Defended by a Highland Renegade (Highland Adventure Book 10)

by Vonda Sinclair

  "I've seen a few." His words did not inspire confidence.

  Her stomach knotted. "So far I've found he has two bad cuts and a head injury," she said. "Will you help me check his back?"

  "Aye. Once I get these cuts stitched." He took a close look at Darack's injuries then dug into his satchel.

  When he made no comment, she asked, "Do you think he will live?"

  "I wish I knew."

  His comment was offhand, almost careless. She clasped her fingers tightly together, praying the man could actually help Darack despite this cavalier attitude.

  Sully took out a bottle of whisky, uncorked it and downed a swallow. "Want some?"

  "Nay." Alarm filled her. If he became sotted, how could he stitch up Darack?

  Sully poured a splash of whisky on both of Darack's cuts.

  "Will that help?" she asked.

  "Aye." He gave a twisted grin. "Whisky will cure anything."

  She doubted that, but the man had to know more about injuries than she did.

  "We'll start with his side since 'tis the longest cut."

  She nodded. It was probably for the best that Darack was knocked out for this. No doubt it would be unbearably painful if he were awake.

  "Here we go, lad. Good as new in no time." Sully drew the needle and thread through the two sides of the open wound and drew it together. At least, Sully's hands looked marginally clean.

  Marianna felt nauseous of a sudden. She placed a hand against her throat and closed her eyes to pray silently.

  "All right now, laddie! You must be still!" Sully said.

  Mairiana's eyes popped open. Had Darack awakened? Aye, he was moving. That had to be a good sign.

  "Can you press against his shoulder and hold him down, m'lady?"

  "Of course." She held Darack's shoulder and good arm. "Lie still, now, Darack," she said softly. "Sully is here to help you."

  "I'm certain he'll listen to you, m'lady. With that gentle, womanly voice, what man wouldn't?" Sully cackled.

  Just sew him up, she wanted to yell at the daft man. She didn't need his silly comments. There was naught funny about Darack being seriously injured. At some point during the last two days, he had become the most important person in her life. He gave selflessly and put his own life in jeopardy to protect her. He was an amazing and caring man.

  Please, God, heal his body, she prayed, blinking back tears.

  "There we go!" Sully clipped the thread. "Now, for his arm."

  Mairiana moved to Darack's other side and held his wrist while Sully stitched the wound on his biceps muscle. She was thankful it was not his sword arm that was injured so badly. For a warrior to lose the use of his sword arm could be devastating for him.

  A half hour later, the wounds were stitched and wrapped in clean ivory linen. Sully didn't find any more injuries on Darack's back or elsewhere. The head injury did not require stitching and Sully said he could do naught to help it heal faster.

  "I'll leave this with you." He handed her the bottle of whisky. "'Tis only a dram or two, but it should be enough. If he awakes in pain, give it to him."

  She nodded, her stomach clenching with worry. "I thank you. Do you think he will be in severe pain?"

  "Aye, 'haps so. But he's a braw Highland warrior. He will endure it. We Highlanders are a rough and tough lot." Sully grinned. "Let me know if you need help with anything. We're not too far from Inverness."

  "Good. I appreciate your help," she called, watching the first mate leave and close the door. What would she do once they arrived in Inverness? She didn't know where his clan lived. Sure, Glenmoriston, but she didn't ken how far that was from the harbor or how she was supposed to transport Darack there if he was too injured to walk.

  Trying to calm herself, she sat beside him and stroked his jaw, covered in the short dark beard. His breathing was strong and steady, thank the saints, but she was unsure whether to wake him. On the one hand, when he awoke he would be in severe pain, but on the other, his sleeping worried her. What if he never roused? Tears filled her eyes. He was incredibly selfless and generous to help her so much. If he died, 'twould be her fault.

  "Darack," she whispered. "Please open your eyes." She smoothed his hair back from his forehead. "Please tell me you will live."

  She had far more to tell him, and far more to ask him. She wanted to know everything about him. She could not even begin to understand the wild and intense feelings he inspired in her. She had never expected it.

