Releasing a calming breath, Jessie glanced back at the open doorway, where Iain and Struan stood, staring into the room with much concern. She supposed everyone could see how distraught she was… which meant, everyone knew how much she cared for Torrin.
Jessie nodded. "I thank you."
"You're welcome. Flora and I will take good care of the lad for you,"
Nannag
whispered so the men wouldn't hear, then winked.
"He will be well?" Jessie asked hesitantly, keeping her voice low.
"Oh, aye. He lost some blood, but he is a strong, young warrior. We stitched him up good, and the bleeding is slowing. He'll be like new soon."
Nannag
gave her a knowing smile.
Jessie's face heated. "Very well. I'll be back soon."
When she stepped into the corridor, Iain asked, "How is he?"
"Sleeping. Go in if you wish, but
Nannag
will likely run you off after a minute."
With a faint smile, he nodded and stepped into the room. A couple of
Torrin's
men followed him.
She found Aiden lurking further along the darkened corridor. "How is Torrin?" he asked.
"Sleeping.
Nannag
says he will recover. I pray she's right."
"Aye. I like him. And I'm so thankful you were unhurt, sister. Dirk told me what happened out there."
"He told you about Haldane?" she asked.
Aiden nodded. Dropping his gaze, he swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing. "I'm just glad he didn't take you with him when he fell off that cliff."
Tears burned her eyes. "Me, too." She drew Aiden into a tight embrace. He was far too thin. "You need to eat more."
"Aye, sister." His tiny smirk reassured her.
"Well, if you will excuse me, I must go clean up. I'm a mess." She strode to her chamber and found her pup where she'd left him, asleep before the hearth. He leapt up and scurried toward her.
"Are you hungry,
Greum
?" She found some leftover hard cheese sitting on her bedside table and gave it to him. That would occupy him while she washed up and changed clothes. She didn't know where her maid was, but she was fully capable of taking care of herself.
Thankfully, the maid did show up a few minutes later, and Jessie asked her to take
Greum
out for a walk in the courtyard.
Heading toward the great hall a few minutes later, Jessie came upon Dirk and Isobel exiting their chamber.
"How is Torrin?" Dirk asked.
"He is sleeping, thanks to
Nannag's
potion. She says he will recover."
"Thank the saints," Dirk said.
"Jessie, you didn't tell me you almost died out there," Isobel said. "I'm so thankful you were unhurt." Isobel drew her into a fierce hug. "Oh, pray pardon. You must be sore."
"Just my shoulders a wee bit, and my hands." She showed them her scraped palms.
"Saints!" Isobel said. "I cannot imagine having to hold onto the rocks to avoid falling down a cliff."
"Aye, 'twas the most frightened I've ever been. And to think my own brother wanted me to die."
Isobel shook her head, blinking back tears. "I'm glad Haldane's dead, and I'm not going to apologize for saying that." She gave her husband a defiant look.
"As am I." Dirk raised an auburn brow. "He refused to change his evil ways, and he got what was coming to him. I always knew only death would stop him from trying to kill me. I'll have to thank Torrin when he feels better."
"McMurdo pulled you to safety?" Isobel asked her.
"Aye, 'twas unbelievable." Jessie had never been more shocked and grateful in her life.
"
'Twas
not out of the goodness of his heart.
'Tis
simply that he wants the tomb in the church so badly."
Jessie nodded. "I wonder why?"
Dirk shrugged. "Who can guess what goes on in such a twisted mind? But I believe he fears that the people of
Durness
will desecrate his remains after he dies unless they are sealed up safely in the church."
"I see. Well, I'm glad you had that to offer him. Aiden said you told him about Haldane."
"Aye." Dirk frowned, looking morose. "The lad took it hard, but he said he knew 'twas going to happen sooner or later. And though Aiden caused big problems for Erskine and the clan, he said he was glad he got to talk to Haldane one last time."
Jessie nodded, tears burning her eyes once again, more so for Aiden's grief than her own, because the two lads had always been so close.
"I've been meaning to ask you," Dirk said. "Why is Torrin here? Not that I mind him visiting."
Jessie glanced at the clan members passing by them in the corridor. "What do you think?" she said in a hushed voice.
"Come inside the room." Isobel pulled her into their chamber and Dirk entered, too, closing the door behind.
"I can guess why he's here, but I might be wrong," Dirk said. "When we stopped by
Munrick
a few weeks ago, he again asked for your hand."
Jessie's face felt scorched of a sudden. "He said he came to protect me from MacBain." Jessie explained how the two men had run into each other far south of
Durness
and traveled north together.
"And did he protect you?"
"Aye. He broke
MacBain's
nose when he tried to barge into my chamber in the middle of the night. Then, when MacBain tried to kidnap me, Torrin rescued me and had MacBain and his men thrown into the dungeon. The next day, he had his men, along with some of the
MacKays
, escort the brigands off MacKay lands."
"Saints! I'm glad he's here, then. Have you changed your mind about marrying him?" Dirk inquired.
"I'd rather not discuss it at the moment," Jessie said, unwilling to share her conflictive feelings.
