Claimed By A Charmer (The Pith Trilogy) (18 page)

As he rode along, he wondered who
would want to hurt the McFies, and thought perhaps it could be the Dunmores. Burk
must have thought the same thing.

“You know, none of this makes any sense.
Ellic hasn’t had difficulty with any clans, so why would someone want to hurt
‘em?”

Douglas was about to answer when he
heard a whistle. He fell from his horse, striking his head on the ground. Everything
turned blurry, and he heard Burk shouting.

Burk yelled out, jumped from his
steed, and pulled his sword out of its scabbard. The Kerr soldiers surrounded him,
while Burk searched for the would-be attackers.

“I don’t see anyone. Men, keep your
eyes on the woods.”

Burk knelt next to him, and was
saying something.

Douglas felt the warmth of his
blood on his head, and his shoulder burned. Everything became shadowy, with two
images of his comrade’s face waving. He closed his eyes wanting to succumb.

“Damn it to hell,” Burk roared. He
knelt beside Douglas and tried to get him to come to, but he was completely
unresponsive. Yanking the arrow from the Kerr Laird’s shoulder, he then bunched
up a plaid and placed it inside Douglas’ tunic. He had a hard time getting Douglas
on his horse, even with the help of two men. After they struggled to get him
up, they finally placed him upon the horse’s back. Burk pulled a rope from his
pouch, and tied him down. He jumped on his own horse, giving the command to
ride out.

They rode hell-bent, and didn’t
stop until they reached home. When Burk saw the walls ahead, he shouted for
assistance. Cedric ran from the keep and stopped when he reached them.

Burk tried not to alarm the young
soldier with his news and he kept his voice level. “Cedric, come and help me, Douglas
has been hurt.”

Cedric frowned intently while he
helped untie his laird and lift him from the horse. “What happened to him?”

“Someone shot him with an arrow in
the McFie woods. We were headed home, when it happened. I think he hit his head
too.”

Cedric placed his laird over his
shoulder and took him inside. Burk followed, explaining the details. Cedric
knew Lady Kerr was inside and hoped she wouldn’t become hysterical.

“Milady, Douglas has been hurt, send
for the healer,” Cedric told her gently.

Lady Kerr clamored at the sight of
her son, but she ran from the keep toward the healer’s hut.

Cedric took the stairs and placed
Douglas on his bed. He paced alongside the bed, waiting for the healer. Lady
Kerr returned a short while later and touched Douglas’ head.

“The healer is ailing and cannot
come. She’s bedridden. I don’t know what to do. Cedric, help him,” she cried. “I’m
not experienced in matters of healing. Thomas never allowed me to learn.”

Cedric patted her shoulder, trying
to comfort her. “My lady, there must be someone else here that can tend him.”

“Aye, but they live too far. He’ll
surely die by the time they reach us. Oh, God.” She burst into tears, and
Cedric turned at the sound of the door opening.

“I know some healing remedies, Lady
Kerr. Do move out of the way. Cedric, let me tend him,” Isabel commanded. “Lady
Kerr, bring hot water and cloths. I’ll have him well in no time.”

“You’re an unmarried woman, I
cannot let you attend him. It would not be proper.”

“It’s not likely he’ll seduce me in
his condition, Lady Kerr. Besides, there is no one else. Bring linens with you,
too. Have water heated.”

Lady Kerr gave into Isabel’s
command and left the room.

“What do you need the water for?”
Cedric asked.

“To cleanse the wound, and it will
keep her busy while I tend him. Have you a dagger?” He held his out to her. “Clean
it, while I prepare.”

He did as she asked, then paced the
room, watching her at her chores. He noticed Douglas’ pale color and that he’d
remained unmoving. He searched his laird’s chest for motion.

“If you don’t cease pacing, you’ll
make me ill. Come, help me undress him; he’s too heavy.”

Cedric tore at the tunic and pulled
it off. It was soaked with blood, and he flinched at the sight. “He’s lost a
lot of blood, mayhap too much to save him.” He grew gravely troubled by it.

“Aye, he has, but worry not, I will
do what I can.” She prodded the injury. “He’s damned fortunate. I can’t believe
he didn’t die from the impact alone.”

He flinched at her words, nodding
his silent agreement and leaned forward to see the damage.

“The wound looks bad. He’ll be in
terrible pain, if he survives.” She dabbed the blood surrounding the jagged
injury. Douglas didn’t stir.

