Somehow, he would have to help her bring the same courage to their lovemaking. He probably would still have to be very patient, but they would find a way to make it work.
She would be his wife and he vowed to make her happiness a priority.
Maddie MacD had just grabbed another portion of his heart.
RESCUED BY A HIGHLANDER
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
When they reached the stables, Old Hugh grabbed the reins while Mac took Maddie gently from Alex. The instant he got off Midnight, he took her back into his arms. She never made a sound when she moved, but the look in her eyes told Alex everything.
As he carried her to the keep, he whispered, “I will take care of you. Brenna will help with your arm, but I promise not to leave you.” He leaned over and kissed her mouth.
“Jennie? Emma?” she choked out.
“Emma appears fine. Jennie is with Brenna right now. Once you are settled, I will check on Jennie. You are a brave woman, Maddie.”
He glanced down at Maddie and noticed the way she clung to him with white knuckles. The pain she bore showed in subtle ways. Unfortunately, he knew the arm would need to be straightened, so her pain would worsen before it improved.
When Alex reached the door, Alice offered her assistance to him. As she followed him upstairs, she said, “I have her chamber ready, my laird. Brenna is with wee Jennie. I will assist Maddie and then send for Brenna once she is settled.”
At the top of the stairs, Alex turned to the right.
“Laird, I am sure you have forgotten in the confusion, but Maddie’s chamber is to the left.”
Alex ignored her and strode onward.
“Ah, excuse me, but Maddie’s chamber is the other way.”
When Alex glanced over his shoulder, Alice was standing there glaring at him, her hands on her hips.
He reached his door and pushed it open with his foot. “I am not confused, my lady. Maddie will be in my chamber.” He proceeded to his bed and carefully set her down.
Alice jumped. “But this is not proper,” she fretted. She stood outside his door as if afraid to venture inside.
“I don’t know if it is proper or no’, but she stays with me. This is where she belongs. I will take care of her,” Alex finished. His glare told Alice his decision was not open for discussion.
“Alex, I already have enough difficulties with your clan. Please do not do this,” Maddie begged in a soft, strained voice.
“Stay with her for a minute please, Alice.” He turned to Maddie and said, “I need to check in with Brenna. No one will know, Maddie. Do you no’ know yet where you belong?” Alex carefully propped Maddie’s left arm on a pillow, tucked her into bed, kissed her cheek, and turned toward the door.
“My lord, but what will your people think? They will assume terrible things about her,” Alice implored, her cheeks turning red.
“And if they dare to speak it, they will find themselves living elsewhere. She is my betrothed, and she stays here. I promise you, Alice, I will not ravish your charge until after we are wed. But she will stay here where she belongs.” Alex nodded his head to Alice and left the room. At the last moment, he stuck his head back around the open door, “But I will allow you to bathe her, if you do no’ mind. I am sure she will feel better with all that dirt washed away. And I know it would upset you if I did it.” He winked and smiled, then shut the door behind him.
Alex found Robbie and Brenna at Jennie’s bedside. He leaned over and kissed his wee sister’s forehead. “Is there any change, Brenna? Have you found anything else?”
“Nay, Alex. I think ‘tis the head wound that makes her sleep. She did talk some nonsense a bit, which I take to be a good sign. Her body needs rest. She knows she is safe now, so hopefully she will relax enough to start healing. Robbie, you stay with her while I tend to Maddie’s arm.”
As they headed down the passageway together, she turned to her brother. “Alex, I will need you and Brodie to hold her down. Can you handle it when she screams? I can bring someone else in to hold her if it would be too much for you. It is a bad break. I will need to probe it first before I can set it.”
“Aye, I will hold her. She will not scream. But I want to be there to help her deal with the pain. Brodie won’t be needed.”
Brenna shook her head. “Alex, I want another to be there. As you know, I have been kicked and swung at by men who have suffered less painful breaks. I cannot risk any injuries. I need to be strong for both of them.”
