Chapter Twenty-Four

When they arrived back on Ramsay land, they paused at the turnoff to Thea's parents' house to wish the two farewell.

"Where are the two of ye going to live?" Eli asked.

Thea replied, "Da said he would build us a house behind his work shed. It will be a bit more in the woods, but he promised Willum that he would build one of those sliding ceilings over our bedroom like Uncle Aedan and Aunt Jennie have, so we can sleep under the stars. For now, we sleep in my chamber. I'm sure we'll see ye in the hall. I like to go up for meals on occasion, especially for the big meal at the end of each fortnight. So does Da, and Mama usually follows."

"Take greetings to yer parents," Alaric said, and the remaining three rode on.

Tevis was extra quiet.

"Ye and Wenna have gotten close. Do ye like her enough to ask for her hand?" Alaric asked.

"Aye, but I dinnae think she is ready yet. I think she needs to speak with her mama. We were both a wee bit surprised by the battle, not having as much experience as others. I think I will try to head home to Black Isle, if I can find someone to travel with me."

"I'll be heading home to Grant land shortly. I'll join ye for part of the way."

"I'll let ye know when I leave. My thanks to ye, Alaric."

As soon as he noticed her grandfather headed toward them, Tevis moved on ahead with a wave and a wink, and Eli let him go. She waited for her grandsire to get close enough for her to blurt out her thoughts, other than asking him how he always knew when someone was arriving on Ramsay land.

Uncle Quade used to joke that there were actually two Logans living on Ramsay land, one who patrolled and the other who bossed everyone about.

"Greetings to ye, Grandsire. We handfasted so now ye can be happy and leave us be."

Her grandfather's eyes narrowed as he stopped his horse across the path so they couldn't get past him. "Is that so?" He looked to Alaric who started to speak but the man held his palm up to stop him. "Never mind. I'll speak with ye later."

"That's all ye have to say after all the pestering?" Eli asked.

"Yer grandmother told me to stop pestering, so I was planning on it. The last thing I expected was to see that ye did what I told ye to." His crafty gaze went from one to the other. "Humph."

"What are ye looking for, Grandda?"

"I'm looking to see if ye are lying or if 'tis true. By his expression, I think 'tis true, but by the expression on yer face, lass, I think ye are lying."

"Ye are accusing me of lying? Truly?"

"Are ye? I havenae accused yet." He lifted his chin, tipping his head back.

"Och! I'm leaving. I need to visit Grandmama."

"Wait!" Her grandfather didn't look pleased at all.

"What? I'm worried about Grandmama. Ye frighten me, Grandda. Is Grandmama hale? Has she improved?"

"Nay, she hasnae improved. So I'm telling ye to visit with her but dinnae pester her. Aunt Brenna is trying different salves and ointments and potions. Naught has worked yet, but she isnae giving up, so dinnae ye give up either."

Logan clicked to his horse, and they rode to the castle together, Alaric reaching over and taking her hand as they rode behind him.

Eli was surprised to see so many inside the gates to greet them. Alaric dismounted and helped her down just before her sister threw herself at her, hugging her tight. She was surprised to find her hands trembling a bit, she guessed from the effects of battle.

"Ysenda? Has something happened that I dinnae no?"

"Nay," her sister replied, stepping back to look her up and down. "I was worried about ye. We heard there was a big battle. That some were injured. Ye werenae? Though ye are shaking. What is wrong?"

"I am fine. Word travels quickly. The only one of our group who was injured is Maitland. He's on his way to Cameron land. He took a shoulder wound that just needed to be cleaned and stitched, and I took care of it."

"Ye did?" Her sister stepped back and planted her fists on her hips. "Since when are ye a healer?"

"Since no one else could do it."

"She did a fine job sewing up several wounds," Alaric said with a proud nod. "How is yer leg, Ysenda?"

"'Tis fine. Never the same, but 'tis fine." She grabbed her sister's hand to lead her into the keep. "She's home, Da. She's fine."

Her parents were both headed her way, so Eli quickly explained, "We're all well. Alaric and I would like to see Grandmama. Then we can talk. Do ye mind?"

Her father checked both of them over closely, then said, "Aye. I'll take ye to her. She's no' well, lass. Prepare yerself."

She waved to a few others who had come out to see the new arrivals, but she didn't take the time to speak to them.

She paused outside her grandmother's chamber and stared at her father. "Alaric can go with me, Da. Ye dinnae have to."

