Chapter 18
Elsea's eyes widened. "Do you have enough men to defeat the earl?"
"Aye," Brodie said. "Unless he enlists a massive army."
"Mayhap you should send someone to ask for help from the MacElrath and MacTavish clans."
Brodie's chest tightened with a slice of pain, and he grimaced. "Nay. Torr and Gavin are on their honeymoons with their new brides," he said... 'haps with too much resentment.
"Helping you would be more important to them, and you ken it," she said, her voice as strong as a sword's blade. "Why not send messengers to them both? They would drop everything and come here."
"Aye, but if they were to be injured or killed, 'twould be on my head." He truly would never wish to harm his two best friends... his brothers. He was closer to them than anyone.
Except for Elsea, something inside him whispered. He ground his teeth. Nay, he was not close to her anymore and could never be again.
She blew out an irritated breath and turned her attention to the tisane again. "This has cooled too much now. 'Tis barely warm." She picked it up. "Can you sit up enough to drink it?"
"I hate moving. 'Twill hurt like the devil."
"I'll help you," she said softly, genuine compassion in her captivating eyes. Damn it all! He refused to let her get under his skin again.
"Can you stack more pillows behind my back?" Hell, he was trapped, unable to escape her sweetness, her bonnie blue gaze, or her soothing hands. They all strove to disarm him, to enchant him.
She retrieved two plump feather pillows from a chair across the room.
"Ready?" she asked.
He closed his eyes and attempted to sit up. Agony struck, and he growled.
"Let me help you," she said.
"'Tis too hard for you," he gritted out.
"Nay." Elsea pushed against his back while shoving the pillows behind him. "Now, lean back." Her gentle hands on him, she helped him recline slowly so as not to jar his injury. "How's that?"
"Better." He relaxed his chest muscles, and some of the pain slid away. He inhaled a deep breath.
"Are you ready to drink some?"
"Aye."
She held the cup to his lips. Lifting his hand, he tilted the cup and drank most of the bitter, tepid liquid in a few swallows.
She took the cup and set it aside.
"I appreciate it. You're strong for a lady."
"I thank you."
'Slud, even her hint of a smile did horrible things to his insides, scraping away at his resolve. But her physical strength truly was remarkable.
"Do you still practice Highland knife fighting?" he asked.
"Aye, of course. Swordplay and archery, too."
"'Tis impressive." Mayhap he had told her that before, but he couldn't remember. The tisane was already making him feel foggy, for his stomach was empty and gnawing.
"Is the pain waning?" she asked.
"Aye."
She sat back in the chair, while sleep overcame him.
When he awoke again, sunlight beamed in at the window. He squinted against the bright light and glanced at the chair, but Elsea was gone. Though he was disappointed, he hoped she was sleeping.
"Ah. You're awake, lad," Finnian said from across the room. "How do you feel?"
"Hale and hearty." The ache had diminished, but if he moved, it would torture him again.
"At least your sense of humor is returning." Finnian grinned. "I'll brew you a different tisane and ask the lass to come in and read to you."
"Read?" That sounded like the daftest thing ever.
"Well, then. Talk." Finnian shrugged, then smirked. "I doubt you're able for anything else at present."
Brodie knew what he was implying. "You're fit for Bedlam!"
Finnian cackled and left the room.
Brodie wished the old codger wouldn't hint anything about bedsport with Elsea.
Hell, 'twas the last thing he wanted to think of now.
But their joining in the cave... that had been hot as hellfire.
His body tensed, and agony threatened. "Do nay think of it," he commanded himself in a low tone, his teeth clenched.
When Elsea entered, carrying a book, Brodie scowled.
"Finnian said you might like it if I read."
"The old man is a dotard," Brodie grumbled.
"Nay, he's a sweetheart."
Brodie snorted.
"And he's helping you heal," she said in a stern tone.
"True, and I appreciate him." Brodie was glad to see that the lass didn't look as exhausted as before and that her hair was freshly braided in a different style. He hoped she had slept some.
"Your mother had this copy of The Canterbury Tales. She said you liked it." A hint of a smile played upon Elsea's lush lips.
"What am I, a child?" he asked, for his ma had read it to him when he was five.
"Very well." Her brightness quelled, Elsea lay the book aside. He regretted dimming her mood, but he could not abide a story right now. Far more important matters were at hand.
"I want to thank you for showing me where the knave's castle is," he said.
"I was glad we could rescue so many of the females.
Now, we but need to find the ten he kidnapped earlier.
I asked Randall and another guard where they were being held.
