She was also amused. A big smile split those full, dark lips. “No, you silly.”
It was her! The girl from the woods. Rubina, duke's daughter. He flushed, instantly shamed. She thought he was amusing!
“Oh. Well, It pains me as if I was,” he muttered.
The girl's face fell and he instantly felt guilty.
“Oh, you poor man,” she murmured sympathetically. “I can give you more sleeping draft? If it'd help?”
He shook his head. The last thing he wanted was to sleep. Shaking his head hurt, the act twisting his torso slightly to the right. He groaned.
“Not...needed. Fine. Ow,” he added. This last was because she gently touched his side.
She nodded. “It's bad. Swollen. I think one rib is broken, the other just cracked. We've strapped them. But you shouldn't move for a few days...”
Camden frowned. “We?”
“Father Murdoch and I,” Rubina explained quickly. He stared.
“You strapped them.”
She raised a brow in mild inquiry. “Yes. Why's that odd?”
He laughed. It made a spasm of agony shoot through him and he stopped laughing quickly. He looked up at her face. She looked, if anything, mildly confused.
“What?”
He shook his head. Made himself stop smiling. The idea of the daughter of one of the most powerful men strapping his ribs made him at once amused and mortified. Why would she do such a thing? Then a thought occurred to him. If she'd strapped his ribs, that meant she'd seen him naked! At least to the waist. He flushed scarlet.
“My lady...could I go?” His first inclination was to escape. The thought of her having seen his body, laced with scars of battle, lean from practice fighting, made him at once acutely embarrassed and aroused.
And I'd be better off if she knew neither.
She made a little “o” of surprise, which made his loins throb. He closed his weary eyes, seeking escape from the dual torment – of his ribs and of his need.
“You should stay abed,” she said firmly. “Father Murdoch agrees too. And if you try and get out of that bed, I shall summon him.”
Camden chuckled, a wheezy laugh that managed not to hurt his chest overly. “I'll no' move,” he promised.
“Good.”
Her eyes met his and sparkled mischievously. He was surprised. He felt his own lips lift in a grin. Then his heart sank.
She sees you as some sort of project, most likes. A lass like her would never see a man like you differently than that.
He closed his eyes, knowing he should get rid of her as quickly as possible. “My lady?”
“Yes?”
“I should sleep.”
She bit her lip, that same gesture he recalled from the forest, that wintry day. He felt his body respond and wished it wouldn't. Wretched thing.
“Yes, indeed,” she said solemnly. “I'll go.”
“Wait,” he said, and then wanted to swear aloud. Whist! Why had he called her back, when he should really have let her leave?
“Yes?”
She waited tremulously by the bedside. When she was standing, he couldn't help his whole body throbbing. She was so beautiful. She had full breasts, a shapely body beneath the red dress she wore. Her hair made flames on her shoulders, mixing with the red fur trim of the brown cape. She was so, so lovely. He tore his eyes away from her white cleavage. He would give anything to tear the dress from her body and push her back onto the bed, kissing her.
“I...um, nothing,” he mumbled.
She sighed. “I should go.”
Just then, they were interrupted by a voice from outside.
“My lady?”
“Oh! He's awake. Look!” she called happily.
A tall, gaunt-faced man with white hair appeared in the shadow behind her. He was wearing a long white robe and he realized he was a Benedictine priest. This must be the man who helped fix him up.
“He is, daughter,” the priest said gravely. “Praise be.” He closed his eyes solemnly. Rubina nodded.
“Indeed, Father. He's much better.”
Camden watched the two of them as they bent toward each other to discuss his after-care. He was amused. They started talking animatedly as if he wasn't there.
“I think he'd do best to stay in the infirmary for two days,” the Benedictine said.
“Yes, Father. And when he's ready to be moved, he shouldn't leave the castle.”
“No,” the man nodded solemnly. “We will have to make arrangements for him to be housed here. The knight's hostel is ideal.”
“Indeed.”
