My Notorious Highlander (Highland Adventure 5)

by Sinclair, Vonda

  "Don't cry, Jessie," Torrin whispered. "Don't like it when you cry."

  She wiped her tears away. "Then you must recover quickly."

  "Don't leave me," he said.

  "I won't."

  "Ever," he added, his pain-filled gaze locked on her.

  Realizing what he was saying, she bit her lip. He was asking her to stay with him permanently. Was that what it would take to give him the strength to fight for his life? She would do anything to keep him alive.

  "I will stay with you… always," she said.

  "In truth?" He frowned, his eyes searching hers.

  "Aye. I love you," she whispered, stroking his cheek, sporting a weeks' worth of beard stubble.

  "Love you, too." He turned his head slightly and kissed her palm.

  Margie and the maid rushed into the room, one carrying a kettle of hot water and the other a tray of food.

  Flora set about making an herbal tea. While it steeped, Jessie fed Torrin a couple of spoonfuls of warm venison broth. It smelled fresh and delicious. It had been many hours since she'd eaten and she was hungry. But Torrin's well-being was far more important than her own.

  "'Tis all I can stomach," he said after another sip.

  Flora and Jessie helped him turn onto his side so they might check the wound on his back. It was healing well because it hadn't been as deep a cut.

  Once Jessie forced him to drink the tea containing the poppy, willow bark, thyme, red clover blossom and several other things, Flora bathed the wound on his thigh with hot water containing herbs over the basin. She then gently applied a poultice of plantain, red clover, comfrey and calendula to the wound and covered it with clean linen.

  A few minutes later, Torrin dropped off to sleep and his fever seemed diminished.

  "Go get yourself something to eat, m'lady," Flora whispered.

  Before Jessie could say anything, Dolina entered the room, carrying a tray filled with food. "Margie sent this up for you both."

  "Oh, I thank you," Jessie said.

  While Jessie was eating, Dirk, Keegan and Iain entered the room. "How is he?" Dirk asked, keeping his voice low.

  "Flora has attended to the wound on his thigh and given him a tea to help him sleep and recover. The cut on his back is already healing well."

  Dirk nodded, still looking worried as his gaze scanned over Torrin.

  "I'm so thankful you've all come," Iain said in a hushed tone. "I'm not a healer. I knew not what to do. I knew Flora and Lady Jessie could help him more than anyone."

  "We'll do our best," Flora said. "But he'll need a lot of prayers."

  ***

  Jessie woke up, a bit disoriented for a moment, then realized she was sitting in the padded chair by Torrin's bed. Bright morning light filtered through the two narrow windows. Her gaze darting to Torrin, she found him watching her. It had been two days since she'd arrived, and Torrin had been either sleeping or feverishly delirious most of the time.

  "I like to watch you sleep," he murmured.

  Thank the saints he was lucid and alert. "Are you feeling better?" she asked.

  "Aye."

  "Good." She stood, then sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to bump his leg, and pressed her palm to his forehead. Still a bit too warm, but his gaze was clear green, not glassy as it had been the day before. "Thank God you're improving." She smiled, a mist of happy tears burning her eyes.

  "And thank you, too." He stared at her intently, but then his stomach growled.

  She grinned. "Sounds like you're hungry."

  "Mayhap."

  At a rustling sound behind her, she turned to find Flora rising from her pallet near the fireplace. Jessie moved across the room, awoke Dolina and sent her after Torrin's breakfast, while Flora changed the poultice on his leg.

  A half hour later, Jessie fed Torrin porridge. She enjoyed the task of giving him sustenance. He had argued and insisted he was capable of feeding himself, but she refused to let him. She simply wanted to help him in any way she could.

  A knock sounded at the door. Dolina answered it, and a pretty, young, dark-haired woman entered the room, dressed as a lady rather than a servant.

  "Good morn. I'm Rhona, Nolan's wife," she told Jessie, a solemn expression on her face. "How are you feeling this morn, m'laird?" she asked Torrin, moving closer.

