Chapter Five

"Adair." Robbie's voice broke through the haze of her sleep, and she jerked upright, lifting her head from her brother's small cot. Sitting in the chair, she'd leaned over to rest and had fallen asleep sometime during the night.

"Yer awake," she said wiping sleep from her eyes. "Are ye in pain?"

Robbie nodded. "A bit. Aye."

"I can fetch the healer," Adair said. "Would ye like some water?"

"Please water. Dinnae fetch the healer yet." Robbie lifted his head and peered down at his blanket covered body. "My leg is broken?"

"Aye. It is quite bad. The healer gave ye herbs to make ye sleep so ye would be still and not hurt yerself more."

He drank deeply from the cup and then she left him for a moment so that he could relieve himself. Outside the door, she could hear him groan loudly while adjusting himself.

When she walked back inside, his face was wet with perspiration. "I think ye should fetch the healer."

"How did it happen?" Adair said as she covered him up. "Were ye being attacked?"

Robbie shook his head. "My horse. He fell. Do ye know what happened to him?"

"Nay," Adair replied. "In truth we have been so worried about ye, we've nae asked. Mother and Father were here, they went home yesterday, but should be back tomorrow."

"I can go home to recover." Robbie's face crumpled and he let out harsh breaths when he attempted to sit up. "In a day or so."

"Dinnae move." Adair held her hands out and raced from the room and down the corridor.

The kitchen was quiet when she hurried inside. "Where can I find the healer?" she asked a young woman who stirred a pot. "Is he here in the keep?"

The woman shook her head. "Nae. Someone has to send for him."

When the woman wasn't more forthcoming, Adair let out a breath. It wouldn't do to demand things, she was only there because of her brother. "Do ye know whom I can ask?"

The woman looked to the window. "If someone is headed to the village, ye can ask them. I dinnae know."

Surely someone had sent someone to fetch the man. He'd been there daily. Annoyed, Adair stalked out to the courtyard looking from one end to the other. There was a group of men training with swords. She didn't dare go near there. On the opposite side, near the corrals, two young lads worked. One chopping wood. The other neatly piling it next to a small building.

Other than that, she didn't see anyone else. She walked to the gates hoping to see someone leaving that she could catch up to, but the road was empty.

Frustrated, she whirled about and went to the main doors of the keep. It was Ruari Stuart's fault that Robbie was injured, so he should ensure the healer was summoned.

She was so involved in her thoughts, Adair didn't pay any attention to her surroundings. The entire time, she kept her eyes downcast in thought until suddenly she slammed against a man's chest so hard she stumbled backwards.

"Ye should look up when walking," Ruari stated, with an arched brow and the same expression of someone who knew they were of a higher status.

When heat infused her face, she wanted to stamp her foot, but it would have been childish. Instead, Adair straightened and looked up at him. "I have been seeking someone to fetch the healer. My brother has finally awakened."

At her statement, both of his brows shot up and he turned on his heel and hurried inside. Adair walked just behind.

"Keir, have someone fetch the healer. Robbie is awake. I will go speak to him now." He barked out the order as he walked through the great room in the direction of her brother's room.

His long strides meant she continued at a hurried pace, only glancing over her shoulder to see that the man he'd spoken to was speaking to another, who then hurried from the room.

When she turned, Ruari was facing her and once again, she almost walked into him.

"Wait outside, I must speak to Robbie alone," he ordered, before entering the room and closing the door firmly behind.

Adair crossed her arms over her chest and huffed. "What could he possibly have to speak to Robbie about? Did someone do something purposely that caused the accident?"

She glared at the door wondering if she should press her ear to it. Finally, unable to take it any longer, she closed the distance and leaned against it to listen.

"Yer uncle rode ahead…after."

Whatever Ruari said next was hard to make out, but he seemed to have asked a question.

"Aye. I do think…"

Adair clenched her jaw at being unable to hear clearly.

Just then footsteps sounded, and she returned to stand against the wall.

The same woman whom she'd spoken to earlier in the kitchen carried a tray with a bowl of meat and broth, along with bread and a cup. She gave Adair a questioning look.

"The laird is in there speaking to my brother," Adair informed her.

She barely slowed, used her elbow to knock twice, and used the same elbow to open the door and walk in.

It gave her the opportunity to notice that Robbie remained with a pained expression but seemed glad for the food.

The woman said something to Ruari, and he nodded. Then she walked out and closed the door.

It was obvious she'd been there for many years as she seemed comfortable in walking into the room and then addressing their laird.

Just a few moments later, Ruari walked out. She studied him for a hint of what he'd discussed with her brother, but his expression was unreadable.

Instead of continuing on his way, he looked at her for a moment. "Are ye betrothed?"

