To Have and to Trust (Heart of a Highlander Collection Book 1)

by Allie Palomino

  Andie looked somewhat relieved to hear that. “I had no top on, Greida. My skirt rode high upon my thigh.”

  “Lie back and I shall examine ye.”

  “What will ye check for?” Andie asked, as she lay backwards.

  “Well, if there was a struggle, ye may be tender and may have blood.”

  Greida examined her and gave a small nod to herself, asking Andie to sit up again. She gave Andie a knowing look.

  “Andie, it doesna seem as if ye were violated, for surely ye would have been bleeding, or,” Greida said with a slight clearing of her throat, “the mon would have left his seed behind. But I know that ye have lain before.”

  Andie grew pink and nodded. Greida reached out, cupped Andie’s hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze.

  “I know, Andie, and I willna mention anything.”

  “How do ye know?” she asked, confused. How would Greida know it was Gavin whom Andie had lain with?

  “I’m a seer, like Althor. I know,” she said, and patted Andie’s hand.

  “Thank ye, Greida.”

  Greida turned back to look at her from the door. “I’ll have a light tonic brought to ye to ease yer stomach, Andie. It’ll take a little time before ye start to feel better.”

  Andie nodded and saw her exit her room.

  “Is she ill?” Bryce asked once Greida stepped out of the chamber.

  “Nay, she’ll be getting better. I’ll send a tonic up. She may have been given a root that makes one drowsy. The problem was, that she was given too much of it. Anymore of it and she would have died, though ‘twas not poison. She hasna been misused, thank the Lord,” Greida said. They all looked relieved. She looked over to Gavin and said, “Laird, may I speak with ye for a moment?”

  Gavin nodded and walked with her. Once they were out of hearing, Greida stopped and turned to him.

  “She’s nay innocent, Gavin,” she said, her eyes looking at him closely.

  “She’s no harlot,” he said harshly.

  “I didna accuse her of being one, for despite her lost maidenhead, she is still verra innocent. I’m simply telling ye, Laird, that ye must nay use her. She isna a wench to tup and leave. She isna Sarah.”

  Gavin’s eyes blazed. “I know she isna.”

  “Nay? I know how ye reacted when ye found her in the stables. Bared breasts, her skirt up. Aye, Laird, I know well how ye must have reacted.”

  “Greida, doona lecture me. Between ye and Althor, I’ll go insane.”

  “Verra well, Laird, I’ve said my piece. But take my advice, doona mistreat her. She doesna deserve it and it will lead to heartache. Plenty of it,” she said and walked away.

  Gavin stood there for a second, cursing the damned seers and their cryptic messages. Speaking of messages, he walked over to Charlie.

  “Who gave ye that message?” Gavin’s gaze was unblinking as he waited for Charlie to answer.

  “I told ye, Laird, I couldna see the mon.”

  “What did he say then?”

  “His voice was low and he said to give ye the message. Before I could question him, he ran away.”

  “Were ye alone?”

  “Aye, Laird.”

  Gavin’s eyes glowed and Charlie looked at them warily.

  “I’ll bid ye g’night, then. If anything should come to mind that ye’ve nay said to me, let me know. Is that clear?” Gavin eyed Charlie coolly.

  “Aye, Laird, I will.”

  “Gavin, I have one concern,” Bryce said.

  “Yes?”

  “What if there’s an attempt on her life? The message was from Alistair,” Bryce said, confident of his conclusion.

  Gavin nodded, not doubting Bryce’s conclusion, either. The same concern weighed on his mind as well.

  “I thought the same, Bryce.”

  “Laird, with all respect to ye, I think there may be a traitor here.”

  Althor’s words came back to him.

  There is a traitor in the midst. Ye better nay hide yer head in the sand. Doona ignore anything. Who ye think is yer foe, isna, and the one who should be friend, isna.

  Could the old seer be right?

  “I agree with ye, Bryce, but I doona think that whatever foe lies here, is planning to kill Andie. If he wanted to, he would’ve, for the root could have been easily replaced with another deadlier one. Nay, it seems as if Alistair’s spy wants to discredit Andie in my and my clan’s eyes.”

