Chapter Nineteen
Meg
Meg awakened, confused and sore, but then she recalled all that had happened. Glancing around, she determined she was indeed in the healer’s chamber in a castle on the Isle of Mull, or so the healer had told her last eve. Eli. That was it.
She recalled Eli’s careful work, lancing the wound on her finger to drain the ugly green fluid from it, but then she soaked it in water before covering it with an ointment. She also gave her a potion to drink to help with the fever and added something for the soreness.
What she recalled more than Eli was Lennox.
Lennox held her while Eli sliced into her painful wound. She’d been leaning back against him, seated on his lap, and she’d turned her head into his chest, letting the tears flow as Eli did what needed to be done. It hurt worse than a tangle of bees when you tried to dig out the honey, or so her mother used to say.
He’d held her softly but tightly, his hands as gentle as anyone’s. Rough but gentle. His chest had felt like leaning against a stone wall, but the warmth of his arms around her had made her wish to never leave. It made her think on how long it had been since she’d been warmed by an embrace.
“You’re awake?”
She had thought she was alone, so she searched in the dark for the speaker.
“Lennox? You’re still here?” She scanned the area lit with a small torch by the door. It had to be the middle of the night.
“Of course. How is your finger?”
She picked it up, studying the bandage Eli had wrapped around it, moving it gingerly. “It is much better. And I think the fever is gone.”
“You still look a wee bit flushed, but not as bad as you were earlier.”
“And I’m hungry. Is that not a good sign?”
“Aye. I’ll find something for you when you’re ready. The castle has been busy this eve, so there’s still bread available, and ale, even though most have taken to their beds. Mayhap some wine. Do you have a preference?”
“Nay, no ale or wine. The broth was fine. It felt good on my throat. None of us had much to drink while we were hidden away.” She glanced up at him. The scruffy beard covering his face was now as dark as the starless sky, and it was oddly appealing to her.
Lennox was a handsome man.
Then something occurred to her. “Lennox, where are my things?” Frantically searching around the cot, she nearly stood up, swinging her legs out, but he stopped her.
“Lass, you have not eaten anything. I don’t wish to see you fall. What exactly are you looking for? Your axe came with you. I saw that bag.”
“My bracelet. The one my sister gave me. Please…” She swiped at the tears, trying to break free. “I must find it. Tamsin said…”
“I’ll look. Was it in your sack?” Lennox moved over to a chest where her bag with the axe sat. “Is it in this bag?”
“Nay, I had a small bag attached to my belt. It’s blue.”
Lennox searched the area, then pulled something out of the larger bag. “Was it in this one?” he asked, bringing it to her.
“Aye,” she said, taking the bag from him and opening the ties. She reached inside and felt the soft yarn. She let out a deep sigh. “It’s here. I found it. Many thanks to you.”
“Shall I put it back?” he asked.
“Nay,” she replied, too sharply, but she kept it in her lap.
“Why don’t you wear it? Naught will happen to it here. I’ll help you tie it on. What is it made of?”
“I cannot wear it. I promised my sister I would only wear it when she was wearing hers. I’ll keep it close.” She returned it to the small bag and closed the ties, then glanced back up at him, suddenly lost in the blue of his eyes. Had she ever seen eyes that blue before? The torch gave them an odd glow.
“Look, Meg. I don’t know how much you recall, but thanks to you, we have returned with Magni, Tora, and Rowan. Lia is still missing. Everyone is grateful for all you did for the bairns, but they are seeking answers.”
“And they should be grateful for what you did, Lennox. You helped us all get to Oban. I couldn’t have gone any farther.” She meant that. Now that her mind was clearer, she could recall how sick she was, how her mind had begun to turn fuzzy. Could she have made it to Oban? Probably not without food and water first. This man was her hero.
“I think you would have if you had to. You’ve proven your strength to us all. But we still have many questions and are seeking your help in this. We need to know who stole them away and why.”
