The Promise (Highland Lairds of the Crest #4)

Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

The moment Aidan crossed the border onto MacGreggor land, he and Henry were surrounded by the band of riders patrolling the area. He’d expected no less; these were men who Aidan knew well and trusted, and they sensed his urgency. With no more than a subtle nod to Brianna still slumbering in his arms—a welcome effect of the draught he’d given her—the men tightened their escort to hasten him toward the castle.

If Aidan worried about Merri’s endurance, she’d once again proved him wrong. Not only had she thrived throughout the entirety of their journey as one of a herd, but this proud girl was proving herself to be quite the leader as well. He would give her the respect of carrying her mistress all the way to her destination.

It wasn’t long before another band of riders appeared in the distance, Alex at the fore. Aidan recognized him at once, his hawkish gaze and acute perception driving him forward with haste, and an urgency that equaled Aidan’s. At his approach, the rider next to Aidan fell back, and Alex took his place. “Where are Alan and Richard?” he asked, then pointedly took in Brianna, reposed against his chest.

“Trailing behind. The Fitzgeralds came upon us early this morn. Alan and Richard are guarding the two who survived.”

Alex glowered at the news, before charging off to speak to the men he’d been riding with. At his word, half broke in the direction of the castle, the others for the border, no doubt to provide escort for Alan and Richard once they crossed. Alex returned then, taking up Aidan’s flank again. Alex was nothing if not steadfast and loyal, so it was fitting that he said no more, and asked no questions. Besides, now was not the time for discussion about Brianna. In truth, Aidan wasn’t sure, he even could express everything she was to him. Not that the matter was anyone else’s concern.

With the final stretch to the castle mercifully silent, save for the steady chorus of hoofbeats, Aidan thought back over his entire history with the Fitzgerald brothers, a span of several years, which had culminated first in their unannounced visit the day he’d left Seagrave nearly a month ago, and finally in their poorly chosen tactic of ambush.

Considering the events of the day, how the brothers and their men had successfully managed to track them and catch them by surprise, caused Aidan to question his judgment. Up until the past few weeks, Aidan had considered the Fitzgeralds an annoyance at most, one he’d soon be rid of one way or another, leaving any real or imagined alliance (on the part of Gil and Nigel) behind. Had he let his vigilance slip because of it? Lachlan had bestowed upon him a mantle of guardianship, but could he still claim it if his singular attention on Brianna was the cause of their woes? These thoughts plagued him until he crested the hill and the gates of Seagrave were at last in sight. Laying his eyes on the castle should have brought him relief, but instead, the noise in his head became deafening, a brewing tempest, and an omen of the reckoning that surely awaited him.

As they entered the courtyard, Aidan made straight for the steps, eager to get Brianna the proper aid she needed, noting that the riders Alex had sent ahead had done the same, their steeds left in the hands of the castle guards, likely in their haste to seek Gwen. Aidan bent his head, nudging Brianna gently awake before whispering in her ear to tell her they’d arrived. Her eyes fluttered, and he smiled down at her, ignoring his worry and fear as he slid to the ground holding her tight in his arms. Once on the ground, he looked Merri in the eye, offering a brief but necessary thanks to the mare, then hurried up the steps, leaving her in the care of the guard, waiting to take her reins.

He nearly missed a collision with Gwen, who was making her way outside just as he came through the doors. At the sight of him, Gwen stopped short, taking in his ragged and no doubt grisly appearance, before turning to Brianna who still lay half-dozing, half-awake in his arms.

“What happened?” Gwen said hoarsely. She cleared her throat, “Aidan? Tell me.”

Realizing what had occurred would remind her of the ambush Grey and Gavin had endured years ago, Aidan hesitated, wishing to spare her unpleasant memories.

“Aidan!” she pressed.

“We were ambushed.”

Gwen nodded, then, with her mouth set in a straight line, she scrutinized his face and arms. “Is any of this blood yours?” she asked, pointing to his arms and face.

He shook his head. “Not enough to matter.”