  Bryce nodded. “I canna let anything happen to her, Gavin. I promised Andrew. She was his favorite daughter, though he loved all his children. Andie was always special, always good and honest, giving and caring. And,” he said, smiling, “had enough will and strife to learn swordplay and arrows. I would be a failure if I were to let something happen to her.”

  Gavin nodded, seeing the earnestness in Bryce’s face. He himself felt shame for having thought the worst of Andie.

  “She will be safe, Bryce. That I vow.”

  Bryce looked at the conviction obvious on Gavin’s face, and was pleased.

  “One last thing, Laird.”

  Gavin nodded.

  “I have my daughter in hiding. She is a year younger than Andie and is my only offspring. Her mother died many years ago. I worry about keeping her away from my line of vision, and the protection of my sword. Originally, I thought to keep her away until this cleared, but seeing as how we doona know when we can retake Alistair, I-”

  “Say no more, Bryce. Take as many men as ye need to fetch her. Bring her here. Having Riley, I can understand yer wish to keep yer daughter near ye.”

  “Thank ye, Gavin. I’ll leave tomorrow, then. Tell Andie, should she ask, and please, keep her safe while I’m gone.”

  “Is Charlie going with ye?” Gavin asked.

  “I hadn’t thought about it, but yes, I will take him with me.”

  Gavin nodded, wished Bryce a goodnight, and left for his own room. He began to feel a little ill and ordered a bath. He couldn’t rid the chill from his body. A warm bath would do him well.

  And enough time would pass, so that he would be able to return to Andie unnoticed.

  Chapter Six

  Gavin finished his bath, but still the chill remained in his bones. He sneezed three times, and cursed twice, before leaving his room. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he made his way to Andie’s room.

  She should’ve had a bath by now and was probably sleeping. He needed to see her, to make sure she was safe and well.

  He entered her room and he saw her eyes wide, gripping the covers below her chin. Her white knuckles over the gripped sheets told him she was terrified.

  He stopped a shiver from visibly manifesting itself. “It’s me lass. Are ye well?” he asked, his pale eyes scanning her face in concern.

  She nodded but her eyes told a different story. He walked towards her and sat on the bed. He opened his arms and she hurried into them. He felt her shivers and began stroking her hair.

  “I doona know what happened, Gavin. I’ve lost so much time!” she moved back to stare into his eyes. His were dimmer than usual.

  “Gavin, are ye feeling all right?” she asked, looking at his pale face. She felt him shiver, but she saw beads of sweat on his pale forehead. “Gavin, come, let’s go to yer room now,” she said and her honeyed eyes showed concern.

  He shook his head, hearing echoes of her voice reverberate through his brain. “Nay, I’m fine.”

  He shivered.

  “Yer sick!” she accused as if the thought was loathsome.

  “I never get sick, lass,” he said, softly.

  Her mouth gaped open. Had he been feeling normal, he would have hissed that remark. Nay, he was sick. She took his hand, forgetting about her own predicament. Greida’s potion was working slowly, but thankfully, she was feeling a bit better.

  “Come, Gavin. Let me take ye to yer room.”

  His dim eyes remained on her for a long moment and he shivered again. “If it makes ye feel better, lass.”

  Her worry grew when he
so easily acquiesced. Her hand shot out and landed on his forehead.

  “Lord above, Gavin, ye’re hotter than summer’s day!”

  He shrugged and his eyes were glassy. “It was raining tonight.”

  “And ye were trying to find me,” she said, understanding. “Gavin, let’s get ye to bed.”

  He slowly rose to his feet and stumbled. She tried to keep him up, but Lord, he weighed more than a warhorse. She gasped, heaved in a long breath, and helped him walk. Once at his door, he just stared at it, as if transfixed. She blew her breath into her face and tried to reach for it.

  “Damn it,” she cursed. “Blasted door!”

  “Ye know, lass, ye need to stop cursing so. Yer curses would put my men’s to shame,” he said, looking down at her.

  She looked up at him annoyed, struggling under his weight. Her annoyance faded quickly when she saw his dimming eyes. “Reach and open the door, Gavin. I need yer help,” she said, struggling with his weight.

  He looked at the door curiously as if trying to figure out how to open it. Finally, he reached out his and opened the door.

