Highland Belle (24 page)

With the earl between them, Iain and Jamie started up the stairs. Dazed, Brigette followed them to the earls chamber.

Set him here, Moireach ordered. Jamie, stoke the hearth so I can see what Im doin.

Its my fault. Brigette moaned. I conjured the evil ones by speaking of them.

Black Jack looked at her and smiled faintly. Nae evil spirit did this. I never imagined Menzies would go this far.

Dinna speak, Iain cautioned. Yeve lost a lot of blood.

Black Jack caught the housekeepers eye and glanced at Brigette. She was as white as a person can get and still be breathing.

Go downstairs, Lady Brigette, Moireach ordered. Boil water and collect as many candles as ye can. Eager to help, Brigette hurried from the chamber.

Hold him steady, Moireach said. Give me yer knife, Iain, and keep the damned arrow from jigglin aboot.

With a minimum of movement, Moireach cut the head and tail of the arrow and, after a careful inspection, threw them aside. With a steady hand, she pulled out the stem. Black Jack groaned, and blood flowed from both ends of his wound. After cutting his shirt away, Moireach lifted her skirt, tore off a section of her petticoat, and gingerly dabbed at the wounds.

Jamie, fetch hot water, poultice ingredients, and strips of clean cloth. And dinna let Lady Brie return until ye come back.

Why?

Dinna question me — yer wastin precious time.

Held steady by Iain, Black Jack sat on the edge of the bed. Moireach knelt in front of him and tried to staunch the bleeding. With his eyes, Black Jack questioned the housekeeper, who answered with an almost imperceptible shake of her head.

What is it? Iain asked.

Tell him before the others return, Black Jack said.

Moireach retrieved the head of the arrow and held it out for Iains inspection. See there. It was dipped in poison. Probably neither quick nor terribly painful, it will prove fatal all the same.

Nae! Iain railed. Is there nae cure?

Moireach shook her head.

Ill slay the craven bastard wi my bare hands!

Ive nae doubt yell eventually kill him, son. Black Jacks voice was resigned. At the moment, however, ye must take charge of Dunridge. He looked at Moireach and asked, How much time do I have?

The housekeepers eyes were blurry with tears. Long enough to see Iain on the high road.

Good. Black Jack smiled with grim satisfaction. Time enough to see my first grandson?

Unable to meet his searching gaze, Moireach shrugged, saying, If Lady Brigettes time comes early.

An expression of unutterable sadness crossed the earls face, but was quickly replaced by solemn resignation. So be it, Black Jack said, accepting his fate. When the wounds have been dressed, Iain, bring Father Kaplan. Ive the need to confess my sins. Promise whats passed between us here will go nae farther. I dinna want anyone mournin before Im gone. Moireach?

I swear.

What aboot Percy? Iain asked.

Send for yer brother, but as soon as Im buried, hes to return to Edinburgh. Sheena Menzies is too valuable a prize to lose.

Iain gazed at his fathers face, which had aged immeasurably in the span of one short day. I swear.

Yeve been a good son and will make a fine earl. Iain was not so sure. If Im still breathin in the mornin, Black Jack added, bring Glenda to me.

Jamie and Spring raced into the chamber. They were followed a moment later by a slightly breathless Brigette.

I want ye to stay wi Glenda, Moireach instructed Jamie and Spring as she began washing the earls wounds. The puir thin must be sick wi fright, and her mother willna offer comfort. The earl will be fine and has invited her to visit him in the mornin. Off wi ye also, Lady Brigette.

No! I wont be sent away.

Iain opened his mouth to order her from the chamber, but Black Jack spoke first. Come here, then, and sit beside me.

Moireach mixed the poultice and applied it, front and back. Then she began binding the wounds.

Calm yerself, Brie, Black Jack said, aware his daughter-in-law was as terrorized as a fledgling warrior in the midst of his first battle. I amna goin to die. What a stupendous travesty it would be for Him to call His most flamboyant sinner home on All Saints Day.

Youre not a sinner.

Done, Moireach said. Up wi ye, Lady Brigette. Lets ease him back to the pillow, Iain. Between the two of them, they gently lowered the earl. Ill finish undressin him. Put yer wife to bed and then see to the other matter.

Iain led his stunned wife out and escorted her to their own chamber. He helped her change into a nightshift and put her to bed. Pausing for a moment, Iain brushed a few strands of hair off her forehead and planted a light kiss there. When he tried to draw back, Brigette clutched his hand.

