“…and yer soakin’ wet, lass, and no doubt chilled to the bone,” he stated as he continued to hold her in his arms while he walked over to his horse.
“Can ye stand?” He asked and she nodded her head yes, and then he set her down on her feet. “Stay put,” he ordered.
Stay put …as if she could go anywhere. Jaedin heard metal clanking and then felt him wrap a heavy warm blanket around her. “There now. This should help ye warm up,” he said as she almost forgot that she was naked. “What are ye doin’ out here crawlin’ around without a stitch a clothing on?” he asked.
What the hell’s wrong with you, you dolt, answer him! She thought then “Uhm” was all she could say, as she winced because her head began pounding again. He caught her by the forearm as she swayed.
“Ye ken ye woulda…” he stopped as he noticed blood seeping from the side of her head. “Christ Almighty! Yer hurt!” He exclaimed as he began examining the rest of her. “Are ye hurt any place else?” She didn’t flinch until his hand touched her ribs. She reached out to brace herself but had to feel around to find his arm. Aiden frowned. “Can ye see me, lass?”
Jaedin heart was racing as she swallowed hard. “No,” she responded as her knees became weak.
“Easy now,” Aiden said as he picked her up again. This time he placed her on the horse then mounted up behind her and pulled her into him. “We’re not far from my brother’s keep. Hang on to me tight.” She hadn’t realized how chilled she was until he’d wrapped his large arms around her. Aiden buried her head against his chest then kicked the steed into a full canter.
Loch …brother’s keep…horse? Jaedin felt sick to her stomach as the horse’s gait picked up. Then she felt the signs coming on. The clamminess not from the rain, the fuzzy feeling, the…
ChapterThree
Her Noble Destiny
Chapter Three
Aiden brought his horse to an abrupt halt inside the courtyard of Dunstaffnage castle then dismounted and pulled the unconscious woman into his arms and carried her through the keep’s doors not waiting for a stable hand to take his horse. “Glenna!” he shouted for the older woman. “Glenna!” again he called even louder for the woman who had helped nurse Kenna back to health as he continued across the great hall and up the stairs to Iain and Kenna’s chamber.
As he reached the room, he nudged the door open a bit harder than he’d meant to then ducked through the doorway and walked across the floor to the bed just as Glenna made her appearance.
“Christ’s teeth, Aiden! What’s all this bellowin’ about?” she asked a bit annoyed as if she’d been interrupted at her task. Then she saw Aiden gently laid a woman on the bed.
“Help her, Glenna,” he begged.
“Och, not again!” Glenna exclaimed as she placed her hands on her hips. “What is it with ye MacAlister men! Canna either one of ye bring home a lass who isna naked as a wee bairn and run through?” She walked over to inspect Jaedin. “Dinna be thinkin’ yer too old and big for me to turn ye over my knee and beat yer backside thoroughly for this, Aiden! Ye have the Almighty to thank for my restraint!”
Not in the mood to jest, Aiden replied, “I dinna plan this, Glenna,” with a scowl across his face, “I found her like this on the road here.”
“I need to get my medicine box.” She took his hand and pressed it to the wound on her head. “Hold this here until I get back.” Then as she left the room, “Help me, Glenna. Heal her Glenna. I found her that way, Glenna. Damn men thinkin’ I’m a miracle worker. I hope they are grateful for what I...”
Aiden took in a deep breath then released the air slowly as he heard Glenna’s voice fade away before he looked down at the woman in the bed. “What in the name of the Almighty happened to ye, lass?” he quietly said out loud then took a deep breath and sat down on the edge of the bed, continuing to hold his hand to her head.
“Bright light.” Jaedin faintly answered. “Explosion.”
“Hush now, lass.” He soothed. “Glenna will be back in a moment to make ye all better.”
“Where am I?” Jaedin asked.
“At my brother’s keep. Dunstaffnage .” Aiden answered her. “In fact, yer in his bed.”
“I can’t see anything,” she said just as Glenna came back in the room.
“Did ye wake the lass, Aiden?” the older woman inquired as she sat her herb box down next to the bed.