  “Come on, Gavin, walk with me,” she said, struggling.

  Gabriel was walking down the corridor and saw them.

  “Lord, Gavin, what happened?”

  Gavin looked over to him with a bemused expression on his face.

  “Walking, what does it look like, Brother?” Gavin mocked.

  Andie shook her head. Gabriel rushed over, and beared Gavin’s unyielding, massive weight.

  “Ye’re ill, Gavin,” Gabriel said.

  “Andie accused me of much the same thing, but do tell her Gabriel, and well ye should know, that the Dark Wolf never falls ill,” Gavin said, jovially.

  “Did ye have spirits, Gavin?” Gabriel asked, looking over at Andie.

  “I may have, to dispel some of the chill in my bones.”

  “His skin feels as if a strong fever grips him. We must find Althor or Greida,” Andie said, as she watched Gabriel drop his brother into the bed.

  “I’m nay a helpless swine, and I’ve told ye I never fall ill, so be gone both of ye.”

  “I’ll stay, Gabriel.”

  He nodded and rushed to seek the help of one of the healers.

  “Ye can leave, young Andie. I’ve nay need for ye, unless there are other services of which ye seek to give me,” he said, giving her a slow smile.

  She blushed and he laughed.

  “Come here, and let me show ye how well I am.” He bounced his eyebrows mockingly. “My parts are still in working order.”

  “Nay, Gavin! Ye burn with fever. Get down!”

  After what seemed like an hour warding off his advances, Greida came in with Althor behind her.

  “Alright, Laird, lie back,” Greida ordered in a no-nonsense voice. They felt his forehead and immediately grew pensive.

  “Oh, send for ye, did they? I’ll nay be coddled like a lad of nine summers!” swatting their hands away.

  Althor and Greida stood over him and began strumming out possible remedies. All Gavin heard was buzzing in his ears.

  “Why are ye humming!”

  They looked at him confused, but said nothing to him, continuing to discuss his treatment. Greida left to get the herbs and Althor remained, staring down at the red-faced laird.

  “I’ve had it with this. OUT!” he yelled.

  Andie rushed over to his side and caught his hand.

  “Gavin! Do ye wish to wake the castle? What about Riley? Calm yerself.” She rubbed his hand.

  He looked down at their joined hands and then to her eyes. Whatever he saw there, made him calm and silent. Still, his eyes were brooding and growing seriously dim.

  Greida came in with a tray of herbs and some tea.

  “Now, Laird, drink this.”

  He made a movement meant to knock the tea away, but she hastily drew back to avoid the spillage.

  “Honestly, Gavin, ye behave worse than Riley. ‘Tis nay example ye make for him to follow.” Exasperation was evident in Greida’s tone.

  “He’s nay around, is he?” Gavin retorted irritably.

  “Gavin, will ye please drink this? Ye’ve a fever,” Andie said, as he turned his head to her. He studied her for a close moment. “Please.”

  After a last perusal over her worried face, he nodded and accepted the tea from Greida.

  “Ye’ll need to have someone rub this liniment over yer skin. It helps to keep the skin cool above the fever,” Greida instructed. “I can stay if ye wish, Laird.”

  Andie saw the dark circles under Greida’s eyes. She knew the healer had spent two nights in a row delivering babies.

  “I’ll stay, Greida. Ye need the sleep,” Andie volunteered.

  It was no shock to Althor, Greida, or Gabriel for her to offer, for each of them knew about the relations between Andie and Gavin. Anyone else would have disapproved.

  Gavin finished drinking the brew and his eyes began closing despite his efforts to keep them open.

  “Whatiye put-t-t in thee-er, Greida?” he slurred, but before he received an answer, he was asleep.

  “That was a verra strong brew, nay for the light of heart. He’s a big mon, and needed a triple dosing of the herbs.”

  Andie looked over to him, worry etched across her face. She grabbed his massive hand with both of her small ones and rubbed them.

  “He’s so hot!”

  “He’ll be fine, dear. It was awfully nice to volunteer, but are ye sure ye want to remain with him all night? Ye were verra ill.”

  “Aye, Greida, I’m nay tired. I’ll be fine,” she reassured her.

