Rescued by a Highlander(67)

“My lord, but what will all your people think? They will assume terrible behavior of her,” Alice implored. Her face turned red as they spoke.

“And if they dare to speak it, they will be living elsewhere. She is my betrothed, and she stays here. I promise you, Alice, I will not ravish your charge until after we are wed. But she stays here where she belongs.” Alex nodded his head to Alice and left the room.

Alex stuck his head back in the room for a minute, “But I will allow you bathe her, if you don’t mind. I am sure she will feel better with all that dirt washed away. And I know it would upset you if I did it!” He winked and smiled before he turned.

Alex found Robbie and Brenna at Jennie’s bedside. He leaned over and kissed Jennie’s forehead. “Get better, little flower.”

“Is there any change, Brenna? Have you found anything else?”

“Nay, Alex, I think ‘tis the head wound that makes her sleep. She did talk some nonsense a bit, and I hope that is a good sign. Her body needs to rest. She knows she is safe now and should relax enough to start healing. Robbie, you stay with her while I tend to Maddie’s arm. Heading down the passageway, she turned to her brother. “Alex, I will need you and Brodie to hold her down. Can you handle it when she screams? I can bring someone else in to hold her if it be too much for you. It is a bad break, I will need to probe it first before I can set it.”

“Aye, I will hold her. She will not scream. But I want to be there to help her deal with the pain. Brodie won’t be needed.”

Brenna shook her head. “Alex, I want another there, I have been kicked and swung at by men with less painful breaks as you know. I cannot risk any injuries myself, I need to be strong for both of them.”

“Aye, if that is what you want, we will do it. I will get Brodie.”

“Alex, I want to give Maddie something to help ease the pain. Then I will return here. I need to give the pain mixture a little time to work.”

They left together but went separate ways. Alex returned with Brodie, but sent him to Jennie’s chamber first. Entering his own chamber, he found Alice still primping Maddie. She had cleaned most of the dirt off, but still fussed over her charge.

“Maddie, the rest of your bath will have to wait until tomorrow. We cannot stress your arm any more today. My lord, may I move a few of her things here?” Alice asked.

“Alice, you can move them all here if you like. This is where she stays.” He sat on the bed on Maddie’s right side with his back to the wall so he could prop her against his chest, guarding her arm. Alice left to retrieve Maddie’s things.

Rubbing her right arm, he whispered, “Jennie is still sleeping, but Brenna thinks she may just need extra rest. She will straighten your arm in a bit. I promise to stay with you.” He brushed his lips across her silky hair. “You know it will hurt, aye?”

Maddie slowly nodded. Whatever Brenna had given her had started to work. She fought to stay awake.

“Alex, are you angry about the loch?” she whispered.

“Nay, love, just foolish.”

“No more secrets…” she mumbled as her eyes closed.

Alex caressed her right arm to lull her to sleep.

“Alex?” her eyes opened for a second before closing again.

“Hmm?”

“I love you. You are my dream.” Her breathing moved into a rhythmic pattern as she fell sound asleep.

Alex didn’t move, he couldn’t move. Had he heard her correctly? She loved him? His heart soared, and did that funny little flip again. Why did he care about a woman’s love? But he did, only this woman. He smiled and let out a sigh. Three little words warmed his heart. He wished she would say it again, but she was asleep. Did he love her? He thought of what wee Jennie had said to him earlier. Despite what Jennie had said, he didn’t think so. He had stronger feelings for Maddie than he had ever felt for any lass, but he didn’t think it was love. He just feared losing her. He hadn’t realized how strong that feeling was until the accident happened and he had held her by one arm.

Brodie and Brenna appeared.

“She is a strong lass for her size, is she no’, Alex?” Brenna asked. “I shudder to think what could have happened if Maddie had not been able to pull both lasses up. Is she sleeping?”

“Aye, though I know you will wake her when you do what you must. Do it quickly, Brenna,” Alex nodded at his sister.

“Brodie, be ready to grab her in case she starts thrashing. I have to probe first. I’m afraid it will be very painful.” Brenna arranged her supplies, a board to hold the arm straight, linen strips to wrap around her arm and a piece of linen to fashion into a sling to keep her arm close to her body for support.