A Highland Pearl (Highland Treasures Book 1) (4 page)

Maidie opened the door to take the bundle from her. “Thank you
so verra much, Nellie.”

“If the madam will give me the soiled clothing, I will take it
to the laundry.”

“Come inside Nellie, and close the door. I dinna want Sven to
get chilled,” she said turning back into the chamber so Nellie could pass and
close the door.

Nellie took up the bundle of soiled clothes while Maidie put
the clean clothing in a chair and dressed Sven in the clean nightshirt. She toweled
the wet head one more time, led the lad to the large bed, and helped him into
it.

“Anything else, Madam?” Nellie asked before leaving.

“Have you seen Laird Andrew recently?”

“Yes, Madam. I served his mon some soup just now.”

“How does the laird fair?”

“About the same. He moans, but doesn’t open his eyes.” Nellie
curtseyed and left with the bundle of soiled clothing, closing the heavy door
quietly behind her.

Maidie climbed into the large bed beside Sven. The lad was
already asleep. He, too, had a busy day. She dropped into the dúnn mattress
that must have taken the efforts of a hundred geese to produce. Her head sank
into the soft pillow. Her eyes began to close, then popped open with a thought
of Andrew. She must check on him one last time. Rising from the bed, she donned
the heavy robe, and slipped her feet into the soft fur slippers, relishing in the
luxury. Her hair was dry, falling about her shoulders and into her eyes, but
she didn’t know where to look for a ribbon and Nellie took her kertch. She pushed
a lock from her face, pulled it back with her hands, and hoped it would stay
out of the way.

With one last check on Sven, she quietly left the room and
made her way down the cold passage to Andrew’s chamber door.

Maidie passed the door between her bedchamber and the chief’s.
She heard a squeak and turned around. Gavin stood beside the open door. He
bowed low, then moved forward to stand over her. She clutched at her robe,
pulling it tighter. The tanist had washed and donned clean clothing. He made a
handsome picture in tight trews covering powerful legs
from the waist to his feet. A saffron
léine
billowing at the sleeves and secured around the waist by a
wide leather belt lay opened at the neck to expose his hair-roughened chest.
Fine-tooled leather brogans covered his large feet, and a leather thong held
his thick hair in place. Heat flashed across Maidie’s face at the sight of him
standing so closely. She ducked her head.

“And why is such a wee lass roaming this dark, cold passage so
late?” he asked with his mouth close to her face, and the smell of whisky on
his breath.

She looked up into a shadowed face. “I wish to see about the
chief one last time before retiring.”

Maidie heard a movement behind her and turned to see a cloaked
figure press against a wall. Gavin looked over her shoulder. “You best be
getting on with your duties then.” He grabbed her arm, pulling her toward
Andrew’s chamber, opened the door, and pushed her inside. Bowing once again, he
said, “Good night, Madam,” then closed the door.

Maidie stood for a moment staring at the door. What intrigue
went on inside Fàrdach Castle? She didn’t want to know, and turned to look
around the chief’s chamber. The bed curtains were drawn except for one opened
toward the
gille
’s
chair
beside the fire. The chamber had a chill even with the fire blazing in the
fireplace. The young man rose to his feet and bowed low when she approached.

Maidie felt Andrew’s forehead still hot with fever. She picked
up the rag in the bowl of water that sat on a table beside the bed, shook the
excess of cool water from it, and began the process of bathing his face. The
scar across his left cheek, now almost hidden by shadowy stubble, looked dark
instead of pale. More pink color tinted his high cheekbones. If only the fever would
break, she would feel better. Andrew moaned. Maidie wet the rag and moved it
along his arms and chest. The fine, strong muscles felt more relaxed instead of
taut with pain. Dark lashes fluttered against his cheeks then opened. Maidie
stopped the bathing.

Silver eyes stared at her. “Dinna stop. Your touch feels cool
to my hot skin.”

Relief that he spoke gripped her and she hurriedly wet the
rag. His eyes closed again, while she bathed his face. He smiled. She passed
the cloth over his neck, arms and chest several more times, rewetting it often.
He seemed to doze, so she put it back in the water and stood beside the bed,
thinking she should return to Sven and leave the laird with his servant.

“Would you give me a drink of water?” he whispered.