Adair's mouth fell open, and she knew her eyes widened at the unexpected question. But she recovered quickly. "Nae Laird, I am not."

As if she'd passed a test of some sort, he gave her an approving nod. Much like a schoolmaster gives a student who'd performed a task well.

"Very good then. The healer should be here shortly." With that, he continued on his way, back in the direction of the great room.

"How odd," Adair said to herself and then went into the room.

It seemed the laird had assisted Robbie in sitting up, because her brother was upright and had the bowl in his hands. He took a sip and then placed it back on the tray, which was on the table next to the bed.

"What did ye and the laird speak about?" Adair asked, both because she wanted to know, but also hoping to distract her brother from the pain.

"We spoke about my fall." Robbie sighed. "My horse had to be killed."

"Oh, no." Adair reached for his hand and grasped it. "I know ye cared very much for him."

"He was my mount for many years. I will miss him."

Adair reached for the bread, tore a chunk, and dipped it in the broth before handing it to Robbie. "Ye must eat. It has been three days since yer fall."

She watched over him as he ate a bit more of the stew. "Robbie, why would the laird ask me if I was betrothed?"

Not seeming to think much of it, he gave her a one shoulder shrug. "Probably just making conversation. He likes to know things about people. Does his best to memorize their names and something about their life."

It made sense. Adair recalled how he'd called the sellers at the village square by name. Perhaps, knowing if she was to marry soon or not would help him remember her name.

"Aye, that could be it."

It was a while later, just as Adair was about to mix her own herbs to relieve Robbie's pain, that the healer finally arrived. The proficient man went about examining Robbie and then went to the kitchen and returned with a tonic for Robbie to drink.

"How long before we can bring him home?" Adair asked.

The healer looked from her to Robbie, who was already becoming sleepy. "I would say in a pair of days, at the earliest."

Just then Edine walked in and made a beeline for Robbie's bed. "How is he?" Her pretty blue eyes glimmered with unshed tears. "I had been hoping to come sooner."

Robbie pried his eyes open and gazed up at her. "Edine, ye are here." Each word was slurred, his eyes closed, and his head drooped to one side.

Both women helped the healer ease Robbie onto his back. The man studied Robbie for a moment and then he announced he was going to mix more tonic and left.

Edine pressed a hand onto Robbie's shoulder. "Are ye in pain?"

Her reply was a soft snore.

"Adair. Ye have been here for days. Ye must be exhausted. Go rest. I will sit here with him."

She gladly accepted the offer and hurried to the room next door. Too tired to undress, she took her shoes off and collapsed atop the bedcoverings.

It was strange that silence was what awakened her. Through the window she could see that the sun was low, the day almost over. Adair hurried from the room in her stocking feet to where Robbie was. Edine was still there in the chair next to the bed, and he seemed to be sleeping.

"How is he?" Adair asked wiping sleep from her eyes.

Edine's face was taut, and she slid a glance to Robbie. "Let us speak outside. He was in pain and I dinnae wish to wake him."

They walked out the door and into the adjacent room. Edine closed the door making Adair wonder what had occurred that had her friend so tense. Edine grasped her hands together. "Yer brother asked the healer about his recovery. If he'd be able to use his leg and how long before he could return to his duties."

Adair didn't dare speak, instead she waited for Edine to continue.

Edine took a shuddering breath. "The healer informed Robbie that if he managed to keep the leg, he would never be able to walk properly again. That it would be many weeks of recovery."

Her heart shattered for her proud brother. "How did Robbie react?"

"He was silent for a long time, barely made a sound while going through the healer's examination. I could tell he was in a great deal of pain, but all he did was squeeze his eyes shut and grit his teeth."

Edine shook her head, looking as if on the verge of tears. "Robbie told the healer he would not allow for his leg to be taken and he would rather withstand the long recovery or die than be maimed."

Adair covered her face with both hands, contemplating what lay ahead. "He lives and that is all that matters. If the leg festers, we must talk him into allowing it to be taken."

Fortifying herself, she let out a shaky breath. "Robbie is too stubborn to allow this to beat him."

Just then they heard voices next door and Adair rushed out of the room and stood just outside the doorway.

Ruari was speaking to her brother. "The healer spoke to me, and I understand yer decision. It is the same one I would make."

"I will try my best to recover enough to return to my duties," Robbie replied. "This is nae how I wished to finish my duty to ye."

"Dinnae worry yerself over it. The celebration takes place in a pair of days. I am hopeful ye will be able to attend, or at least see things from the window."

Robbie cleared his throat. "Finnian can compete in my steed."

"Ye can inform him when he visits ye," Ruari stated, turning and seeming surprised to not have sensed her standing there.

His dark eyes met hers for a long moment, it was almost as if he dared her to say anything. The man seemed to care for her brother, at the same time, it was his fault he was so horribly wounded.