Candace ran in the room and carried
on, so much so, that Isabel had to pull her off Douglas.

“I cannot attend him with you
crying over him. Help your mother,” Isabel commanded.

“Milady, what if he dies?” Cedric
asked.

Candace sobbed loudly at his
question, and Isabel glared at him.

“He better not die. Do you hear me,
Douglas? You better not die,” Isabel shouted. “Go, Candace, help your mother. I’ll
tend him, worry not.”

As soon as the door closed, Isabel
wiped the blood from his chest, and moved closer to look at the torn skin. “There’s
a piece of arrow still inside. I’ll have to remove it. Come, hold him down,
incase he awakens.”

Cedric stood beside her, holding
Douglas’ shoulders, praying aloud. He didn’t realize it until Isabel looked at
him with a concerned glance. She grasped the small wooden fragment, and pulled
the tip of an arrow out.

“There, now I can clean the wound
and stitch it. Fetch my cloth sack inside my satchel. It’s beside the doorway
in Candace’s chamber.”

He did as she commanded and found
the satchel beside the door. He opened it, and removed several weapons before
he found the sack. He was aghast at the amount of weapons in her bag, but he’d
have to ask her about it later. Right now his main concern was for his laird. He
returned to Douglas’ chamber and handed her the cloth sack.

It took several minutes to clean
the wound. She mixed the smallest pinch of hemlock with a bit of cowbane into
liquid and poured a few drops in his mouth to ward off pain and infection. Taking
the time to account for each of her steps, she went about the duty
methodically. She explained that she usually disliked using the herbs, because
people were known to die from such potions, but she knew Douglas needed some
kind of pain relief. After mixing a concoction to ward off infection, she
returned the herbs to the packet and placed it aside.

“Will he survive?” Cedric leaned
forward to see what she was doing.

She threaded the end of the needle,
and pinched his skin so she could bind the wound. “I don’t know, Cedric,” she
said after a moment. “Merciful God, I hope so, if he doesn’t get fever or an
infection. I used herbs to ward against it, but one never knows.” Isabel
hesitated to apply the needle to his flesh, but he knew she had to be brave. She
quickly finished her task and affixed a bandage.

She sat beside him, placing her
hand on his heart. “It beats in a steady rhythm, but faintly. I’m sure you have
things to see to. I’ll watch over him for a while. Have hot water sent up, and
I’ll clean him so he’ll rest easier.”

“Aye, Milady, I’ll have my laird’s
mother sent to help you.” Cedric left her alone.

Isabel let the tears she’d been
fighting since first saw him in such a condition, fall. She wept silently.
Douglas hadn’t stirred once while she’d tended him. She knew he’d be in pain,
and she was relieved that he remained senseless. It hurt seeing him wounded. She
swore then and there that she wouldn’t let him die. And even after making that
vow, she prayed.

The Kerr clan was on alert. The
keep was closed tight against intruders. Sentries were sent to protect the
fields and lands surrounding the holding, as well as to the crofts. The news
was bleak—the laird wasn’t doing well. Everyone assumed he’d die, and their
manner all but had him buried. Cedric commanded a box be made, and sent for
their clergyman. Great sadness waded through the clan, and the weather mimicked
their dismal manner. It had rained the day Douglas arrived home, and hadn’t let
up since. Lady Kerr remarked that it should have been snow, for it was cold
enough. Yet, they contended with the incessant drizzle and frequent downpours.

Isabel shook her head as she
watched Lady Kerr sitting beside Douglas, weeping again. She’d chased her from
the room several times that day, as well as the day before, and the day before
that. She’d turned demanding during his infirmity, and all obeyed her orders,
knowing that she was just as distressed over his condition as they were.

Douglas had been ravaged by fever
for three days. Lady Kerr mumbled that his end neared, and that she couldn’t
bear to be away from him, even for a moment. Isabel stood up to her, the sullen
men, the weeping women, and demanded they have more faith in their laird. All
thought she was unbalanced when she told them that he would survive, and that
he wouldn’t dare leave them.

“Lady Kerr, you’re back again?” Isabel
carried a bowl of cool water and placed it on the table beside the bed.

“Aye, he’s not doing any better. Don’t
lie to me, Isabel. He’s dying, isn’t he?”

Lady Kerr covered her face so she
wouldn’t see her crying, knowing she wouldn’t let her stay if she wept.