She turned her attention to Brianna then, her features softening as Aidan instinctively pulled her closer. Brianna clutched at his shirt in response. She was still groggy, but more alert now as she shifted to stare up at him.

“Oh, hi,” Gwen said, unable to keep the smile off her face as she glanced between Brianna and Aidan. “I’m Gwen. You’re in good hands. Mine and this guy’s.” Brianna attempted a weak smile, breathing a barely detectable thank you , and Gwen turned back to Aidan. “Let’s get her inside,” she said, her voice nearly drowned out by a thunder of hooves as another band of riders raced in through the gates.

Aidan turned as he and Gwen hastened forward, and saw Grey riding at the front of the approaching pack .

“He’ll find us,” they said in unison and continued on their way.

“What happened?” Gwen asked as she led him down the corridor that would take them toward her infirmary.

Aidan shook his head. Brianna hadn’t yet told him how she was injured. “I can’t be sure. We were waylaid.” He looked down at her, wondering if she might provide an answer, but when he saw that her eyes had closed again, he just pulled her closer. “I instructed her to run. By the time I found her, I was only certain that her wrist needed attention...I know she has cuts, but…I …” he stammered, as he laid Brianna down, helping her find a comfortable position when she winced.

Gwen looked at him sympathetically, reaching out to soothe him as she moved closer. Her touch helped, a steady hand to quiet his mounting worries and mitigate the loss of Brianna’s weight in his arms.

“You did this? Aye?” she said, pointing to the sling he’d made from his cloak and the clean linen he’d wrapped tightly around Brianna’s arm.

Aidan nodded to Gwen, and at the same moment, Grey appeared, clearly having been apprised of the situation. They exchanged a brief look before Aidan turned back to Brianna, who was clutching his wrist, grimacing as she tried to sit up.

“I… don’t feel… well,” she said in shallow bursts, panting. Aidan quickly helped her up, then stayed close, looking with concern as Gwen removed the sling to get a better look at her arm .

Before Gwen could continue with her examination, however, Brianna started to fan herself with her good hand, and a glistening of sweat started to show on her brow.

“Please, get this off me,” she said, struggling to remove her cloak while pushing her hair back at the same time.

Quickly, Aidan pulled it away, then handed it to Gwen so he could sweep Brianna’s hair back, twisting it around his hand to keep it off her face and neck. She looked at him with such gratitude, that his heart nearly melted. It was such a simple task, using his hand as her personal hair clasp to keep her nape cool. Still, he was pleased to provide her even a modicum of relief, albeit brief—for no sooner did Brianna’s mouth twist sourly, and it was clear she was about to be sick.

In the moment, Aidan wasn’t quite sure which was of most importance: holding onto her hair, or finding something for her to retch in. Frozen in indecision, all he could do was cup his hand in front of her as he looked around for something more suitable. Gwen came to his rescue with only seconds to spare, placing a small pot in front of Brianna, which she promptly grasped onto. Aidan offered her the only privacy he could within the small confines of the chamber and turned his head while she emptied the contents of her stomach. Since she’d only ingested some water and the draught he’d given her, it was over quickly—yet long enough for him to catch Gwen and Grey, clearly amused at his reaction to helping Brianna. In another circumstance, he might have laughed at their antics, too—their dramatic stares just before Grey cupped his hands in front of Gwen for her to imitate retching into them—but considering the situation, he couldn’t imagine why they’d be so undone at his behavior. He’d no doubt that they’d done the same or more for each other over the years.

Aidan narrowed his eyes at them before turning his attention back to Brianna as she took a ragged breath, and managed to unwind his hand from her hair so he could grab a few linens stacked on the table beside the cot to wipe her mouth. She nodded covering his hand, and took the cloth from him. He reached for another and dipped it into some cool water to blot across her forehead, feeling how clammy she’d become. As he brushed his knuckles down the side of her face, she breathed a little thank you and then started to cry very softly.

