until ye’ve calmed yerself,” Alexander said, clapping a hand on Sutherland’s shoulder and squeezing. “I know ye want revenge, but snapping the neck of the wrong man will only endanger yer wife even more. Ye dinna want to leave the fool on the loose to kill another day.”
“We will be leaving here as soon as Sorcha’s healed enough to travel.” Sutherland gave Chieftain Greyloch a look that dared the man to argue.
But the chieftain quickly nodded his agreement. “Aye, I think that best. I want my daughter safe.” He frowned at the bedchamber door, staring at it with such a look of sorrow, Sutherland felt a twinge of remorse for his sternness with the man.
The door opened again. “She’s asking for ye.” Catriona waved him forward, then stopped him at the threshold. “Her throat’s fearsome raw from the smoke. Give her sips of the honey water to ease it while she speaks, aye? And dinna let her talk overly much. She needs rest.”
“Aye,” he whispered. He’d gladly stay at her side and tend her ’til the end of his days.
Mercy turned from the washbowl on the bedside table with a wet cloth in her hand. She held it out. “The cool cloth pressed to her throat and chest helps her breathing. The healer added herbs to the water that soothe her when she breathes them in.”
“Thank ye for yer help, Mercy.” And he meant it. Graham’s wife might be blind, but she always found a way to help in times of need. The lady was a wonder.
“And the honey water is just there. Call out when ye need more, and I’ll fetch it.” Catriona pointed at the small pitcher and cup beside the washbowl. “We’ll leave ye to it then. I know ye’ll care for her well.” She took Mercy by the hand, and both women slipped out of the room.
“Sutherland?”
“Aye, love. I’m here.” The weakness of her voice hurt him. It rasped like metal grating across a stone. His poor wife croaked like a dying frog. He poured a cup of the water laced with honey and sat on the edge of the bed. “Will ye try and take a few sips for me?” He slid his arm beneath her shoulders and eased her up before she could respond.
“Aye,” she whispered with a faint smile. “If ye promise to keep holding me, I’ll do whatever ye wish.”
“I’ll hold ye to that, m’love.” He pressed the cup to her lips, relieved when she managed several good swallows. Placing the drink back on the table, he propped himself against the headboard and rested her back to his chest.
Sorcha nestled down more comfortably and rested one of her bandaged hands atop his middle. “This is nice,” she whispered.
He clenched his teeth. The sight of her poor blistered hands, slathered with balms and wrapped in rags, enraged him.
“What’s wrong?” she asked without lifting her head. “Ye’re tense as a bowstring set to release an arrow.”
“I canna stand yer suffering.” A kiss to the top of her head brought him little solace. It failed to grant his wish that he could bear all this pain in her stead.
“I am alive and healing, and I’m with ye. That’s all that matters.” She flinched as she wheezed in a deeper breath. “And thank the Almighty that Jenny’s healing, too. Both of us are going to be just fine. Aderyn promised it would be so.”
“Aye. Thank the Almighty,” he repeated but couldn’t stop the blasphemous thought that if the Almighty had been looking out for any of them, this wouldn’t have happened at all. “As soon as ye’re strong enough, we’ll be leaving for Tor Ruadh. Alexander and Graham have assured me Lady Culane and her son will be gone by then, so ye willna have that worry weighing upon ye.” That was a lie. Alexander and Graham had promised no such thing. They had sworn to help him find the bastard responsible for the terrible deed, but that was all. He made a mental note to set Catriona and Mercy to the task of ridding the keep of the conniving woman. He felt sure they’d relish it and have more success than any man.
“I like Mercy and Catriona. They are just as nice as ye said they would be.”
He held her closer and rested his cheek on the top of her head. “Ye will like Tor Ruadh, too. Yer Da’s been there. Has he told ye anything about it?”
“Nay,” she whispered. “But it doesna matter. Anywhere