“Nay, he’s not dying. You’re not
helping by crying at his bedside, Lady Kerr. Here.” Isabel handed her a cool
cloth. “We’ve got to wipe him down. He’s burning with fever again.”

“You must leave, Isabel. ‘Tis not
proper for you to be here, I cannot abide by it. Your mother is surely
condemning me from her grave.”

“I assure you, my mother would want
me to help. At least I think she would. As long as he still breathes, I’ll
continue to heal him. He’s a big man, we can get the job done much sooner if I
help anyway.”

“But you’re a young unmarried lass.
I cannot allow you to—”

“I’ve seen naked men before. I’m
not a silly girl to be concerned with such matters. Will you stop badgering me
and help?” Isabel pulled back the cover, and tried not to look at his middle
section. “I’ll wipe his chest and arms, you can do his legs.”

When they finished, they put an
extra plaid over him. “If you’re going to start weeping again, Lady Kerr, I
shall ask ye to leave.”

Douglas’ mother lowered her head,
and reluctantly left the chamber.

Isabel felt his forehead; he felt
somewhat cooler. She bent over him, laying her head against his shoulder, the
one not bandaged, and her hand played with a lock of his hair.

“Douglas, please come back to me. I
miss ye. You’re worrying me. You can even scowl, I won’t mind,” Isabel
whispered. She continued to play with his hair, snuggling closer. “I don’t
think I could bear it, if you don’t survive this. I haven’t even had a chance
to show you my true self. You’ll be surprised, Douglas, I’m not the demure
woman you thought me to be. I love you.” She fell into an exhausted sleep, her
hand still bound in his hair, her body resting beside his.

The moon shone through the single
window casement in the room when Douglas opened his eyes. At first, he didn’t
realize where he was, but he felt a woman cuddled beside him. He moved his gaze
from the window to the woman and noticed Isabel. He wasn’t sure why she was
there, but he wasn’t about to question it. Caressing her cheek, he listened to
her murmuring in her sleep. His thumb brushed over her lip, feeling the softness.
Isabel opened her eyes and gasped.

Douglas felt like hell. His entire
body seemed heavy, and as his mind cleared from the funk, he realized his head
and shoulder hurt. How had he ended up here, he wondered? He didn’t recall
riding home. The last thing he remembered was riding with Burk.

“Where is he? Burk!” He tried to
sit up, but Isabel held him still.

She moved from the bed, blushing
over the embarrassment at being found lying next to him.

“Relax, Douglas, he’s here, safe
and well.”

He relaxed back upon the pillow and
groaned. “I must see him.”

“You are fortunate, he brought ye
home. You were struck by an arrow and your head was cut open. I wasn’t sure if
you’d survive, you’ve had the fever the past few days.”

“I was struck by an arrow? Is that
why my shoulder hurts?”

She nodded. “Aye, I did a fair job
of patching you up.”

“You cared for me?” Why did those
words echo in his mind? She cared for him and tended his injuries? He had no
idea she was so skilled.

“I believe your fever has finally receded.
You must rest until we’re sure. You’ll be well in no time.”

Isabel leaned forward, feeling his
head. Her hair brushed his cheek when she turned, and he smelled the light
flowery fragrance. He groaned again.

“Are you in pain?” She leaned both
hands on the side of the bed.

“Nay.” He wouldn’t admit that the
pain he felt was in the lower extremities of his body. “Will you get Burk now? I
need to speak with him.”

“You should rest before you attend
your duties, Douglas. You’ll get upset and—”

“I must see to my clan. Please, get
Burk,” he practically shouted. He thought about moving from the bed and getting
him himself, but he was weak. When he tried to sit up, she pushed him back with
little effort. His stomach flipped and he thought he’d spill his guts. A light
thumping began to drum in his head.

“Very well, I’ll get him. I’m glad
you’re well again. You really worried me.”

He reached up, pressing his hand
against her cheek. She pulled away from him, and went to fetch Burk. He watched
her hair sway behind her.

“Damn me, the lass let her hair
down.” He knew there was something different about her.

He reached for the pewter pitcher
on the table next to him, and drank the contents, chugging it. The liquid
tasted bitter and made him gag. He’d thought it was water, and couldn’t put it
back on the table fast enough.

Burk came in the chamber, smiling. “I’ll
be damned, she didn’t kill ye.”

“Nay, why would she do that?”

“I’ve never dealt with such a formidable
lady, Laird Kerr.”

“She’s not like that, Burk. She’s
sweet and bonny.”

