Chapter Seventeen
The Scot’s Warning
Ysenda and Lewis
Chapter Fourteen
Brenna goes to Black Isle to visit Jennet and family, but also to help poor Ysenda.
Ysenda hadn’t seen Lewis in a few days, but time marched on.
The next group of travelers arrived, and she couldn’t have been more surprised.
Her parents were both here along with her grandparents, but a few days before Yule they were all surprised by Torrian and his wife Heather along with Nellie and Lucas.
But the biggest surprise was when Aunt Brenna came through the door.
“Aunt Brenna!” She wished to run to her, but she wasn’t quite up to that yet.
Her beloved aunt came right to her side after she greeted her own daughter and granddaughters, Charlotte, Isla, and Jennet.
“I must get warm somehow, lass, so I’m sitting next to ye in front of that hearth.” Her smile was as warm as the heat in the flames, making Ysenda feel special just because her aunt was here.
Jennet hurried out of the hall and called over her shoulder, “I’m getting ye some warm broth, Mama. I’ll be right back.”
“And a fruit tart, if ye please,” Auntie called out. “I’m famished.”
Ysenda did her best to sit up but struggled. It was so much easier when Lewis was here to move her up or her sire, but her father was always out in the lists, training the Matheson guards.
And then there was Lewis. She had no idea where he was. Isla had only said to her, “He’s gone to Inverness with Grif. They’ll probably return later. Grif said they wouldnae be long.”
That was the day before.
She reminded herself that Lewis had made it clear that they would not be courting. And she’d agreed, though she hid the lie well. Lewis had a life of his own that didn’t focus on Clan Ramsay, so she did her best not to be offended by his comments.
Aunt Brenna leaned her head down to put her cheek to Ysenda’s forehead.
“Fear no’, I must always check for the fever. Ye feel fine. It has been nearly a moon by now, has it no’?”
“In a few days, aye. It doesnae hurt as much unless I knock it,” she explained. “How long will I have to be in this contraption?” She couldn’t stop the tears from misting her eyes.
It had seemed like an eternity that she’d been stuck in this chair by the hearth. The hearth, her chamber, the hearth, her chamber. Her sire had carried her outside twice, but that was it.
“Now listen, lassie. I know it seems like forever, but ye cannae risk making that bone crooked. It will follow ye through yer entire life. But here is why I came along. We brought a cart loaded with different items, and one of them is a contraption that Uncle Quade, God rest his soul, created for someone else who had a broken bone. I think it was Gregor many years ago, but it will allow ye to walk a wee bit on yer own without putting any pressure on that bone. Ye must be at least three sennights out from the break, and ye are there, so I think ye can try it. ’Tis like a walking boot.
The armorer helped him make it. Yer gait will be verra uneven, but ye can walk slowly.
I’ll help ye with it on the morrow once we empty the cart.
I have gifts for everyone as well. Where’s Gwyneth?
I expected to find her near the hearth too. ”
“Grandmama is around somewhere.”
“I’m here,” Ysenda’s grandmother answered. “I’m bringing the fruit tarts because I knew ye would be wanting one. And this poor lass has hardly moved, so I’ll help ye get that device in here on the morrow.”
Charlotte came over and hugged Aunt Brenna again. “Grandmama, are ye staying for Yule?”
“Of course, I’ll be here for Yule. All of us will be.”
Brigid came down from above stairs and said, “We’ll have the most wonderful Yule this year. We’ll hang the greens on the morrow, and the men will go hunting. I hope for a nice, plump pheasant this year, Mama.”
“Dinnae look at me for that. Merewen and Ysenda…or no’ Ysenda. Merewen and Isla can hunt for pheasant and mayhap a nice, big goose. Though ye all know Logan wishes for a big, fat boar to roast out back.”
“Mayhap we’ll have them all,” her aunt Brigid said. “We’ll cook lots of pastries too. I’ll make a fine stew with a wee bit of each meat. Marcas loves it when I mix them together. Mutton, beef, pork, even duck and rabbit.”
Ysenda had to admit that seeing everyone together like this was wonderful. And the thought of being able to walk, if even for a wee bit, was most exciting. If she had her way, she’d push for it to happen this evening, but even she could see how tired her great aunt was.
And Aunt Brenna had always seemed tireless.
Heather came in with Nellie, and before she knew it, there was a circle of chairs around the hearth. Everyone jested and laughed about everything and anything—the trip, the bairns, and the food. Everything.
Jennet gave her a goblet of ale, so she drank it down quickly and then rested her head back, listening to all the voices as they lulled her to sleep. She hadn’t slept well last night, so she was not concerned if she snuck a wee nap in front of everyone.
Her eyes were closed, but she heard pieces of the conversation.
