Her presence alone made him want to leap from the bed and declare himself healed. But he couldn't yet. Still, he felt far better than he had yesterday and his thigh didn't pain him as much.
He wished he could stroke his fingers over Jessie's face and her lovely auburn brows, but he would likely wake her.
The door rattled, as if someone had tried to open it. Then, a knock sounded.
Jessie startled awake, glancing at him and blinking as if confused. A second later, she leapt from the bed, unbarred the door, and opened it.
Flora waited outside. "Is everything all right, m'lady?"
"Aye. I simply didn't want anyone coming in while I was asleep."
"Oh. I see." Flora's gaze flew to Torrin. "And how are you this morn,
m'laird
?"
"Fine as a fiddle."
"Glad I am to know that!"
Jessie watched Flora, preparing
Torrin's
herbal tea and a fresh poultice for his leg. She broke out into a cold sweat and, minute by minute, she felt more and more nauseous. She could not tolerate the scent of the herbs. What on earth? She slipped out into the corridor, then dashed to the
garderobe
. Thankfully, it was empty. She retched, though she had little on her stomach at this early hour. A couple of minutes later, she felt better.
She then remembered how sick Isobel was every morning.
"Saints!" she whispered.
Am I with child?
Moisture filled Jessie's eyes, and she burst into happy and hopeful tears. As she cried, she prayed the nausea truly meant she was with child.
"M'lady is something wrong?" Flora asked from the other side of the curtain.
Wiping her tears, Jessie pushed the curtain aside. "I'm sick," she whispered with a mad chuckle.
Flora's eyes rounded, her concern obvious. "Sick, m'lady?"
"Aye," Jessie whispered. "Do you think you could tell if I'm with child?"
Flora's eyes grew even wider as she searched her face. "Is it the morning sickness you've got, then?"
"I think so. You must keep it a secret until we know for certain," Jessie said. "Promise me."
"I promise."
For the next three mornings, Jessie awoke nauseous. And although she was miserable, she was thrilled. She was fortunate to be able to rush to the
garderobe
each time.
On the fourth morning, she went to the chamber Torrin had told the maids to clean for her, so that she might nap there when she wasn't watching after him. She washed her face and rinsed her mouth, then took a sponge bath and changed clothes.
Her stomach felt much more settled now. She uncovered the bannocks Flora had left for her the night before and ate one. Flora had assured her that she was with child. She could hardly eat for smiling, happy tears filling her eyes. She needed to tell Torrin.
Minutes later, Jessie entered
Torrin's
room and found him propped against the pillows while he ate porridge.
"The maid brought you a bowl of porridge, too, m'lady," Flora said, giving her a smile.
"Good. I'm hungry."
"I'll be back in a few minutes," Flora said, then left the room.
"You're bright-eyed this morn," Jessie told Torrin.
"I'm looking at you."
She smiled and sat on the edge of the bed, watching him eat.
"Are you not going to eat?"
"Aye, but I wanted to tell you something first."
He eyed her suspiciously and lowered his bowl. "What is it?"
"I've been sick several mornings this week."
He frowned. "Sick?"
She nodded, smiling.
"Why? Are you well now? I've noticed you hurry out of the room each morn when you awake, but I thought you merely needed to… relieve yourself."
"Getting sick in the morn is a sign that… I am with child," she said, tears filling her eyes.
"What!" He almost dropped the bowl of porridge.
She took it from him and set it on the bedside table.
"With child?" he asked, raising his voice, his eyes wide.
"
Shh
. We don't want everyone to know yet," she whispered.
"You're with child?" he demanded, though in a quieter tone, a smile spreading across his face.
"Flora says 'tis likely. I've had the morning sickness for four mornings. Isobel has this ailment also."
"Saints, Jessie!" Torrin pulled her close and kissed her lips.
'Twas
a quick but fierce kiss. His gaze searched hers for several seconds, his excitement as obvious as hers. "I cannot arise from this bed as of yet, nor get down on one knee. But, Lady Jessie, will you marry me?"
"Aye." She threw her arms around his neck, hugging him close, and he did the same, near squeezing the breath from her. She found herself laughing and crying at the same time.
He pulled back and brushed her tears away with his thumb. "
Shh
," he hissed but she detected a hint of moisture in his own eyes. "I love you," he whispered, then kissed her.
"And I love you," she said.
"Let's get married today." His eyes were alight with more eagerness than she'd ever seen.
She frowned. "Today! Are you mad?"
"Aye, why not? I believe I can stand." Moving his injured leg a bit, he grimaced.
"I don't want you to overdo it."
"I won't. But a man must stand for his own wedding."
"Nay. You do not have to. The minister can come in here."
He shook his head, looking disappointed. "That won't do at all. I'm the chief. The whole clan will want to witness our wedding."
"We'll wait until you're a bit better, then," she said, trying to calm him.
His eyes lit up again. "Tomorrow."
"Are you certain 'tis not still too soon? You must not injure yourself further."
"Nay. For you, Jessie, I could climb that mountain to the north of the castle. Let me get up."
"
'Tis
too soon, Torrin. In truth. You might start falling and I wouldn't be able to hold you up."
"I'll hold onto the bed."
