Free THE GIFT: A Highland Novella by Margaret Mallory

circles throughout the Highlands. Some believe they still hold ancient magic. ”
    Lily felt an odd vibration in the air, like the buzz of a bee ’ s wings. It grew stronger as they neared the tall stone.
    “ I feel it, ” she blurted out.
    Roderick halted and gave her a penetrating look. Unease crept up her spine.
    “ You don ’ t think I ’ m a witch, do you? ” she asked.
    He crossed the path to the holly tree, snapped off a sprig, and stuck it in her hair. Then he winked at her. “ Holly wards off evil. A witch cannot wear it. ”
    “ If the London rabble knew that, ” she said with a relieved laugh, “ I could have worn holly and saved myself a long journey. ”
    His expression turned serious again, and he took her hand. “ What happened in London that made ye leave? ”
    She trusted him enough now to tell him. Roderick was a good man, and he would not turn on her.
    “ Witch fever was at a high pitch, and mobs were roaming the streets, ” she said. “ I knew they would burn innocent women like me next. My heart told me I must leave, so I did. ”
    “ Ye need have no fear of that here, ” he said, and put his arms around her. “ Women with your gift — healers — are valued by us Highlanders. ”
    He stood in the middle of the path holding her and murmuring soothing Gaelic into her hair for a long time. Heaven help her, but she would miss him.
    They held hands as they resumed their walk. Eventually, they crested a hill, and a large inland loch appeared nestled in the valley below. The village along the shore seemed to be a hive of activity, with people, carts, and horses. That looked promising. She should be able to ply her trade here.
    Roderick drew her attention to the two islands in the loch. The larger one was connected to the shore by a narrow causeway and to the smaller island by a bridge.
    “ The small island farther from shore is Eilean na Comhairle , The Council Island, ” Roderick explained. “ The single stone building on it is the meeting place for the Council of the Isles, which is comprised of the chieftains from the branches of the MacDonald clan and chieftains from the clan ’ s vassals, including the MacLeods, Mackenzies, MacNeils, Macleans. ”
    The Lord of the Isles apparently was a far grander person than she had reckoned. Roderick had not exaggerated when he said this chieftain of chieftains was like a king.
    “ I have business to attend to on the large island, Eilean Mor, ” he said. “ It houses the Lord of the Isles ’ Great Hall, his family living quarters, guest quarters, and a chapel. The smaller buildings ye see with thatched roofs are for storage, workshops, and the like. ”
    Lily ’ s heart began to race as they walked along the shore of the loch toward the village. She tried to steel herself to part ways with Roderick. When they reached the causeway to the island, just outside the village, she halted.
    “ Before we say farewell, I want to tell you how grateful I am for all you ’ ve done for me. ” She had to pause to fight the tears stinging the back of her eyes. “ You saved my life. ”
    “ Lily —” He started to speak but stepped when she held up her hand.
    “ I am grateful for the kindness you showed me and … for what we did last night. ” She dropped her gaze to her ugly boots and spat out the rest quickly. “ You mentioned I might stay with your grandmother. Will I find her in the village? If not, I ’ m sure I can manage on my own here. Just as you said, this is a good place. ”
    “ I ’ m not leaving for Skye for a few days, ” he said, lifting her chin with his finger. “ Are ye that anxious to be rid of me? ”
    She shook her head.
    “ We can explore the village later, ” he said, “ but now we ’ re going to have a fine meal in the Great Hall while I wait to speak with my chieftain. ”
    “ Me? Eat in the Great Hall? ” She was just a lowly shopkeeper.
    He looked her up and down. “ Aye, we must find ye a gown in the village