Chapter Three

Two days later

Despite the early hour, Adair was well into her chores. The freshly washed clothes were draped over drying lines, and she'd already swept the front room.

Her mother was at the kitchen table kneading dough and looked up when Adair pulled a shawl around her shoulders. "What are ye doing now?"

"Fetching water to scrub the floors," Adair replied. "I feel restless. Worried about Robbie."

By the change in her mother's expression—her eyes falling, her lips pressing together—she too was worried.

Her brother had come by to let them know he was to be gone for several days. He was to escort their laird's uncle to Macdonald lands.

The last time he'd gone, it had been to battle against them.

"I dinnae understand why our laird chose Robbie," Adair said. "It is nae fair."

"Go fetch the water Adair. There is nae can be done but pray and hope for his safe return." Her mother's tone was soft, but strained with worry she couldn't hide.

Immediately Adair felt bad for adding to her mother's worry by complaining. It was true there was little they could do. It was Robbie's duty as a guard after all. The fact he worked for Ruari Stuart and not his uncle was what made it bothersome that he would have to escort the other laird.

If anything happened to her brother it would be on Ruari's head for not standing up to his uncle, whom she'd heard had over one hundred men under his command.

At midday, she couldn't stay in the house any longer, so she went to the village square. It was a pleasant day; the weather mild and the sky clear.

Several vendors had set up displays of all kinds. But only one vendor interested Adair. A man who sold the most delicate wood carvings. Adair collected them; allowing herself one every season.

As she neared the vendor, the elderly man called Thomas, smiled broadly. "The fair lass approaches. Which one will she choose today?"

"I dinnae see a fair lass about," Adair quipped back feeling lighter at having someone to banter with.

Thomas bowed his head as if in deference. "The lass Adair, is fair in spirit and bonnie to the eye."

Despite herself, her cheeks warmed at the compliment. She lingered over each delicate carving, picking up one and then another. Finally, one of a tiny mouse caught her eye. She lifted it up and giggled at its cheerful expression. "How delightful. I must have him."

"I would think ye would choose a hare." The deep voice made her jump and she whirled to find Ruari standing next to her peering down at the items.

"My laird," Thomas said beaming that his stand would be so popular that day.

"Good day to ye Thomas," Ruari replied. "How fares yer wife?"

If possible, Thomas' smile widened. "She is much better. Thank ye."

Still holding the mouse, fearful that he'd purchase it for himself, Adair took a step away from the laird.

"I may add a hare to my collection one day. Today, I prefer this mouse," she said not meeting his gaze.

How long would the man carry on over the incident with the rabbit? Of course, he could have had her arrested for poaching and her father fined dearly, so it was best to remain pleasant.

When he didn't make to leave, Adair paid the vendor and walked away. Not wishing to allow the laird to intimidate her, she stopped at the next stand. The woman there sold beautifully embroidered linens. Adair had never bought one as they were expensive, and she couldn't afford them. She was satisfied with admiring them and praising the woman for her skills.

To her chagrin, the laird joined her at that stall. "Good day to ye Mairi," he greeted the woman, who beamed in return.

"Good day Laird," the woman replied.

He continued past. Did he know every villager's name?

She couldn't help but catch up to him. "I am impressed that ye know everyone by name."

They continued on past another stall where he greeted the vendors by name there as well. They finally arrived at a stall where a man and his son sold lamb skewers. After greeting them by name, Ruari asked her if she wished for one. Adair was much too nervous to eat so she shook her head.

He purchased two and ignoring her head shakes, handed one to her. He then motioned for her to continue to walk with him.

"I try my best," he replied between bites. "When people come to the keep for whatever reason, it makes it easier to get to know them."

Once finishing off the meal of lamb, he tossed a few bits to a dog that lingered around hoping for something to drop.

Adair swallowed a bit of the delicious meat and took a fortifying breath. "When does my brother return?"

The laird looked at her for a moment before replying. "I expect today."

It was on the tip of her tongue to ask why he'd chosen Robbie, but she knew her brother would be furious. So she nodded. "I best return home and inform Mother and Father. Good day, my laird."

"Be with care, Adair."

At hearing her name, a shiver ran up her arms. It shouldn't have surprised her that he had remembered her name but hearing him say it felt oddly intimate. She turned to see him watching her and then hurried away. Heat rushed from her stomach to her face and her breath quickened.

The same dog followed her, its tail swishing side to side as he studied her food. "Yer in luck, I can nae possibly eat this." Adair bent to feed the greedy dog that was promptly joined by another.

*

"Call yer father," Adair's mother stated while ladling stew into large bowls. They stood in the small kitchen, Adair with a basket of bread in her hands.

Just as Adair took a step forward, the door opened and both women turned to find her father entering, with a stricken expression.

Her mother gasped, dropping the ladle, and Adair's entire body seized, making it hard to breathe.

"What happened?" both said at the same time.

"The wagon is outside. Fetch yer cloaks, we must go to the keep. Robbie has been badly injured."