She stood two feet from the bed, while he threw back the blankets. Today he wore a long-tailed shirt that came to mid-thigh and naught else. He slowly moved his injured leg. When it slid over the edge, he winced and clamped his teeth together. His knee bent and he growled, his face going white.
"Torrin, I told you, 'tis too soon!" Jessie said, grabbing onto his arm.
Flora rushed in the door. "What on earth are you doing,
m'laird
?"
"Getting married," he said through clenched teeth.
Flora gave Jessie a wide-eyed quizzical look, and Jessie's face felt scalded.
"I told him," Jessie said. "And this is what I get… Torrin trying to kill himself."
"
Och
! I'm not trying to kill myself. You said yourself my wound is looking better this morn," he told Flora. "The swelling is going down."
"Aye, but…"
"Nay. I intend to stand while I marry Lady Jessie." He lowered his healthy leg to the floor and pushed himself up. Holding onto the bed, he stood for a moment, getting his bearings, then he took a step, a loud growl of pain issuing forth.
Jessie draped his arm around her shoulder so she might act as a sort of crutch for him. He made it to the end of the bed and grasped onto the tall, carved post, but he wasn't done there. He rounded the foot of the bed and limped along to the other post.
"What in blazes is going on in here?" Iain asked from the open doorway, shock written upon his face.
"He insisted on walking," Jessie said.
"Iain," Torrin said, breathing hard, his face white and drenched with sweat.
"Aye." Iain came forward, concern clear on his face.
"Will you stand up with me tomorrow and be my best man?"
"What?" He frowned.
"Lady Jessie and I are to be wed tomorrow."
"In truth?" He looked to Jessie for confirmation.
She nodded. "If Torrin is up to it."
"I'm up to it, trust me," Torrin said in a near growl. Clearly, the pain was terrible.
"I told him we could wait a few days," Jessie said.
"Of course, I'll be your best man anytime you wish."
"But you must not overdo it today, if you want to feel well tomorrow," Jessie said.
Torrin nodded and turned to walk back to the other side of the bed, a horrid scowl on his face the entire time.
"Can I tell everyone?" Iain asked.
"Aye. Tell the servants to prepare a feast and decorate the great hall. Tell the whole of the clan to be ready to witness me marrying this beautiful lady tomorrow." Torrin sat on the edge of the bed and threw his good leg onto the mattress. Jessie helped him lift his wounded leg, and then covered him with the blankets.
"I need to talk to Dirk," Torrin said. "I'll need his permission."
"I'll have him come to visit you after you rest a while," Jessie said.
"I don't need to rest. I've rested for a fortnight."
"I can go get him," Iain said.
"Aye, if you would please," Torrin said, relaxing back.
"You haven't even finished eating," Jessie said after Iain left. She wiped
Torrin's
sweaty face with a cool cloth, then handed him the porridge again. After he caught his breath, he ate a few more bites, then she set the bowl aside.
Five minutes later, Dirk entered the room, a curious look in his eyes. "How are you, Torrin?"
"Almost better." He took Jessie's hand. "I want to ask you once more for you lovely sister's hand in marriage."
"Oh." Dirk looked to Jessie.
She nodded and smiled, happiness misting her eyes.
His brows shot up. "Aye, well, if Jessie is agreeable to the marriage, I certainly give my permission and my blessing."
"I thank you," Torrin said, kissing Jessie's hand. "I want you to know, I love this woman more than life itself. I'll protect her and make her as happy as I'm able."
Jessie's heart melted with
Torrin's
confession.
"I know you will," Dirk said, smiling. "Would you like me to draw up a contract?"
"Indeed. You can use my official chamber if you wish. You'll find paper, ink and anything you might need on the desk. Iain can show you where it is. We've decided that tomorrow is the day."
"That soon?"
"Aye. I've waited long enough to make this lady my wife."
"I'll set to work right away on the marriage contract, then." Dirk grinned. "Congratulations to you both. I've been hoping Jessie would finally get past her stubborn streak and marry you." He left the room.
"I wasn't being stubborn," Jessie muttered when she was alone with Torrin again.
"Call it what you will." Torrin smirked. "I agree with Dirk; you were stubborn."
Much to Jessie's annoyance, Torrin walked around the bed twice more that day. He assured her each time 'twas a bit easier, but she could not tell this by his horrid grimaces, curses and groans.
That night, Jessie slept in the guest chamber the servants had prepared for her. Several women of the clan insisted '
twould
be for the best, for they should not see each other before the wedding. Flora slept on the pallet in
Torrin's
room, should he need anything.
A knock sounded at the door, waking Jessie. Morning sunlight streamed through the narrow window. Had she overslept?
She leapt up and the nausea struck her. She quickly found the empty chamber pot and retched into it. Flora rushed in. "
Och
! M'lady, I'm so sorry."
"
'Tis
all right." She arose and rinsed her mouth with the watered down wine from the jug on her bedside table.
"Laird MacLeod is all dressed and ready."
"What? This early?"
"Aye. Woke me at the crack of dawn, he did, insisting on a bath in the tub. His manservant came in and helped him dress in his finest plaid and doublet. He's a right handsome sight." She grinned.