Rescued by a Highlander(66)
“Alex, Alex!” she sobbed.
“Maddie, look at me! Hold still, I have you.”
Madeline’s gaze locked with Alex’s. Fear was visible in her eyes and something else. Pain. He glanced at her broken arm and realized the men continued pulling on the rope, grotesquely twisting it.
“Alex, help me!” she sobbed in a whisper.
Alex roared, “Stop the rope!” All sanity and calmness left him as he stared at his betrothed. He heaved with all his strength and tugged her up through the small opening. Maddie fell across Alex weeping, clinging to him with her right arm.
“Alex, do not let go, please hold me,” she whispered into his neck.
Alex slowly cut the rope from her left arm and straightened it the best he could. He held her as gingerly as he was able while she wept into his chest.
The crowd fell into a dead silence, gaping at the odd shape of her arm.
“Look at her arm,” someone whispered.
“Her arm is broken!”
“How could she hold on to the bairns with her arm like that?”
“She never screamed or anything!”
Slowly, as word passed, everyone applauded and cheered Alex’s betrothed. He stood cautiously, handing her to Brodie before jumping on Midnight. As soon as Maddie was in his arms, he headed back to the keep. Robbie rode ahead of him with Jennie on his lap, Brenna directly behind them.
Maddie clung to Alex with her right arm. He kissed her forehead but said nothing.
For Alex, the event brought clarity to his life. He chastised himself for the doubts he had had for the past several days. Maddie belonged in his arms. How could he have worried about whether she was right for him? The woman had just jeopardized everything for his sister and another wee bairn. She never questioned what had been the right thing to do, she just did it. The needs of others always came first for Maddie. He had thought her timid. What was it he thought of her once? Aye, a frightened rabbit. Well, timid, frightened rabbits didn’t put themselves in danger jumping down deep sinkholes in the ground.
Somehow, he would have to help her bring the same courage to their lovemaking. He probably would still have to be very patient, but he hoped, someday, she would bring the same boldness to their bed.
She would be his wife and he vowed to make her happiness a priority. Somehow, they would do it.
Maddie MacD just grabbed a portion of his heart, he didn’t realize it yet.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
When they reached the stables, Old Hugh grabbed the reins while Mac held Maddie until Alex dismounted. Maddie never made a sound when she moved, but her eyes told Alex everything.
As he carried her to the keep, he whispered, “I will take care of you. Brenna will help with your arm, but I promise not to leave you.” He leaned over and kissed her mouth.
“Jennie? Emma?” she choked out.
“Emma appears fine. Jennie is with Brenna right now. Once you are settled, I will check on Jennie. You are a brave woman, Maddie MacD.”
He glanced down at Maddie and noticed she clung to him with white knuckles. The pain she bore showed in subtle ways. Unfortunately, he guessed her pain would worsen before it improved since the arm needed to be straightened.
When Alex reached the door, Alice offered to assist. Following him upstairs, she chattered all the way.
“I have her chamber ready, my laird. Brenna is with wee Jennie. I will assist Maddie, then send for Brenna when she is settled.” Alice sent Fiona for hot water.
At the top of the stairs, Alex turned to the right.
“Laird, I am sure you have forgotten in the confusion, but. Maddie’s chamber is to the left.”
Alex ignored her and strode on.
“Ah, excuse me, but Maddie’s chamber is the other way.”
Alex glanced over his shoulder, noticing that Alice didn’t give up easily. Hands on her hips, she glared after him.
He reached his door and pushed it open with his foot. “I am not confused, my lady. Maddie will be in my chamber.” He proceeded to his bed and carefully set her down.
Alice jumped. “But this is not proper,” she fretted. She stood outside his door as if afraid to step inside.
“I don’t know if it is proper or no,’ but she stays with me. This is where she belongs. I will take care of her,” Alex finished. His glare told Alice his decision was not open for discussion.
“Alex, I already have enough difficulties with your clan. Please do not do this,” Maddie begged.
“Stay with her for a minute please, Alice,” He turned to Maddie and said, “I need to check with Brenna. No one will know, Maddie. Do you no’ know yet where you belong?” Alex carefully propped Maddie’s left arm on a pillow, tucked her in, kissed her cheek and turned toward the door.