admit her feelings of unworthiness—all because of his words of jealousy.
’Twas too much. The shame of what he had done to her tore through him without mercy. He had grievously injured her, mind, body and soul. He’d been right all along—he didn’t deserve her. Selfishly, Duncan also knew he could not live without her. He pledged he would never allow anything to happen to her again if the Fates would only allow her to live. He would spend the rest of his days winning her trust, her love.
At the end of the third day, the fever released its grip, her skin cooling. However, she remained deep asleep.
“Her breathing is shallower than it should be,” Duncan observed.
“Tis likely due to the pain. Broken ribs dinnae allow deep breathing,” Fiona answered.
Broken ribs didn’t explain her pallor or weakened heartbeat.
He turned to the pot on the fire. “What is that?” Finally, something out of Fiona’s kettle smelled pleasant.
“’Tis an infusion of peppermint and thistle. ’Twill help spur her body to wakefulness when she’s ready. She was verra weak when she came to us. ’Tis no surprise she needs more rest to heal.”
Her words provided a small comfort. Nothing could be done but watch and wait. Trean’s wound had scabbed over and appeared to be healing nicely. Duncan barely detected signs of his previous limp. The two of them maintained a silent vigil over Anna. Slow agony as the sun rose, traversed the sky then set again. Meals were brought, but Duncan could have been eating sand for all he knew. The morn of the fifth day brought a change.
“Water.”
’Twas a mere croak of a whisper, but it brought him out of his torpor. Trean whined and placed his paws on the bed. Starting from his chair, Duncan looked into Anna’s eyes, relieved at last to see life behind them. He filled a cup of water and gently raised it to her lips. She took a few sips, then returned to sleep. ’Twas enough. Hope soared in his chest.
News of her progress spread throughout the castle. Mairi and Nessa took turns sitting with her. Her grandda sat at her bedside each day for an hour or so, creating an uncomfortable silence between him and Duncan. Word of why she was alone at the loch had spread. Though he never said anything, Duncan knew Elliot seethed. Part of him hoped Elliot would thrash him, if for no other reason than to assuage his guilt. On the day her fever broke, Moray Elliot made his daily afternoon visit.
Pouring wine into two cups, he handed one to Duncan.
“When I first married Anna’s grandmam, God rest her soul, I was a stubborn and foolish young man, and laird, so I thought I always knew best. Morna had a way of seeing into people that was canny and unexplainable. She told me a cousin, who was like a brother to me, plotted my death, hoping to take my place. At first, I was shocked to hear such a thing. When I asked for her proof, she told me she had naught, just her intuition. I became furious, accusing her of creating dissention. I said terrible things to her in anger.”
Duncan shifted in his seat, unable to hide his surprise.
“She ignored the hateful words and tried to reason with me, but I wouldnae have it. I told her she was wrong and to never speak of it again.” The pain of remembering was etched on his face.
“What happened?”
“My brother overheard our cousin making plans to ambush me with men he paid to do the deed. This way, my blood would be on their hands. He wouldnae be suspected. We went to the elder council, which included my uncle, with the story. They suggested we allow the plan to play out, insisting at the last minute my cousin accompany me. Our men surrounded them at the ambush site, stopping the attack. My uncle confronted his son. He denied it, but it dinnae take much persuasion to loosen the tongues of his hired thugs. He was hanged for his betrayal. ’Twas a dark stain on our clan for many years.”
Elliot took a long drink, as if to wash away the bitterness of the memory. “Morna and I lived as strangers for three months, from the time she told me, to the time I discovered the truth. I knew I had badly damaged the one person who loved me above all others—the one I could truly trust with my life.”