“I don’t know.” She wasn’t sure exactly what had happened, bits and pieces trying to connect in her mind. Thirty-four, thirty-five, thirty-six, thirty-seven … Her fingers clicked as she counted. She had to recall something.
He got up and sat on the bed next to her, taking her uninjured hand in his and cocooning it until his warmth suffused into her skin. This man did things to her that were unknown, confusing, but pleasant.
This close, his eyes entranced her even more, a most unusual shade of blue. His hair was nearly black, curling a wee bit at his neck, his entire aura so appealing that she had trouble paying attention to his words. Had she ever been this close to a man, other than her father?
The ugly baron did not count. She’d only wished to push him away, far away.
Lennox rubbed his thumb on the back of her hand. “Listen, mayhap if we talk about it, you may recall more than you think. It was also suggested that it might be better to speak with you when the bairns aren’t around to hear your comments.”
“But they could add some important parts that I don’t know. I wasn’t with them from the beginning.”
“They have, but they’re in bed now. It’s late. Tora’s parents and grandparents are here and would like to ask you questions, and Rowan’s uncle is also here. I’ll go with you when you are ready. I’ll sit by the hearth next to you to keep you warm and promise to help where I can, but we can’t have those men returning for the bairns. We think that is a possibility, don’t you?”
She had worried of that happening, which was why she’d made them wait in the cave when Lennox had arrived. Of course, they’d all been frightened of exactly that situation. “Aye, it is surely possible.” She gave his comments some thought and replied, “I will answer questions, if I can. Anything to help us find wee Lia. Mayhap they could help me determine where my sister is.”
“I think they might be able to help with that too.”
“But we must help the bairns first.”
“Aye,” he said with a smile, something that made him even more appealing. He stood and reached for her. “I’ll help you stand, see how you feel. I can send Eli in, if you need her.”
“All right. I’ll try.” Meg moved her legs to the side of the bed. “I’d like to wash my face, rinse my mouth. Is there water here?”
“I’ll get a basin for you.”
She stood, pleased that her strength was indeed returning. “I’ll follow. See how well I do.”
Lennox found a pitcher of water and filled a basin, setting it on a table in the middle of the chamber, then located two linen squares and a sliver of soap. “I wouldn’t get that bandage wet, lass, until Eli takes it off. I’m sure she’ll check it in the morn.”
“Many thanks to you.” Meg didn’t know exactly how to speak to a man like Lennox. She’d never met a chieftain before, much less one who sent her heart racing and warmed her all the way to her toes with just one touch. Tall and broad-shouldered, his physique spoke of many hours working with his sword, if she were to guess. The man was made of sheer muscle, no chubby belly like she’d seen on the baron.
“I’ll find Eli for you.”
“Lennox, wait, please,” she stuttered, flustered once he moved closer. Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen…
“Aye?”
“I just wish to thank you for your assistance. We were losing hope when you found us and… I’m sorry I nearly threw my axe at you. I was a bit muddled then, but without your help…and I don’t recall much after that. I’m not sure how I even got here, but… Many thanks to you.”
“It surely was my pleasure to find you and help you all return to the isle. Think naught of it. We all owe you for helping the bairns when you did. If not for your help, we may never have located them. We must move forward from here.”
Then he smiled, his teeth so white that they lit up the dark chamber. And all she could do was stare. But then he surprised her more with what he did next.
He leaned over, kissed her cheek, and said, “I thank you for more than you know. You’re forgiven about the axe. Someday, I’d be pleased if you would show me how you use it.” He grinned and opened the door. “I’ll return after Eli visits with you. We’ll gather by the hearth so you can stay warm.”
He left, and Eli entered a few moments later carrying a night rail for her. “Lennox said he asked you if you would speak with us. Do you feel up to it? We’d all appreciate it if you could do so now. We don’t want to lose the ability to track the evil beasts who stole the bairns.” Her words came out in such a rush that it gave Meg an inkling of how upset the parents of the bairns were.
