Page 4 of His Runaway Bride
Something in her eyes suggested that those means might be more formidable than they appeared.
"If ye want Lileas to return with ye, ye'll need to convince her to leave of her own free will."
The challenge was clear, though politely phrased.
"And if I cannot?"The question escaped before Ewan could stop it, revealing the fear that had haunted him for three months.
"Then ye'll return to yer clan without a bride, and she'll likely choose to remain here permanently.But I suspect ye may find the conversation...illuminating."
Ewan studied the cottage through the storm."What exactly has she been doing in there?"
Abbess Bethóc's eyes glinted with something that might have been amusement."That, Laird MacNeil, is precisely what ye should ask her yerself."
The cryptic words did nothing to ease Ewan's growing confusion, but one thing was becoming clear: whatever he had expected to find at St.Agnes Abbey, it wasn't this.
"Very well," he replied finally, squaring his shoulders as if preparing for battle."I'll speak with her."
"See that ye do more listening than speaking," Abbess Bethóc advised."Lileas has quite a lot to say, if ye're wise enough to hear it."
As he prepared to make his way to the cottage, Ewan couldn't shake the feeling that he was about to discover something that would change everything.Whether that change would be for better or worse remained to be seen.
It was time to meet Lileas MacDonald and find out, once and for all, why she had run away.
***
Chapter 2: A Most Peculiar Creature
The rain had lessenedto a steady drizzle by the time Ewan made his way across the abbey grounds toward the brewster cottage.Each step across the sodden ground was a careful negotiation with mud that seemed determined to claim his boots.
As he drew closer, Ewan realized the cottage was larger than expected, with two chimneys sending aromatic smoke into the damp air.The smoke was unusual, thicker and more fragrant than simple peat fires, with undertones of herbs and something else he couldn't identify.
Light flickered in the windows of the solid stone structure.As he approached the heavy wooden door, Ewan raised his hand to knock, then froze as a voice drifted through the thick walls.
"No, no, that will not work at all," the voice was saying."The fire's too strong.It'll ruin the delicate balance.But if I could just...hmm."
The woman's voice was musical and lilting, carrying an energy and enthusiasm that spoke of genuine passion for her work.Curious despite himself, Ewan moved quietly to where one of the windows showed a gap between its shutters.