Her father kissed her forehead and walked away. She steeled herself for whatever she would find, then opened the door.

She hadn't steeled herself enough.

"Grandmama?" The chamber was dark and she could hear slight moaning coming from the mound on the bed. She dropped Alaric's hand and rushed over, falling to her knees to look the dear woman in the eyes.

"Who's there?" her grandmother asked, pushing her blanket away and peering through the darkness.

"Grandmama, 'tis me. Eli. I brought Alaric with me. He wishes to meet ye."

"He's a Grant. I know all the Grants. They're all alike."

"But he doesnae know ye." She reached over and tucked a few stray hairs back from her face, tucking them carefully behind her ears.

Her grandmother peered up at him, tipping her head back to lock on his face. "He is a handsome one. He looks like Jamie and Maddie. Greetings, Alaric."

"'Tis a pleasure to make yer acquaintance, Lady Ramsay."

"Gwyneth. I'm no lady."

"Aye, ye are, Grandmama."

"Gwyneth."

"Gwyneth," Alaric finally said.

"Why is he here?" her grandmother asked.

"Because we handfasted, and he wished to meet ye." Eli squeezed her eyes shut to stop the tears from drenching her cheeks. She hadn't cried in years until the battlefield just days ago, and now she was ready to let the tears flow again. But she didn't wish for her grandmother to see them.

"Ye handfasted before but wouldn't admit it, would ye, lassie?"

Hell, but how had she known?

She couldn't help but giggle. "Ye are always and forever a wise one, Grandmama."

"Congratulations. Take care of my lass, Alaric Grant. Dinnae hurt her or I'll find ye."

"I'll no' hurt her. I love her."

Eli moved over to pull the fur back from the window to let the light in.

"Leave it, Eli."

"Nay, I need to look at ye. Darkness isnae good," she said, wishing to get a true look at her grandmother before she let the fur drop again. Her face was gaunt and flushed, so much that she couldn't' stop herself from reaching over with her hand to touch her forehead and her cheeks.

"Aye, I have the fever bad. Brenna has tried many potions on me, but she cannae get it to go away. Or it stops for an hour or two, then comes back. 'Tis no' good."

"How is yer knee?"

"Swollen, full of green pus, so painful that it tortures me to take care of my needs. I may just start wetting the bed because of it."

Alaric pulled a stool over next to the bed, motioning for Eli to take it. "Gwyneth, I promise to take good care of her. And I must thank ye for helping to raise a feisty lass like Eli. I know ye had much to do with her archery skills, but I think ye helped to form her powerful nature, and 'tis one of the things I love most about her." He kissed Eli's cheek. "I'll meet ye back out in the hall."

Gwyneth waited until Alaric had shut the door behind him before speaking. "Ye like him, lass?"

"I do, Grandmama." Her cheeks heated thinking of how much she liked him.

"And the battle? I heard it was a rough one."

"Horrific. Dead bodies everywhere." She kneaded her hands, the memory of the battle tearing through her as though she were still there.

"Dead Scots or English?"

"Mostly English. Sir James only lost two men, with a few more injured. The English turned tail when Sir James struck down their leader. He told Maitland it was the toughest battle he'd ever fought."

Her grandmother reached out to take her hand. "But ye werenae hurt. And I'm sure ye fought hard."

"I struck many, just as ye taught me. But the aftermath, Grandmama. The screaming and the blood." She finally let a tear fall. "I dinnae wish to ever be in another battle like that again."

"How many?"

"They had four score, I think. We had half that, but we won."

Her grandmother broke into a deep, wet cough that kept her from answering.

"Oh, Grandmama. Ye arenae doing well at all, are ye?"

The woman known to strike fear in the hearts of men all across the land sighed and shook her head. "I fear this could be it, lass. I cannae fight this any longer. The pain is too much. My breathing is getting difficult." She coughed again.

"Nay." Eli shook her head so hard it hurt. "Nay. Just nay. I'll go speak with Aunt Brenna and I'll go get whatever potion or herb or weed or whatever she needs. Ye go back to sleep and I'll find a way to heal ye. I'm no' ready to lose ye. Not yet."

Her grandmother squeezed her hand and said, "Sometimes we have no choice."

"But I still do. There is much I can do and I will." She leaned over and gave her a kiss on her cheek. "Would ye like anything before I go?"

"Help me sip some broth, please?"

She helped her grandmother sit up. She wished she didn't have to because the movement pained her grandmother so much. Too much.

She had to speak with Aunt Brenna right away.