Camden was surprised. Here he was, expecting to enter a joust, perhaps win money – or some fame – and then return home. Now he found himself staying at the palace? The idea was appealing. Nearer to her.
He closed his eyes, groaning as his body reacted to the idea of being near Rubina. Not that he'd actually have another chance to talk to her, probably. Yet he'd see her.
That would be enough.
The two who stood at the end of his bed discussing him evidently took his groan to heart.
“Oh!” Rubina was there instantly. “Is it worsening?”
The priest stroked his chin. “He should sit up a little. Being on his back will cause fluid to pool on his chest. Move that pillow, will you, milady?”
“Of course.” She moved at once, her smooth, pale arm just contacting Camden's nose as she bent over to move the pillow. He gritted his teeth, trying not to respond to the urgent lust. He could smell rosewater and strewing-herbs and her skin felt like satin. He wanted her so much.
“There,” the priest nodded, dragging him up the bed with a firm grip on his shoulders that was surprisingly strong. Camden found himself seated, his back leaning onto bolsters.
“Well,” he said, speaking softly because inhaling too much hurt his ribs, “I should thank you both.”
The priest shook his head. “It is my duty to the Lord,” he said. “I do it gladly.”
Camden felt his eyes flutter to Rubina, and the priest smiled.
“My lady is a skilled nurse,” he said. “I found that out years ago. Yes, it's unconventional to have her here in the infirmary,” he added with a smile to Rubina. Rubina blushed.
“Father Murdoch is too kind,” she said.
Camden raised a brow. He would have given almost anything to be able to make her blush like that. He would have given almost anything to be able to have the easy conversation the priest just had with her. Being a member of the Church, however, especially an abbot or a bishop or suchlike transcended secular rank. He himself was stuck at being a mere knight.
Until I become a mere baron. Not much prospect, is it?
He chuckled grimly and the chuckle turned into a cough. The priest looked grave.
“We should leave the patient, my lady,” he said. “He needs his rest. Too much excitement will prove his downfall.”
Camden bit his lip so the priest wouldn't notice his amusement. Too much excitement. He couldn't have said fairer than that.
“Very well,” the lass said. She looked concerned, those brown eyes soft. Camden forced his face into a pattern of aloof neutrality.
“I should rest.”
She nodded. “Goodnight.”
Camden wanted to reply, but he knew it was better if he kept himself to himself. The girl was too kind to him. He did not want to encourage it. Worse, he didn't want her pity! He huffed and shifted on the pillows, trying to get comfortable despite injuries.
“Should you wake during the night,” the priest said distantly, “summon Brother Alec. He'll be here keeping an eye out for our patients.”
“Thank you, Father. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, my son.”
As the old priest walked out, Camden noticed Rubina cast a soft-eyed glance at him. He hardened his heart. He would not feel this strange, overwhelming longing for her. He wouldn't want her. More than anything, he wouldn't let himself care about her.
He heard the door sh
ut behind her. He closed his eyes and let out a slow, weary exhale.
He would try not to care about her. However, wishing she'd stayed behind a moment longer, the only moment he was likely to get, it came to his notice that he already did. It was too late.
MAKING PLANS
Laughter, soft and bright, spread out around the sunlit colonnade. Rubina sat in the shadow of a column and focused hard on her sewing.
Out in the sunshine, in the gap between the columns, five ladies played a game of quoits. They giggled and the ring as the quoits hit or missed the pole and landed, resounding, on tile, reverberated.
The noise grated on Rubina's bruised heart.
I'm being silly. Why do I care what he thinks about me? I should just forget him.
She blinked, not wanting to cry. It was ridiculous! She barely knew him! She couldn't forget that incident in the woods a few months back, and how he had come to stray into her thoughts at odd times since then. Seeing him on the tournament site had sent a thrill of shock through her. As well as something else – that intangible sensation that trembled through her whenever she saw him. She gave a sigh in brisk self-reproach.