Burk’s booming laughter sounded
across the room. “We are speaking of Isabel Calvert, are we not?”

“Aye, we are.” Douglas grinned. He
thought Burk might have been injured, but he appeared sound, except, of course,
for his odd comment about Isabel.

“She’s a bonny lady, but sweet? I
wouldn’t know about that. I was afeard she’d do me in, if I didn’t comply with
her demands. She’s been downright onerous and fearsome.”

Douglas laughed then grew somber. “What
happened? All I remember is falling from my horse and you shouting.”

“Aye, an arrow struck ye. I tried
to locate the enemy, but the forest was too thick. Whoever did it was gone
before I could sight them. I thought you were a dead man. We put you on your
horse and rode for home. When I got here, Isabel took control.”

“Who the hell shot me with an
arrow?”

“Whoever it was wanted you dead. You’re
lucky it didn’t strike your heart.” Burk took a seat next to the bed. “The clan
had you buried, except for milady. She wouldn’t hear of it. In fact, she
demanded they stop their death vigil.”

Douglas grinned then frowned. “Why
would someone want to kill me? I don’t know of any enemies, besides Irving, and
he’s too cowardly to do anything so crafty. Do you think this is related to
Ellic’s oxen and Bonnie’s disappearance?”

“’Tis possible, Laird Kerr, but so
far there has been no connection.”

“Tell Cedric I want to see him.”

“Aye, I’ll get ‘em. He’s been beset
with concern since ye were brought back. He’s a fine soldier and commander.”

Douglas nodded, and told him to
hurry. He sat up, and pulled the binding from his shoulder. His wound began to
heal and itched. He lifted the plaid that covered him and was amazed to find
himself completely naked underneath. He chuckled. Isabel had an unfair
advantage, she’d seen him unclothed, but he hadn’t seen her. Burk acted so
peculiar about her, and he wondered what was going on.

Cedric arrived and stood beside the
doorway, watching him, but he didn’t notice him, until his commander-in-arms
cleared his throat. “‘Tis the truth, you’re not dead?”

Douglas looked up and laughed. “Nay,
I’m not dead. I want you to post additional guards and send out more sentries. My
clan is in danger—”

“It has all ready been done,
Laird.”

“Good, bid none entrance until I
find out what is going on. Trust no one.”

“What about Wills? He’ll be
returning soon.”

“He’s welcome, but no one else.”

“I’ve secured the keep and sent out
several groups to scour the borders. The sentry checked the crofts and village.
There have been no reports of anything unusual.”

“Will you let the clan know that
I’m well? I don’t want them to be concerned.”

“Aye, Laird, I’ll let them know.”

“And Cedric …”

“Aye, Laird?”

“You’ve done well. It’s no wonder I
trust you above all others.”

Douglas smiled at Cedric’s prideful
look. He’d never praised him before, but he deserved it. He thought he should
thank Cedric more often.

“What are you doing? Who told you,
you could sit up, and where is your bandage? Get out, Cedric, your laird needs
rest.” Isabel grabbed Cedric’s arm and tried to lead him to the door. Cedric
seemed to stifle his grin.

“Isabel, that’s no way to speak to
Cedric. What’s come over you?”

Cedric gave him a sympathetic
glance and tried to give a warning. “Laird, I wouldn’t—”

“Get out.” Isabel pointed to the
door. Cedric backed up until he could reach the handle on the door and made his
escape.

“You,” she said, with a pointed
finger. “Why did you remove your bandage? Now I’ll have to rebind it. You
should be resting.”

“I’m fine. Actually, I’m feeling
good right now. I don’t want another b-bandage.” Douglas felt groggy, and he
tried to shake his head to ward off the feeling. He did feel good and nothing
pained him, but he must still be tired from the ordeal.

“I don’t give a darn what ye want,
Douglas. I didn’t work long hours healing you so you could harm yourself
again.”

“Isabel,” he said softly.

“I don’t know why I care, go
without the bandage, but you’re not getting out of that bed. I will make sure
you stay put. Do you hear me, Douglas?”

“Aye, you’re yelling loud enough
for my sentries to hear you in the courtyard. How are you going to go about
it?” He became amused by her commanding tone and wanted to laugh.

“About what?” Isabel lost her train
of thought. He was good at getting her to forget what she was talking about.

“How do plan to make me stay put? Do
you know a way to keep me here?” Douglas grinned, thinking of it.