  He shifted, turning his head, then groaned.

  "Darack?" Her heart pounded with excitement. He would recover. He had to. "Are you awake?"

  He growled, frowned, then opened his eyes. "Mairiana?"

  "Aye. How do you feel?"

  "Not good. What the devil happened?"

  "You tell me. Some of Alec's men must have attacked you."

  His frown deepened. "Aye. Four."

  "Four? Two of them were found dead. Where are the other two?" If they were free on board the ship they could come back and finish him off.

  "Overboard," he mumbled.

  "Oh, you tossed them into the sea?"

  "Aye." He ground his teeth, then glanced down at his upper arm and the bound wound. "Bastards," he hissed.

  "Do you want some whisky for pain?" She uncorked the bottle.

  "Aye."

  Holding his head up with one arm while trying to avoid his head injury, she helped him drink all that remained in the bottle. She gently lay his head down again. "We will arrive in Inverness soon. What shall we do then?"

  Darack didn't answer. He dropped off to sleep.

  Chapter 9

  While the crew carried Darack off the ship and onto the docks at Inverness, Mairiana's stomach knotted. Heavy gray clouds overcast the whole area, as far as the eye could see. She had only visited Inverness once before, when she was much younger, and knew little about the town.

  "I'll see if my friend Hamish MacIves has a room at his inn, m'lady," Captain Madding said, striding away.

  "I thank you." Mairiana prayed there was a spare room, though if they had to stay several days she didn't know how she would pay for it, unless the owner would extend her credit. "Captain," she called. He turned and she hastened to him. "If there is a question about payment or credit, tell him my brother is the chief of the MacKerricks. He will send payment for any debt."

  "Aye, very good, m'lady." The captain rushed toward a building of pink sandstone while she walked alongside the men carrying Darack, still knocked out.

  Her brother might not be happy with her now for the decisions she was making, but it could not be helped. She had to help Darack in any way she could. Beneath the sign that read The Rose Inn, she held the door open wide while the men carried Darack into the dark interior of the public room. Ale, beer and roast beef scented the air. Though her stomach ached, she could not tolerate the thought of eating anything.

  "Indeed, m'lady, my friend does have a room available," Captain Madding announced, coming toward her again.

  "Oh, I thank you for your help, sir."

  "My pleasure. And I pray your husband recovers quickly." He bowed and exited.

  Hamish MacIves, the short, jovial owner of the coaching inn, introduced himself, then showed them to the room up one flight of stairs. Mairiana followed the crewmen who carried Darack. The chamber was small but clean, with a view over the harbor crowded with boats and ships.

  "Master MacIves, do you know a healer or physician nearby?" she asked.

  "Aye. I will send for her. And please, call me Hamish. 'Tis an honor to have the sister of a chief staying with us."

  "You have no idea how much I appreciate your help."

  "'Tis my pleasure." He bowed, then exited.

  When the men lay Darack on the bed, he stirred and opened his eyes a crack.

  After she thanked the men and they left, she rushed to the bedside and clasped Darack's hand. "Are you awake?"

  "Aye," he whispered, wincing. "Where are we?"

  "Inve
rness, at the Rose Inn. The owner has sent for the healer. How do you feel?"

  "Not too bad." Darack hated to lie to Mairiana, but he didn't want that worried frown of hers to grow more intense. In truth, sharp pains shot through his head, his arm and his abdomen.

  "Are you telling me the truth?" she asked.

  He forced himself to stop clenching his teeth. "I have felt worse, but I could use some whisky."

  She nodded and leapt up. "Will you be all right alone until I return?"

  "Indeed."

  Her brows lowered even more. "I'll hurry." She rushed out and closed the door behind her.

  He must have drifted off, for it seemed only a moment later the sound of the door opening woke him. Three people entered—Mairiana, a short round man and an older woman.

  "This is the healer, Mistress Gillespie," the man said, motioning to the woman.

  "I thank you for coming," Darack said, feeling dizzy, his mind still in a fog and pain lacerating his body.