He is my laird. He is my laird.

Adair repeated the words in her mind, attempting to keep her tongue in check.

"Miss Murray. Ye look rested."

Instead of a reply, she rounded him and entered the room. Robbie's gaze went from her to the laird, who remained standing in the doorway. "Adair, ye should address the laird."

She glanced to the man who was responsible for what had occurred to her brother. "Laird." Although soft in tone, it was laced with dislike.

Ruari inclined his head, turned on his heel, and left. Edine appeared at the door, her gaze moving from one sibling to the other.

"Ye can nae be so disrespectful, Adair," Robbie stated. "He is our laird. I serve him."

"Why do ye continue to be loyal to him? He and his horrible uncle are the cause of yer injury." The thudding of her heart echoed in her ears. "Do ye nae see it, Robbie?"

His jaw tensed. "If ye continue to behave this way, ye should go home. I dinnae require ye here."

Too upset to reply, Adair turned to Edine. "I need fresh air." She hurried from the room and continued blindly past the kitchens, not stopping until ending up in a walled garden. Once there, she leaned against the low wall and took deep breaths. How could her brother be so forgiving? Did he not yet realize the extent of his injuries? Perhaps that was it. Robbie was still groggy from all the herbal remedies and hadn't yet accepted what happened to him.

"Ye seem upset." The deep voice was like a frozen knife into her chest. Adair closed her eyes wishing the man to disappear.

"Did ye follow me here?" It was a statement that could have her sent to the dungeon. And yet in that moment she didn't care.

The laird walked to stand next to her, his hands clasped behind his back. "I understand ye being upset by yer brother's state."

"It is much more than that." She could not hold her tongue. The thought of asking permission to leave his presence flitted past, but Adair ignored it.

Ruari stood straight, his gaze moving from the view before them to her. There was a grace about the man that seemed effortless. She supposed it came from power and that despite his stature, he was a warrior. She'd heard he was powerful in battle, fighting shoulder to shoulder with his men.

Dressed in a gray tunic made from the finest of fabrics, gold thread embroidery around the hems of his sleeves and neckline, he looked every bit an affluent member of their society. Even without speaking, it was obvious that he held a high position among others.

The dark brown pools that studied her were surrounded by thick lashes and dark straight eyebrows. There was something very disconcerting about the way he observed her. Almost like a wolf hunting his prey.

"Ye are angry with me, then." He spoke as if it was of little consequence to him how she felt.

Her fingers curled into fists, but she held them at her side. "Aye, I am. I find it incredible that ye would send yer men to face danger for a lost cause."

At her statement, his eyebrows lifted, but he kept his gaze flat. "So ye think to have a better idea of how to govern this land?"

"Stand up to him. Yer uncle. I would nae send men to him when he has ten times as many. Why would he request it, if not to prove his power over ye?"

Ruari's jaw tensed and a flicker of something like anger passed through his narrowed eyes.

Then he took a step closer. Then another.

Knowing she'd overstepped, better yet, had taken a flying leap over the boundary, Adair didn't dare retreat but stood her ground waiting for the slap that would surely come. She braced herself for an apology when to her astonishment, he pulled her close.

His strong arms circled her, it was as if he required consoling. Or maybe he did it to keep from striking her. Adair wasn't sure. She kept still, her fisted hands unclenching as she allowed the iron embrace. He smelled woodsy, not of nature, but more of whatever he'd bathed with.

His head was bent, and the wind blew his hair across Adair's face. The thudding of his heart against her breast was impossible to ignore and for an instant, she almost reached around him to return the hug. But just as suddenly, he released her and walked away without so much as a glance back.

Adair stood frozen, unsure what to think. Why had he reacted in such a manner? Even though she could still smell him, and her body hummed from his touch, it was hard to believe it had happened. Why would the laird embrace her after she'd hurled insults at him?

The sounds of her surroundings returned, horses approaching and conversations in the courtyard. It was as if during the embrace everything had vanished.

Returning to find her friend and Robbie, Adair avoided the great room and instead entered through the kitchen doorway and on past to the short corridor where her room was.

She walked into Robbie's room and the two people looked to her. Edine met her gaze. "We should eat."

"Robbie, I would like to remain at least a pair of days, then we can go home together."

Her brother gave her a pointed look. "Only if ye promise to keep yer opinions to yerself."

If only he knew. "I promise."

"Come let us eat. The cook came to see about ye a bit earlier," Edine said taking her hand. "I am famished."

As they made their way to the kitchen Adair scanned the surroundings. If things went well, she would be able to avoid crossing paths with the laird. Once she and her brother returned home, she would probably never see him again, except from a distance.

Without realizing it, she lowered her chin and sniffed.

She smelled of him.