She had watched her cousins, afraid they might find some reason to strike out at Gybbon, but they finally just rode away. The way Murdoch nodded at Gybbon made her say a quick prayer for the boy. As Gybbon went to put a pot of something on the fire, she waited until she felt as certain as she could that her cousins would not come back, then stood up to go back to Gybbon and sit down next to him.
He handed her a plate of porridge and then set a small plate of chopped up rabbit meat in front of Freya. She idly wondered if he had had some experience with cats. Eating the porridge was a little difficult without the sweet cream she was used to putting on it, but it was good enough and she finished it. At some time, she would have to cook him a meal to make up for all the food he had supplied her with.
When she set her plate aside and looked at him, she caught him staring at Freya. “What is it?”
“I was just thinking on the scratches marring Robert’s face. It is a bit difficult to believe such a tiny thing could do that much damage. She doesnae hunt her own meal?”
“Ah, weel, nay. Oh, she catches a mouse or bird now and then, but she rarely goes out alone. Every time she did something tried to kill her. Last time was the hawk. So, since I drove it off and it left her be, she considers a kindly person the safest armor to have and willnae go outside without one. Animals learn what to avoid when they are young, and she learned that being outside alone was bad and it stays with her.” She took a deep breath and asked, “So did they wonder if ye had seen me?”
“Oh, aye. Ye and a small boy.”
“I was hoping they were nay after Andrew as weel, but of course they are. He is still an heir, e’en if all the rest of us die.”
“And, of course, ye are just seeing danger everywhere and need to be saved,” he drawled.
Mora shook her head. “I am sure they will spread that tale as far as they can. Sadly for them, I am nay a person weel kenned in the area. My parents were because they went to the market each time it was held and kenned all the others who sold their goods there. Such a tale will serve them as weel as me. But I wonder why they didnae mention the crimes they seek to charge me with.”
“Dinnae fret o’er it. I believe they took my word for it when I said I had seen neither a woman or a boy. They were nay pleased when I said I didnae ken who they sought, have never seen them, but they left me a description and rode away. I was just sitting here eating and wondering what would be the best and safest way to continue on to Dubheidland. Do they ken about that?”
“I cannae be sure. Mother made no secret of the connection, but I dinnae think it would have been much talked about. If they got their hands on Aunt Maggie though, they could have forced her to tell them.” Just thinking of that possibility made Mora deeply afraid for the woman.
“They asked for Andrew and even gave me a brief description of him, so they dinnae ken where he went. Murdoch also shook his head when I looked at him, so even though I cannae be certain of what he was trying to say, I would guess part of the reason he did was to let me ken they had nay gotten any information from him.”
“Good. He heard what I said to Andrew and could easily have led them to him and Aunt Maggie.”
“Mayhap they have followed you.”
“Andrew wouldnae be able to tell her how to get to Dubheidland. He kenned it was where we were going when we were packing up to leave before my cousins burst into the house, but he had no idea where that was. At least I dinnae think so. He may have overheard some of what my parents said and remembered it. Aunt Maggie might also ken, but I just cannae see her packing up my brother and leaving.”
“She is probably worried about ye.”
Mora sighed. “I expect so. She can be a worrier. I just hope she doesnae grieve or think she has somehow failed my mother. Andrew probably told her it was my cousins who killed our parents, and that is a concern. I cannae tell how she would react.”
“Weel, ’tis best if ye dinnae worry on her as it did seem that your cousins dinnae ken where Andrew is so willnae be looking for the woman. I think ye have enough to worry about.”
Mora laughed softly and rubbed her forehead. “Aye, I do. I ken Andrew is as safe as he can be, but I would prefer him to be with me.”
“Mayhaps when we reach Dubheidland we can send someone after him.”
“That would be nice. I am just nay sure if Aunt Maggie would let someone she didnae ken take him.”
“Then ye give them a letter of introduction. Now it is time to leave.”
“Ye dinnae think they will be just up the road or coming back?”
“We willnae be traveling right on the road. I mean to keep us within the trees for as long as I can,” he said as he put out the fire and made sure it was out. “It means we will travel a wee bit slower than I like, but we willnae be in sight all the way.” He glanced at the cat, which was carefully cleaning its face and paws. “And we have a nice alarm to let us ken if someone is coming.”
“Oh, aye. I am nay sure how she learned to do that.”
“Could be as simple as her noticing a rider approaching and how ye reacted to it. At least she is quieter than a dog when it is trying to warn ye of something. Some are clever enough to warn with a soft growl, but others start barking and let everyone ken where ye are.” He cleaned off the plates they had used and packed them away. “We will head out soon.”
Mora nodded and stood up. She carefully brushed off her skirts and took a few moments to tidy up her bag. Taking out the top cloth, she gave it a good shake and then spread it over the top of everything in her bag. The moment she was done, her cat leapt inside and settled down. She was surprised the man did not see this as odd as so many others did.
Gybbon went to his horse, saddled Jester, and put the blankets on the back. Mora walked up and held out her bag. He took a few moments deciding where best to put it, then looked at her. He was not sure where she should ride.
“Have ye done much riding?”
“Some,” Mora replied, not really wanting to admit how little that was. “We had a few horses but I ne’er went far, just to Aunt Maggie or the village now and then.”
“Then ye will sit in front of me.”
“Why?”
“Easier to grab ye if ye start to slide off,” he said, and ignored her outraged gasp as he swung her up into the saddle. “Also, ye are less visible to other riders this way.”
The moment he mounted behind her, Mora decided it was not the best way to share a horse with him. His arms came around her to grasp the reins and she felt as if she was being embraced.
As they started out she tried to remain stiff and straight so that she did not end up leaning against him. She reached down to open her bag a little so that Freya could look around and would be better able to hear anything coming their way. Riding through the trees was a slow way to travel, but Mora had to admit it was much prettier and cooler. When her remark about that brought only a grunt from Sir Gybbon she fought the urge to sigh loudly. He might be one of the handsomest men she had ever seen, but he was obviously just a man. There would be no idle but pleasant conversation to fill the silence and make the time pass by faster.
Gybbon stared at her straight, slim back and almost grinned. She was trying so hard not to lean against him. That would not be a position she would be able to keep up for long. Soon her muscles would protest holding her so tensely upright.
He glanced down at her bag and saw the strange little cat resting her head on the edge as she stared around. It was the oddest little creature, he decided. Gybbon had never disliked cats, just never had much interest in them, although several of his female relations were quite fond of them. Jester was not bothered by the animal, so there was no need to worry about it.
Although he was more than willing to take her to Dubheidland, he was not all that certain Sigimor would or could help her. He knew his family would though, and that eased his mind save for one thing. He realized he was concerned that she might be hurt if Sigimor did not do as her mother felt sure he would. Shaking his head, he had to wonder if he was getting soft as he rapidly approached thirty years of age.