“Nay, I dinna.” He became defensive. “The lass awoke of her own will,” he said as Glenna removed his hand from the wound and began applying an herbal salve that smelled horrible.
Jaedin winced as the medicine started working. Thanks to her grandmother, she knew the effectiveness of the old herbal remedies versus some of the modern synthetic medicines. In fact, it was her grandmother who inspired her to become a nurse.
“Pay attention, lad.” Glenna said as she wrapped Jaedin’s head with some linen strips while Aiden looked on. “Close yer eyes, lass, and rest for now,” she instructed as she patted her on the arm. Then she turned to Aiden, “I have to go to the village to help deliver a bairn, so it will be yer responsibility to care for the lass until I return.”
“I dinna have the time to be the lass’s nursemaid, Glenna.” Aiden said this to the old woman as he followed after her while she gathered up her medicines.
“Tisk, tisk Aiden. Yer the one who brought home the lass.” She scolded as she shook her head. “Tis ye who will take the time to tend to her. All other things can wait.” Glenna picked up her box and headed towards the door then she halted and turned to look at Aiden as he sat down in the chair by the fireplace. “Yer not meant to be alone in this life, Aiden. The Almighty brought Kenna into Iain’s life when he needed her the most. Dinna ye think He may have given ye the same gift.” Pointing to him, “Perhaps ye should use yer head to figure that one out.” Then she left the room.
Gift, he thought. Tis more of a distraction than a gift, he thought to himself as he moved the chair closer to the bed then sat down and looked at the woman sleeping peacefully. “Gift indeed,” he smirked as he propped his feet up on the edge of the bed and closed his eyes.
* * * *
“I can’t see,” the woman said waking Aiden from his slumber.
Aiden opened his eyes to see Jaedin sitting up in the bed. “I ken ye canna see, lass. Tis the third time ye’ve told me,” he groggily said as he sat up in the chair and rubbed at the crick in his neck. “Other than that fact, how are ye feelin’?”
“My head hurts,” she answered as she attempted to sit up. “Do you have any acetaminophen or ibuprofen?”
“Ye are speakin’ to me of odd words that I dinna ken their meanin’,” he said as he picked up a cup of cider. “Here, drink this.” He placed the cup in her hands.
Jaedin took a few sips then lay back down on the bed and tried to recall the past few days’ events. “What time is it?” she asked.
“Tis early morn’ lass.” He stretched then placed his hands on his hips. “Glenna will be in the village for a day or two helpin’ birth a bairn.” He took the cup from her. “So tis just me who will be here to help ye.”
“I meant to ask what year is it,” Jaedin said.
“That bump on yer head has taken more than just yer sight, lass. Tis Thirteen Hundred in the year of the Almighty,” he answered. “Do ye also need to ken what month?” he attempted to jest.
“No,” she bit back as she rolled away from the sound of his voice.
Placing his hands back on his hips, he took a deep breath in then released. “Are ye hungry?”
“No.”
“Do you need to make use of the privy, lass?” he asked.
Jaedin thought for a moment. Privy? Think Jae, think. Privy. “Oh!” she finally made the connection. “Yes, in fact. I do need to use the privy.” She said as she rolled back over towards the man.
Aiden helped her out of bed and placed her arm within his and lead her across the room and out the door into the hallway. They made a left turn into the hallway an
d walked for just a bit then he halted. She heard the sound of a creaky door opening and then it hit her. The stench. “I gather we have arrived.”
“Aye, lass,” he said as he took her by the shoulders and guided her into place. “Now, just lift yer chemise and then sit.” Then he closed the door.
Ok, Jae. You’ve used much worse. She told herself as she sat down and instantly received a cold blast to her backside. “Christ’s teeth!” she exclaimed.
“Is alright, lass?” the man asked.
“Fine,” she answered. “You know you don’t have to keep calling me lass. I have a name.”
“And that would be?” he asked.
“Jaedin Greer,” she answered.
“Well, then. Jaedin Greer, are ye done?” he asked while humoring her.
“Yes.” She answered then he quickly opened the door and took her by the shoulders again, guided her back out of the small room and back to bed.
