Fraser 03 - Highland Homecoming (18 page)

Cold hands encircled her bottom and her effort to squeeze her knees together was fruitless. He was too strong and easily pried her legs apart. She choked back a sob. He would not make her cry. What was she going to do?

“
There’s nothing you can do tae stop him,”
a tiny voice at the back of her brain insisted.

Nay. She would not give in. Struggling in earnest, her hand brushed against something metal buried amidst the bed covering.

“Coward! At least have the nerve tae face me,” she said, her voice never wavering, despite the overwhelming terror she felt. “You have won. I want tae look intae your eyes when you kill me.”

“Happy tae oblige, m’lady.” Callum lifted his knee and rolled her to her back again. “Now be a good lassie, spread your legs, and let me—” His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open as Edina plunged the dirk into his chest and twisted.

Callum gasped and clutched the dagger protruding from his body, blood oozing between his fingers. He tried to stand and retrieve his sword, but fell to the floor before he could reach it. “Damnation, bitch,” he groaned as he slumped forward and his eyes closed.

“May you rot in hell.” Edina scrambled to her feet. There was no time to dally or to let her pulse and breath return to normal. She had to get out of there. Now.

In her haste to step around his crumpled body, she caught her foot on his arm and tumbled to the floor, striking her forehead on the stone. A sharp pain lanced through her skull, and for a moment, the room began to spin, then everything faded to darkness.

Calling on every ounce of courage and strength, she fought to remain conscious. But when she finally opened her eyes, the blackguard was standing over her, blood dripping from his wound.

“I will take you tae Hell with me. You will be my bride in death if not life,” Callum hissed.

Edina kicked out with her free leg, connecting with Callum’s shin, throwing him off balance, and sending him crashing to his knees. She tried to stand, but a bloody hand wrapped around her ankle, thwarting her escape. Why wouldn’t he die?

This time when she kicked, she connected with his jaw. When the first blow proved unsuccessful, she repeated the action with as much force as she could muster.

Finally, his fingers unfurled and she was able to crawl a few feet away, and out of his reach. She scooped up the sword and was about to end his life when the door opened behind her.

“Saint’s teeth, Edina, what goes on in here?”

From a distance, Edina heard Jayden’s voice, then her eyesight started to dim. She felt someone take the sword from her hand just as she collapsed.

Chapter 20

The sound of familiar voices echoed in Edina’s ears. Her head throbbed, her stomach churned, and the struggle to open her eyes failed. Someone was carrying her. Was it Callum? Fear seized her heart.

Nay. Callum was gravely injured and in no condition to carry himself. She could see the blackguard standing before her, the wild look in his eyes, his dirk protruding from his chest, and blood oozing between his fingers as he clutched the wound. A string of curses that no maiden should hear spewed from his mouth. But as the horrible memory dissipated her brother’s face came into view. She remembered he was leaning over her, tapping her cheek, and calling her name.

“Jayden—” she mumbled.

“Aye, Edina. Dinna fash, you’re safe.”

Relief washed over her at his words of comfort, and she relaxed in his arms. “W-where are you taking me?”

“Callum attacked you and judging by the bump and cut on your brow, you must have hit your head during the struggle. The wound is in need of tending so I am taking you tae my chamber, then I will fetch the healer.”

“What of Callum?” she managed to ask. Another attempt to open her eyes proved fruitless. Something warm and sticky trickled down her cheek, but she could not muster the strength to wipe it away. She ground her teeth against the pain in her skull, and she could feel herself drifting in and out of consciousness. But she had to stay awake, had to know what happened to her assailant.

“He is dead and a good thing, too. Had I gotten my hands on the bugger, he’d have suffered far worse than he did at your hand.” Jayden growled, then he softened his tone. “Try not tae talk, Edina. You need tae save your strength.” Wasting no time, he continued his trek down the hall.

“Och! What ails my lady?” Helen asked and touched Edina’s arm.

“H-Helen?” Edina mumbled. While hazy memories of her encounter with Callum faded in and out, she vividly recalled his threat to kill her, then attack her maid. Thank the Lord she was unharmed.

“Callum tried tae kill her.”

“Och, I should have done something tae help,” Helen sobbed.

“Nay. I’m glad you had the good sense tae summon me when you heard the commotion, or he might have succeeded.”

“Callum? How could that be? After his escape from the pit, my brother and the others who gave chase saw the devil fall from atop the cliff and ontae the rocks below.”

“He obviously survived the tumble, but there is no question that the blackguard is dead now,” Jayden replied.

