His Highland Prize (The Clan Sinclair Book 3)

by Celeste Barclay

  “If I amnae dead, then why call me an angel?”

  “Ye be the fairest sight I have ever seen. Only heaven could have created something so lovely.” Alex could have swallowed his tongue as he listened to what he said. When the hell did I become a bluidy bard?

  Brighde was too weak to do little more than nod her head.

  “If I amnae dead, then where am I? Werenae ye the mon I met by a gate? Ye’re a Sinclair?”

  “Aye to both of yer questions. I am the mon who came to meet ye at the gate. I am Alexander Sinclair. Alex. I brought ye inside from the storm. Lass, ye have been vera poorly for nearly a moon. Do ye remember aught of what has happened?”

  Brighde shook her head, but it only made it hurt. She reached up to grasp her forehead and moaned.

  “Rest, mo aingeal. There isnae any rush to remember. We can speak more later when it is morn.”

  “Nay,” she rasped. She shook her head slightly. “Too much sleep.”

  “Ye still have a ways to go before ye are fully well. Ye still need rest.”

  “Nae more rest. Food.” Brighde could barely produce more than a whisper. Alexander struggled to hear everything that she said and had to guess a few times.

  “I will call the healer, and she can decide what ye might be able to have. Just a moment.”

  Alexander rushed into the passageway but did not have to go far before he ran into Aileen who had a fresh tincture in her hands.

  “She’s awake, Aileen. She’s spoken to me and made sense.”

  Alex turned around and returned to his chamber before Aileen could respond. He resumed his seat next to Brighde. He noted that she watched keenly as he moved about the room and eyed Aileen like a hawk when she passed through the doorway.

  “Lass, we are so glad ye are awake now. We have all been vera worried about ye. How do ye feel?”

  Brighde looked first to Alexander and then to a woman whose voice she recognized but could not recollect her face. When she looked back at Alex, he nodded and encouraged her to speak by squeezing her hand. They both looked down in surprise at where their hands were joined. Neither had noticed; it just seemed natural after so many nights spent with her hand in Alex’s.

  “I feel quite a bit better, I suppose.”

  Alex’s head jerked up when he heard her speak. Not only was this the most she had said so far and her voice was growing stronger than it had been, she suddenly had a very different accent.

  “Aye. I’m vera glad to hear that. I imagine ye are more than a mite peckish after all this time. I will bring up some pottage, but ye canna have too much as first. Ye havenae had a real meal in more than a moon, so too much will make ye feel vera ill. Ye willna keep it all down if ye rush.” Aileen moved about the bedside as she checked Brighde’s head for any lingering signs of fever. She also looked at the soles of her feet. Most of the cuts had nearly healed over with only a few still having scabs.

  After Aileen left, Alex watched Brighde very closely. He was completely confused by what he heard. Her voice had not been strong when she awoke, but he was certain he heard her speak with a Scottish accent both that day and just before she collapsed in his arms. He did not have a chance to question her because Hagatha appeared with a team of women.

  “Out with ye, Alex. Ye can see she is far better than she was and probably would like to refresh herself. She canna do that with ye hovering like a mother hen.” Hagatha tugged none too gently on his leine. When he stood, she pushed him towards the door. Before leaving, he looked back over his shoulder and found Brighde watching him even with the flock of women fussing over her.

  Chapter Four

  Alexander made his way to the Great Hall for the first time in what felt like forever. He joined his father on the dais. As he looked around the clansmen and women who had bedded down for the night, he was struck with a sense of how far removed he had become from the people he had known his entire life and who he normally saw daily.

  “I hear yer lass is finally awake and nae just the hazy stare she’s had for the past sennight or so. How does she fair?”

  “I wouldnae say she is ma lass, Da. We dinna ken each other, and I dinna think she would care for that title when she isnae even sure who I am beyond ma name.” He shrugged and looked back over his shoulder to the stairs that led to his chamber. “But she is awake and speaking. She hasnae said much beyond being thirsty, hungry, feeling better, and wondering where she is. I suppose all the basics considering the situation. I dinna ken much more than that.”

