Myla wasn’t pleased with their plan, but Maddock could tell by the look of resignation in her eyes that she agreed it was the only thing to do under the circumstances. Even though Kate was much improved, four more days of riding through rain and mud in freezing temperatures would do nothing to help with her recovery.

“Fine. I know that David and I can’t keep up with the speed that Kate needs us to be moving. But Maddock, I swear to you, if she dies on the way to the castle while under your care, I will kill you myself.”

He believed her. The woman had a fire in her eyes that sent a chill down his spine.

“I swear to ye that I will see her safely to the Isle. By the time the rest of ye arrive, she shall be rested and fully recovered. Ye have my word.”

“I will keep you to it. When will you leave?”

He’d readied his horse and gathered food from the village while Brachan had examined Kate this morning.

“As soon as ye’ve said goodbye to her, I shall collect her and carry her downstairs.”

While Myla and David spoke with Kate, Maddock went to see to one last thing he hoped would make the hard ride a little easier. Earlier that morning while gathering bread and dried fish for their trip, he’d noticed a small wooden box that was just the perfect size for Kate’s beloved cat, out in front of the inn. The old man—just like he’d been the night before—was sitting by the fire.

“Thank ye for telling me of the healer. The lass is much improved.”

The man turned toward him with a smile. “I told ye. All in this village stay fine and well because of that lad and his mother. Will ye be leaving today?”

“Aye, sir. Might I ask ye…do ye have any attachment to the wee wooden box just outside?”

The innkeeper’s thick, wiry brows pulled together. “I doona even know which box ye speak of. If ye need it, ’tis yers.”

Stepping outside, Maddock gathered the box and hurried to the small stable where they’d boarded their horses. There was a brief break in the rain, and he hoped to leave with Kate before it began to pour once more.

“Stella, lass.” He stroked his beloved horse gently. “Ye must ride hard and fast for us this day and part of the next. And please doona buck off this wee box I mean to strap to ye. ’Twouldn’t do for us to allow harm to come to Kate’s cat.” He leaned in to nuzzle into her neck. “If ye behave, I shall give ye a bushel of apples when we arrive home.”

The horse neighed. Assuming he had permission, he took straps of leather from his satchel and stabilized the box just behind Stella’s saddle. Once it was secure, he took some hay from around Stella’s feet and placed it in the box to form a bed.

Maddock laughed as Stella turned her head as if she meant to look back and see what he’d done to her. “Just one last touch, lass, and I shall have to go get the wee beastie ye shall carry along with us.”

Taking his dagger, he cut off a wide piece of his kilt. It no longer looked as nice, but as long as there was still fabric to cover him, he didn’t mind.

Taking the plaid fabric, he folded it twice and lay it on top of the hay to form a bed for the one-eyed feline.

“Ye sit tight, Stella. I’ll just be a moment.”

Grabbing one of the dried fish and a small wooden bowl from his belongings, he made his way back to the inn where the old man graciously poured a wee dram of milk into the bowl for him to take upstairs to Kate’s room. She was awake and looked much more like herself when he entered. She immediately tried to dissuade him from his plan.

“I really do think I’d be okay if we stayed with the rest of the group.”

Ignoring her, he set the bowl down on the floor, lay the dried fish next to it, and grabbed Mr. Crinkles off the bed.

The cat meowed. As he placed the creature down by the food, it quickly began to lap it up.

Kate’s bare feet appeared in his line of sight as he crouched down next to the cat.

“Oh, Maddock. Thank you so much. I’ve been slipping him bits of food I packed for him from my own time, but I know he’s grateful. This trip has been misery for him.”

He looked up at her as he rose from his place on the floor and smiled.

“It has been misery on us all, lass. Most of all ye. Which is precisely why we must separate from the group. I doona believe ye’ve strength enough to last on the road another four days. Doona worry. Ye willna have to leave yer wee cat behind. I’ve made him something that will keep him dry, warm, and will allow him to at least stand and turn around should he need to.”

Kate’s eyes lit up at his words. The sight of her smiling again after so many hours of being frightened for her health pleased him to no end.

“What is it?”

“Ye shall see as soon as ye’ve finished dressing and are ready to go.”

“I am dressed.”

He pointed to the bare feet sticking out from underneath her dress. “I’ll not be letting ye ride in this weather with yer feet uncovered.”

Kate nodded and moved back to the edge of the bed. “Would you mind sending my mother back in? Normally, I could manage just fine, but I’m still very shaky. I’m afraid if I bend over and attempt to slip those boots on, I’ll faint again.”

He shook his head and reached for the pair of delicate boots sitting by the door.

“All ye need is to slip them on, aye? I can help ye with that.” He hesitated. “If ye doona mind, that is.”

She shook her head and lifted her leg. “I don’t.”

He grabbed the thick wool stockings Sydney had given them and bent at Kate’s feet. There was something oddly intimate about sliding the fabric over her feet. It made him warm, and suddenly all of his clothes felt tight. He needed to distract himself, lest he start panting right in front of her.

“What did Brachan say to ye? Did he give ye any remedy to take again or tell ye anything to do that might help?”

Kate sighed, and the breathy sound only increased his discomfort as he pulled the sock up to her knee.

“Brachan, is it? Well, I’m glad someone knows his name. He didn’t tell me much of anything. He just looked at my face for a while and then pinched the crap out of my arm. Speaking of which, look at this. It’s incredible.”

He looked up as she pulled her arm from its sleeve and popped it out the top of her dress. He gasped as the fabric nearly fell free down her front, but she quickly caught it with her arm. God help him, what was the lass doing? Not only did he have his hands near her thigh, but her gown was undone as well.

“What are ye…what are ye doing, Kate?”

“Look at this.” She lifted her left arm, and with the stub of her right arm gently touched her left elbow to direct his attention there. He looked up at the pale flesh and shrugged in confusion.

“What am I meant to see, lass?”

“I had a burn there. One of only three I received from the fire. Touch it. It’s smooth now, right? It doesn’t just look that way? The burn is gone, isn’t it?”

Taking a breath to steady himself, he reached toward the tender side of her arm and brushed his fingers against the flawless skin. He knew of no herbs or tinctures capable of healing wounds so well.

“’Twas it truly burned, lass? For there is no sign of it now.”

Her tone was entirely sincere. “Yes, I swear that it was. How could he do that? What sort of herb or whatever you guys use in this time could do that?”

Maddock shook his head. There was only one thing that could provide such results so quickly. The mystery surrounding Nicol’s son seemed to thicken with every passing second.

“No salve did that, lass. He used magic. Quite powerful magic, at that.”