Oh, she cried in anguish.

Are ye ill, hinny?

Im sick with dread.

Theres nothin to fear. Iain struggled to maintain control of his own rioting emotions. Moireach said Black Jack would be up and aboot in nae time at all.

Are you certain? Brigette wanted desperately to believe him. Its the same as when Papa — She broke off, unable to continue.

Hush. Iain sat on the edge of the bed and stroked her cheek. Im verra sorry. Id forgotten aboot yer father. Close yer eyes and try to sleep while I sit wi Black Jack. When she obeyed, he pecked her cheek, then stood and left the chamber.

Hes restin but awake, Moireach said when Iain and Father Kaplan entered the earls chamber. Theres a sleepin draft mixed wi wine on the table. Give it to him when yer finished.

Perching on the edge of the bed, Father Kaplan took the earls hands in his. Iain started to slip away, but Black Jack stopped him. Dinna leave, son.

Puzzled, Iain turned back. Ill be out —

No! Black Jack ordered in a surprisingly strong voice. Its fittin the next Earl of Dunridge learns how the feud wi the Menzies clan began.

15

Do ye hurt?

A mite.

Will ye die?

No today.

Tomorrow?

I dinna ken. Black Jack smiled at Glenda, standing solemnly beside his bed.

May I go wi ye? she asked, a glimmer of hope leaping into her large blue eyes.

Wi me? he echoed. Dyin is a thin each mon must do alone. Ye ken?

No. Blue eyes filled with tears.

Set yerself right here. Black Jack patted the edge of the bed, then winked at her. I see yeve brought Lady Autumn to visit.

Yes. Glendas expression was glum.

Do ye love me, hinny?

Yes.

And do ye trust me?

Whats that? she asked.

Trust is, Black Jack explained, when ye believe what a person tells ye.

I trust ye.

Good! Ive been seriously wounded, he told her, but I hope to be up and aboot in a few days. But Im an old mon whos lived his life to the fullest. If I dinna recover and pass over to the other side, Ill wait for ye there. When yer life is over, well go walkin in Gods garden forever. Ye ken?

Glenda nodded. Ill miss ye if ye go away.

Ye may be unable to see me, but Ill always be here, Black Jack said, placing his hand over her heart.

The door opened, admitting Brigette, who smiled at them in greeting. No, Sly! The fox whizzed past her. He raced to the bed and leaped at Glenda, who leaned over to let him lick her face.

Dinna bother evictin him, Black Jack said, then chided his granddaughter. And dinna let the beastie lick yer face. People kiss people and beasts kiss beasts.

Lady Brie lets Sly kiss her face, Glenda returned.

Ignoring the earls pointed stare, Brigette settled herself in the chair beside the bed, then asked, How are you feeling today?

Much better, he lied, especially since my two favorite ladies have come visitin. And how are ye feelin?

Much better, now that Ive come visiting my favorite father-in-law, she quipped, then grinned puckishly.

Black Jack chuckled. Yed have made a fine diplomat.

Do you really think so?

Before the earl could reply in the negative, Glendas voice rose in anger. Sly!

The fox had snatched Lady Autumn and, in a whirl of copper fur, darted from the chamber. Glenda dashed after him, but stopped abruptly at the threshold and ran back to the earls side. Sly has a fondness for Autumn, she told him. Im glad ye arena goin to die today. Id be lonesome wiout ye. She kissed his unshaved cheek, then raced after Lady Autumns abductor.

Black Jack and Brigette looked at each other and laughed. Im also glad youre not seriously wounded, she added her sentiments to Glendas. Id miss you too.

The earls forehead creased in a frown that vanished almost instantly. Im plannin to hold my grandson, he said. Do ye doubt it?

No. Brigette shook her head, then smiled to mask the uneasy feeling that all was not well.

A week passed. The earl was not up and about as he had promised; instead, he seemed to have weakened. Brigette secretly doubted he had the strength to hold a baby, but confused by Iains optimism, she remained silent on the subject.

Brigette passed long, pleasurable hours in the earls company. He delighted in seeing the babys clothing take shape beneath her fingers, even as the babe took shape within her belly. As she sewed, Brigette spoke of inconsequential matters, which seemed to soothe him. Other times, Black Jack reminisced about his younger days with Iains mother. Whenever Brigettes stomach shifted or she gasped at a sudden kick, the earls expression became radiant.