  "Better. This is Lady Jessie MacKay," Torrin said.

  After pleasantries were exchanged, Torrin frowned and asked, "Has anyone told you about Nolan?"

  "Aye, Sir Iain did. 'Twas one reason I wished to speak to you."

  "I wanted to tell you myself, but I was blacked out and had a fever for… I don't ken how long it has been."

  "Just over a week," Jessie said.

  "Saints! That long?" he asked.

  "I know," Rhona said. "I'm simply glad you are feeling better today. Sir Iain didn't tell me everything. When did Nolan die, and how did it happen?"

  Jessie detected no emotion or tears in the young woman's gaze, which she found interesting and unusual.

  "Several weeks ago, south of here," Torrin said. "He kidnapped Lady Isobel, and Chief MacKay killed him. 'Twas only a couple of nights after they stayed here on their journey. 'Twas a fair fight. Nolan was an outlaw."

  "Aye," Rhona said, frowning. "I knew someone would kill him."

  "When I'm up to it, some of the MacKays are going to take me to his gravesite. I ken you probably cannot go to the grave, because of wee Lainie, but we'll have a funeral for him here in the kirk."

  She nodded. "After the funeral, with your permission, I would like to take Lainie and go stay with my mother and father for a while."

  "Of course. Whatever you wish," Torrin said.

  "I'll come back later and bring Lainie to see you." She gave a hint of a smile.

  Torrin nodded. "My niece," he said to Jessie.

  She forced a tight smile and watched Rhona leave the room. Once the door was closed, Jessie gave Torrin another bite of porridge. "She did not seem terribly upset over the death of her husband."

  Torrin shook his head. "'Twas not a love match. Nolan seduced her, the daughter of a chieftain, got her with child and was forced to marry her. They were miserable together."

  "I see." Each of the young women Jessie knew either had a bairn or were expecting a bairn, even those who'd had unhappy marriages. She felt completely lacking.

  ***

  "Come, lie on the bed with me and get some sleep," Torrin said to Jessie late that night when they were alone.

  As far as he could tell, she had slept very little since she'd been here at Munrick, for every time he awoke, she was there. Thank the saints for that, but she needed rest, too.

  "Nay. Are you mad?" she asked in a loud whisper. "Someone might come in."

  Flora and the maid had moved to the small chamber next door, but 'twas possible Flora would come in and give him more herbal tea later.

  "Bar the door," he said. "That way you can open the door for them and they won't see us in bed together."

  "Rogue," she muttered and tried to hide her smile.

  He winked. "I promise not to molest you."

  She narrowed her eyes, giving him a mock glare, but then her smile came through. "Very well." She rose from the chair and barred the door.

  As she was walking back toward him and climbing onto the bed, excitement stampeded through him. Even though she was fully clothed and he was certainly in no condition to do anything about beautiful Jessie in his bed, 'twas still like seeing one of his dreams come true.

  He took her hand and pulled her closer.

  "I'll stay on top of the covers," she said.

  "If you insist," he whispered, wishing more than anything she was nude, but he knew he would have to save that treat for later. "Lie right next to me."

  She scooted and wiggled closer, and he put his arm around her.

  "I don't want to hurt you," she whispered.

  "You're not. Lay your head on my shoulder."

  She did, turning toward him an
d placing her hand on his chest.

  "Aye, that's it." He sighed, simply enjoying the feel of her curled next to him.

  She'd promised to stay with him forever, and he wanted to know when they could marry. But he wouldn't bring the subject up now; it might make her tense.

  "Get some sleep," he murmured and kissed her forehead.

  "Aye. You, too."

  Thanks to the herbal tea Flora had given him, he was soon asleep. When he awoke, early dawn light seeped through the windows. Jessie was still next to him, asleep. Saints, but she was lovely when she slept, and she fit perfectly in his bed.

  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?

  Chapter Eighteen

  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 walkin
g," 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."