The next moments were a blur as they hurried to find their cloaks, and a wooden box that held medicinal herbs, and the prepared tonics she and her mother often made.

With her father pushing the horse to gallop, it was only a short time later they hurried through the gates and into the keep.

Guards didn't stop them from rushing to the entrance, but instead a pair walked alongside, including the muscled warrior named Keir.

"Where is he?" her father demanded as soon as they entered the house.

Keir motioned to a corridor. "This way. The healer is with him."

"The healer?" her mother asked in a strained voice. "Which one?"

"The village healer," the warrior clarified. "He is the best."

"We will see about that." Her mother pushed past them practically running to the open doorway. Then she hesitated for a moment as if preparing herself mentally, before entering.

Following her mother into the room, there was no mistaking the smell of blood in the air. It coiled around her like a rope, constricting her lungs.

On a narrow cot, her brother lay still as the dead. He was pale, but thankfully breathing.

Adair had to fortify herself to keep from crying out at seeing his mangled right leg.

"The horse fell atop him," the healer explained. "I am nae sure if I can save his leg."

Fury filled her, burning its way up until it felt as if a furnace were alight in her chest. A sound like that of an injured beast surged from her father, and her mother stroked Robbie's hair whilst tears streamed down her face.

Adair leaned forward and kissed her brother's oddly cool face and whispered into his ear, "Fight Robbie. Fight for yer life. Ye promised me to be a doting uncle to my bairns. Ye have to live."

Blind with fear, she whirled around and stormed from the room. If someone called after her, she didn't hear it. In all probability her parents were too distraught to worry about what she did.

There was no one in the great room and she continued through it until hearing voices. She found two maids in a room folding laundry.

"Whom do ye seek miss?" a cheerful younger maid asked. The bright smile only angered Adair more.

"Where is Ruari Stuart?" She disposed of titles and a more formal way of addressing the laird. Being respectful didn't matter considering she was about to demand an explanation from him.

The maids they exchanged worried looks.

One walked to the doorway and motioned to the right. "He is in the sitting room there."

Without bothering to thank her, Adair stalked toward the room and stopped at the doorway so she could scan the room.

In the dim interior, she made out an intricately carved wooden table and chairs. Two more comfortable stuffed chairs flanked a hearth where Ruari sat. From his leaning to the side and chin dropped to his chest, he was fast asleep.

How dare he rest when her brother's life was on the line?

She rushed over and tapped him in the center of his chest. "Ye sleep." Her statement was without regard for his station. "How dare ye sleep when my brother barely clings to life."

He blinked several times then upon seeing her, he frowned and glanced to the door. "Robbie, is he…"

"He is on the brink of death," Adair said, annoyed that her voice cracked. "The healer said he will nae be able to save his leg."

Ruari jumped to his feet, and she took several steps back. He was so tall and imposing that to stand too close felt almost intimate.

"I best go see about him," Ruari stated softly, almost as if talking to himself.

"Aye, ye should," Adair stated, glaring up at him. "He is nae doing well."

The laird studied her as if he'd not realized who it was that had been speaking to him. "Yer brother is strong. He will recover. I am sure of it."

"Ye can nae possibly know how he will fare. Have ye seen him?" Adair was much too angry to keep her tone civil, nor did she care if the entire keep could hear her.

He remained silent; his attention going to the doorway, then back to her.

"Why did ye send him? Yer uncle has many men," Adair demanded. "Is it a sport for ye both?"

Ruari's jaw clenched, and he pinned her with an angry look. "Because yer brother is injured I will allow yer outburst. In the future, dinnae forget yer place."

The urge to kick or slap him made Adair take another step back. "Ye and yer uncle treat us like pawns in a game. My brother is nae a toy."

"Enough." He didn't raise his voice, but the firmness with which he spoke made it obvious she was on the brink of pushing him too far.

Adair almost cringed when he moved toward her. At the last moment, he rounded her and stormed from the room. She rushed to follow behind, wondering if he was about to order her punishment.

Instead, he continued through the great room, ignoring guards who looked up as he walked by and then down the narrow corridor to the room where Robbie was. At this point, Adair was running to keep up.

Both her parents looked up when they walked in, neither seeming to hold any kind of ill regard for the laird. It only served to infuriate Adair more. Why didn't they demand an explanation? The laird should be explaining. He should be apologizing. Instead, they allowed him to near the bed.

Her brother remained unconscious, which was thankful as his injuries looked to be horribly painful.

According to the healer, the bones of his leg were crushed. It would be a miracle if Robbie could ever use it again.

"How did it happen?" her father asked.

"They were on their way back from meeting with the Macdonald. His mount's front foot fell into a hole and the horse tumbled forward. Somehow Robbie was thrown, and the horse fell atop his leg.

"My brother is an excellent horseman. I dinnae believe this could have happened," Adair said, unable to keep a civil tone.

Her mother gave her a nervous look. "I am sure it was as the laird explains. There is nothing one can do if something like that happens."