“May the Lord be praised. But my lady is injured and in need of a healer. She should be abed.” Concern resonated in Helen’s voice.

Edina wanted to console her friend, to let her know she would be fine, and had done the right thing in fetching Jayden, but she could not manage the simple task.

“I’m taking Edina tae my chamber. Will you fetch the physician, then summon my father and Duncan?”

“Right away, m’lord.”

Helen’s footfall faded and Edina once again relaxed in her brother’s protective embrace. She moaned and Jayden shifted her in his arms.

“Hold on Edina, we are almost there,” he reassured her.

She heard the soft thud and felt a slight jar as he pushed open a door with his elbow. He carried her a short distance before placing her on a soft mattress, and covering her with a pelt.

“There you go, try tae rest. I’ve sent for a healer,” Jayden whispered in her ear as he stroked her cheek.

Edina groaned when Jayden wiped her brow with a damp cloth and rolled her head to the side. She brought her hand up to brush his away, but he caught her wrist.

“Easy, lass. I only mean tae clean the blood from your forehead.”

“How in damnation did that traitorous bastard get intae the castle unnoticed, let alone intae my daughter’s chamber?” her father bellowed. “I should have had him beheaded when first I found out about his treachery, showed him no mercy.” He lifted her hand and patted the back of it. “Thank the Lord you came along when you did, son. Is she badly injured?”

“She took a nasty blow tae the head, but other than that, appears tae be unharmed. We will know more when the healer arrives and has had a chance tae examine her.”

“Is it true she killed the bugger?” her father asked.

“Aye. Teaching Edina tae defend herself with a sword and dagger proved useful,” Jayden answered, and Edina could hear the satisfaction and pride in his voice.

“I came as soon as Helen told me what happened,” Duncan said as he entered the chamber. “How does Edina fare?”

“She’ll be shaken I’m sure, but right now I am having difficulty waking her,” Jayden said as he touched her cheek.

“My head hurts.” Edina opened her eyes, but closed them again when her vision blurred and the room began to spin.

“Shhhh. Rest, daughter. You’ve come from hardy stock and willna let a wee knock on the head keep you down for long,” her father said. “What is delaying my physician?”

“He is on his way, m’lord,” Helen replied as she entered the chamber. “Is there anything I can do tae help, Lord Jayden?”

“Aye. Fetch me a bowl of clean water and see what is keeping the healer.”

Edina raised heavy lids, glanced up at her brother and father, waiting for them to come into focus. “There is no need for all the palver. Da is right, I’ll be fine.”

“Let me be the judge of that,” a man said as he crossed the room.

Edina narrowed her eyes in an attempt to see his face. As he neared the bed, she recognized the clan’s physician.

“Please step outside while I examine the lass,” the physician said. “Unless you wish tae be present, Laird Sinclair. Would you like me tae check if she has been violated?”

“There is no need.” Her voice trembled as she spoke. “Callum threatened tae ravage me afore he killed me, but he dinna have the chance tae complete the deed. He tried, but I fought him off and stabbed him with his dirk. I thought he was dead, but tripped when I tried tae escape, fell, and struck my head.”

“When I entered her chamber, Edina was standing over Callum’s motionless body with his blade in her hand. I approached and she collapsed. It was at that time I noticed the cut on her brow,” Jayden informed the physician.

“Saints be praised he dinna take her innocence. She remains a virgin and a suitable bride.” Her father patted Duncan on the back.

Edina could not believe her ears. Was her suitability for marriage her father’s only concern? Her heart sank. He was never going to relent in his quest to see her wed.

“Talk of our nuptials can wait,” Duncan interjected. “Let the physician tend tae the lass’s needs.” He brought Edina’s palm to his lips. “I’m glad you were not injured more seriously. After a few days of rest, I am confident you will be up and about, as bright as a silver coin.”

The physician coughed to clear his throat. “I’d like tae examine her now. If you gentlemen would wait in the great hall, I will summon you once I have completed my assessment.”

Laird Sinclair nodded, turned on his heel, and left the chamber. Duncan and Jayden followed.

Edina nibbled on her lower lip as her father’s physician tended to her cut, then checked her for other injuries. Her head continued to pound and nausea twisted her belly. After emptying the content of her stomach twice, in a bucket provided by the healer, she groaned, then lay back on the pallet.

“You were verra fortunate. Callum could have killed you,” the physician said as he tucked a pelt beneath her chin. “Any deeper and the wound on your brow would require stitching. But your brother managed tae staunch the bleeding and the cut should heal nicely on its own. However, you did take a hard knock on the head and will continue tae feel poorly for a while. If you remain in bed for the next day or so, your stomach will settle and vision will clear.”

