A Highland Pearl (Highland Treasures Book 1) (7 page)

“You seem to be following me, Sir.” Maidie finally had the
courage to speak while crossing the great hall.

“Nae, Madam. The chief requested your presence.” He walked
close behind her as they ascended the stone steps.

Gavin hurried to open the door of Andrew’s bedchamber for
Maidie to enter. She went immediately to the bedside and placed her hand on the
sleeping chief’s forehead. His skin felt cooler to her touch. She smiled.

“How does my brother fair?” Gavin asked at her elbow.

“Better, but you must help me change the dressing on his
wound.”

“He can most likely sit for this changing, I’m thinking,”
Gavin said. “I’ll help him sit up.”

“If you wish, but he’ll be in great pain.”

“He’s been in great pain before and handles it well. I’ll
rouse him now.” Gavin shook his brother’s shoulder. Chief Andrew opened his
eyes to stare at him. “Andrew, Madam Munro wishes to change the dressing on your
wound. Can you sit up? I’ll help.”

Andrew nodded. Gavin moved Maidie out of the way, reached
under his brother’s arms and pulled him to a sitting position. Andrew winced.
His face darkened and deep lines furrowed his brow, but not a sound came from
his pursed lips. Maidie hurriedly pushed pillows behind the broad back.

“I dinna see the poppy tea I left here last eve,” she said
while searching the bedside table.

The
gille
stepped up, “Angus took the tea when he left
this morn after bleeding Chief Andrew and left this.” Colin held a small flask
of dark brown liquid.

Maidie took the flask from Colin, opened it, and smelled the
contents. Her nose wrinkled. She gave it back to the young man. “Take this and
throw it out, then go to my chamber and fetch my leather bag.”

Colin smiled and turned to leave. Maidie noticed another flask
of amber whisky on the same table. She took it up, removed the glass stopper,
and turned to Gavin. “Help your brother swallow some whisky. ‘Twill ease his
pain.”

“Certainly. Andrew will enjoy the whisky much more than poppy
tea or Angus’s foul potion.” Gavin put one hand behind the chief’s head and the
whisky flask to his lips. “Brother, open your mouth and drink this whisky. The
lady wishes to change the dressing on your wound.”

Andrew opened his eyes, looked at Maidie, wrapped both hands
around the flask Gavin offered, and pressed the opening to his mouth. After
swallowing a large mouthful of the amber libation, he coughed then handed the
flask back to Gavin who sat it on the table. Andrew wiped his lips with the
back of his hand.

Colin returned to the chamber with a question on his face. He
bowed when Maidie looked in anticipation for her healing bag. “Madam, I could no’
find your leather bag.”

“What? My bag is no’ in my chamber?” Her voice reached a high
pitch when she realized the precious salves and herbs might be missing. “I took
bandages and salve from the bag just this morn to use on Alan’s leg. Did you
look well, Colin?”

“Yes, Madam, I searched the chamber.”

Maidie spoke to Gavin, “I must see for myself. Will you cut
the old wrapping from your brother’s wound while I search for the bag?”

Gavin turned to Andrew who watched the scene. A deep line
formed between the chief’s heavy brows. “Gavin will go with you, and dinna be
wandering around the castle by yourself.”

Maidie was taken aback by his command. So the Black Falcon
ordered his brother to follow her around, and the scoundrel was more than happy
to oblige him. “I can take care of myself, M’Laird. I really dinna need the
tanist trailing me everywhere.” She looked at Gavin who stood quietly with his
eyes fixed on her.

“’Tis my pleasure to follow you around, Madam.” A broad smile
curled his lips.

“Do as I say lass, while you’re under my roof.” Andrew winced
with the strain of giving orders.

Maidie swiftly turned and walked to the door. Gavin rushed to
open it for her and bowed when she swished through the portal. He walked beside
her down the passage. She refused to look in his direction, knowing a smirk
covered his face. Gavin moved forward to open the chamber door so she could
step inside. She gave him a bow of the head and immediately began searching for
her leather bag. He assisted. The bag could not be found in the chamber. Who
would take her healer’s bag? Angus. A picture of his dark, sinister face
immediately formed in her mind.

“No question Madam, your bag has been taken. That is if you,
yourself, dinna take it off somewhere and forget where you put it.” Gavin stood
with hands on his hips.