She should be as sensible as she was years ago. She should forget all about him and focus on her distant cousin, or at least on Alexander, son of the Duke of Inverglenn. He was much more suitable.
“Come on, Ettie! You can throw better than that,” someone called out on the flagstones opposite.
Laughter followed, sweet and tremulous. Rubina looked at her sewing, feeling uncomfortable.
It wasn't just her own discomfort that preyed on her mind, but the whole court seemed plunged in an air of restless flux. There was talk of war with England everywhere. Her own parents discussed it in hushed tones, though they tried not to mention if in her earshot.
It was just tales, her mother had said once when she questioned her.
All the same, she thought sadly, the whole place was out of sorts. The sound of laughter from the courtyard sat ill, she reckoned, in this place of turmoil.
“A fine day,” a gentle voice commented beside her. Rubina jumped, pricking her finger. She put it in her mouth, tasting blood, and sucked. She'd forgotten she wasn't alone.
“Marguerite. You startled me.”
“Sorry, my dear,” Marguerite said, her soft face crinkled with concern. “What's amiss?”
Rubina shook her head and replied in a small voice. “Nothing.”
“It's something, though,” her companion insisted gently.
Rubina said nothing. Focused on the linen she held, plying her needle to make small flowers on the tapestry. She was making a panel for an altar cloth, thinking to donate it to the abbey.
“Imagine if you could go anywhere,” her companion said. “Where would you go?”
The change of subject surprised Rubina. She frowned. “I don't know,” she said after a long while. She didn't know a lot of different countries. France, mayhap – she had aunts and cousins there. England was closer, but inaccessible now. The court was full of talk of war. “Mayhap France,” she supplied thoughtfully.
Marguerite smiled. “Well, me too. Of course,” she added with a little smile. Rubina grinned. Marguerite was the daughter of a French envoy and a Scottish thane's daughter.
“Why do you ask?” she inquired, curious. The day was warm and she leaned back against the pillar, closing her eyes as the sun warmed her face. It was almost summertime now and the sun baked down.
“Well, if one is free to make one's future as one sees fit, why stop at one country?”
Rubina laughed softly. She was right. Like Rubina, Marguerite's parents had placed no strictures on her choice. Unlike Rubina, Marguerite was the youngest of five daughters and three sons, and so her parents had no reason to dictate her choices – their need of heirs and allies was readily satisfied.
“You're right,” she said.
The thought of her future led her, in an indirect way, to Sir Gray. No, Sir Camden. She had found out his name yesterday at the lists. Well, it mattered not. Whatever his name, he was denied her. First, because despite her parents' gesture, she would never humiliate them by choosing as unwisely as all that, and, second, because she was sure he had no interest in her.
I might as well move on.
“I want to flee to France,” Marguerite was saying. “On the arm of some handsome knight. It doesn't have to be Marc, of course – I'll be generous and leave him for another – but adventure, Rubina!” she sighed. “I crave adventure.”
Rubina grinned. Her friend had the dramatic French temperament. She herself was more reserved. More tedious.
“Well, you are adventurous,” she said, smiling kindly. “And I'm sure your wishes will come true. There must be many dashing Frenchmen at the court?”
Marguerite rolled her eyes and grinned. “There's one there.”
Rubina followed her gaze. She noticed two men walking in the colonnade on the opposite side to the ladies. They were coming closer. One was a tall man with heavy-lidded blue eyes that marked him out as the Frenchman. The other was a fair-haired Scottish knight.
“They're coming over. Oh....” Marguerite flushed and fanned herself. “No. Wait. Act naturally.”
Rubina bit back her smile. She couldn't help wanting to laugh. She hadn't reacted – it was Marguerite who was getting all flustered.
“My lady,” the Scottish knight said, bowing low. “Excuse us, but may we join you awhile? My lady,” he added, bowing in turn to Marguerite, who went pale. Rubina knew it was her equivalent of blushing and tried not to smile.
The men were, she supposed, trying to understand her friend's response, somewhat striking.
But neither of them is as handsome as him.