Not wanting to continue the pointless conversation, Adair went to the other side of the bed and placed a hand on Robbie's shoulder. Her brother was just as still as before, his coloring not any better.

"The healer gave him strong herbs to ensure he rested," her father said. "His leg is splinted and wrapped to keep him from moving it. I wish to take him home to recover."

Ruari nodded. "Aye, of course. But ye should probably wait a pair of days."

The healer entered and Adair moved aside so he could approach the bed since the man came around to her side. The man touched Robbie's forehead and then placing his ear to her brother's chest, he listened to his breathing.

Finally the man straightened. "His heart is strong, and he breathes normally. I will keep an eye on his leg to ensure it does nae rot."

"Can we take him home?" her mother asked. She was almost as pale as Robbie, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. "I would like to care for my son."

"Impossible," the healer announced. "Moving him could cause more harm. He must remain here and be kept as still as possible."

Both her parents seemed to deflate at the statement and looked to the laird. Adair peered down at her brother wondering how he would react at learning he could possibly lose his leg. Robbie was an active man who preferred the outdoors. A restless sort, he spent most of his days fishing, hunting, or on horseback. That all of it could possibly be taken from him broke her heart.

"There is a room next to this, ye are welcome to remain here," Ruari informed them. "Please accept my invitation to move into the room for as long as required."

Adair didn't share her parents' enthusiasm in thanking the laird. In her opinion, that Robbie was on the verge of losing his leg was as much Ruari's fault as it was his uncle's.

When she looked up and noted her father's tormented expression, her resentment intermingled with his grief.

Her father turned his attention to Ruari. "Thank ye, Laird. My wife and daughter will take turns staying here. I must see to things at the mill."

"Of course. Whatever is best for ye." Ruari's gaze lingered on Robbie then he walked from the room.

"He is a kind man," her mother stated. "I am grateful he will allow us to be here. I could nae be away from him whilst he suffers so." She sniffed and her father put his arm around her.

"Adair, return home and gather things for both yer mother and yerself. Tomorrow, I will return for one of ye."

*

Guiding the horse from the bench of the wagon, all Adair could do was pray for her brother. The ride back to the village gave her time to consider what occurred.

She was glad that the keep was not very far as she didn't want to be gone too long. When Robbie awakened, she wished to be there. He would need every bit of comfort. In her opinion, family strength was a better aid to healing than any herb or tonic.

The house felt strangely silent and empty; even when her pet cat greeted her by rubbing against her legs, there was a sensation of sadness in the air. She bent and ran her fingers through the cat's hair. "Ye will be alone for a day, Lili, keep out of trouble."

Adair hurried into the house and after gathering a large basket, she quickly filled it with necessities such as: fresh clothes, nightgowns, and a brush and comb.

Then she went outside and fed the chickens and hogs. Since the weather was nice, she decided to leave the cat outside. It preferred it anyway.

Once satisfied everything would be well for the rest of the day and evening, she rushed from the house and placed the items she'd packed in the back of the wagon. Finally, she climbed onto the bench and headed back to the keep.

Her stomach tightened at the thought of how she'd yelled at the laird. Unless he was extremely patient, which she was sure he was not, Ruari would not forget the incident.

The more she thought about it, the less her outburst made sense. Of course it was possible that the horse's stumble had caught Robbie unaware, and he'd been thrown. However, the fact that Robbie had been chosen to escort the laird's uncle, still resonated wrongly.

It was curious to her that their laird had sent men to escort another laird who had more resources and men. Unless his uncle did not trust his own guard. There were many rumors the man was not well-liked by his own people.

First thing she had to do was to apologize to the laird. Even after her outburst, he'd treated her parents with kindness and extended the invitation to the family, including her.

The upcoming days would be painful for her brother and just as horrible for her and her parents to witness what he would have to go through. A sob stuck in Adair's throat, and she did her best to hold back the tears. It would not be helpful to fall apart in front of her already hurting parents.

*

While her mother got settled in the room next to Robbie's, Adair sat in a chair next to the bed, her attention on her sleeping brother.

"The healer said he had regained some color," Ruari stated walking in. Adair started because the deepness of his voice was like a touch on her skin.

"He does look better," she agreed and swallowed past the constriction in her throat where an apology seemed to have lodged.

The laird walked closer. "The healer reports to me three times a day, so I can be kept apprised of his status."

"It is kind of ye to see about my brother."

When she looked up, he met her gaze and Adair quickly looked away.

Ruari inhaled. "See that ye dinnae interfere with the healer's duties."

Any apology that was about to come forth disappeared. Adair narrowed her eyes. "Why would I interfere in my brother's care?"

"The healer mentioned noticing the herbs and tonics." He turned to look at the box she and her mother had packed. "He prefers to be the one who administers such things."

"Of course," Adair replied curtly. "I will ensure Mother is also informed."

"Very good." Once again he placed a hand on Robbie's shoulder before leaving the room.

"Ass," Adair hissed once she was sure he was out of earshot.