Page 56

It wasn’t much after Gowan left that morning that Anne dressed, taking extra time with her hair and ensuring her skirts were free of any stains. She also donned her newer boots that she usually saved for celebrations. Deciding to look her best would serve her well when facing uncertainty.

With her shopping basket hanging from her arm, she headed to the village square. She’d go about her day as usual and allow her instinct to guide her as to when to go see Camden.

Gowan had told Camden not to seek Anne out, but to wait for her to decide what to do next. For that Anne was grateful, not having to be on pins and needles waiting to see what happened next.

Because of the sunny weather, the square was bustling with activity. Women sat on benches conversing as they kept watch over their bairns. Men gathered to haggle over items such as carts or livestock. Vendors did steady business, calling out the virtues of their wares.

Effie and her mother stood at a stand that sold cabbage, onions, and leeks. Anne hurried over, hopeful to pick the best of the offerings.

“Another early riser,” grumbled Effie. “Mum made me get out of bed when it was dark out just to come get leeks. Are leeks really that important?” Her friend yawned widely.

Missus MacRae elbowed her daughter. “They sell the best quite quickly, wouldn’t ye agree, Anne?”

“Indeed,” Anne replied. “Ye must get used to rising early. When ye get married, it will be expected.”

“I will nae then. No need to marry, there are nae any good men in this village. All of ’em are daft.” Effie let out a long sigh, then her countenance changing drastically, her expression became concerned. She took Anne’s arm. “How fare ye? Ye look rested.”

Anne took her time choosing the more robust of the leeks and paying for them. “I am better. Have considered what ye and Gowan said.”

“Good because I have an idea,” Effie said and then turned to her mother. “I will get the bread if ye wish to linger here.”

Deep in conversation with another woman, her mother waved them away.

“I am nae ready to speak with Camden,” Anne said looking in the direction of the bakery, which was next to the apothecary. “I need to think.”

Effie shook her head. “There is someone else we must speak with. Hurry, come on.” They went to the next stand and Effie selected an aromatic sausage pie. Then she motioned for Anne to go with her to where a gathering of boys stood watching two other boys fight.

From what it looked like, the boys were evenly matched and too tired to throw punches, so they’d been relegated to rolling around in the dirt. One was Freckles.

“Come here boy,” Effie said plucking the boy up by the neck of his tattered tunic. “We require something from ye.”

Immediately the fight was forgotten. Freckles wiped his forearm across his brow, streaks of dirt and sweat forming. “What is it?” he asked eyeing the pie.

“Information,” Effie said once again taking the boy by the tunic and moving away from others who watched engrossed.

“What happened yesterday with the healer?” Anne asked, narrowing her eyes at the boy.

Freckles tried to kick her, but she moved backward. “Nothin’ to tell.”

Her hold still tight on him, Effie shook him. “How about the constable? Would ye speak to him?”

The boy appeared unperturbed and Anne guessed that he’d been in the constable’s presence so many times, the man had given up on any kind of reprimanding.

“What if I offer ye this pie?” Effie said holding it up to the boy’s nose. “Just tell us what happened yesterday and it’s yers.”

The boy shrugged from Effie’s hold, his eyes glued to the pie. “Moyra gave me two coins. One to fetch the healer and another to fetch ye.”—He motioned to Anne with a grubby finger.—“She hit ’im on the head with a branch. I thought he was dead.” The boy lowered his voice in an attempt to sound grave. “But he was nae. I kicked ’im to be sure.”

All three stood silent for a long moment considering what to do or say next, when Freckles’ gaze swung toward the village square and widened. Then quick as a flash, he grabbed the pie from Effie’s hand and scampered away disappearing behind the tavern.

Anne turned to look and just across the square stood Moyra. Her eyes narrowed and mouth slightly parted as she glared in their direction. Obviously, she expected that they’d learned the truth because she turned on her heel and hurried back in the direction of her home.

“We should hunt her down and snatch every bit of hair out of her head,” Effie said through gritted teeth. “The daft cow would undoubtedly come up with a way to make everyone feel badly for her.”

Anne blew out a breath. “She could have killed Camden. It is nae a matter to take lightly.”

By the time Anne got to the apothecary, her basket was laden with cabbage, salted fish, bread, and cheese. She’d lingered much too long. And although she yearned to see Camden, at the same time she was unsure how she’d feel knowing he and Moyra could have possibly been in bed together. Although she was sure nothing intimate had occurred, had the woman kissed him, caressed him. She’d certainly seen more of his body than Anne had as yet.

The door to the apothecary was slightly open when she approached. Yet instead of entering, she decided to knock, her hand shaking slightly.