“I stitched her. The bullet skimmed her temple. I think it may have also cracked her skull slightly, although there is no way to know. But it looks like no permanent damage was done.”
Finlay dabbed just under her wound, scrutinizing it. She imagined it was hard to see with the remnants of the blood that were yet to be washed away and had matted in her hair. Och, she must look awful.
She didn’t know what to say but was saved by the physician’s wife zipping back into the room. “This is a tincture that will help with the pain. Only a spoonful when you need it because it will put you to sleep. I suggest you go home, get cleaned up, use it, then take a nice long nap.”
“Thank ye.”
The woman held up a second bottle. “This one is a salve to protect the injury spot. Clean the area twice a day and then apply this.” Finlay took the vials and inspected them.
Moments later, he scooped her into his arms and carried her through the door. “We need to talk about what happened, but I want ye to get some rest first.”
All she could do was nod. Pain and fear mixed in a dizzying wave as they spiraled out of control.
Brodie and Jenny were waiting with the horses. Once Finlay was mounted, Brodie hoisted her up to join her husband.
Laying the uninjured side of her head to his chest, she was relieved that he didn’t push her away. An arm coiled around her waist, drawing her closer to him. It was warm and reassuring. She wanted to savor the feel of him while she had the chance, so she remained quiet for the short return ride.
Once back at Catriona House, Finlay carried her to their room. They passed many concerned faces along the way, but he didn’t stop. She heard him instruct Jenny to have a bath made for her. Why was he taking such care?
In the room, he sat on the bed without letting go of her. Being in his arms felt so right, but unbearable at the same time. She finally couldn’t take it any longer. “Are ye sending me away?” Her eyes stung, but she wasn’t going to cry again.
“Nae, ye are no’ going anywhere, wife. I may no’ let ye out of my sight for years.” He placed his lips gently on the uninjured side of her head.
Servants poured in, carrying buckets of water while Finlay continued to hold her.
The door closed behind the servants, and Finlay’s hands drifted down, starting to work at the laces on her ruined gown.
“I…” she started to protest.
“We just need to get ye cleaned up. I have to ken how bad it truly is.”
Moments later, she was in the tub, and Finlay stepped out onto the balcony as she bathed. Once she was cleaned, she joined him. She sighed as she looked over the fields, the scent and sight of the lavender calming her.
“We have to leave tomorrow,” he said, his fists clenched. “I wouldnae ask it of ye, but the king has demanded. Will ye be all right for the journey back to Scotland?”
“I think I will be all right.”
He studied her from head to toe. “We will go slow if we need to.” His fingers came up to caress just under her injury, the touch sending gentle waves of relaxation over her. “We have to talk about what ye said.”
“What did I say?” She struggled to remember.
“Right before ye almost got yerself killed.” Och, that. She’d meant it, but now, in such an intimate setting where he could deny her, fear washed over her.
“Did ye mean it?”
“Aye. I wouldnae have said it otherwise. And I thought ’twould be the only time I’d ever get to tell ye.”
“Tell me now.”
Her heart skittered, and she gulped, ready to confess yet again that she had fallen for her husband. “I love ye.” While whispering the words softly, a dam of emotions released. Happiness washed over her at the thought that he wanted to hear her say it.
“Say it again.” His breath quickened.
“I love ye.” With every part of her soul she meant it.
He drew her in, and his head dipped to her mouth, claiming it in a long, slow, soul-stirring kiss that left no doubt he felt the same. And she realized she had more than she’d ever wanted—a husband who trusted her as a partner, and one who had awoken feelings in her that spoke to her very soul.
Pulling back, his mesmerizing gaze held hers for just a moment, before saying, “And I love ye, wife.”
…
As they sat down to a meal which had been brought up to their chamber, Finlay cleared his throat. “Is something troubling ye?”
“They are cheating ye.”
“Who?”
“Yer brothers.”
“What do ye mean?” He took her hand and held it on the table between them.
“Yer account book is written in code. I deciphered it, but when ye get to the numbers, they are all wrong. They kenned numbers and letters were hard for ye and purposely made it almost impossible to decipher. I’m so sorry that they were cruel to ye. Brothers should never do that.”
He’d suspected the books had been altered, but now he knew the truth, because he’d had an opportunity to slip down and speak with his father while Blair napped. “’Twas Prudence and Mr. Gerrick.” The Cameron men had detained Bruce and her, but he hadn’t had an opportunity to question her yet about where the ledgers were.
They were out even now looking for the estate manager. His stomach flipped as he wondered what the pair had been up to and how it had led to assaulting one of his men and setting his stables on fire.
“Why would they do such a thing?”
“I dinnae ken. ’Twas more important that I see to ye. But I’m sure Father and the Camerons have pried answers from her.”
“I’m so sorry, but ’tis good news yer brothers were no’ behind it.”
“Aye.” Finlay’s thumb caressed the top of Blair’s hand.