Dirk gave a wee smile. "Very well. We'll talk about it later."
"What happened on the ramparts when you fell?" Jessie asked Isobel, wanting to know, but also hoping to change the subject.
"After you left, Seona and I were watching that horrible battle below, on the beach." She shook her head. "Dirk fell and I thought McMurdo had stabbed him."
"
'Tis
my leg, you see," Dirk said. "My calf is still weak from where Gil's arrow went through it weeks ago. I stumbled and fell. Which was fortunate, for it allowed McMurdo's blade to miss me."
"Thank the saints. And I'm glad you were not hurt terribly when you passed out," Jessie told Isobel.
"Seona caught part of my fall, but my head slammed against the battlement." She gently rubbed the side of her head. "They helped me inside, though I wanted to go back out and see what'd happened to Dirk, but the guard wouldn't allow it. And then
Nannag
examined me and told me—" Isobel pressed her lips tight and glanced at Dirk. "Can I tell her?"
He smiled back, love shining in his pale blue eyes. "Aye, of course."
"
Nannag
told me I am with child," Isobel whispered.
Isobel was with child?
Jessie's mouth dropped open, and happy tears burned her eyes. "In truth? That is wonderful!" She embraced Isobel, knowing her friend had been worried for the past several months when she didn't conceive right after the wedding. Some had thought it could've been because Isobel had almost died from the deadly nightshade poisoning last winter.
"Aye." Isobel drew back, beaming.
Jessie turned to Dirk and embraced him. "Congratulations, brother. You will both make wonderful parents," she said, moving back.
"I thank you." He grinned.
She had never seen him look happier.
"We have not announced it to the clan as of yet," Isobel said. "Although Seona and Keegan know—Seona was with me when
Nannag
told me—but we wish to keep it a secret from the rest of the clan for now."
Jessie nodded. "I'll not murmur a word."
"We'll have a celebration feast, once everyone is more recovered from their injuries," Dirk said.
"Speaking of which, I'm starving," Isobel said, moving toward the door. "Let's eat."
Dirk chuckled and joined her in the corridor. "I'd best order more supplies."
Isobel gasped and gave his arm a light swat.
"I only meant that my son will need a lot of food as he's growing." Grinning, he placed a hand upon her still flat belly.
"And what if the
bairn
is a dainty daughter, like me?" Isobel asked.
"I'll be thrilled, of course."
Watching the two stroll toward the great hall, Jessie smiled and shook her head at their playful exchange. She knew her brother would be overjoyed with either a healthy son or daughter, but men always had to brag that they were going to have a son, especially as a first born.
Jessie checked on Torrin again and found he was still sleeping. The bleeding was slowing, thanks be to God.
"I will watch over the laird," Flora said, ushering Jessie toward the door. "You go eat something afore you starve."
"I'll be back soon."
Flora nodded and closed the door behind her.
Jessie joined Dirk and Isobel at the high table in the great hall. Iain and a few others were already sitting there as well. She wanted to eat quickly, then go back and sit with Torrin. In truth, she had no appetite, but she was growing weak and jittery; it had been many hours since she'd last eaten. Isobel directed the servants to start serving supper. It was later than usual and everyone was famished.
Jessie was glad to see Seona and Keegan approaching the high table, her arm linked through his.
"
'Tis
good to see you again, cousin," Jessie said to Keegan, his long tawny hair freshly washed. "I hear you're married, now."
"Aye, indeed. I'm a lucky man." He grinned, his pale blue eyes alight as he pulled out a chair for Lady Seona.
She was beaming as she took her seat beside Jessie.
"Congratulations to you both. How did this come about?"
"Thank you. We'll have to tell you about it when we have more time," Keegan said, sitting beside Seona. "'Twill take two or three hours, I'm thinking."
"In truth? You must've had quite an adventure."
"We did. Although, not all of it was pleasant."
"Where is your sister?" Jessie asked Seona.
"In a guest chamber, sleeping. She is worn out from all the travel. And so is Aunt Patience."
Jessie nodded. "Was anyone else injured in the battle on the beach?"
"Most everyone had a few cuts and scrapes, but three of the MacKay guards had some bad wounds.
Nannag
and her helpers are seeing to them," Keegan said. "How is Chief MacLeod?"
"Sleeping at the moment, and Flora said the bleeding is slowing."
"
'Tis
good."
Jessie was happy to see Aiden come down the stairs and sit beside Keegan. She was glad he was moving past his withdrawn phase.
Two tall, dark-haired men entered from the bailey, Dirk's friend, Rebbie, and Isobel's brother, Cyrus. Rebbie asked about Torrin, then took the seat beside Dirk as the food was being served.
Jessie quickly ate the roast venison, along with onions, parsnips and oat bread. Although she loved eating with her friends and family, she missed Torrin sitting beside her and wished he was able to eat. Tears burning her eyes, she forced down a few more bites.
Moments later, Flora moved in behind Jessie and whispered in her ear. "Laird MacLeod is asking for you, m'lady."
A shock of icy fear went through her.
"Pray pardon," she told those sitting closest to her, leapt up from her chair and followed Flora.