  "Can you send up some hot water and cups?" Mistress Gillespie said to the man.

  "Indeed. Let me know if you need anything else."

  Mairiana nodded and poured whisky from the bottle she carried into a small cup.

  The man exited, closing the door behind him, while Mistress Gillespie placed her satchel on the table.

  Mairiana helped him lean over the side of the bed and drink a sip. The fiery liquid scorched his throat worse than usual and his stomach rebelled. He coughed, forcing himself not to gag. Damnation, how he hated for Mairiana to see him like this.

  Once he was resting back, the healer tugged at his clothing. "Help me undress him. I must see all of his wounds." She unbuckled his belt and moved his plaid aside.

  The whisky on an empty stomach made his head feel like it was spinning. Darack drifted in and out, dreaming of the battle on the ship. When next he became aware, Mairiana was again lifting his head and urging him to drink from the cup. He took a sip, expecting whisky but this was a warm and strong bitter tea.

  "What the hell is that?" he rasped.

  "A mixture of herbs to help with the pain and prevent fever."

  He lay back again, then noticed the upper part of his arm was covered by a clean white bandage. His chest was bare and the healer was applying a poultice to his side. As he glanced further down, he saw that his groin was covered by a sheet.

  "Can you drink more?" Mairiana whispered.

  He stared up at her, remembering she was a maiden and likely had never seen a naked man before. He hoped she hadn't been shocked by anything she'd seen while he was knocked out. He turned his head aside and drank from the warm cup again.

  Once he'd choked down the horrid liquid, he took her hand in his and kissed the back. "I thank you for helping me."

  "Of course, husband, why would I not?" she asked.

  Husband? The word startled him for a moment. Was his head injury worse than he knew? Had he, in fact, married her and didn't remember it? Or was this still the pretense he'd begun much earlier? Either way, he was all for it.

  "Aye, I have the best wife in all the kingdom." He held her hand against his face. Her touch calmed him and made him forget the pain. He drifted down into the darkness of sleep as she stroked his face.

  ***

  Feeling more exhausted than she had in her entire life, Mairiana sat by Darack's bedside, a lone candle lighting the room. It had to be past midnight. The healer had left a few hours ago, saying to send someone if needed. She'd even left her address and said she would return in the morn. After drinking the tea of poppy and various herbs, Darack had slept peacefully. She prayed the poultices along with the tea would help him fight off any fevers and that his wounds would not fester.

  She lightly touched his forehead, feeling no fever as of yet. Thank God for that. In fact, most of Darack's chest was uncovered. He had shoved the sheet away earlier and she assumed he must be too warm, which was a good sign. Leaning forward in the chair, she placed her fingers over his.

  She had never assisted anyone who was sick before. Her brothers and family had always sheltered her from injuries and disease, and there had always been someone else to care for the ill when she was with her own clan. The MacKerrick clan and the nearby village had four gifted healers.

  "You should be asleep," said a deep, raspy voice.

  She jumped, her gaze darting to Darack's face. "I didn't ken you were awake."

  With dark, drowsy eyes, he observed her. "Aye, why are you?"

  "I'm not sleepy."

  "Don't tell fibs, lass. You can hardly hold your eyes open." He glanced aside at the covers. "This is a big bed. Come, lie here and sleep. I'll be a gentleman."

  His words startled her. "Nay, I cannot. How is your pain? Do you need more tea or whisky?"

  "A sip of whisky will do. And take one for yourself, as well."

  "Nay, I must be ever alert to assist you."

  Once she'd given him the drink, she corked the bottle and set it aside without drinking any herself. Besides, she hated the strong, burning taste of whisky.

  "Regardless, you must lie down here." He patted the bed beside him. "No one will see. How long has it been since you slept last?"

  She shrugged. "In the kitchen at the tavern in Dundee."

  "A long time," he grumbled. "Do you wish me to get up?"

  "Of course not!"

  "Then lie down here beside me or I shall push myself from this bed, no matter how much it pains me."

  She stood. "Do not be ridiculous."