“Aye, if ‘tis what you want, we will do it. I will get Brodie.”
“I want to give Maddie something to help ease the pain. Then I will return after I check on Jennie once more. I need to give the pain mixture a little time to work.”
As soon as Alex found Brodie, he sent him to Jennie’s chamber to check on their wee sister and fetch Brenna. When he entered his own chamber, he found Alice primping Maddie. She had cleaned most of the dirt off her charge, but was still fussing over her.
“Maddie, the rest of your bath will have to wait until tomorrow. We cannot stress your arm any more today. My lord, may I move a few of her things here?” Alice asked.
“You may move all of them here if you would like. This is where she stays.” He sat on the bed on Maddie’s right side, leaning his back against the wall so he could prop her against his chest and guard her arm. Alice left to retrieve Maddie’s things.
Rubbing her uninjured right arm, he whispered, “Jennie is still sleeping, but Brenna thinks she may just need extra rest. She will come and straighten your arm out soon. I promise to stay with you.” He brushed his lips across her silky hair. “You know it will hurt, aye?”
Maddie slowly nodded. Whatever Brenna had given her had started to work. He could tell she was fighting to stay awake.
“Alex, are you angry about the loch?” she whispered.
“Nay, love, just foolish.”
“No more secrets…” she mumbled as her eyes closed.
Alex caressed her right arm to help lull her to sleep.
“Alex?” Her eyes opened for a second before closing again.
“Hmm?”
“I love you. You are my dream.” Her breathing shifted into a more rhythmic pattern as she fell sound asleep.
Alex didn’t move—he could not move. Had he heard her correctly? She loved him? His heart soared and did a funny little flip. Those three little words had warmed his heart. He wished she would say it again, but she was asleep. He still was not sure he loved her, but he certainly had stronger feelings for Maddie than he had ever felt for any lass. He hadn’t realized how strong those feelings were until the accident.
Brodie and Brenna came into the room not long after.
“She is a strong lass for her size, is she no’, Alex?” Brenna asked. “I shudder to think what would have happened if Maddie had not been able to pull both lasses up. Is she sleeping?”
Alex nodded. “Aye, though I know you will wake her when you do what you must. Do it quickly, please.”
“Brodie, be ready to grab her in case she starts thrashing. I have to probe the broken bone first. I’m afraid it will be very painful.” Brenna arranged her supplies, a board to hold the arm straight, linen strips to wrap around it and a piece of linen to fashion into a sling.
Brenna lifted the injured arm and asked Brodie to hold it still for her. That simple action was enough to jolt Maddie awake.
“Maddie,” Brenna said softly but firmly, “I have to feel your bones to see exactly where it is broken. I hope there is only one break, but I must check for more. It will hurt, so scream if you must.” She leaned in to kiss Maddie’s cheek. “Thank you, lass, for saving our wee ones.”
Then, without waiting any longer, Brenna started to probe Maddie’s left hand, working her way upward. They waited for the screaming to start, but it never started. Maddie’s breathing was erratic and she nuzzled her face into Alex’s chest, but she kept her arm completely still for Brenna.
“How does she do it? I have
never seen a lass who can bear so much,” Brodie asked in wonder. “How would you ever know she was in pain?”
Alex smoothed a hand over her hair. “I am starting to learn more about my betrothed. I know when she is in pain. I could see it in her eyes when she was in that hole, and I can see it in the sweat on her brow now. You are all right, sweeting?” he whispered.
Maddie nodded, but kept her eyes closed.
Alex pointed to her right hand. It was clenched into a tight fist.
Having finished her probing, Brenna sat back a little and said, “I think there is only one break in your forearm, Maddie. That is the good news. But I am going to have to pull and twist it to get it back in place. That is the bad news. Can you wiggle your fingers for me?”
Maddie wiggled all her fingers slowly, but it clearly took effort.
“Good. Now, I will do this as fast as I can, but it will be painful.” Brenna showed Brodie what she wanted him to do.