“Aye, I do. Don’t mess with me,
Douglas. I am not in the mood to placate ye.”

“You’ve my interest. How are you
going to keep me in bed? I want to know, Isabel.”

She strode through the door,
banging it behind her. He was entertained by her behavior, and wanted to laugh
heartily at her antics, but his head hurt too badly. He wouldn’t tell her that.
She might have a fit, what with the way she’d acted. She thought to keep him in
bed, and he knew of one way that she could keep him there. When she returned,
he’d make the suggestion.

Cedric and Burk followed her inside
the room. They each held ropes in their hands, giving Douglas a lamentable
look.

“You’ll stay in that bed and if you
don’t, they’ll tie you to it.” She stressed it by placing her hands on her
hips.

His laughter boomed forth, making
his shoulder hurt and the drumming in his head increase. “I promise to stay in
the bed until you give me permission to leave it, Isabel. Leave us.”

“Mayhap we should stay to protect ye,
Laird,” this came from Cedric.

“I don’t need protection.”

He watched them shove each other,
trying to get out of the room. He wanted to laugh, but he didn’t want to hurt
her feelings. She turned her frown on him.

“What happened to you when I was
ill? I’m not sure—”

“I decided to be myself, Douglas. Is
that not what you told me to do?”

“Uh … I didn’t know you were so
formidable and so … Mayhap I should have kept my mouth shut for once.”

“Nay, it was time to put that coy,
silly woman aside. You are seeing the true me, and perhaps you might not like
it, but I will not change who I am again. I’m not the woman you thought me to
be, Douglas.”

“I’ll be delighted to get to know ye.”
Douglas grabbed her arm and pulled her against him, she half laid across the
bed and him. “You don’t know who you’re messing with, Isabel. If it’s to be a
war of the wills, you’ve a challenge before you.”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle, I
assure you.”

He couldn’t resist. He’d intimidate
her to return to the gentle maiden. Nay, he admitted that he liked her
feistiness. Her body came toward him when he pulled her closer.

She knew what he intended and her
eyes widened. Douglas touched his mouth to hers, holding her head in place. She
tried to pull away, but was unable to release herself from his grip. He moved
his tongue across her lips and groaned.

She tried to protest, but before
she could utter a word, Douglas invaded her. She was probably concerned about
the stitches in his shoulder. He hoped to make her forget about his injury, and
kissed her with as much passion as he could mete. She whimpered, melting
against him. He pressured the kiss, and continued to assault her senses. Inflamed
by her, heat shot through his body like a flaming arrow. He dreamt of having
her in his bed, and she was so close to being pulled next to him—right where he
had wanted her for so long.

Isabel pulled back, smiling. “Douglas,”
her voice barely whispered.

“Go before I lose what little
control I’ve left.” His body heat rose, and he didn’t know if it was caused by
his intense desire, or if his fever had returned.

“Perhaps I want you to lose
control.”

“Isabel, I …” He swallowed hard;
her words only fueled the fire. A dizzying sense overtook him and he saw two of
her.

“Very well, but I’ll be back. No
more visitors.” Isabel picked up the pitcher and looked at it strangely. “Douglas,
did you drink this?” When she turned back around, he was fast asleep. She held
the pitcher, and walked to the door, knowing it would be a long rest for him.

*****

The next morning, Douglas waited
for someone to come inside his chamber. He heard bustling in the hallway, but
none entered. Then, finally his mother stopped by to see him.

She felt his head and smiled. “Thank
heavens you survived. Ye had me worried, Douglas.”

“I’m well enough, just a wee sore. Where
is everyone?”

“Things have been quiet during your
illness. Nothing much to impart. Candace and I worried for ye, but Isabel
assured us she wouldn’t let you die. She was so brave tending you. I didn’t
know what to do, but she took control and kept you from dying. Our healer was
ailing and could not attend ye.”

“What happened to Isabel? I awaken
to find her changed much.”

His mother grinned. “She’s a force
to be reckoned with, but if it wasn’t for her, you’d be dead and buried. As far
as I’m concerned, she can be any way she chooses. Ye remember your promise, do
ye not?”

“Of course. I haven’t spoken to
Isabel about it yet.”

Douglas’ lips formed a straight
line as he considered what his mother had said. Isabel had saved him again. That
didn’t sit well. He was supposed to protect her, not the other way around. Didn’t
she know that? Nay, she obviously didn’t, but he’d tell her so.