Chapter 19 #2
He hissed through his teeth but didn’t flinch, his eyes narrowing on her. “Ye’ve got a heavy hand for someone who claims to care.”
“And ye’ve got a thick head for someone who’s been poisoned,” she shot back, dabbing at the wound. “Hold still.”
As she worked, the tension in the room seemed to ease slightly. Alexander took another sip of whisky, his posture relaxing despite his annoyance. When she began applying the honey and herb mixture Alice had left, he watched her intently, his expression softening.
“Ye have a knack for this,” he noted grudgingly.
“I dinnae have much choice, do I?” she replied, a wry smile tugging at her lips. “Since ye’re me husband, I cannae very well let ye die on me.”
His gaze lingered on her for a moment, something unspoken passing between them before the door creaked open.
“Ah, he’s awake!” Alice’s cheerful voice broke the silence as she entered the room. Her apron was dusted with flour and herbs, and her eyes lit up when she saw Alexander. “Good to see ye still breathin’, Me Laird.”
“Barely, thanks to Helena playin’ nursemaid,” Alexander grumbled.
Helena shot him a warning look but didn’t stop wrapping the fresh bandage around his ribs. “He’s bein’ difficult, as usual,” she scoffed.
Alice chuckled, stepping closer to inspect Helena’s work. “Ye’re in good hands, Alexander. She’s done a fine job.”
“She shouldnae have to,” Alexander argued, shifting uncomfortably. “She needs her rest.”
“I’m nae leavin’ ye,” Helena said firmly, tying off the bandage with a sharp tug. “So ye’d best get used to it.”
Alice clapped her hands together. “Well, now that it’s settled, I’ll send for breakfast. Ye’ll need yer strength. And Michael will be up shortly to give ye a report about the other soldiers.”
Alexander inclined his head, though his lips twitched into a faint smirk. “Bring more whisky while ye’re at it.”
Alice laughed, shaking her head. “Ye’re a stubborn man, Alexander. I’ll see what I can do.” She turned to Helena with an approving nod. “Keep him in bed, lass. He’s nae as tough as he thinks.”
Helena couldn’t help but smile as Alice left the room. She turned back to Alexander, who was watching her with a bemused expression.
“I’ll fetch ye a clean shirt,” she said, moving toward the trunk at the foot of the bed.
“I can manage,” he said, beginning to rise.
Before he could get far, Helena was at his side, pressing her hands to his shoulders and forcing him back down. “Ye’ll do nay such thing. Ye cannae risk tearin’ open the wound.”
The sheer defiance in his gaze was almost amusing, but instead of retorting, his hands shot up, gripping her waist and pulling her onto his lap.
“Alexander!” she gasped, her cheeks flushing as she stared at him in shock.
He smirked, his voice low and teasing. “If I’m goin’ to be stuck in bed, I’d rather have ye here with me.”
Before she could respond, his lips were on hers, firm and demanding. Her initial surprise melted away as she kissed him back, her hands sliding up his chest as her heart rate quickened.
He growled against her mouth when her fingertips brushed the tufts of hair on his chest, and she felt his hands slide down her hips and around her backside.
She could feel his length twitching under her as she leaned into the kiss and rolled her hips.
It was so warm, and she purred against his parted lips, her tongue sliding over his.
He pulled back suddenly, and her eyes opened slowly to meet his.
Alexander’s gaze was dark and heated. “Stay,” he murmured huskily.
Before she could form a reply, the door burst open, and Felicia rushed in, her face pale and frantic.
“Alexander!” she cried, her wide eyes darting to Helena. “Ye shouldnae be sittin’ on his lap if he’s injured!”
“Mind yer words, Felicia,” Alexander ordered, his tone strict, holding Helena firmly. “She’s me wife—speak to her with respect.”
Felicia scowled, crossing her arms over her chest. “Ye shouldnae be movin’ at all! Alice should be here to look after ye.”
Helena bristled at the younger woman’s tone but forced herself to remain calm. “Alice is teachin’ me, and I’ll stay by his side. He’s me husband, after all.”
Felicia’s eyes darted between them, her expression a cross between skepticism and frustration.
“Fine,” she muttered, her tone sharp. “But I’ll be visitin’ often.”
With that, she stormed out of the room, leaving an awkward silence in her wake.
Alexander sighed, rubbing a hand over his face, still holding Helena.
“She means well,” he said, though his grimace suggested otherwise. “But her disrespect, her childishness…”
His face and ears were red, his anger betraying him.
“I dinnae think she meant…”
“I’ve spoiled her, allowed her to disrespect ye,” Alexander grumbled, his brow furrowed. “It’s about time I stop babyin’ her.”
