walked back along the beach toward the castle. Riders rode out the gate and Kenzie stopped to see where they were going, and when the first rider started toward the village, the dark unruly hair and savage scowl gave away who was heading in her direction.
She stopped and watched as Ben noticed her, his shoulders slumping. Was he relieved or aggravated to see her? From the deadly glare he was bestowing on her as he came closer on his mount, Kenzie assumed the latter.
“Hi,” she said as he jumped down from his horse and stood before her with hands on hips and fists clenched.
“Where have ye been, woman? Nary a word as to where ye were going, and I’m left to worry about ye whereabouts, thinking the worst has happened and ye dead somewhere.”
“As you can see, I’m not dead.” She walked up to him and wrapped her arms about his waist, completely forgetting her decision to stop showing affection in public. “I saw that you had new visitors and didn’t think you’d miss me too much. I’m sorry if I scared you.”
He continued to stare, and she tightened her grip. “I’m quite alive and warm, maybe you’d like to hug me back?” She threw him a mischievous grin, and he relaxed a little in her arms.
“I dinna know where ye were.” He paused. “Where were ye, lass?”
“With the healer in the village.”
He frowned. Was it because she’d met the woman who was with Aline on the night she died or if he was concerned for her health.
“Are ye sick, lass?”
“Not now, but I have been feeling queasy. She’s given me something.”
He took her hand and placed it on his arm as he walked them back toward his horse. “I’ll have someone speak to the cooks and make sure ye food is tasted before ye eat it. I’m not sure what ye’re used to eating in your time, but mayhap, ’tis just that yer not used to our way of preparing and cooking our food.”
Kenzie laughed, having thought as much herself. “The healer has given me some medicine, which will hopefully help. I’m sure it’s something similar to Bali Belly.”
“Bali Belly?” The word on Ben’s lips sounded odd, and Kenzie smiled. “It’s a term I learned when traveling in Bali a couple of years ago. It’s a tropical country, and people who visit there often become sick after drinking their water or eating their food. I became a little ill there, as well, so I’m sure my stomach is just protesting like it did when I was in Bali.”
They came to Ben’s horse, and he hoisted her up, following soon after. The weight of him behind her, his strong arms coming about her waist to clasp the reins did odd things, lovely things, to her body.
“News arrived while you were gone as well. It seems Abby has fallen ill after the birth of her child and Gwen and Braxton have travelled there to nurse her. They’ve asked that you return to Castle Druiminn prior to May. Gwen was most insistent.”
Kenzie understood the date and why Gwen wanted her out of here by then, but she wasn’t going anywhere. Not yet at least. “Is Abby going to be okay?”
“Aye, Gwen wrote that she improves daily, but the planned visit by Aedan and Braxton will not go ahead. You may read the missive when we return, but Gwen was most sorry that they are unable to attend at this time.”
He called out to his men to follow him and he turned the horse, kicking it into a canter. Kenzie snuggled back into his chest, sighing when one strong, warm arm wrapped about her waist, holding her snug. This news from Gwen wasn’t welcome. It meant that they were on their own here, no back-up when it came to whoever attacked Ben and Castle Ross.
“We’re going to start seeding tomorrow. I shall not see ye until late in the evening. Will ye be well at the castle, do ye think?”
Ben’s question pulled her from her thoughts. “Can I help? I’d so love to see how it’s done and it would give me a chance to be with you. I’ll only be bored at the castle. Please, tell me I can come.” She did not wish to be stuck indoors with Athol. The woman had ceased hiding her loathing of Kenzie and was often plain rude. “We could take a basket, have a picnic for lunch. We could have the wet nurse bring out