Page 25 of Her Highland Destiny

“She came about in Fergus’ life after the king bestowed a goodly amount of wealth upon him, and was always after him to get knighted.” Blair wiped the remaining balm from her fingertips. “I got the impression she liked Fergus no’ for who he was, but for what he might provide her with and who he might become.”

Cassandra nodded in understanding.

“Fergus needs good in his life.” Blair pushed the wrapped poultice of herbs into a small bowl of water. Threads of yellow green seeped from the linen, coloring the water and filling the air with the sweet spice of herbs. “Like ye.”

“Me?”

“There is a darkness in my boy.” A somber note dulled the light in her eyes. “I thought it gone from him for good, but I see it now has returned. He had the very devil in him as a lad.”

Fergus entered the room and both Cassandra and Blair immediately quieted. He looked between the two ladies. “Ye dinna need to stop speaking on my behalf.”

“Your mother was telling me what a difficult child you were as a boy,” Cassandra teased.

Fergus smirked.

“Did you have to beat it out of him?” she inquired playfully.

“Ach no.” Blair rose from her seat on the low stool, moving with a fair amount of ease for one of her age. “I loved it out of him.” She approached her son and drew him into a solid embrace that left his arms trapped against his body. “I cradled him in my arms and I sang him songs from my heart. I kissed away his screams and together we baked away his tantrums. He makes a fine bannock if he’s ever inclined to do so for ye.”

“Ma.” His tone possessed a warning note the sparkle in his eye did not reflect. He liberated one of his arms only to drape it over his mother’s shoulders and return the hug. An affectionate smile touched his lips, the same one he wore every time he regarded his mother.

Despite what Blair had said about Fergus having his darkness returned, Cassandra had seen a light reflecting from him when they touched. A light not present before their arrival to the manor. It was a direct mirror of the brilliance surrounding Blair, pure and beautiful. As though being in his mother’s presence eased some of what weighed heavily upon him. As though her love were enough to battle every shadow of darkness away.

He gazed down at Cassandra’s foot. “Ye look to be completely healed.”

“Verra nearly.” Blair squeezed him hard once more before releasing him. “She’s mended so well.” She made her way to the stool once more and pulled the poultice from where it had been steeping in the water. Pale green water dribbled from the herb-filled linen. “She’ll be well enough to travel in several more days.”

“Tomorrow,” he said sternly.

Cassandra snapped her attention to him. “So soon?”

“We’ve spent too much time here.” He regarded Blair and his tone softened. “Forgive me. I will return once I’ve gone to Edinburgh. There is something verra important I must attend to.”

Blair smiled up at her son. “Of course, my son.”

Without another word, Fergus quit the room, leaving a stark silence in his wake.

“I apologize for our abrupt departure,” Cassandra offered meekly.

“He doesna like to leave me.” Blair gazed thoughtfully to the doorway her son had strode through. “He doesna deal well with unpleasantries like farewells. But I know in my heart he loves me, and I know he will be back again someday.” She set the poultice against Cassandra’s ankle.

The wet heat of the herbs settled against her skin and sank deep to the injury below with a soothing heat. Blair patiently bound a linen around the ankle. “I’ll include several of these poultices for ye to bring with ye as well as a pot of the ointment I’ve been using.”

“How did you get so good at healing?” Cassandra asked.

Blair was quiet so long, Cassandra feared she had asked a question she ought not to have.

“I had a daughter once,” Blair said softly. “A wee lass with blonde curls like her da and his large dark eyes. She was born a year before Fergus, but she was a sickly wee thing. She struggled for breath often and raged with fever more times than not. I’d never known much about herbs or healing. Indeed, I could scarce grow a weed.” She chuckled softly at her own folly. “But I taught myself to ensure she had the best care I could provide. I learned much over the years from tending to her.” Blair lifted the tray and got to her feet. “I suppose a parent will do anything for their child.”

Outside a fresh storm howled and rattled at the shutters. “Ye’ll need to travel with care,” Blair said. “There’s been a wild snowstorm raging for the better part of the week. The ground is frozen solid as a stone.”

Cassandra nodded. “Thank you for everything, Blair. You’ve been most gracious and hospitable.”

“It’s been my pleasure.” With that, Blair left the room with her tray of healing tools.

Cassandra stared at the flames dancing within the large hearth before her, savoring the warmth while she still had it. Tomorrow would bring the soul chilling cold once more and the journey that would end in ultimate betrayal.

Only now she had a plan. And it all started with being honest with Fergus about what she knew.