Maddie grabbed Alex’s hand with her right one. She took a deep breath and nodded at Brenna. After nodding back, Brenna tugged on Madeline’s arm, pushing and twisting the bone back into place. Maddie’s body arched off the bed, but while her body trembled all over, she never made a sound. Tears flowed down her cheeks as Alex held her in place.
“There, I am done. I think it will heal straight. I just want to get it wrapped. You will not be able to use it at all for at least a fortnight.” Brenna wrapped her linen strips around the board, then motioned for the brothers to give Maddie the rest of the sleeping potion.
As she drank the mixture, Madeline smiled weakly. “Thank you, Brenna. That was not so bad. You are very gentle.”
Brenna raised her eyebrows and glanced at both brothers before she left the room.
RESCUED BY A HIGHLANDER
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
When Maddie opened her eyes, she stared at everything in confusion. Darkness enveloped the room. She attempted to push herself up, but pain immediately shot through her left arm. Memories of her fall into the hole came back to her slowly. The contraption on her arm must have been created by Brenna. Another sensation slowly registered, and she looked down to see a muscular arm across her waist and a long hairy leg draped over hers.
She could not stop herself from disturbing Alex. “What are you doing?”
“I was trying to sleep, sweeting, what are you doing?” he retorted.
“Alex, you are in my bed! ‘Tis not proper!”
“Nay, you are in my bed, and I know ‘tis no’ proper, but you are staying.” He peeked at her out of the corner of one eye with a slight grin on his face. “How is your arm?”
“My arm is fine. But I am not trying to be amusing. This is not proper. I am going back to my chamber. What have you done?” Maddie sat up quickly and then groaned as her body responded. She fell back against the pillows.
“Maddie, we are to be married in a sennight. I promised your maid that I would not ravish you. But you cannot sleep alone. ‘Tis no’ safe for you.”
“But your clan already thinks I am a whore because of the Comming. What will they think now?”
“What are you talking about? My clan does not think of you as a whore!” His voice grew to a dull roar.
“Aye, they do, Alex. You know ‘tis why the storytelling stopped,” Maddie said, turning from him.
“I do no’ think my clan will be treating you like that anymore. If they do, I will take care of it. I will take care of you,” he whispered, turning her face back so he could kiss her brow.
Maddie sighed and nestled her head against Alex’s shoulder. “I am too tired to argue now.” She promptly fell back asleep.
The next time she awakened, she was being carried down the passageway to her own chamber.
“Thank you, Alex,” she whispered.
“This is just for the day. I will return you to my chamber tonight. ‘Tis where you belong. But I will give in to your tender sensibilities during the day.” He deposited her on the bed and then propped her arm with a pillow. “Brenna said to keep your arm supported for a while. I will send her up to check on you while I see Cook about some food. Are you hungry, sweeting?”
“Aye, I could eat a little something, thank you.” Her eyes rested on her betrothed’s mouth as the memories of his kisses at the loch rocked through her.
“Please don’t look at me like that, or my intentions will no longer be honorable.” After a quick kiss on her lips, he turned and left the chamber. Maddie sighed, wishing they were already married so she could stop worrying about her reputation and conduct herself as she wished—which would be to stay as close to him as possible. She supposed she needed to focus on healing first. That thought brought another—she hoped Jennie would awaken soon.
As if summoned by her thoughts, Alex burst into her chamber a few minutes later. There was a huge smile on his face, and wee Jennie was cradled in his arms. Maddie was so pleased to see her awake she sat straight up in her bed. “Jennie? You are better?”
“Hi, Maddie,” Jennie said weakly.
Alex set her on the bed in front of Madeline.
“Jennie, are you all right?” Maddie asked as she cupped the lassie’s face with her right hand.