  “Ye’ll call on me if ye need anything, or if he worsens?”

  “Aye, I will.”

  They turned to leave. Althor turned back and said in his intuitive way, “We’ll hear from ye soon, lass.”

  With that said, they closed the door. Andie, peeved at Althor’s cryptic remark, grabbed the liniment.

  She began to gently apply it to Gavin’s skin.

  “Greida. He’s nay better!” Andie said anxiously, as Greida entered the room to check on Gavin. It had been a full day later, and Gavin seemed worse. Andie had sent for the healer.

  “Calm, lass. To be a good healer, ye must be calm and patient.” She walked over to Gavin and felt his forehead.

  “Try and get this tea through his lips, and keep applying the liniment. The fever must run its course.”

  Andie nodded, taking the tea. Greida left the room, leaving behind the young lass worrying over her lover.

  The following day proved to be no better. Gavin still slept like the dead, his fever never breaking. Andie grew anxious. His face was red, and his lips were chapped and dry. Tears of frustration began to come forth. She hastily wiped them away as Greida came in.

  “No better?” she asked Andie, and Andie, unable to speak, shook her head.

  “Has he awakened at all?”

  “Nay,” Andie said, her voice thick and low. That’s what worried her the most. “I’ve been up all this time, and he hasna so much as opened an eye.”

  She studied Andie’s face and knew that she had not slept a wink. A look of worry crossed the healer’s face.

  “What is it, Greida? Will he nay make it?”

  “Doona fret, lassie. We’ll cure him. I’ll bring up some more herbs. I’ll return in but a moment.”

  “Mayhap ‘tis best to nay put any sleeping herbs, Greida, so that he’ll awake,” Andie asked, hopeful.

  Greida turned from the door to look at Andie. A look of concern etched her wrinkling face.

  “I havena been, lass.”

  Still another day passed and Gavin remained much the same. It was apparent that Greida, although she didn’t voice her doubt, believed that Gavin would fair no better. She clucked sadly, commenting on the bad illness of the young laird. Andie grew fretful. Everyone, it seemed, believed that Gavin would perish. The sad faces of those who came in made her angry.

  How dare they bury him in their
minds so soon? As if his last breath were forthcoming any moment!

  Andie dozed off, and came abruptly awake, sticking an instinctual hand out to feel his forehead. The fever burned like fire, and her heart skipped beats with worry.

  There was nothing more to be done. A bath with cool water was brought up. Gabriel helped to place Gavin in the tub. Andie insisted on bathing him, though.

  The bath didn’t help.

  By the fourth day, Andie was beyond consoling. She refused to eat anything, not that she had been eating since he’d caught fever. She had barely ten hours of sleep within those days, and was edgy. And very worried.

  It was that night when her worry reached its peak. She had been dozing and awoke suddenly with a sharp inhale. Confused at what had caused the sudden odd reaction, her eyes searched for Gavin, berating herself for falling asleep again.

  Her heart stopped when she looked over to him. He was awake.

  And his now dark eyes were staring at her.

  And he wasn’t happy to see her.

  “Gavin?” she asked tentatively.

  “What are ye doing here?” he asked coldly. He watched her like a wolf watched his prey. It was unnerving.

  “I’ve been here for four days now. Ye’ve had a fever,” she said, nervously. He had a cold, loathsome look on his face. It made her shiver.

  “Get out.”

  The chill in his voice brought about another shiver.

  Andie hastily stretched a hand out to him to gauge his fever and gasped. His fever had worsened, if that was possible.

  “Doona touch me, whore!”

  Beads of sweat were on his forehead and he shivered as if cold.

  “Gavin, ye burn with fever. Doona upset yerself. Drink some of this barley broth.”

  “Damn ye, get out. Ye bloody whore! Ye sleep with more than half of my men, think ye I doona know?”

  Although she knew it was the fever talking, it didn’t make Andie feel any better. It hurt her to hear him call her so.

  “I havena, Gavin. I was a virgin with ye. Ye were my first. Ye’re my only.”

  “Oh, please, doona pretend. We both know ye werena a virgin. ‘Tis doubtful ye’d been one after yer twelfth birthday!”