“Calm down,” Helena urged, watching him closely. “Dinnae work yerself up over it. She’s a young lass…”
“But she—”
“Enough,” Helena whispered, placing a firm hand on his chest.
He watched her closely now, his breathing returning to normal.
Helena nodded in approval, though she couldn’t shake the sting of Felicia’s words. “She’s close to ye,” she said softly. “I’ll try to be kinder to her.”
Alexander’s gaze softened, and he reached for the whisky on the bedside table, wincing slightly as he moved. “Ye have nothin’ to prove, Helena. Felicia’s young and headstrong.”
Before she could respond, the door opened again, and Michael and Alice entered, each carrying trays laden with food, water, and whisky.
Alice’s brow was furrowed as she set her tray down. They grimaced at Helena, who immediately slipped out of Alexander’s lap.
“What happened? Felicia just stormed past us down the hallway.”
Alexander smirked, gesturing to Helena. “She was worried about me, but Helena’s taken good care of her Laird.”
Helena nodded, eager to smooth things over. “She only wants to see ye recover. I cannae fault her for that.”
Alice exchanged a glance with Michael, then smiled. “Well, let’s eat and keep his spirits up. He’ll need it.”
As the food was laid out on the table, Helena felt a flicker of hope. Despite the challenges ahead, she was determined to see Alexander through his recovery, and perhaps, just perhaps, there was more to their marriage than she had first believed.
After eating breakfast together, and discussing how long Alexander would be bedridden, Helena volunteered to fetch the items he needed to work from his bed.
“I dinnae want ye to do that,” he protested.
Alice smiled as Michael looked over an old history book on the bedside table.
“Better literature might be a good start,” he joked, glancing up at Helena. “Something interestin’ to keep him sane.”
“I’ll go to the library and grab a novel,” Helena announced, rising from the bed.
“He could use some fresh clothes,” Alice added, sniffing. “He smells like blood, mud, and piss.”
“She doesnae have to do all of that!”
“The ledgers and his correspondence are on the desk in his study too,” Alice continued. “That should be all he needs, for now.”
“Be right back!” Helena smiled, seeing how annoyed Alexander was getting with Alice and Michael for ordering her around.
He caught her smiling at him, and she saw the possessiveness in his bright eyes.
“Dinnae be too long,” he murmured, before taking a sip of whisky.
“I’ll be back, I promise.”
Helena closed the door softly behind her, taking a moment to steady herself. The air in the corridor felt cooler, a contrast to the warmth of the room she’d just left, filled with the low murmur of Alice and Michael’s voices discussing the recovering troops.
Alexander’s smile lingered in her mind, and she blushed faintly, feeling its warmth settle in her chest.
She had promised him she would return soon, and she meant to keep that promise.
Her steps echoed lightly as she descended the stairs to the library, her skirts swishing around her ankles.
The weight of responsibility pressed on her shoulders, but it wasn’t unpleasant.
If anything, it fueled her resolve. Alexander needed her, and she would do everything in her power to care for him.
In the library, the familiar scent of leather and parchment greeted her.
She ran her fingers along the spines of the books, their titles stamped in gold or faded with age.
Her eyes landed on a well-worn volume with a faded cover.
She pulled it from the shelf and opened it to reveal an adventure novel interwoven with romance—a story of courage and love.
A faint smile touched her lips. Alexander might not be one for fanciful tales, but she suspected the lighter tone might distract him from his pain.
With the book in hand, Helena hurried back upstairs toward his study, her mind already cataloging the items he might need from his desk. She pushed the study door open and froze mid-step.
Felicia was standing near the desk, her slim figure hunched over, her hands clutching one of Alexander’s riding gloves. Her head was bowed, but when she heard the door open, it snapped up. Her cheeks were streaked with tears, her eyes rimmed red.
The two women stared at one another, equally stunned.
Helena stepped inside. “Felicia… are ye all right?”
Felicia’s expression shifted from surprise to fury in an instant. Her lip trembled as she turned away sharply, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand.
“What do ye care?” she spat, her voice raw.
Helena hesitated, torn between leaving Felicia to her grief and offering comfort. She took a cautious step forward.
“I care because I can see ye’re hurtin’,” she said softly. “And I want to help.”
Felicia’s head snapped back toward her, her eyes blazing. “Help?” she repeated, her voice rising. “Ye want to help? After what yer family has done? After the lives yer clansmen have taken? Help me? Ye’ve done enough already!”
The words struck Helena like a blow. She stepped back instinctively, her chest tightening as Felicia’s accusations poured out.