Aidan felt his heart swell with compassion. “Nay, Breea. Don’t cry, love,” he said, shaking his head. He held her in his arms as she gathered herself, and once she’d calmed, he asked if she’d like to lay down again. When she nodded, he helped her get situated, pressing his lips to her forehead, and turned, wondering what in the blazes was keeping Gwen so long.

He spun around to find both Gwen and Grey still as statues, watching him, all traces of humor gone. When a moment later Gwen shook herself out of her stupor and took a step toward him, Aidan could see what had caused her to linger was simply emotion. Pure and sincere emotion, and nothing to jest at.

“I’m sorry. I’m so happy for you,” she said softly before turning her attention to Brianna and sitting at her bedside. “I heard Aidan call you, Breea. Is that your name?” she asked, pushing Brianna’s hair back.

Brianna tried to speak but still seemed too weak, so Aidan stepped in for her.

“Brianna. Brianna O’Roarke,” he said. Then, his tone laden with import, he added. “My wife.”

He couldn’t see Gwen’s face, but her hands flew to her cheeks, and based on the spark in Brianna’s eyes, he could only imagine her expression of delight.

It took Gwen another moment to gather herself, though her voice barely concealed her merriment when she asked Brianna, “Do you feel a little better now?”

“I just feel really dizzy,” Brianna managed, then started to pant again, struggling to get comfortable.

“Let’s give this a few minutes to pass,” Gwen said, pressing another cool cloth to her forehead. “Aidan,” she said, her eyes still on Brianna’s. “Are you ill at all? Did you eat the same thing, maybe?”

“Nay, we had nothing,” he said, taking a leather strip that Grey had offered to tie Brianna’s hair back. “And she, but a draught for the pain and to help her rest more comfortably.”

Gwen made a sound, hmming as she looked over Brianna. Aidan, meanwhile, gently gathered Brianna’s hair again, positioning it up where she usually wore it atop her head. He was relieved to see a small smile on her face just before she reached for his hand and closed her eyes, seeming to rest comfortably now. After a minute, Gwen looked back at him.

“I don’t think any of the powders I gave you would have?—”

Aidan shook his head and felt his eyes go wide.

“Wait, what ?” Gwen said, whirling around so that she was facing him fully.

“My supplies were lost,” he said, his heart sinking rapidly. “Before we left Ayr, I acquired new at the apothecary. At least those I could find.”

Gwen’s easy smile and warm manner dissipated immediately, “I need to see what you gave her, Aidan.”

Aidan looked around for a moment, feeling lost, until he felt a hand on his shoulder. Henry. He’d been standing just inside the door this entire time, and now gave Gwen the bag of medicinal items. Although he had a passable knowledge of topical and ingestible curatives thanks to Grey’s mother Lady Madelyn, who was a well-practiced healer, Gwen had an advanced expertise that added another vital layer. As such, Aidan knew that as a rule, medicinal compounds were to be avoided, period. Hence the reason he’d purchased single ingredients and combined them himself.

Still, he held his breath, filled with worry again as he looked between Brianna, who blessedly seemed to still be resting comfortably, and Gwen, as she examined the contents of his purchases. Finally, Gwen gave a decisive nod and looked Brianna over once more, taking extra care on account of this new information. Aidan watched as Gwen spent a considerable amount of time checking her eyes, and her throat, and searching for spots of skin irritation—noting that she managed to do this while keeping Brianna’s modesty fully intact. She finished by taking count of Brianna’s heartbeats then turned back to him, sighing deeply. “I think she’ll be okay.”

“You THINK ?” Aidan said, alarming himself with the ferocity of his words. Her noncommittal answer had jolted him. He wanted certainty, even if that was impossible for Gwen to offer.

At Aidan’s outburst, Grey stepped between them, nostrils flaring at the raised tone Aidan had used at his wife, but Gwen clearly cared not. She simply rolled her eyes before turning her attention back to Brianna. Still, over her head, Aidan cast Grey a look of apology, which his friend quickly accepted with a nod.

