Chapter 27

Gair ran his hand over the back of his neck and sat down near the fire. Their stack of peat and wood was nearly gone. They’d have to either get more or move on come morning. He had no idea where they could go. He still didn’t know where they were! He didn’t know if he was responsible for the safety of these lasses, though it seemed he was. How on earth could he look after them if he didn’t even know how to get home from here? Even the sky was no help, clouds hid the sun and would hide the stars all night. He couldn’t even tell which general direction to travel in. Well, away from the sea, but other than that...

The silence was a gift to his aching head at first, but it soon began to feel awkward. He wanted to know whatever the lasses could tell him, but he didn’t want to let on how clueless he was.

“M’Laird’s head pains him,” the lass said, “but I have no poultice to fix it for him. Grandmame will have some. Will we go there tomorrow?” Gair looked from the lass to Isobel.

“Yer head