“So tell me this, Jaedin Greer, why have ye not asked my name?” he asked her.
“I overheard the woman call you Aiden and then refer to you as a MacAlister man,” she replied as she settled herself back in the bed. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to put those two together.”
“Rocket scientist. Again with the odd words,” Aiden said as he moved across the room. “Whether ye think yer hungry or no, I am, so I’ll be goin’ down below to gather the food to break our fast.” She heard the door open. “I’ll be back momentarily,” he said before she could protest.
“Like I can go anywhere,” she groused out loud. She was beginning to believe him that she had conked herself on the head pretty hard if she believed herself to be back in medieval Scotland. This was the least of her worries, she thought. She couldn’t see. Now that was something of concern. Ok, great concern! Even if she was back in Thirteen Hundred Scotland, how would she be able to survive without her eyesight?
Aiden MacAlister, she thought to herself. The man had the sexiest voice she’d ever heard. She’d grown up around the sound of the Scottish brogue, so she was used to them. Or so she’d thought until he purred her name across his lips. Christ Almighty, he could recite the names of the phonebook and send shockwaves coursing through her veins. “Get a grip on yourself, Jae,” she said aloud.
* * * *
The thunderstorm outside was causing Aiden to be restless and he couldn’t sleep. At least that’s what he told himself as he pulled his breeches and boots on then left his chamber to go for a walk through the halls of Dunstaffnage.
Before, he couldn’t sleep here because of his brother’s death, now it was about her. Every time he came near her, he couldn’t keep track of his thoughts. Once in a while, he would catch her scent and it would cause him to grow hard. No lass had ever caused him to react in such a manner.
Jaedin had made great progress the past two weeks and her head was almost healed thanks to the medicines that Glenna brewed up. She still didn’t have the use of her eyes, so for the time being, Glenna had moved in with her. Although the middle aged woman protested and said that he should do the honors. He couldn’t explain why he had balked at the idea of sharing a chamber with her. Any normal man would jump at the opportunity to share the bed of a bonnie lass such as Jaedin.
Aiden found himself on the battlement of the castle as the storm intensified. Rain soaked him through his clothing, causing it to cling to his body. The image of Iain and Kenna came into his mind as he recalled the day his brother rode in with his bride-to-be from Urquhart castle. He had told Aiden the story of how Kenna had literally dropped into his lap from the sky. A gift as Glenna had put it. Another crash of thunder sounded and as it shook the ground, he turned to look up at the window to Iain’s room where Jaedin slept. The rain hit his face then slid down his chiseled features.
Iain had taken Kenna without pause to her origins. Why should he be any different about Jaedin? She was keeping that fact from him, he was sure of it. Did she think he wouldn’t understand? That he would throw her out into the world to be swallowed up.
Tomorrow, the MacDougall would arrive to once again make a bid for purchasing Dunstaffnage. Perhaps he would give in and allow the man to take over his brother’s keep. Aiden was at such odds with this decision and wished he had someone to help him decide what he should do.
Once again, he looked up to the window as another crash of thunder sounded. He would go check on his ward and then attempt to get some rest before morn.
ChapterFour
Her Noble Destiny
Chapter Four
“Tis wonderful to see ye Aiden!” Elspet MacDougall joyously exclaimed as she ran up to Aiden and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Tis nice to see ye too, Elspet.” He returned the greeting and then attempted to peel her boney fingers from around his neck.
“Tis been too long since I’ve seen yer handsome face,” Elspet purred. “Shame on ye, Aiden MacAlister. What has kept ye away for such a lengthy time?”
Aiden’s skin crawled from the sound of the youngest of the MacDougall lasses. “Ye ken I have my own keep to manage,” he answered.
When they were all younger, Elspet used to follow Aiden around like a lost pup with these large doe eyes. Iain and Duncan used to tease him by saying that his bride-to-be was coming to see him. He would hide for hours hoping she would get a hint that he didn’t want anything to do with her. But she never did. Now here she was again, standing before him with those same doe eyes hoping for some shred of attention.
“Good to see ye again, MacAlister,” The MacDougall stated as he shook hands with Aiden.
