Chapter Five
Maddie welcomes Aline, which the lass doesn’t expect.
Aline opened her eyes to see the light-haired woman bustling about the chamber, fussing here and there. She followed her with only one eye open because the other hurt too much to move. Hew had fixed her good this time.
Though she would have to return to Castle Dubh—she had no choice—she knew it was probably best for her to stay here for a short while so she could heal. At least she would not have to look at Hew’s smug face.
“Oh, you are awake.” The lady came over to the side of the soft bed with a cup of water. “Would you like something to drink? Whenever I was beaten, the first thing I wanted was water. No matter how many times, it never changed.”
Aline nodded, running her tongue across dry, cracked lips coated in blood. Once she wetted her mouth, she whispered, “Who are you? I saw you earlier, but I do not recall your name.”
“My name is Madeline Grant or Maddie, I am the wife of the laird, Alexander Grant.” She set the cup on a side table and pulled a stool up next to the bed so she could sit.
“My lady, your husband beats you?” Aline saw no signs of a beating, only pale skin with a few fine lines on it, especially around her eyes—the kindest blue eyes she’d ever seen. They looked familiar to her, that blue color.
“Heavens, nay. Alex would never raise a hand to me. ‘Twas many moons ago when I still lived with my stepbrother. He often beat me into submission. My husband stole me away from him, that is, before we were married. He rescued me.”
“Your eyes are beautiful, they are…” Then she knew. The lad who had brought her here had the same blue eyes. His were not quite as kind as Madeline’s, but they were haunting in a way that drew her in. She hoped she would see him again.
“My thanks. My twin sons both have the same blue eyes, as does one of my daughters.”
“Your sons?”
“Aye, Jake is the lad who brought you home. His twin, Jamie, was with you. I do not know if you recall either of them. You were in bad condition when they brought you here.”
She shook her head, unable to remember anything about another son.
Madeline patted her arm. “Nay, ‘tis all right. Do you recall Jake, the man who carried you here?”
She stared at the ceiling, the wooden beams, as her eyes filled with tears.
Aye, she remembered him, but Hew must have done more damage than usual this time.
Her head hurt. Why could she not think properly?
Closing her eyes, she tried to remember him, but blue eyes and dark hair were the only two things she could recall.
His face, his features, all gone now. Oh Lord above, what had Hew done to her this time?
How much longer could she continue on like this? Her breath hitched.
“Listen, do not fret.” Maddie took her hand, one of the few parts of her body that did not hurt, and squeezed it. “I often had the same trouble recalling details after I lost consciousness.”
“You did?”
Maddie leaned toward her, keeping ahold of her hand, and brushed her hair back. “Aye, but ‘twill get better. My husband’s sister says ‘tis from all the trauma on your head. Once the swelling goes down, once the bruises dissipate, you will remember.”
Aline squeezed her hand. “I do recall your son, just not enough.”
“The memories will return, mayhap when he comes to visit you. Do not worry.”
“I do not wish to forget. I wish to remember everything. Someday I will make the man who did this pay.”
“You do not need to see him again. We would welcome you to stay with our clan. I have found that people who are that cruel never change. It will eat away at them, and they will worsen as time passes. Have you been beaten before?”
Aline nodded, afraid to admit to the truth out loud.
“And is this the worst one you have ever experienced?”
“Aye, but it does not matter. I must return, I must.” She pushed against the linens, attempting to lift herself from the soft mattress, but she fell back down against the pillows, too weak to lift herself out of the bed.
“Shhhh. I know. There are people there whom you love, but first you must get better. You cannot return in the condition you are in. When you are ready, we will help you, I promise.”