They would reveal naught. No telling where the blackguard took them or if he's already sold them. "
"I would like to help you find them." Elsea perched on the chair by the bed, her eyes earnest.
"How?"
"I have nay inkling, but they could be at one of his other estates."
"Can you remember the names of them?" He had asked her that before, and she couldn't recall.
Glancing away, she thought for a long moment. "Duncragle! I remember that because of how unusual it sounds."
"Never heard of it. Where is it?"
She shrugged and shook her head. "Oh, and Glenhaish is another one. 'Tis about five or ten miles away from Kincreag. My brothers and I have ridden past it before."
Brodie frowned. That sounded promising. "In which direction?"
"'Tis south of Kincreag, I would say. Mayhap a bit southwest."
"What does it look like?" he asked.
"'Tis a dark gray stone castle on a loch. Two towers."
"In good repair?"
"The curtain wall is damaged and partly knocked down, but the castle is not as ruinous as Dunrhyne. William said 'tis at least two hundred years old."
"Which loch is it on?"
She frowned in deep thought and bit her lip. "I do nay recall."
Brodie nodded. "I think I can find it. Once I'm well enough, I'll go in search of it."
"I'll go with you," she said eagerly.
"Nay!" He glared.
"Oh, you're going alone, are you?"
He shrugged. "I'll take Kenneth and several of my clansmen."
She narrowed her eyes as if she had her doubts.
"I did nay lose that much blood, lass. I'll recover in short order." Natural selkies healed faster than humans. Would that apply to him also? He hoped it would.
"The quicker you eat, the quicker you'll heal and regain your strength," she said.
"Did Finnian tell you to say that?"
She rolled her eyes. "Nay. Anyone with good sense kens that."
"I might stomach some broth, mayhap bread. Can you send in Ruskin, my manservant, to help me dress? I cannot stay in bed all day."
"You could get dizzy and fall!"
"Nonsense."
Elsea opened the door. "He wishes me to bring him some broth. Do you think he is well enough to get out of bed?"
"Nay." Finnian trotted in. "I advise against it, lad."
"I just want to get dressed and sit in the chair. I'm nay riding into battle."
"You may sit on the edge of the bed," Finnian said. "We'll see if it makes you dizzy or causes your wound to bleed."
While Elsea was gone to retrieve the food, Brodie reluctantly obeyed Finnian and stayed sitting on the edge of the bed, pain lancing through his wound.
Lightheaded, he swayed. The longer he lay abed, unmoving, the more strength he would lose.
He could not allow that to happen, regardless of the pain.
Ruskin helped him clean up and put on a fresh shirt, an old one in case he bled on it. The faster he moved, the faster he would be back in action. He tried to stand but almost blacked out.
"'Tis too soon, lad," Finnian warned, grabbing his arm and urging him to the bed again. "Sitting is enough for this day."
Brodie sat for a few minutes, thinking of the selkies. What if the whoreson returned to the island this night to capture more females?
"Can you send Kenneth up here? I need to speak to him forthwith."
"Of course, but promise me you will remain seated." The old man pointed a finger.
Not used to being ordered about, Brodie rolled his eyes. "I promise."
"I'll watch him," Ruskin said, adding a piece of driftwood to the fire.
Finnian nodded and left the room.
A few minutes later, his tall, brawny sword-bearer entered and bowed, his brown eyes concerned. "Chief. How are you doing?"
"I'm improving. Listen, Kenneth, I need you to take a dozen or so men out to Rònmòrach Isle and help guard the selkies. Talnaroch may try to abduct the females again."
"Of course."
"Take enough food and supplies for several days.
Arrange for a second group of guards to relieve the first group after a few days.
Tell Chief Scarth I'm recovering, and I'll return as soon as I'm able.
The selkie males will need help if the bastard earl has hired more soldiers.
Besides, that damned witch is helping him, which gives him the advantage. "
Kenneth nodded, dark brows lowered. "Aye, chief, do nay fash over it. We'll protect them."
"Be on the alert for strange occurrences. You can never predict what the witch will do."
They talked a few more minutes, then Kenneth left.
Since Brodie couldn't be out there, he was glad the selkie males would have the assistance of his clan. At the same time, he hoped his clansmen wouldn't have to fight the earl's men. He did not want them injured either.
His stomach was settled enough for him to eat a few minutes later, when Elsea entered with a tray of food.
Saints, but she was lovely today, her blue eyes bright, slightly cheerful, but concerned as she observed him. Part of her blond hair was braided and pulled back, making him think of warrior braids. Aye, she was a wee warrior, considering all she had endured.
"Are you dizzy?" she asked in a soft, intimate tone.
"Nay much."