Percy, Brigette cried when the door opened one day to admit Iain and his brother.

By God, yer bloomin! Percy grinned, more than a little surprised by her size. Wee Glenda was correct. Ye do look like ye swallowed somethin whole.

Why, thank you, Percy, she returned drily. Ive missed your sweet, flattering ways.

Would ye leave us, Brie? Black Jack spoke. I want to speak privately wi my sons.

Iain was instantly at her side to help her rise, then escorted her to the door. Pausing outside the chamber, Brigette leaned against the door and frowned.

All is not as it should be, she thought for the hundredth time. Why would Percy leave Edinburgh if Black Jack is in no danger? Its almost as if hed been called home for . . . No! It could not be! Brigette argued with herself. Iain would not hide such a thing from me. But what other reason could Percy have for returning?

Brigettes heart was as heavy as her ungainly body as she walked downstairs to the great hall, where she thought Glenda and Sly would be. The fox was curled up in front of the hearth, but the child was nowhere to be seen.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Slys tail wagged as Brigette eased herself into a chair. At his mistresss beckoning gesture, the fox sat beside her, and when she began stroking the silken fur beneath his muzzle, Sly sighed, satisfied with life.

I see yeve finally emerged from yer chamber. Antonia stood beside her.

I was with the earl. Brigette glanced at the blonde, adding, Percys home.

Ive seen him. I dinna ken why yer wastin yer time sittin wi a dyin old mon.

Hes not dying, Brigette cried angrily. She tried to leap to her feet to confront her sister-in-law, but was unable to propel her ponderous body up. And dont call him an old man.

Yell be countess when hes gone, Antonia countered. Ye should be prayin for his death.

I could never wish for anyones death. Not even yours.

Antonia stalked away in a huff. Tears of frustration and grief threatened to spill from Brigettes eyes. Struggling to control her emotions was a losing battle, and fat teardrops slid down her cheeks.

Whats this? Iain asked, squatting beside the chair.

I — I had an argument with Antonia, and when I tried to stand, I couldnt get up. It was humiliating.

Iain chuckled.

Percys not home for — for . . . Brigette searched his eyes for the truth. Black Jack will recover, wont he?

Of course. Iain gently brushed her tears away. Ive said as much. Dinna ye trust me?

I do, she replied without hesitation. Knowing he lied, Iain felt his heart sink to his stomach.

Brigette sat between her husband and brother-in-law at the high table and pushed her food around on her plate. Thoughts of Black Jack dying troubled her, especially since Percys homecoming. In fact, the earl was failing rapidly.

Ye arena eatin much, Iain observed.

Im not hungry.

Whats troublin ye?

If you must know — Brigette turned on him, her expression long-suffering — the skin across my belly itches horribly. Its unspeakable torture and I dare not scratch here.

What misery to be born a woman, Percy quipped, feigning sympathy.

Brigette cast her brother-in-law an unamused look, then turned back to Iain. I believe Ill retire to scratch in peace. Help me up?

As she left the hall, Brigette gestured Spring to stay where she was. After all, she thought sourly, Ive been unable to squeeze into my beautiful gowns for months. I look more like a scullery maid than a countess. And a fat scullery maid at that!

In her chamber, Brigette pulled the brocaded, tentlike shift over her head, then pushed the straps of her chemise down and let the garment fall to the floor.

Vigorously rubbing her distended stomach gave Brigette no relief. She sat down and massaged herself with Moireachs lotion; it soothed her tormenting itch.

Relieved, Brigette pulled a nightshift over her head, then tied the ribbons running from its neckline to navel. After donning her robe, she left her chamber to visit Black Jack.

Moireach was on her way out of the earls chamber. She carried his untouched supper tray. He isna hungry, the housekeeper grumbled.

Thats not a good sign.

Perhaps, Moireach returned, hes followin yer example. Ye didna eat much tonight either.

Ignoring the admonition, Brigette brushed past her into the earls chamber. His eyes were closed and he lay motionless. Without a word, Brigette sat in the chair beside his bed.

Is that ye, Brie?

Yes. How are you feeling? Brigette noted the glaze in his eyes.

Ive seen better days.

Brigette rose slowly from the chair and eased herself onto the edge of the bed. She placed her palm on Black Jacks forehead and decided he felt warm. Gathering his hands in hers, Brigette hesitated and then asked, You — youre not going to recover, are you?