“I would never be so careless with my bag, Sir.” Maidie shook
her head at the big oaf. “I left it sitting here beside this chair.” She
pointed to the chair beside the fire. “I took salve and bandages out just this
morn to use on Alan’s leg.” She thought for a moment. “I can use the same salve
on the laird as I used on Alan, but I need more bandages, and I will need to
fetch the salve from Alan’s chamber.”

“I shall fetch the salve after I escort you back to my brother’s
side. Nellie and Davina can assist with more bandages. I shall also tell Sister
to help you with the chief. Tavish will be your escort around the castle. I
have other things to tend before noon.”

Gavin’s orders sounded as commanding as his brother’s. Maidie
knew better than to question. Mayhap, she would be allowed to return home this
day and have little else to do with the Munro brothers. She had promised Davina
to visit Andrew daily, but others in the village needed her assistance. She
could not stay at Fàrdach Castle.

“After I change the dressing on the laird’s wound, I shall
gather my things and return to my home in the village.” She wanted Gavin to
understand her stay at the castle had ended. “The villagers need my help also,
and I must gather supplies for another bag.”

Gavin held the door open for her to exit the chamber. “We’ll
see what the chief has to say about you returning to the village.
Maighstir
Tam can take care of the
villagers. He kens a lot about healing.”

Maidie sighed.
Does the
chief control my entire life now? Must I be at his beck and call and not
allowed to tend to the others who so desperately need my help?
“I am the
midwife for the ladies of the village and those of Fàrdach Castle.
Maighstir
Tam, as good as he is, dinna
deliver their babies nor tend to their female conditions.”

The lout. He and his brother think they are the only ones
who deserve care and kind treatment.
Maidie felt shame for calling the tanist a name for the second time,
even in her thoughts. She hated name-calling and tried to teach Sven the same.
Maidie’s father and her uncles were notorious for belittling with derogatory
names anyone who crossed them, including her mother and herself.

Chapter Six

Andrew sat up in the bed waiting for
his brother to return with the healer. Women could be so exasperating. He hated
to order the lass around like a servant, but he didn’t feel like explaining his
reasons and it was for her own safety. She must obey him. He would have naught
happening to the woman under his roof. Someone in the castle wanted to be rid
of her. After all, she is a Cameron and many of his people hate the Camerons
now. He could take no chances.

The door opened and Maidie entered, followed by Gavin who
grinned from ear to ear. His brother had an eye for attractive women, and the
lass was one of the prettiest Andrew had seen in awhile. Even through the pain
of his wound, he recognized her womanly qualities. Having someone kind and
gentle to care for him was a treat after Angus’ brutal treatments.

Maidie walked to the bed and curtsied with her face rosy from
vexation. “M’Laird, I will change your bandage when I acquire more. Sir Gavin
is going now to retrieve the salve from Alan’s chamber and have Nellie make
more bandages. My healer’s bag is truly missing.”

Gavin stood in the doorway. “I’ll have Tavish bring the things
she needs and stay with her while I attend other duties.”

Andrew nodded. Tavish, a worthy and loyal warrior, would be a
good bodyguard for the healer and her son. “Good choice.”

Gavin left, closing the door behind him. Maidie looked around
the room and smiled when she saw Colin standing before the fire.

“Madam, please sit while you wait.” As Maidie turned toward
the chair, Andrew had a thought. The stubble of his beard itched on his face.
He reached a hand up to scratch it. “Do you shave a mon’s beard as well as you
wash hair?” He could not help but smile at the angst on the lass’ face. “Dinna
fash yourself, Madam. I wanna rob Colin of his job.”

He watched the look of relief wash over the pretty cheeks. The
freckles across her nose seemed brighter. She took the chair and folded her
delicate hands in her lap. The power to heal resided in those slender fingers.
She must be protected from those in the castle who craved her life because of
her Cameron blood, and from Camerons who would steel her away because of her inheritance
in their clan. He must relent and let Angus have charge of his care.

Andrew knew he caused Maidie to be uncomfortable, but could
not help watching her. She tried not to meet his gaze, looking around the
chamber and letting her eyes rest on his armor and weapons now repaired and hanging
across racks in the corner. The blacksmith had repaired the chainmail where the
battleax cut through.

Their eyes met. His heart raced when her plump pink lips
turned up in a smile. The sunlight struck her hair in such a way that strands
of burnished gold shone among the locks hanging from under the Munro kertch and
about her slender shoulders. Little wonder his brother seemed captivated by her
loveliness.