“If you could help me with my ablutions and then find me another goblet of broth, I’d be in your debt, Eli. Many thanks for helping me with my wound. Then I’d be glad to answer all your questions.”
Eli aided her in washing and then helped her don the robe. They were nearly finished when a knock on the door sounded.
“We’ll be right there, Lennox.”
Eli fussed with Meg’s hair, trying to push the strays away from her face, but Meg said, “I don’t mind. They don’t bother me.”
“And you’re oddly as beautiful with or without the wild curls about your face.”
Meg blushed, unused to hearing a compliment. “I’m ready.” Never in her life had she considered herself beautiful.
Eli opened the door and Lennox stood outside, holding out his arm to assist her. “We’re ready for you, Meg. I’ll make introductions once I get you settled. We’ll sit in the large chair in front of the fire. I’ll make sure to keep you warm.”
Meg had no idea what she was about to step into. Having never been around many adults other than in a kirk, this would be an unusual experience for her. Eleven, twelve, thirteen …
Lennox led her to a small grouping near the hearth, where several men and women were seated while one gray-haired man paced. She nodded to the group and the men bolted to their feet while Lennox settled her in a chair wide enough for two and gave her a fur for her lap.
“Allow me to make introductions, then we’ll ask Meg to give us the story as she remembers it. After she finishes, then you may ask your questions. Meg, if you tire at any time, say so, and I’ll escort you back to the healing chamber and the questions will end.”
She nodded, swallowing as she took in the men and women around her. Seven, eight, nine, ten… She squeezed her hands together so she wouldn’t tick off the numbers with her fingers.
Eli offered her a goblet and placed a small table next to her to set it on. Meg, grateful, sipped the warm broth before putting it down.
Lennox motioned to one man. “Grant?” Two men and a woman came forward while another man stood with his arm around a white-haired woman’s waist.
She guessed it to be Tora’s mother and father.
“Meg, these are Tora’s parents and grandparents. Connor Grant, retired chieftain of Clan Grant, with his wife Sela. His nephew Alasdair Grant, chieftain of the clan. Dyna Grant, Connor’s daughter, and her husband, Derric.”
Meg nodded to them, and Connor came forward with a brief word. “We are in your debt, lass. Let us know how we can repay this debt, and I will see it done.”
Meg nodded and waited while Lennox moved to the next person. “My mother, Rut MacVey.”
“My pleasure to meet you, Meg. May the Lord continue to shine His grace upon you.”
Lennox’s mother looked as though she were a queen seated in her court, the gown she wore unlike anything she’d ever seen. Meg’s own mother had talked often of the beauty of the royal court, though Meg had never seen it.
Lennox pointed to another man who came forward, a bit too close for her comfort, but she had nowhere to go so she held still. “This is Rowan’s uncle, Sloan, chieftain of Clan Rankin.”
Also a handsome man, he reached for her hand, but as quickly as he reached, Lennox blocked him. “Do not touch her.”
Sloan turned to Lennox and said, “I was going to kiss her hand as my thanks. The lass is unmarried, is she not?”
Lennox narrowed his gaze and said, “She’s wounded. You will not touch her.”
The two men stood chest to chest for several moments, though Meg didn’t understand it. But she caught a few other movements while the two faced each other.
Rut’s hand covered a wide smirk, Dyna wore a huge grin, and Alasdair came over and placed a hand on Sloan’s shoulder. “Later. We have more important things to do.”
Sloan stepped back, then gave a small bow. “I’m also in your debt, Meg.”
The man with gray hair stopped his pacing and said, “Let’s begin, MacVey. Time’s a-wasting.”
“And who are you, my lord? I did not hear your name.” Meg waited, surprised when the man waved, dismissing her.
“You’ll learn soon enough who I am.” Then he turned away from her again.
Meg stood and said, “Excuse me.”