Aunt Brenna to her mother: “How has she been? Jennet, she has not walked on it at all, has she? Ye know how important it is.”
Brigid said, “Aunt Brenna, we didnae allow her out of the chair for any reason.”
Her mother explained, “Gavin carried her into her bed every night.”
Charlotte giggled and said: “After she pished in the chair over there.”
“Charlotte.” Her mother chastised her cousin appropriately.
She sighed, thinking tomorrow would be a better day. The voices all melted into one.
Then the door burst open, and the wild beast came in, headed straight for her, its jaw opened wide and its sharp teeth dripping saliva. It was coming for her.
She screamed and screamed, swinging her fist at the monster, but he wouldn’t let her go.
“Ysenda, lass. ’Tis me. Please dinnae punch me again.”
She opened her eyes, surprised to see Lewis standing there with Grif behind him giving advice. “Wake her up. She’s having a nightmare.” The hall was dark and empty. Where had everyone gone? She leaned her head back and closed her eyes again, too tired to lift her head.
“Ysenda. Wake up.”
Her eyes flew open and scanned the area, but there was no beast. “Where is it?”
“Where is what?” Lewis asked, his hands holding hers. He knelt in front of her, so he was eye level with her.
“The beast.”
Grif called to him from the staircase, “I’m finding my bed. I canno’ keep my eyes open. Wake Gavin if ye wish. He’ll take her to her chamber.” Then he changed his direction and headed to the kitchen instead. “I’m hungry. Then I’ll go out the back way.”
Lewis’ voice was as calm as she’d ever heard it. “There’s no beast here. And if there were, I would never allow it near ye.” He brushed the loose hair away from her face. “Ye are cold out here. The fire is barely embers. Shall I take ye to yer chamber?”
“Aye, please. I dinnae wish to be near that door.” She had an image of the monstrous animal charging through the front door, making its way to her.
He scooped her up, lifting her like she weighed no more than a hummingbird.
“Where is everyone?” she asked.
“In bed, if I were to guess. Ye had visitors, I heard, but ’tis the middle of the night. We just returned from Inverness. Traveling by the light of the moon is slower than daytime.”
He opened the door to her temporary bedchamber and set her down on the bed carefully, helping to prop her foot up so it would not hurt her. “How’s that?”
“’Tis fine. Many thanks to ye, Lewis.”
To her surprise, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. She pulled him back, kissing him on the lips instead. “Please dinnae go. I’m afraid.”
“No one will bother ye, Ysenda. The guards are at the gate. No one can come inside the hall, or they’d see him.”
“Or it.” She took a sudden chill and began to shake, something she couldn’t stop.
“Ye are trembling. Are ye that cold?” he asked, rubbing his hands down her forearms.
“Aye. I’m frozen.”
“I’ll put one log on, but ’tis all. I’ll no’ have a fire here in the middle of the night.”
“Then hold me until the chamber warms. Please? Ye have so much more heat than I do, Lewis. Please?”
He sighed, played with the fire, and then came back to the bed. “For a few moments only. Ye know what would happen if anyone caught me here in yer bed?”
“Who would catch ye? Everyone is asleep. Once I stop trembling, ye can take yer leave.”
“All right.” He scooted in next to her and she snuggled against him, sighing when his warmth spread through her. “Ye are like a chunk of ice on the loch, lass.”
“I know. I need ye.” She snuggled against him.
“Just for a few moments,” he said. “Tell me who came this eve.”
Ysenda started to recite all the names but then recalled her good news. “Aunt Brenna has a new contraption for me, so I can walk a wee bit. I’ll get it on the morrow.” Her eyes fluttered shut, but then she opened them quickly, pleased to see Lewis was still here.
His eyes fluttered closed, but she knew he was still awake, so she snuggled against him again, closing her eyes.
They both fell sound asleep.
Chapter Fifteen
Logan vs. Brenna. Who will win?
Lewis awakened, surprised to see a wee bit of light in the chamber. Ysenda was firmly ensconced against his chest, but the bad part was that the sun was coming up.
And he was still in her bedchamber. His head jerked up as a realization came to him.
He was not just in her bedchamber but in her bed.
He was in Ysenda’s bed, under the covers and with his arms wrapped around her.
Hellfire.
He did his best to climb out of bed without moving her, but he failed. She stirred and whispered, “Dinnae go.”
“Lass, ’tis morn, and I must go before yer sire catches me here, or worse, yer grandsire.”
“They willnae care. Ye kept me warm.”
“I fear they’ll know that. I’m leaving. Take care. I’ll check on ye later.” He gave her a quick kiss on her lips then crept over to the door, opened it, and stepped outside.
Directly into the path of Logan Ramsay.