The Accidental Highland Hero by Terry Spear Page B

resembled someone I knew when first I pulled the lady from the sea.”
    Och , this could not be.
    “Do you wish for me to take her home to her kin?” Eanruig asked James.
    James’s hard gaze remained fixed on her. “Eilis?”
    “I…I thought you wanted me to assist you with Catriona.” Eilis hated the way she sounded so desperate.
    In an arrogant way, James tilted his head to the side. “Would you wish me to send word to your kin you are here?”
    “I…I think if you tell them I am here, they will wish me returned home at once.” Eilis felt as hot as when she was burning up with the fever, but a vague worry nagged at her that ‘twould not be in her best interest to return to Glen Affric and meet her kin.
    “I would not wish them to think you are dead, Eilis.” His tone of voice had softened, but she did not think he was as concerned about her family’s worry than he was about finding out who she truly belonged to.
    “Nay.” She set her bread down, her hands shaking. If they located her cousin and the word reached her family she was still alive, she feared she was doomed. Though she could not remember the reason she was so afraid to return home. And she could not even recall the name of her cousin. What horrible thing had she done?  Had she stolen away on the ship and run away?  Had she…she killed someone?
    “Why do not you want your family to know?” Lady Akira asked, her voice concerned.
    “I…I do not feel verra well. May I be excused?”  She wasn’t lying. Her head felt too light, and her stomach swirled with upset.
    Nobody uttered a word at the high table, and the hall grew quiet while most everyone watched the intrigue.
    Finally James signaled to the healer. “Tavia will accompany you to the guest chamber.” He turned to the servant. “Have Fergus guard the lady’s chamber.”
    Annoyed James would have a man watch over her, Eilis shakily walked with Tavia to the guest chamber without a backward glance at James or his mother. She had really gotten herself into a mess this time, and she didn’t even know what it was she was afraid of.
    Fergus, a massive Scotsman, broad shoulders, red-bearded, piercing green eyes, gave her the impression he was not one to disobey. He walked behind her, his heavy step reminding her she was going to the chamber and nowhere else. The stables seemed a good place for her right about now, stealing a horse, although not James’s this time that could so easily be stopped with a whistle, and escaping.
    Knowing James would have Eanruig try to locate her cousin, Eilis pondered a means of gaining her freedom. Think, Eilis, think .
    “Mayhap I could have something to drink,” she said to Tavia, hoping the woman would fetch it, and Eilis could figure a way to get around the bear-like hulk that followed on their heels.
    Tavia gave her a sly, knowing look. “Once you are settled in your chamber, I will fetch a servant to bring you something.”
    Was Eilis as transparent as the veils she sometimes wore over her hair?  With every passing second, the urge to flee grew.
    When they reached the chamber, Tavia closed the door behind them then crossed the floor to the bed and pulled the linens back. “I do not think you are so verra ill. Why did you say you were one of our clansmen?”
    Eilis walked over to the closest window and stared out. In the distance, she could see the Five Sisters of Kintail. How far were they from Glen Affric?  Eanruig could learn the truth about her soon. Mayhap she would remember who she was then. But even so, the constant nagging voice at the back of her throbbing head told her it was wiser not to know.
    “Eanruig will soon enough discover who you truly are then what will you do?” Tavia asked. Her words were spoken without malice, softly, with a hint of concern.
    “Can you not understand a fate worse than death awaits me if my family learns I am still alive?”  At least that’s what Eilis truly believed, although she could not conjure up