“What happened to your supplies?” Gwen asked as she started to unwind the linens covering Brianna’s arm.

“They were lost in the fire.”

At this, Gwen’s head shot up and she and Grey spoke together: “ Fire ?”

“You haven’t heard?” he asked, calming Brianna with a touch as she stirred from their sudden clamor. He’d been all but certain the news would have preceded him considering the length of their journey.

Grey shook his head. “Nay, I took Tristan to Dunhill, and just now returned.”

“Grey.” Aidan felt Brianna’s grasp on his hand tighten, and when he glanced down at her, he saw a small smile cross her lips—her touch meant as a bolster. “The ship …the ship was gravely damaged. Mayhap destroyed.” He’d hoped to be the one to bear the news to his friend, and in light of the circumstances, as he now knew them, he only wished it wasn’t being delivered amidst everything else.

“What happened?” Grey’s expression was intent.

“The Fitzgeralds,” Aidan said, his mouth set in a hard line. “Gil and Nigel were in Ayr and saw me there with Brianna. I haven’t the exact details, but I know for certain they had a hand in it.”

“And when they failed…” Grey said, then waved his hand over Aidan’s and Brianna’s injuries. “ This? ” Grey’s expression shifted as he realized the breadth of the Fitzgeralds’ wickedness.

Aidan nodded. “Aye.”

Brianna was looking at him. Confused. “You knew them? The men who attacked us?”

“Oh boy,” Gwen muttered and rolled her eyes. Grey merely stared, clearly choosing to remain silent.

“Aidan?” Brianna squeezed his hand.

“I knew them,” he said flatly.

A commotion behind him caused him to whirl around just as Tristan burst into the room, crying out his name. Despite everything, Aidan’s heart swelled at the sight of him, and he couldn’t help but smile as the boy latched onto him, laying a hand atop his head.

Tristan looked up and stepped back, then gasped when he saw Brianna. “Is this your lady? Did she find your medallion? ”

Before Aidan could reply, Kitty meowed from her place in the sling around Henry’s shoulder, and his eyes shot to the feline. “You captured the wee kitten, too!” he gasped, and as the young were wont to do, left all his questions aside for the furry little beast Henry held out for him to see.

While Tristan cuddled and toyed with Kitty, Gwen had returned her focus to Brianna’s unwrapped arm. She was quiet as she examined it, and Aidan felt the tension in the room rise again. Her eyes darted his way, and she leaned in closer when she saw the unmistakable mark of a hand around Brianna’s wrist, looking much worse now, hours later.

Gwen looked up to meet Brianna’s eyes. “Are there more?” she asked, quietly.

When Brianna shook her head, Gwen glanced around at Aidan and Grey, and widened her eyes pointedly—it took Aidan a moment to understand that Gwen thought that perhaps there were more marks and that Brianna was keeping quiet to spare him. His blood began to boil at the thought that Nigel had…Aidan shook his head to clear it. He’d been certain Nigel hadn’t the time to…to cause further harm, but suddenly he wondered. Mayhap there was more to her insistence of gathering her weapons or her mention of being defenseless. His horror must have shown on his face because Gwen cast him a sympathetic but beseeching look.

“Why don’t you give us a few minutes,” she said.

Aidan swayed, suddenly off balance. Even though Gwen was correct to make sure Brianna received the care she needed, and the privacy she might require, the thought of her leaving his sight—especially knowing that it was exactly because he’d sent her off on her own to face abuse at the hands of his enemy—was abhorrent, and too painful to think of.

He could barely account for his behavior or the mania stirring in his head. The thought of her wide-eyed stare when he’d asked if she’d been more harmed than he knew had made him irrational, and knew it wasn’t helping matters. Yet he stood there, powerless to move, even as Gwen shared a look with Grey obviously conspiring to see to his departure. Then Grey was beside him, gripping his shoulder to pull him away. Aidan held Brianna’s eyes as long as possible, grasping at the doorframe as Grey and Henry finally succeeded in pulling him from the room.