“Tis good to see you too, Alasdair. Please come in and have some food and ale.” Aiden extended the invitation.
“Good.” The middle aged man accepted Aiden’s invitation. “Come, Elspet.”
The young woman joyfully followed her father and Aiden through the double doors and into the great hall, chattering the entire way. Once inside she noticed another young woman sitting at the head table precisely where she wanted to sit, which was next to Aiden. “Who is that?” she asked her father.
Alasdair replied, “I’m not for certain, but I would guess that would be MacAlister’s ward.”
Elspet didn’t like it one bit. Aiden was hers, or so she wished he was.
Aiden walked around the table and placed his hand on Jaedin’s shoulder. “Jaedin, I wish to introduce to ye Alasdair MacDougall and his youngest daughter, Elspet.”
“It’s very nice meeting you, laird MacDougall,” she said as she stood then extended her hand.
“Ye dinna tell me that yer ward was such a bonnie lass, Aiden,” Alasdair said as he kissed her hand then released it.
“Hello, Elspet. It’s nice to meet you,” Jaedin said as she stared straight ahead.
“Aye, tis nice to meet ye as well.” Elspet said as she kept looking at Jaedin.
Aiden placed his hands on Jaedin shoulders and led her to the side as Glenna took her arm.
“I’m afraid I must insist on takin’ the bonnie lass to the gardens now,” Glenna said as the two women left the great hall.
“What’s wrong with her?” Elspet asked with a less than hateful attitude. “She wouldna look at me, she just looked past me.” Elspet kept going on. “The look in her eyes was just ghastly!”
“Elspet, that’s enough,” Alasdair scolded. “Sit yer arse down and dinna forget I can still turn ye over my knee and beat ye if need be.” Then he turned back to Aiden with a smile. “Forgive my daughter’s lewdness. She tends to act bigger than her breaches from time to time.” He shot a warning glance at his Elspet then turned his attention back to Aiden. “Now, about Dunstaffnage, what say ye do yerself and me a deed and sell her to me.”
“Ye dinna make haste, Alasdair,” Aiden stated. “Please, let’s sit and visit for a while before we talk of business.”
* * * *
“Hello again, Elspet.” Aiden wearily acknowledged as he walked up to the gateway of the garden to see that Elspet was there waiting fo
r him.
“So my beloved, tis not like ye to be idle in yer day. Explain to me what ye are doin’ at the gardens today. Could ye be lookin’ for me?”
“I came here to see Jaedin.” He cringed at hearing her call him her beloved.
“Who’s Jaedin?” She asked with a pouty look upon her pale face.
He gazed across the garden to the shapely woman who sat on the bench amidst a sea of roses. “Tis her.” He nodded in Jaedin’s direction.
Elspet observed how Aiden was looking at the other woman. Like a man besotted and she couldn’t have that.
“Why wouldna she look at me earlier?” Elspet inquired. “What wrong with her?”
“She canna see, Elspet,” Aiden explained. “Jaedin was in an accident that took her eyesight away.”
“Oh, Aiden, tis a shame.” Elspet started. “How could any man be considering a lass who’s without the use of her eyes?”
“I dinna think this is a thing ye should be worried about,” he said with a tinge of annoyance.
The jealous woman continued. “Why they’d be daft if they thought she’d be able to keep watch over their bairns for she would surely lose…”
“Tis enough, Elspet,” Aiden sternly interrupted. “That lass will be goin’ with me when I leave here to return to my own keep. So ye better be gettin’ used to seein’ her around.” Then he stepped away from her. “Now if ye’ll excuse me.” He left Elspet gaping at his statement and ducked under the rose trellis gateway and into the garden.
Elspet crossed her arms and glared at the woman sitting on the bench in the middle of the garden. She’d loved Aiden ever since they were children. She had to find a way to get him to marry her. One way or another, Aiden would be hers.
“Well now, lass, if ye sit here in the sun much longer, ye’ll be as red as the roses yer sittin’ amidst,” Aiden said as he approached Jaedin.
Her Noble Destiny Page 3