“I am fine, but my big brother will not let me walk yet. He does not believe me. I am a little tired though. And my head does hurt sometimes. And I think I have some bruises, but I will get better. Alex said I could have pastries to break my fast. Cook made me the biggest pastry I have ever seen, and it is covered with icing! I wanted to come and see you before eating it, but I did lick some icing off already.” Jennie’s words flew out of her, as if she hadn’t talked in days.
“Is your arm all right, Maddie? What is that thing on your arm? Does it hurt very much? How can you take a bath with that?”
“Och, little flower, slow down or you will give Madeline a headache, too,” Alex said with a smile. “Give her a kiss so I can return you to your room to eat your pastry. Maddie needs to rest.”
Jennie leaned over and gave Madeline a big kiss. “Thank you for saving me, Maddie.”
“Jennie, thank the saints above you have improved. We worried so.”
Alex picked her up and left. Her excited chatter continued and he shook his head, chuckling as he walked. “I think she is feeling better,” he shouted back to Madeline.
The next few hours flew by. Brenna and Alice helped Maddie bathe and then Alice clucked her way around the room, fixing everything. She ate in her chamber, as she was still in a bit of pain and not quite ready to face everyone. Robbie and Brodie stopped in briefly to see how she was doing, and they filled her in on wee Jennie and how much the lassie enjoyed being the center of attention.
She awoke several hours later to find Alex seated at her bedside.
“How long have I been asleep, Alex?” she asked.
“Quite a while, but your body needs it. What you did yesterday was no small feat for a lass your size. Your body needs to heal itself, especially your arm. Is it paining you much, lass?”
“Nay, only when I move it certain ways. I think I am ready to walk a bit. I cannot sit here forever.” Maddie moved herself to the edge of the bed.
“I think you could come down to the hall for supper. There are some people there who are anxious to see that you are all right.”
“Well, I do not know who could be interested in my welfare. I have seen all of your family and most of the servants today. But I would like to go to the hall and eat with your family. Can you send Alice in to help me get dressed into something more appropriate?”
“I will help you.” He walked over to her chest. “What gown do you want?”
“Alex, you cannot help me. It would be improper for you to see me naked.” Maddie blushed under his scrutiny.
“Maddie, in a sennight I plan to see you naked every day. Every inch of your body that I have seen is beautiful, so do no’ be shy. But today, I promise just to help you into your gown. You have a chemise on underneath, aye?” Alex asked.
&nb
sp; Maddie glanced at the determination on her betrothed’s face. His arms were crossed in front of him, and she probably could not sway him. She finally conceded by standing up. After all, he had already seen her in a chemise.
“All right, but do not dawdle!” she said with a firm set to her jaw.
Alex turned his back to her and reached into the chest, emerging with a lavender gown. “How is this?”
“That will be fine,” she said, clenching her teeth. She turned her back to Alex and tried to remove her night rail, but she only managed to tangle it.
“How am I supposed to dress and undress with my arm like this?” she sighed in frustration.
“Let someone help you,” he whispered near her ear. He stood behind her and helped untangle her arms and remove the night rail.
He stood so close to her she could feel his heat, even through the material of her chemise. His scent of horse and pine washed through her senses, reminding her of the day he had rescued her. She remembered the gentleness with which he had pulled her chemise from the dried blood on her back in the woods. She gave in to him, letting him control her movements. His hands ran down her body as he helped her put the gown on. She leaned back into him and felt his hardness against her back. She shivered at the sensation.
“Are you cold, lass?” Alex asked as he turned her and pulled her into his arms.
She shook her head as his mouth descended on hers. His tongue pressed against her lips, and she opened her mouth for him. Maddie wrapped one arm around his neck and pushed him closer. She couldn’t stop the little moan in the back of her throat as he deepened the kiss, begging for more.
***
Alex heard her moan and pulled her closer. He ran his hands over her soft bottom. He had wanted her for so long that he was sure he would embarrass himself and lose his seed the instant his hardness touched her flesh. He set her away from him as soon as he heard footsteps in the hallway. The door flung open and Alice marched into the room.
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