  "I mean it," he warned.

  She did have the door locked so that no other patrons would enter this room. And truth be told, she was exhausted.

  "Very well." She moved to the opposite side of the bed and lay down, fully clothed. She was certain she could almost sleep standing up if she had to, or lying on the hard wooden floor. She lay down on the mattress and sighed at the softness. She was too groggy to be embarrassed about sleeping beside a man she was powerfully drawn to. Besides, he was too injured to do anything scandalous. "Promise me you will wake me if you need anything," she told him.

  "I promise."

  Mairiana did not remember going to sleep, but when she awoke she was pressed up against someone warm. Her eyes popped open. Darack.

  In the faint dawn light coming in the window, she saw that his eyes were closed. She scooted back away from him a few inches. For some reason, she had slid or rolled toward him in her sleep, but he had not moved from his spot.

  Turning his head, he frowned, then observed her from his soulful dark eyes. "How did you sleep?"

  "Well." She turned onto her back, planning to sit up and slip off the other side of the bed, but he caught her wrist. He used the hand of his good arm, she noted.

  "Rest a bit longer. 'Tis still early."

  "Do you want to eat?"

  "Mayhap later." He sighed. "I'm so tired of lying on my back."

  "Let me help you turn onto your right side. Do you think the movement will make your arm hurt worse?"

  "I'll try it and see." Holding his injured arm, he twisted and turned until he rested on his right side, facing her. He ground his teeth and growled a bit, but the longer he relaxed, the easier his breathing became.

  "Is that better?" she asked.

  "Aye. Lie here close in front of me."

  Why did he wish this? Unsure what to say, she bit her lip and eyed him questioningly.

  When he opened his eyes, he frowned. "What's wrong?"

  "Naught. I'm just uncertain why you want me to lie so close to you."

  "'Twill be a great comfort to me. I'm lying on my good arm and my free arm is so injured I cannot lift it. There is no way I can ravish you."

  Heat rushed over her face. She didn't truly believe he would ravish her. Certainly not in his current state, and probably not if he was well, either. Feeling highly uncomfortable, she lay down on her back, stiff as a board, and stared at the ceiling.

  "Face the window and scoot back against me."

  She
did as he asked, sliding back a bit but not enough to touch him.

  "More."

  "I fear I will injure you further."

  "Nay, 'tis not possible. You're a soft and gentle lass. How could you possibly injure me?"

  Her face flamed even hotter but she slid back until she felt his hard body all along hers.

  "Thank you for everything you've done," he murmured.

  Wanting to look at him, she turned her head a bit.

  He placed a kiss on her cheek, near her ear.

  Feeling flustered, she mumbled, "There is no need to thank me."

  "Rest now, lass."

  A rush of emotion ran through her. Why had he kissed her so sweetly? It brought tears to her eyes. She wanted to turn and stare at him, study his expression, but was afraid he might kiss her lips if she did. Of course, she wanted another kiss on the lips from him, but should not. If someone knew they shared this bed, they would be forced to marry in truth. At the burst of excitement, she admitted to herself she wouldn't mind. But he might not want that. Besides, her brother would want to approve any man she would marry beforehand. Even though he had met Darack and might consider him a friend, she was unsure whether he would approve since Darack was not a chief or future chief. She didn't mind, herself, for she wasn't status hungry. She simply wanted a man she could love, who would love her back and treat her well. Of course, she wanted a safe place to live, but it need not be a grand castle.

  She imagined what it would be like to be married to Darack. Every day would be an adventure, she was certain.

  A sudden thought occurred to her—since four of Alec's men had been on the ship, had they gotten word to Alec where she and Darack were headed before it set sail? Alec could show up here at any time.

  She sat bolt upright in bed.

  Darack groaned and then stirred. "What is it now?"

  "I'm sorry. Are you in pain?"

  "Some. What has you riled?"

  "Alec might find us here. His men could've sent word to him before they boarded the ship. Plus… the captain will take the two dead men's bodies back to Dundee so they can be claimed by the Lindsay clan."