surely as if the girl greeting Graham had shot her through with an arrow. Mercy sat taller in the saddle and lifted her chin. “You have one villager thrilled to see you.”

Three large, white geese raced along behind the woman, trotting after her as fast as they could waddle. Following the geese, were two goats, a dog, and three laughing children.

Graham smiled and waved back at the girl. “Ahh…that’s Gretna. She loves everyone and they love her.”

“I see.” Loved by everyone. Mercy couldn’t begin to imagine how that might feel. She pulled in a deep breath and did her best to shove her insecurities aside. A pang of remorse flashed through her like a subtle scolding. Others shunned her without knowing her, and she hated it. How hypocritical was it of her to shun others on sight? She would give this girl a chance. She ground her teeth as Gretna ran along beside Graham’s mount, smiling and laughing.

“Meet Lady Mercy Claxton, Gretna.

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