Free The Bedeviled Heart (The Highland Heather and Hearts Scottish Romance Series) by Carmen Caine

blush.
    Hurrying through the streets of Stirling, she made her way to the almshouse, continuing to war with herself.
    Why couldn’t she remember he was an outlaw? A cutpurse! And the fellow at the inn was clearly disreputable as well. He was dressed far too fine to be an honest commoner. Cameron must be involved with a band of them.
    The thought was a dismal one, for it meant he was likely entrenched in his misguided ways. And only tales portrayed thieves as heroes. Aye, the Englishman hero, Robyn Hode, had given alms to the poor, but he was the only outlaw known to have done such a thing. The rest were brigands preying upon their victims.
    With a sinking heart, she knew she must resolve to avoid the man.
    ‘Twas best that way.
    Depressed, she charged down the lane and turned toward the almshouse only to stop abruptly in surprise.
    The warm glow of many candles flooded through the windows. A cartload of slate roof tiles stood to one side. New timber stretched across the gaps in the roof, and several men were climbing down, apparently just finishing their work for the day.
    The cheerful hubbub of voices, laughing and singing, emanated from within the almshouse, as in stunned amazement, Kate slowly stepped over the threshold.
    A crackling fire blazed upon the hearth with a large cauldron bubbling over the dancing flames, releasing the delicious aroma of what smelled like mutton stew. Several monks distributed wooden bowls and blankets to those gathered around.
    “Kate!” exclaimed a voice. Donald, the young lad from the Thistle and the Pig, rushed forward to tug her arm. His peaked face split into a wide grin. “We’ve a benefactress now! She’s hired us to fix the almshouse!”
    Kate laughed as everyone babbled at once, but it only took a few moments to piece the story together. A noble highland lady had decided to fund the almshouse as her private charity. She had hired the able-bodied to repair the building, establish a kitchen, and tend a garden on the plot of land she had purchased a short distance away. She had also bestowed a yearly stipend to the monks from Cambuskenneth Abbey to manage the effort.
    “And her name is Kate!” The young Donald laughed, still tugging her sleeve. “Lady Kate!”
    Kate blinked sudden, grateful tears from her eyes. “Aye, ‘tis a fine name for a lady!” She laughed with him, grabbing his spindly arm and twirling him around. “I’m honored to share her name!”
    After spending some time with them, and after convincing the monks to bring eggs, herbs, and a higher quality blanket on the morrow, she quit the almshouse with a pleased smile upon her face.
    Aye, she was grateful to Lady Kate for her charity, and she’d personally see that the monks properly tended the almshouse on the lady’s behalf. “Aye, maybe one day I’ll meet her and let her know another Kate saw it done aright!” Kate mused aloud, smiling at the thought.
    A gentle breeze, perfumed with the flowers of spring, ruffled her hair as she made her way back to Maura’s cottage.
    And once again, in spite of her resolutions otherwise, her thoughts wandered to Cameron.
    Ach, wasn’t the man worth saving? If she could guide him from his wicked ways, ‘twould not only benefit them both but society as well.
    Torn, she pushed open the door and entered.
    The main room was dark, indicating that Maura had not yet returned. She expelled a silent breath of relief. The soft glow of firelight poured from the back room, and she tiptoed inside to find her father sleeping.
    Silently kneeling by his side, she cradled her chin on her knees and stared at his pale face.
    His breathing had improved dramatically, and there was a bit of color on his cheeks.
    Aye, he would likely recover now.
    Tears of relief threatened, but she scowled, brushing them away in annoyance. She had little time for tears, even happy ones.
    The Chamberlain had ordered her to report to Stirling’s Great Hall before the sunrise. She tossed her faded plaid in