  “I’d say that’s quite a good deal of information considering she hasnae spoken in over a moon, and we were nae too sure she would make it.”

  “I suppose more will come with time.”

  “Ye have the right of it. In the meantime, ye could do with a hearty meal and a good long bath of yer own.” The Sinclair chuckled as he watched his son try to discreetly give himself a sniff. “Ye arenae that bad, but a sluice down wouldnae be remiss. Besides, the lass isnae the only one who is fading away. Ye’ve lost quite a bit of weight too. I dinna ken if ye’ll be able to lift yer sword in the lists tomorrow.”

  Alex looked at his father and the twinkle in his eye matched the one in his father’s.

  “Alright, auld mon. Dinna get too carried away. Ye ken that pride goeth before the fall. I will hold ma own against ye or any mon any day of the sennight and twice on Sundays.”

  Alex could not hold back a laugh. He had not realized how much he missed laughing until he heard how rusty his voice sounded. It felt good to be lighthearted about something after so much worry.

  “What’re ye doing up so late, Da?”

  “Ah well, with yer brothers away and ye busy, I havenae had enough activity to wear me out. I amnae chasing after any of ye or breaking up yer spats.”

  “We arenae exactly bairns anymore, Da. Ye make it sound like we’re still in short pants.”

  “None of ye are too braw for me to take a strap to ye.” Once again, Alex laughed. Among him and his four siblings, they had often driven their father nearly to the brink, but he had never once thrashed any of them. A wee paddling with his hand from time to time, but that had not happened in nearly a score of years.

  “Ye have to catch me first!”

  “Dinna tempt me. I was enjoying a dram in peace before ye came down. Now either hie yerself off for a bath or to eat, or ye can pipe down and keep me and ma whisky company.”

  “Canna I do both? That is eat and keep ye company?”

  “Of course, lad. Elspeth will have something brought out for ye.”

  Alexander and Liam settled into a casual conversation about all that had been happening in and around the keep since Alex’s self-imposed sequestration. He had not realized just how much of life had passed him by while being nursemaid to his ward. He had only been out to the lists a handful of times while Brighde was in residence, worrying that she might awaken while he was away. He missed the time spent with the men, and he knew he had not been pulling his fair share of guard duty. Once again, part of him felt guilty for not keeping up with his responsibilities, but another part of him could not feel badly for caring for a woman that seemed so desperately in need of a champion and protector. Alex was determined to spend more time in the coming days overseeing the responsibilities that he was meant to have in his brother’s stead, and he knew for his own wellbeing, he needed to go back to the lists and keep up on his training. A warrior never could tell when his skills might be tested. Being rusty was not an option. Time passed faster than he anticipated because he began to see his father stifle yawns, and his eyes were growing weary.

  “Da, I think I will see if Hagatha will allow me to bathe in the kitchen. I will turn in shortly after that. I plan to be in the lists bright and early.”

  “Aye, well a little shut-eye does sound rather good. Goodnight, son.”

  “Goodnight, Da. And Da, thank ye.”

  Father and son looked at each other. For Liam, looking at his sons was like looking back in time to when he wa
s younger. For the Sinclair brothers, looking at their father was like catching a glimpse of their future. Father and son embraced and moved off in separate directions. Alex made his way to the kitchens.

  Hagatha and Elspeth were the last two in the kitchens. The sisters were sharing a hobnob and a warm chamomile drink. They looked up as he entered the kitchens. Both women had been working in the keep since well before he or his older brother, Callum, were born. After his mother died, they stepped in to care for four children whose father was grieving and ruling a clan. While Liam Sinclair made more time for his children than most of his noble peers, there were many duties that imposed upon his time. Hagatha and Elspeth saw four children who were hurting and in need of love and guidance that only a mother could offer. Neither sought to replace the lady of the clan, but they both became more like much loved and respected aunts. Even though they maintained their status and duties as servants, all of the Sinclair children adored the women and loved them like family.