She needed more time than that to convince Duncan this marriage was a mistake. But right now, she’d take any reprieve she could get.

He mixed some herbs into a tankard and handed it to Edina. “Drink this elixir and try to get some sleep. I will go and speak tae your father.”

Edina downed the bitter content of the cup. A few days abed would buy her some time. If only she could delay the wedding longer. Mayhap if she appealed to Duncan’s sense of decency and compassion, he would agree to a postponement while she recovered from her ordeal. By then, William would be back, hopefully with the Mackenzie lass in tow.

Edina balled her fists and slammed them down on the pallet, wishing she had handled matters with Alasdair in a much different way. Why didn’t she act on her impulse and go to his chamber when she had the chance? She should have pleaded with him to take her along, and if necessary, offered him her innocence in hope that he would have a change of heart. Desperation can make people do things they normally would never consider. But better judgment had prevailed and she’d not grovel before any man.

The fact that Alasdair was honorable and would not betray her father’s or Jayden’s trust was an obstacle she could not hurdle. He’d also made it clear he would not take a maiden to his bed unless he could offer marriage, and that was never going to happen. Feeling defeated, she closed her eyes and tried to sleep. Mayhap her plan to reunite Duncan and his love would do the trick.

Edina picked up her needlework, but it was no use. She could not get Alasdair or her upcoming wedding off her mind. She placed the craft on the table, then stood and stretched before wandering over to the window. Three days had passed since the attack and there was still no sign of William. Despite the fact she was feeling much better, she’d remained in bed the entire time as instructed by the physician and other than a brief visit from Jayden on the day she was injured, Helen had been her only companion.

The door opened, causing Edina to spin around. There was no time to climb back into bed so she prayed it would be her maid and not her father or Duncan. The longer they believed her too weak to marry the better.

“Guid morning, m’lady. You are looking chipper today. Are you ready tae break your fast?” Helen entered the chamber carrying a tray of food.

“I’m not hungry.” Edina crossed the room and sat in a large overstuffed chair by the hearth.

“Och, m‘lady, you must try some of this porridge and fresh bannock. You havena eaten enough to keep a bird alive these last few days.”

“Then I shall be too weak tae stand afore the priest and marry Duncan,” Edina answered on a shuddering breath.

“Mayhap the tidings I have tae share will brighten your day and your mood,” Helen said as she placed the tray on
the table beside Edina.

“What news do you bring?” Edina’s eyes widened and she anxiously bit her lip in anticipation. Could this be what she’d been waiting for?

“William has returned from his quest, and he has the Mackenzie lass with him. He took her tae his croft and awaits your instructions,” Helen said with a broad smile. “I knew he wouldna let me down.”

Edina leapt from the chair and threw her arms around Helen, pulling her into a tight hug. “Oh, Helen, I can think of no better tidings. Have William bring her tae my chamber at once. But dinna let anyone else know she is here. I want tae surprise Duncan and need tae speak with the lass alone afore I do.”

Helen bobbed a curtsy. “Aye, I will fetch her right away.” She brought her finger to her lips. “Dinna fash, I willna breathe a word of it tae anyone, m’lady. You can count on me.”

“I know I can, Helen. Please hurry. I wish to speak with the lass as soon as possible.”

As Helen reached for the door latch, Edina called her back. “Wait. Have you seen her?”

“Aye, for a few minutes afore I came to tell you they’d returned. Why do you ask?”

“Is she a comely lass?” Edina had to know if seeing her again would be enough to turn Duncan’s head and prompt him to follow his heart.

“Oh, aye, she is lovely. A fine lady with raven locks, large blue eyes, and porcelain skin. I can see why Lord Sutherland would be taken by her.”

“Guid.” Edina rubbed her hands together and smiled. “That will make my task easier.” She dismissed Helen with a wave her hand. “Please bring her to me at once.”

Edina watched as the maid left the room, then threw her hands in the air and spun around in a circle, excitement and renewed hope burgeoning in her chest. If her scheme worked, her betrothed would be so thrilled tae see his lost love, he’d opt to marry her instead.

But Edina’s euphoria dissipated as quickly as it came. The first part of her plan had come to pass. Now, she had to complete the second half. Given his strong sense of duty, convincing Duncan to break the pact and marry his love could prove to be difficult. Of that she was certain.

But it was her only hope, and she had to try.