A pitcher of water sat next to a pewter cup on the table. She
hurriedly poured water into the cup. The
gille
moved to help, but she shook her head and he paused. Maidie
gently raised the laird’s head and with the other hand held the cup to his dry,
cracked lips. He drank several sips, then she lowered his head to the pillow.
His dark hair fanned across the white pillowcase. She smoothed it with her
hand. His body had been washed, but not his hair. Blood and dirt still caked
the shoulder length locks. She would see to its cleaning on the morrow, but not
tonight. She must return to Sven.

Maidie returned the cup to the table and then stood beside the
bed for a while. The laird’s eyes were closed, so she spoke softly, “I must leave
you in the care of your mon now, and return to my son.”

A large hand reached out. She clasped it in her own. “Thank you
for coming to my aid.”

She squeezed the hand. “My pleasure to serve you, M’Laird. ‘Tis
my prayer that you get well soon, to lead your people once more.”

“Thank you.” He returned the squeeze. She rested his hand on
the bed and turned to leave. “Come back to me soon.”

“Aye.” She turned away from the bed. The
gille
reached
the door before her and opened it, bowing low as she departed. “What’s your
name?”

“Colin, Madam.” He flashed a broad smile in her direction.

“Colin, come for me if he changes for the worse or his fever
gets higher. Keep bathing him in the cool water.”

“Yes, Madam,” the
gille
answered and then closed the
door.

Maidie made her way along the passage. She passed Gavin’s door
and paused when she heard his deep voice within. He laughed and then a woman’s
giggle came from the chamber. So the castle intrigue is lustful in nature. One
of Gavin’s trysts was taking place right under the nose of his stricken
brother. Shameful. Maidie wondered if the female were Flora. Surely her friend
would not leave Phillip alone at night to meet her lover.

Maidie rushed on, opened the door to her chamber, and entered
quietly so as not to wake Sven. The lad slept soundly, tired from the day’s
activities. She felt exhaustion and hurriedly removed the robe and slippers to
climb into bed. She remembered her prayers and slipped out of bed onto her
knees. The floor felt cold, but she said a prayer for the wounded, especially
Andrew.
Dear Lord in the highest heaven, heal Laird Andrew’s wound and renew
his strength.

Sven whimpered so Maidie climbed back into bed and snuggled
close to her son. She wrapped her arms around him, then drifted to sleep.

***

A knock sounded on the door. Maidie
opened her eyes to sunlight streaming into the chamber from its one window. The
leaded glass of the windowpane bent the sun’s rays into a rainbow of color
across the bed. She couldn’t linger to enjoy the beauty but sprang to her feet,
donned the robe and slippers, and hurried to open the door. Nellie stood in the
doorway with her hands full of folded clothing. A bright colorful kertch topped
the pile.

“Your clothes, Madam. May I come in and help you dress for the
day? Comb your hair?”

“No, Nellie. Sven’s still asleep. He had such a hard day,
last, that I want him to rest. I’ll take our clothes.” Nellie held the bundle
out to Maidie. “Where did this kertch come from?”

“Master Gavin sent it. He said you needed one made of Munro
tartan.” Nellie smiled.

“Where is my Cameron kertch?” Maidie searched through the neat
pile of clean smelling clothing.

“Sir Gavin took your kertch. He said he wanted to use it. He
needs a bright target.” Nellie’s mouth widened to show straight white teeth.
Her dimples deepened. “Shall I go fetch it for you?”

“No. Let Sir Gavin have it. It will be of little use when he
finishes with it.” She looked into Nellie’s dimpled face and could not help but
return the maid’s infectious smile. Let Gavin have fun at her expense. She didn’t
care, or maybe she did. “How is Alan this morning?”

“He’s up and about, Madam. I tried to get him to stay in bed,
but had no luck. He’s a stubborn mon.” A frown formed on the young woman’s
face.

“Most men are, Nellie. I would like to check his wound after I
tend the laird. Where might I find him?”

“He’s out in the training field with Sir Gavin and the other
warriors.” The maid’s hands fisted, then released and twisted the material of
her skirt.

“What!” Maidie couldn’t imagine the young man being able to
participate in any kind of rigorous training activity with such a deep wound on
his leg.

