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Back The Darkest Shore
Chapters (76)
  1. Cover
  2. About the Author
  3. Also by Karen Brooks
  4. Title Page
  5. Dedication
  6. EXPLANATORY NOTE
  7. PART ONE
  8. One
  9. Two
  10. Three
  11. Four
  12. Five
  13. Six
  14. Seven
  15. Eight
  16. Nine
  17. Ten
  18. Eleven
  19. Twelve
  20. Thirteen
  21. Fourteen
  22. Fifteen
  23. Sixteen
  24. Seventeen
  25. Eighteen
  26. Nineteen
  27. Twenty
  28. Twenty-One
  29. Twenty-Two
  30. Twenty-Three
  31. Twenty-Four
  32. Twenty-Five
  33. Twenty-Six
  34. Twenty-Seven
  35. Twenty-Eight
  36. PART TWO
  37. Twenty-Nine
  38. Thirty
  39. Thirty-One
  40. Thirty-Two
  41. Thirty-Three
  42. Thirty-Four
  43. Thirty-Five
  44. PART THREE
  45. Thirty-Six
  46. Thirty-Seven
  47. Thirty-Eight
  48. Thirty-Nine
  49. Forty
  50. Forty-One
  51. Forty-Two
  52. Forty-Three
  53. Forty-Four
  54. Forty-Five
  55. Forty-Six
  56. Forty-Seven
  57. Forty-Eight
  58. Forty-Nine
  59. Fifty
  60. Fifty-One
  61. Fifty-Two
  62. PART FOUR
  63. Fifty-Three
  64. Fifty-Four
  65. Fifty-Five
  66. Fifty-Six
  67. Fifty-Seven
  68. Fifty-Eight
  69. Fifty-Nine
  70. Sixty
  71. Sixty-One
  72. Epilogue: Autumn 1706
  73. AUTHOR’S NOTE
  74. GLOSSARY
  75. LIST OF CHARACTERS
  76. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

‘Mind?’ Sorcha felt a laugh flicker to life. She recalled the conversation they’d had, how long ago was that? Felt like years. About how the reverend and council would do anything to resolve the town’s debts and fill the coffers. At the time, she hadn’t seriously thought her property or Nettie’s was under threat. But that was before an accusation of witchcraft was levelled against them. Now she wondered if she or her possessions would ever be safe again.

Her heart swelled at his consideration and a lump formed in her throat. ‘On the contrary,’ she said hoarsely. ‘I’m very grateful.’ Through the open door to the bedroom, she could see a shirt draped over the end of the bed, a blanket she didn’t recognise covering the mattress. ‘You’ve made yourself at home.’

‘Aye and nae. I merely watched over things with a view to surrendering all as soon as you were set at liberty.’ He moved to the dresser and took down a couple of plates, laying them on the table along with spoons and knives.

Sorcha thought how comfortable he appeared. Much more comfortable than Andy had ever been…

‘Sit, lass, sit,’ said the captain, waving towards a stool as he produced a loaf and began to carve it.

A loaf of bread! How long had it been since Sorcha had tasted that? How long since she’d had a decent hot meal and the comfort of a chair, the warmth of a fire? Not to mention being in her own home? As for a man tending to her needs rather than cruelly denying them…

Tears filled her eyes and she quickly wiped them away. She didn’t want the captain thinking she was weak, even though it took all her strength to remain standing.

Aware she hadn’t moved, the captain glanced in her direction before resuming his task. ‘I’m not going to ask if you be all right, because I ken the answer. But, please, Mrs McIntyre, take a seat and allow me to at least ensure you have a decent meal before I leave you in peace.’

Peace. What a funny word. She hadn’t felt peace for years. Would she ever know it again?

When she still didn’t move, he abandoned the bread and, taking her by the arm, led her to her da’s old chair.

‘Wait,’ said Sorcha, wrenching her arm free and standing her ground. ‘I can’t.’