  “Ladies, would it be too much of an inconvenience for me to bathe in here?”

  “Ladies. Do ye hear the silver-tongued devil, Hagatha? Dinna need to flatter us. Ye ken we wouldnae say nay.”

  “Mayhap so, but it doesnae hurt to keep me in yer good graces.” He walked over to both women and pecked them on the cheek.

  “Get an ear full of his nibs.” Elspeth could not help but smile despite trying to look stern. Both Hagatha and Elspeth were relieved to see Alexander leave his chamber and banter with them. “Hie yerself off and leave us to our chatter.”

  Alexander smiled over his shoulder as he moved to the far side of the kitchens and filled the metal tub that was permanently stored near the hearth. When he was dry, he realized he had not brought any clean clothes with him, so he wrapped his plaid around him and went up the back stairs to his chamber. He eased the door open and slipped into the room. He did not want to disturb Brighde nor startle her now that she was back in the land of the living.

  The room was dimly lit only by the low fire behind the grate and a candle on one of the bedside tables. He crept in and moved silently to his trunk. He lifted the lid and cringed when it squeaked. He popped his head up to check and found himself staring into deep grey eyes that were wide with surprise but curious.

  “Dinna fash. I dinna mean to wake ye, lass. I just came for fresh clothes.” He pulled a clean leine from the stack and stood up. He almost laughed when her eyes widened even more. It would have been comical, but he did not want to embarrass her.

  “What are you doing with clothes in here?” She looked around the room as if seeing it for the first time. “This is your chamber.” She shook her head and looked around again.

  “You gave up your chamber for me. Why would you do that?”

  “Dinna ye remember what happened when ye arrived outside our gates?”

  She only shook her head.

  “Ye asked for help and asked which clan we are. After I told ye we are the Sinclairs, ye collapsed in ma arms. Ye were soaked through and shaking while unconscious. I didna give it much thought beyond getting ye to the closest chamber where there was a fire and ye could be tended to by the healer. None of the guest chambers on the next floor had a fire lit. My brothers arenae here now, so none of their chambers had fires lit either.”

  “But I have been here quite some time now, haven’t I?”

  “Aye, aboot a moon.”

  “A month? I’ve been ill for almost a month? I never get sick let alone for that long.”

  “Well, ye seemed to have been out in the elements for a good long while before ye made it here. And ye looked a little worse for wear.”

  A look flashed across Brighde’s face that made it plainly clear to Alex that she did not appreciate his assessment of her condition when she arrived.

  “Yes, well, it was a long and eventful journey to get here.” Alex was about to ask her why she came and how she had come to be traveling alone, but she spoke before he could. “If you don’t mind, I would like to go back to sleep. I know I have spent the last month asleep, but I am suddenly very tired again.”

  “Of course, lass. I dinna mean to disturb ye.” Alex turned to walk out of the door but was stopped when he heard her raspy voice.

  “If this is your chamber, where have you been sleeping?”

  Alex slowly turned around. He saw the genuinely perplexed look and was not sure quite how to explain his actions of the past month. He walked back towards the side of the bed on which she was now propped up.

  “I stayed in here most of the time. Ye were vera poorly and required constant observation.”

  “And you believed that should have been you? Do you not have any women here? I met your healer and housekeeper. Are there no others? You must be quite a small clan in that case.” Alex could hear the touch of steel in her voice and the disapproval was clear.

  “Nay. We have enough women here. I stayed because I didna want ye to wake and not recognize or ken anyone around ye. I thought mayhap ye would recognize and remember me. I thought it might reassure ye that ye are safe here.” Alex watched for her response to decide if he should tell her anymore.