"Is he worse?" Jessie asked on the way up the steps, her heart pounding in her throat.
"He's in great pain." Flora hastened along the corridor and opened the door to
Torrin's
chamber.
Jessie entered and rushed to his bedside. "What's wrong?"
"I wish to speak to the lady alone," Torrin told the healer, a fierce frown upon his ashen face.
Flora quickly vacated the room and closed the door.
"I'm sorry you're in such terrible pain," Jessie said, touching his arm. Saints, how she wished she could take away some of his agony.
"Never mind that," he said through clenched teeth, keeping his voice low. He took her hand into his. "You need to marry me now, in case you are with child and I die."
A jolt of alarm went through her. "What? Nay, you are not going to die," she said firmly.
"That remains to be seen." His eyes were dark with pain and more solemn than she could remember.
"Torrin, you must not say that," she said gently, her throat tightening. She stroked her hand along his bristly cheek. "You must get better."
He nodded. "Still, you could be carrying my heir, but only if we wed."
"Nay. You will simply have to recover. I'm not giving you an excuse to die."
His frown only deepened. "Are you mad? I don't want to die."
"Well then, you must grow strong and healthy again, and then… if I conceive…" She was afraid to even finish that sentence.
"Aye?" Torrin lifted his brows. "What?"
"I'll marry you," she whispered.
"You will?" he asked, hope lighting his eyes. "You will marry me?"
"If I am with child."
One side of his lips quirked up a wee bit. "You will be. I ken it."
She sent him a bittersweet smile. "I pray you're right."
His eyes widened. "You do?"
"Aye."
"You want to marry me. I knew it," he said with satisfaction.
She nodded, a mist of tears burning her eyes.
"But I want you to know, Jessie, I'll marry you even if you don't conceive."
She shook her head. "That means more to me than I can say, but your clan would hate us. You would grow to resent me if I couldn't provide you an heir."
"Nay. Never. I swear to you, Jessie—"
Someone knocked hard at the door.
Torrin muttered a curse.
"I'd better see who that is." She slipped her hand from his and went to open the door.
Iain waited in the corridor, his dark blue eyes concerned. "How is Torrin?"
"Come in," she said.
He advanced into the room and stood by the bed.
"I'm alive," Torrin told him, his face tight and pale.
"Thank the saints. I grew worried when I saw Lady Jessie rush from the great hall and follow the healer."
"You may need something else for the pain," Jessie told Torrin. "I should get Flora."
"Aye. The pain is growing worse," Torrin admitted.
His statement alone worried her, for she knew he wouldn't have said it if the pain wasn't severe.
***
"I will sit with Laird MacLeod tonight," Jessie said to
Nannag
an hour later. "You need some sleep." Though the elderly healer did not look near as exhausted as Jessie felt.
"Very well, lass."
Nannag
sent her a sweet smile. "Flora will sleep here on the pallet by the fireplace in case you need her."
"That will be good."
After
Nannag
left, Jessie pulled the straight chair closer to the bedside and, in the dim glow of the candle, watched Torrin sleep. Whatever potion Flora had given him for pain had knocked him out. She studied his breathing—deep and even—and prayed that meant he was strong enough to pull through despite his severe injuries.
They had planned to spend the night together in her chamber. What a terrible turn of events. The main thing was he lived, for which she was exceedingly grateful. He had come to mean more to her than she would've ever thought possible. Aye, indeed, she loved him.
An hour or two later, he shifted and muttered something she couldn't understand. He thrashed about, then shivered. She touched his forehead.
"Saints, you are burning up," she whispered.
"Jessie?" he murmured.
"Aye, 'tis me."
His eyes remained closed.
She took the cloth from the basin of cold water, squeezed it out, and bathed his face with it.
He hissed and tried to draw away from her.
She pulled the blanket up to cover his bare shoulders. She had feared he would have a fever, but hoped it wouldn't be too severe. She might have to wake Flora and ask her what to do, for Jessie would never consider herself a healer. She hated to disturb the woman, who'd worked tirelessly for hours in her duties. But what if Torrin got too hot? Could such a fever kill him?
After rising from her chair, Jessie crouched by Flora and gently shook her.
Flora's eyes popped open. "Aye. What is it, m'lady?"
"He has a terrible fever."
"
Och
, nay." She scrambled up from the floor and poured some hot water, heating in the fireplace, into a cup. "We'll give him some willow bark tea, then," she whispered, sprinkling some ground up pieces of bark into the water. "And a bit more poppy for the pain." While it steeped, the healer pressed her hand against
Torrin's
forehead. "He is indeed scorching."
Jessie's stomach knotted, for she knew not what this meant.
Please God, heal him and help him recover,
she prayed, tears in her eyes. More than anything, she wanted to have a family with him.
When the tea was ready, Flora said, "Mayhap you can help him lean over this way a bit so he doesn't choke on the tea?"
"Of course." Jessie went to the back side of the bed. "Torrin?"
"Hmm."
"I'm going to help you turn over that way so you can drink some tea, aye?" She pushed at his shoulder.