her no favor. ’Twas poorly done and ’tis infected, giving her the fever. We must keep pouring this brew of feverfew and yarrow down her and keep her cool. She should be in a proper bed where we can see to her, not on a cursed battlefield.”
The command and concern in Fiona’s voice told him all he needed to hear. Once Anna fell asleep, Duncan left her in Fiona’s care and sought his father. He found the lairds gathered with the other captains. They’d altered the battle plans now Anna was safe and MacNairn dead.
“What does the healer say?” Elliot asked.
“She needs to be in a bed so we can fully tend to her.”
“Choose some men and take her home. Ye are in no shape to fight with yer mind on her condition,” Kenneth said.
Duncan nodded. He summoned five men, and they moved her pallet to a cart. Trean rose from the shadows outside her tent, and Duncan gingerly placed him into the back of the cart, where he curled up at his mistress’ back. The men mounted and started the trek back to Ciardun.
The day-and-a-half trip proved uneventful, though the fever never loosened its grip. Fiona stayed by Anna’s side, cooling her with wet cloths when she burned, wrapping her in blankets when she was chilled. Trean repeatedly licked her face, but Anna did not regain consciousness. As soon as they arrived at the castle, Duncan carried her to his chamber. Trean trailed him up the stairs and lay in the corner by the hearth. Mairi and Nessa stripped her out of the foul clothes she wore and Duncan took and burned them, cursing MacNairn as he did. When he returned, the ladies had cleaned Anna as much as they could, ridding her of the foul MacNairn stench, and dressed her in a night shift.
“Ye must be tired and hungry from yer journey. Go, eat and bathe. We will watch,” Mairi encouraged him.
Duncan’s eyes did not leave Anna. “I cannae. ’Tis my fault she lies so close to death. I willnae leave her side until she is well.”
Duncan felt his mother’s hand on his arm. “How is this yer fault?”
He took a deep breath and confessed his actions the day Anna was abducted. Mairi didn’t hide her shock. Neither spoke for several moments. Finally, Mairi squeezed his shoulder.
“Ye of all people know how strong Anna is. She will make it through this.”
He met his mother’s gaze. “Ye dinnae see the condition she was in when she escaped. MacNairn starved and imprisoned her the entire time in his dungeon, in spite of her wound. She was in shock, barely able to stand when she found us. I know she is strong, but a body can only take so much. I fear for her life. I willnae leave her side until the fever releases its grip.”
A soft kiss touched his cheek. “Ye will find a way to make it up to her, and ye will put these petty jealousies aside. I will have a meal sent.”
When the tray came, so did Fiona with a fresh kettle for the fire. “I am off to sleep, but will return on the morrow. Keep her cool. Make her drink a small amount of this brew every two or three hours. Ye need to eat and rest yerself. ’Twill be a long battle afore she comes round.”
The door closed softly, leaving Duncan alone with his thoughts as he sat vigil over the woman he loved. They both slept fitfully. Duncan stirred at every groan and movement she made. Anna muttered in her sleep, speaking to unknown people in different languages, including a language unlike any Duncan had heard before. He guessed it was the tongue of her mentor.
As she rambled, bits and pieces fell together. Duncan listened closely to her whispered words, and what he heard broke his heart. She pled for acceptance and spoke of longing to find a place in a world which considered her neither English nor Scot. Her words faded in and out of coherence, but her heartache remained.
Duncan touched her hot, dry cheek, tracing his fingers along the face he loved. She turned into his caress, tears leaking onto his hand.
“Duncan, I am sorry…please don’t leave me.” Her voice cracked and she quietly sobbed.
He wanted to reply, realizing she spoke from the depths of her torment. Her fevered state lowered her protective walls and her anguish poured forth. He sat powerless, listening to her beg for his love, hearing her