  Brighde simply nodded and looked at the giant of a man who had been by her side when she awoke. She had been very confused, but she also recognized his voice immediately, not from when she arrived at the keep but while she was in her deep slumber. She also recognized his scent wafted to her when he left the chamber earlier that evening. She could smell it even more clearly now that he was freshly bathed. There was something deeply reassuring and grounding about recognizing it. She could see the water dripping from the ends of his hair. Her eyes traveled from the hair that brushed the back of his neck to his broad shoulders. They traveled over his expansive chest down to the rippled muscles of his abdomen. When they arrived at his trim waist with a plaid tucked around it, she dropped her eyes down and saw his bare calves and feet. She almost yelped when she saw him wiggle his toes. Her head shot back up to see him smiling at her. She shook her head slightly to clear her mind.

  “Once you knew I was no longer in danger from the fever, why did you not move me to another chamber? And you said you stayed here, but you didn’t say where in here?” Her eyes narrowed slightly, and her shoulders crept up in a defensive posture.

  “I slept in this chair most nights,” Alex rested his hand on the back of the chair next to him, “or I slept near the hearth. I didna have ye moved because ye were vera poorly until just a day or so ago. Yer fever kept coming back at night. I didna want ye jostled or disturbed.”

  “You didn’t.” She raised one eyebrow. “Doesn’t your healer usually make those decisions?”

  “Aye, and she agreed with me.” Alex was beginning to feel a little defensive. He reverted to his usual stance which was his feet hip-width apart and arms crossed. He knew it was intimidating, but he also knew that he felt most comfortable and guarded in this position.

  Brighde could not take her eyes off the muscles that rippled through Alex’s chest, shoulders, and arms as he stood looking down at her. Somewhere in the back of her mind, it registered with her that she should be intimidated by such a large man looming over her when she was in such a compromised position and alone with him. However, there was something about this man that brought her more reassurance than fear. She felt safe in a way that she had not since she was a child. She could not quite pinpoint what it was about him that made her positive that he would never harm her, but she felt it as deeply as she had the fear that drove her to the Sinclairs.

  “You don’t need to stand there like that.”

  “Like what?” Alex was intentionally being obtuse.

  She waved a hand in his direction before looking up at his whisky brown eyes.

  “Like you might intimidate me. I already know you won’t hurt me, so you don’t scare me.”

  “Ye are either vera foolish or vera naïve to underestimate a mon.”

  “I don’t underestimate you at all. How could I when almost every muscle is on
display.” She waved her hand in his direction again. “No, I meant that I know you would not hurt me. You might hurt someone else, but if you wanted to hurt me, you would have already. No, I believe you mean me no harm. You brought me into your home and gave up your chamber for me, and not for a short time either. That does not seem to be the behavior of a man who is trying to intimidate or harm me. I’d say just the opposite.” With that Brighde clamped her mouth shut. It was one thing to assert herself, but it was entirely another to say enough to antagonize him. She had no intention of testing her theory.

  “Aye, ye may have the right of it.” He uncrossed his arms. “But nae all men are like the Sinclairs. We dinna abide by anyone harming women, be they our clan’s women or nae. But nae everyone is of the same mind. Dinna let yer guard down until ye ken for sure the mon can be trusted.”

  “Does that mean you believe I think you can be trusted?”

  “Ye arenae screaming bluidy murder to find a strange mon in yer chamber.”

  “True, and it is your chamber after all. There is just something very familiar about you. I feel like I know you somehow. I recognize your voice from when I was ill. I feel like I heard it often.”

  “That would be a possibility since I was here often, and I spoke to ye throughout the day. The healer believed that ye could hear those around ye, and that might help ye fight back to life.”

  Brighde tried to stifle a yawn behind her hand and nodded. Alexander walked towards the fire and added another block of peat. He went to the door and paused.

  “Lass, ye have me at a bit of a disadvantage. Ye already ken I am Alexander, Alex, Sinclair, but I dinna ken who ye are.”

  “Mary.”

  Alex raised an eyebrow and cocked his to the side waiting for her to elaborate, but when nothing was forthcoming, he nodded his head.

  “Sleep well and dinna hesitate to call out if ye need aught.”

  “If I called out, who would hear me? There isn’t anyone else here.”

  “I will be just outside the door.”