Andrew determined to keep his emotions and desires under
control. He had managed to escape several romantic entanglements in the past
five years since Tara left, and he aimed for things to stay such. Never again
would a woman capture his heart only to break it into a thousand pieces like
Tara Fraser had broken his.

A knock sounded. Colin walked across the chamber to open the
door, but it opened before he lifted the latch. Davina walked in with Tavish
following. The warrior carried Maidie’s precious jar of ointment and a roll of
white linen cloth, torn into strips for bandages. Davina went to Andrew’s
bedside and took his hands.

“Brother, seeing you so is verra good to my heart.” Davina
studied his eyes and face. He smiled. “Are you in great pain?”

“Nae, Davina. Verra wee amount now,” he lied. Sitting up in
the bed caused great pain in his belly, but he would not give in to it.

She released his hands and patted the stubble on his face. “I’m
so glad, Brother, so glad. I’ve come to help Maidie with your bandages.” With a
slight frown and pout, she added, “And Colin can take care of that stubble. Your
heavy beard looks more sinister than ever.”

Andrew addressed Maidie, “My sister likes clean shaven lads.
No beards around her.”

“Gavin said our father was always clean-shaven while our
mither lived. Mither said she could read his expressions better. ‘Tis why Gavin
stays clean of beard.”

“I thought, dear Davina, you could always decipher what I’m
thinking by the expression in my eyes, and our father had a heavy beard.”
Andrew teased.

“He grew one only after Mither died. I need both your face and
your eyes to stay one step ahead of you, Black Falcon of Ferindonald.” She took
her brother’s hand and placed a tender kiss on the back of it. “Just get up and
around soon. I miss you.”

“Aye, Davina. I’m trying with all my might. Now change my
bandages and let me rest.” He couldn’t help letting fatigue sound in his voice,
but now that he could think, concern for his men rose to plague him. “How do
the other lads fair?”

“They were taken to their homes and most are mending well,”
his sister answered.

“And Randal? How goes it with the lad? I was wounded trying to
save him from a Cameron battleax, after a MacKenzie sword sent him to the
ground.” Andrew winced at the pain when thinking about the ax meant for Randal’s
head coming instead to his stomach, breaking through the chainmail, and cutting
a gash across his abdomen before Gavin made a quick thrust with his claymore
into the Cameron’s back.

Davina didn’t answer but continued to search his eyes. He saw
pain in the depths of her deep brown orbs. “Davina, how fairs Randal?”

His sister took one of his hands again, and held it tightly.
He knew the answer before she spoke.

“He died, my brother. Not long after he was brought into Fàrdach
Castle.” She kissed his fingers. “I’m so verra sorry.”

“So am I, Sister, so am I,” Andrew managed. Thoughts of the
young warrior filled his mind. Randal was brave and loyal. He always fought
hard, giving his best to any assigned task. Newly married, he and Anne were
expecting their first bairn.

“Davina,” Andrew took his hand from hers. “Tell Gavin to bring
Anne into the castle this day. She can help Nellie. Anne and the bairn will
lack for naught.”

A smile brightened Davina’s face. “I shall, Brother. Thank you.
I’ll find him soon as I help with your bandages.”

Andrew looked at Maidie who stood quietly between Seumas and
Tavish. “No need to stay. Madam Munro has plenty of help.”

Davina kissed Andrew’s cheek and then turned to leave. She
stopped in front of Maidie. “Take care you treat my brother kindly.”

Maidie curtsied, “Yes, M’Lady.”

After Davina left, Maidie, Tavish, and Seumas gathered around
Andrew’s bed. He hated the thought of anyone touching the wound, but it needed
the healer’s attention if he wanted to get up and around soon. He would relax,
if possible, and enjoy her tender touch. She cut the old bandages with a dirk.
Tavish pushed Andrew forward to take the bandages from his back. White heat
flashed through his belly. The wound had an angry red look about it. Maidie shook
her head but said nothing, then took plantain salve from a small jar, and with
long graceful fingers spread it over the stitching. The ointment stung like a
thousand bees, but soon the stinging subsided. A feeling of winter ice took its
place. Angus had never treated any of Andrew’s wounds with such a potion. The
physician’s treatments usually hurt worse than the injury.