Then, it dawned on him. She had discovered his secret shame and didn’t care—she had not held it against him. A dam broke inside, and his eyes stung. Blair loved him despite his deficiency, and she had done all she could to help him. She wanted to help him.
“Ye paid four times more than ye should have for grain, and I cannae find evidence ’twas ever delivered. There is a charge for repairs to the stable that never happened. Jenny’s boys can attest to that.” She bit her lip as if she thought he’d be angry with her over the revelations. She kept going. “I sent for the estate manager to have him answer for his deceptions, but he cannae be found. My guess is he never will be, so I reached out to yer father’s solicitor. All transactions will now go through me.”
“Please forgive me for rushing into that before ye were able to return, but I didnae want the crook to be able to take advantage of ye and ruin Catriona House. I’ve destroyed his credibility with the villagers. Fortunately, I have found ye still had enough to pay for the repairs we’ve managed. The good news is not only can ye make this place magnificent again, but it can be profitable.”
He wanted to speak, to say thank you, but he was choked with pride and relief.
Blair continued, “Ye have several fields no’ in use, and I’ve contacted a perfume maker about what flowers are in demand. He would be willing to purchase more lavender. If ye are agreeable to the deal, the new gardener has experience in growing some of them, and along with the lavender, ye can turn a profit even higher than the allowance ye receive from Dwight.”
How had he found this woman? Not only had she saved him from his solitude, but she had discovered a way to make him independent. Thomas would cut him off when he inherited their father’s title, but Finlay had planned to live in Scotland, because he would no longer have ties to England. However, once the earl had given him this place, he’d seen only failure in his future.
Now there was a light, and she had blond hair and blue eyes and made his heart thump with an optimism that had once eluded him.
“Well, say something.”
How could he say what he was feeling? How could he tell her she’d given him hope that he’d not had since he was a child? That she had made the world a brighter place f
or him and that there was more than only duty to a king and a laird. There was love for this woman.
He rose and drew her up to his side, then he kissed her slowly, savoring the feel of her lips. When he pulled back, he said, “Ye are amazing.”
“Ye arenae mad at me.”
“Nae, never. Ye can manage the books all ye like.” Her sapphire eyes sparkled, and he continued, “Thank ye for giving me hope. Something I havenae had for a very long time.”
“Thank ye for letting me be yer partner.”
Epilogue
Middlesbrough, England April 1644
Catriona House
Finlay and Blair sat together behind his large desk going through the account books that had been found among Prudence’s belongings. They had been delivered to Catriona House by his brother. His father had sent a letter to Scotland to inform them Prudence and Mr. Gerrick, who had been located shortly after their departure, had been taken into custody by the king. They were to be charged with treason.
Apparently, Prudence had tricked Caldwell into marriage after sleeping with him, then telling him she was carrying his child. Shortly after she lost the baby, now resulting in suspicion as to whether she’d ever been with child. She had schemed to steal the earl’s and his sons’ fortunes. A Protestant with allegiance to Parliament, she’d seen Finlay’s family, staunch Royalists, as an easy way to funnel money to her cause.
When they’d returned to Cameron lands, Finlay had taken Blair to meet his mother, and the two bonded straight away. It was a joy to see his wife happy in both of his worlds. Tristan, Seamus, and Robbie joined them again on this recent journey back to England, Brodie and Alan wishing to stay at home with their wives.
Robbie had returned in hopes of another visit with his family while in England, but upon their arrival, they received word the queen was being forced to flee Oxford. As soon as they had heard, he and the Cameron men had immediately set out for Exeter, the pregnant queen’s destination.
Shortly after their arrival, Blair was inspecting the ledgers. She had already set out a plan with his allowance, and preparations for making the estate profitable were well under way.
Andrew knocked at the door and announced, “The Earl of Middlesbrough to see you, my lord.”
Jumping up and running for the door, Blair hugged his father when he entered. “Och, I have a surprise for ye. Dinnae go anywhere while I go find it.”
“Lovely to see you as well.” His father chuckled as his excited wife bounded from the room.
“Father, glad ye were able to make it.”
“Bruce Graham has been convicted of attempted murder. He also confessed to planting the rock on your horse. Thankfully, you and Blair will never have to see that man again.”
“That is good news.”
“I also have disturbing news. The bow you found from the attack in the marketplace did not belong to him. Bruce had spotted your wife, chased her, and then retreated when he saw she’d come back around to you. Are you sure you were the intended target in that attack?”
Thinking back, Finlay remembered who was next to him. “Robbie.” He scratched his head. Had someone discovered the lad’s identity and tried to murder him? “It must have been meant for Robbie. I’ll have to let the Cameron laird ken there is a possible threat.”
“I have other news as well.”
“Aye?”
“Your brothers will be paying a call on you and Blair tomorrow to offer their apologies. I assure you, we have had some frank discussions lately, and they will be well behaved from now on.”