She felt a pang of wistfulness and forced it aside. Looked up at him, shading her eyes with her hand. “You may, sir,” she said, low-voiced.
The Frenchman bowed. “An honor to make your acquaintance, my ladies. I am Sir Ramon.”
He spoke in lowland Scots, which surprised both girls.
“Delighted,” Marguerite answered faintly. She spoke French. His brow went up, as did that of the Scotsman.
“My lady,” Ramon was saying. “I am astounded. You speak with the accent of my countrymen.”
Rubina grinned as Marguerite blushed.
“I am of your country, sir,” she explained. “At least by half. My father is D'anton Lemant...”
As she explained her parentage, Rubina found the Scottish knight was looking at her with a smile. She felt a brisk affront.
“Sir,” she said stiffly. “Have I done aught amusing?”
He raised a brow. “Not at all, my lady. I am honored to meet you, that is all. My companion was fortunate in his help.”
“Help?” Rubina was mystified.
“Indeed. I am told you assisted the physician...” he trailed off as Rubina felt her throat tense, and cleared it, heart thudding.
“Who is your companion?” she asked. Surely not him? He surely would scarce have mentioned me? He doesn't like me!
“Sir Camden.”
She stared. Then realized she was doing it and looked at her tapered fingers where they worked on tapestry-sewing. “Oh,” she said nonchalantly.
“Yes,” the man persisted. “He was a lucky fellow to have you to tend him.”
“I think that is impudent, Sir..?” she frowned.
“Sean, milady,” the man said briskly. “Remiss of me,” he added with a gentle frown.
“You offending the ladies again?” his Frenchman friend asked, teasingly.
“I am afraid so,” he said with a smile. “Allow me to introduce myself as Sean Watt,” he said to them both. “Son of the Baron Almswray.”
Rubina took note of the name as being someone she should probably remember for his impudence, if nothing else. As she thought it, she glanced sideways at Marguerite.
She was staring at the Scotsman with a rapt expression on her face. Rubina had to smile though she covered her lips. The man
was handsome, she had to admit, with hair a shade of wheat just paler than his eyes, which were a rich brown the color of oak-wood, recently aged. His face was strong-jawed and he had a blunt, ready air about him that spoke of confidence.
All the same, he was not as handsome as Sir Camden.
She wet dry lips, composing a question.
“Sir Sean? Your companion is feeling better?” she ventured carefully.
Sean grinned. “Hard to say. If he was let out of there, he'd be assaulting half the garrison with his practice sword out here. I think he's raring to escape his confines.”
Rubina had to laugh. “I can imagine.”
Sean nodded. “It's a funny sight. But the good Father insists. He must stay there another day.”
“Quite so,” Rubina nodded.
“I think he will want to leave soon,” Sean added. “His father will recall him to the fort. Trouble's brewing,” he added, inclining his head in the direction of the road that would, ultimately, lead them all to England.
“I see,” Rubina nodded, understanding his drift. She felt her heart tense. If Sir Camden was being called home to help his father's warlike preparations, there was a chance she'd not see him again. If his father proved right, and it came to war..? He could die.
No. She couldn't let that happen. Not before she'd seen him again.
“I think he'll not disobey the good physician's request to remain inactive,” he added, laughing.
“Good,” Rubina said in a small voice. “He should be careful. That break will heal if left to itself. If he takes overmuch action, it'll fester. And then it may never heal.”
The man inclined his head gravely. “I shall tell him, milady. Thank you for your care.”
Rubina frowned. Of course I care, she wanted to say. She knew it was impossible to admit to it.
“Please do tell him,” she said instead.
Sean nodded. He looked at the sky. Pale blue, there were some clouds floating in it where before it had been clear. “Ramon?”
“Yes, Sean?”
“We should hurry, if we want to practice. It might rain.”
“It is clear, surely?” he said, pointing up at the sky.
“The weather changes fast here,” Sean grinned.
Adventures of a Highlander Page 63