“Angus looked at him early this morn and said he could resume
his daily tasks.” Nellie’s eyes brimmed with tears. “His leg hurt awfully bad.”

Maidie couldn’t stand the sight of the young wife’s tears. “I
want you to show me the place where they train when I finish tending Laird
Andrew. I’ll judge when Alan is ready to resume regular activities. After all,
Angus put me in charge of him.”

“Yes, Madam. I’ll be going now, and will be in the kitchen
when you need me.” Nellie nodded, turned and walked down the hallway.

Maidie watched until the maidservant descended the stairway.
She felt the heat of anger rising in her face. Her hands shook the bundle of
clothing. Angus might be the cause of Alan losing his leg if infection set into
the wound.

“Mam,” Sven called to Maidie. She turned to see him sitting on
the side of the bed. “I want my clothes.”

“I have them here,” she said, taking the bundle to the bed and
placing it near Sven.

She took her son in her arms and gave him a big hug. If she
had her way, he would never know wounds from fighting. She helped Sven to the
floor, slipped the nightshirt over his head, and dressed him in clean clothing.

“Go see what you can spot from the window while I dress.” She
patted Sven’s back and aimed him in the direction of the window. “Keep your
eyes outside and tell me what you see.”

He rushed to the window, placing his hands on the sill. “I see
a small goldfinch and a flock of sparrows.” He didn’t say more, but stared
quietly out of the leaded glass pane.

Maidie hurried with her dressing. “Is that all?”

“I see the clansmen training for battle.” His voice held the
eagerness of excitement.

Maidie hurried to the window. Beyond the castle bailey on a
grassy knoll, the warriors engaged in training exercises. Some rode horses and
threw spears at stuffed targets. Several pair swung claymores at each other.
Two sets wrestled in hand-to-hand combat. A small group shot arrows at a wooden
target. Maidie could see bright fabric attached to the middle of the target.
One she recognized as Gavin, sent an arrow flying directly to the kertch. Those
standing around him laughed. She could hear the guffaws and felt the heat of
anger rise to her face for the second time that morn. Of all things, Gavin did
as he said and used her Cameron kertch for a target.

“Come away from the window, Sven. You dinna need to be
watching the men in training.” She grabbed her son by the arm.

“But I want to watch, Mam. I like to see the warriors train for
battle.” Sven tried to look over his shoulder, but Maidie pulled on his arm.

“I need to see about Laird Andrew and you must come with me,”
she insisted.

Sven followed with a pout on his face. A knock sounded on the
chamber door. Maidie opened it with her free hand. She kept Sven’s arm secure
with the other. Davina, dressed in a plain, navy woolen skirt, white linen
blouse, and embroidered tunic, stood in the doorway. She looked very pretty
with her long, dark hair secured with a blue silk ribbon.

“Please come to see about Andrew. He isn’t well this morn.”
Davina’s voice and eyes pleaded.

“I am on my way to his chamber.” Sven tried to break away from
her grip. She turned to give him a blazing stare.

“Please hurry.” Davina sounded desperate.

Maidie followed Davina down the hallway with Sven in tow.
Davina opened Andrew’s chamber door and motioned for Maidie to enter before
her. Sven pulled back.

“I’ll take Sven to play with Effie and Dan in the kitchen
while you care for my brother.” Davina took Sven’s hand and led him away. The
lad left with a smile and a much happier step.

Chapter Four

Maidie nodded to the servant standing
beside Andrew’s bed. He moved so she could get closer to her patient. The laird’s
cheeks had the pallor of death once more. He didn’t move, not even to bat an
eyelash. Maidie put her ear to his chest. She could barely hear a heartbeat.
Panic rose in her heart. She jerked the comforter back to examine the wound.
The bandages had a small stain of blood, but nothing excessive. She ran her
fingers over his chest and neck. Maybe she missed something—a wound that
now bled. His body felt warm with fever still. The injury may be inside his
body, and she could do naught about such a one. She would have to watch him die
if that were true. She examined his fine, strong legs, but didn’t remove the
cloth wrapped through his legs. No blood stained the cloth. Maidie turned her
attention to his arms. Three small gashes lay on the upper right arm, the one
facing the fireplace. She must have missed the cuts, and stooped to take a
closer look. They were regular, made with a sharp dirk.