“Thank ye.” He’d had a talk with his brothers before returning to Scotland. And although their relationship was still strained, he’d discovered they only stopped talking to him after he’d shut them out. It had happened on that day long ago when his mother-in-law’s tutor destroyed his self-esteem. They were most likely unaware of the humiliation that had plagued him for years. He’d only imagined at the time they were jeering at him. “How is Caldwell?”
“He is managing. Prudence passed from the plague that was infiltrating the king’s camp at Oxford.”
Silence extended a few moments as the earl pursed his lips, and Finlay glanced down at the desk, taking in the news. His heart ached that his brother had not been as lucky in marriage as he.
Taking a deep breath, he said, “I look forward to mending my relationship with my brothers. I think with Blair’s help that will happen.”
A knock sounded at the door, and Blair peeked her head in. “Are ye ready?”
The earl laughed and shook his head as she inched in from the hall. Before his father could answer, his wife pushed the door wide, stepped aside, and gave his father the first view the earl had had of his mother in years.
Later, after they’d made love and snuggled in for the night, Finlay placed his hand on his wife’s expanding belly and gave her a soft kiss on the lips.
“I am the luckiest man in all of Scotland and England.”
“I think yer father would disagree with ye right now.”
He smiled. The pair had retreated to the drawing room after dinner and had been inseparable. Blair and he had given them their space to get to know each other again.
Smiling, he thought of all his wife had accomplished. Saving him, this house, his parents, and now preparing to bring their child into the world. His fingers traced the scar that ran along her temple, the reminder she had been willing to give her life for his. He would do the same.
The mark was also a reminder that he’d almost lost her. Every morning and night, he kissed it and thanked God she was still with him. He kissed the still pink line. She sighed, nuzzling against him. And he knew that no matter where they were, be it in England or Scotland, she would always be his salvation.
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Acknowledgments
Special thanks to:
Robin Haseltine, for her guidance and diligent attention to detail, her continued faith in me, and all the hard work and time she has dedicated to making the Highland Pride series the best it can be. She is a truly gifted editor.
Jessica Watterson, who will drop other things to have wine and cheese with me. She has been my advocate and sounding board. Fate found a way to bring us together, despite my poor choice in footwear, and I will be forever grateful she is my agent.
My best friend, my husband, for his love, support, and for understanding when the story calls and I forget what we’re talking about, that I still love him and he will always be my real-life hero.
My kids and my parents, Jo Ann and David Bailey, for encouraging me and being proud of what I do.
Eliza Knight and Madeline Martin, for keeping me motivated and sane. I treasure our special bond and how we support each other every day.
My writing tribe for sharing their enthusiasm, love of the craft, and wisdom along with keeping me motivated and on track. I will always be eternally grateful to: Michele Sandiford, Harper Kincaid, Denny S. Bryce, Jennifer McKeone, Nadine Monaco, Keely Thrall, Gabriel Ross, Jessica Snyder, and everyone in WRWDC.
And as always, for you, the reader, who picked up this book and gave me a chance to share a piece of my heart.
About the Author
Lori Ann Bailey is a lover of wine, country music, and chocolate. When she was around ten, she dreamed of becoming a country singer. She even penned her own song, but her brothers soon informed her that she didn’t possess the vocal range to follow that dream. Eventually, she entered the business world where she worked as an assistant buyer before becoming a stay-at-home mom. In order to meet people when she moved to a new neighborhood, she joined two book clubs.
When she picked up that first book, something unexpected happened. She was hooked. Lori started reading for pleasure, only to discover she’d always had her own private reality dancing in her head. After convincing her husband
to purchase a laptop, she began typing the bedtime tales she’d told herself since childhood. Now she writes novels to tell others her stories, just as she had in the song she’d written so many years earlier.
Winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award and Holt Medallion for Best First Book and Best Historical, Lori writes hunky Highland heroes and strong-willed independent lasses finding their perfect matches in the Highlands of 17th century Scotland.
She has served two years as the Washington DC Romance Writers Program Director and is currently on her second stint of service to Romance Writers of America as a member of the National Workshop Committee. She’s also a founding member of the blog RomanceontheRocks.com and a contributor to the podcast, History, Books, and Wine.
After growing up and attending college in Mississippi, she lived in Ohio, Manhattan, and London, but chose to settle in Vienna, VA with her husband and four children. When not writing or reading, Lori enjoys time with her real-life hero and four kids or spending time walking or drinking wine with her friends.
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Don’t miss the Highland Pride series…
Highland Deception
Highland Redemption
Highland Temptation
Discover more historical romance…
The Madness of Miss Grey
a novel by Julia Bennet
All of society believes former actress Helen Grey to be mad, but after a decade imprisoned in a crumbling Yorkshire asylum, she’s managed to cling to sanity. When a new doctor arrives, Dr. William Carter, she finally sees an opportunity for freedom. Helen and Will need to work together if she’s ever going to be free. It won’t be easy, not when her mysterious benefactor is determined to keep her locked up and hidden from society forever. When Helen is entangled in her own trap and begins to fall for Will too, she must fight not only for her liberty but for her right to love.
Highland Salvation (Highland Pride) Page 23
