force her awake.
When Nora the healer knocked, Laurel didn’t stir. The old woman had helped deliver Brodie and Dominic. She’d stitched up Brodie’s wounds since the first time he got hurt and needed tending. He’d positioned Laurel, so he didn’t lie on his wound. Not moving and panic subsiding left Brodie in his own pain. He winced as he drew back the covers and revealed the slash to the back of his ribs.
“Och, nae more than a wee scratch, lad,” Nora reassured as she peered at Brodie’s wound while she fished around in her basket. “That willna take me more than five minutes.” The wizened healer hadn’t exaggerated. She finished stitching the gash before Brodie registered the additional pain. The gash was at least six inches long, but Nora’s experienced fingers were deft and efficient. She rubbed an ointment on it and told him to let it breathe for a bit. She looked at Laurel, frowned, but nodded her head and slipped out of the chamber. Until Laurel joined his clan, Nora was his favorite woman on Campbell land.
Brodie wrapped his arm around Laurel’s middle and slung his leg over her hip. He clung to her so tightly he feared he might crush her, but it made him grow warm faster. His heat poured into Laurel as she moaned. She stirred, and her eyes fluttered open.
“Brodie?”
“Wheest, thistle. I’m here. I swear I am tying us together, and I am nae letting ye out of ma reach again.”
“Too hot.”
“What?”
“Too hot, too soon. Hurts.”
Brodie eased his hold and drew back his leg, but he kept his wife pressed against him. When she sighed rather than moaned, he counted it as progress. A knock at the door kept Brodie from asking Laurel how she felt. He called out, and a troop of servants entered with the tub and buckets of hot water that they poured into the tub. Aggie ordered additional buckets placed before the fire to remain warm. The empty buckets remained for when Brodie needed to change out chilled water for more heated water. His brow furrowed when he glanced at the passageway. He was certain Colina stood watching just beyond where Monty and Donnan stood staring at Laurel. He leaned for a better look, but whoever it was, turned away. He didn’t understand his sister-by-marriage.
I understand why Dom wouldnae come, I suppose. But why wouldnae Colina? They’re nae friends, but it would be decent and right. How did I nae notice just how off-putting Colina is? Because she makes Dom happy, and that’s all ye wanted. Mayhap she feels out of place and doesnae want to intrude. I’m judging her without reason.
Aggie lingered after the other servants left. She offered to help Brodie, and he admitted he needed it. While Laurel was regaining feeling, she was still too worn out to support her own weight. And he knew the pins and needles she faced would likely make her thrash. Preparing the items around the tub, Aggie looked away while Brodie retrieved his leine. Once he was covered, he carried Laurel to the bath and eased her in. When the bathwater touched her skin, she screamed. Brodie knew that against her freezing body it would feel scalding.
“Thistle, it’ll ease in a moment. Then it will feel much better.”
“Dinna lie, bear. Going to hurt more soon.” Laurel rasped. “Water. Drink.” She added the second word to clarify. Aggie held a waterskin to her lips, but Laurel’s eyes darted to Brodie. The last time someone she didn’t know offered her a drink, they drugged her. Brodie reached for it and took a long draw before he placed it to her mouth and nodded. The water was more restorative than it had ever been before. Laurel squirmed but positioned herself, so she could hold her body up on her own if she leaned against the tub.
Laurel knew Brodie wanted to pepper her with questions, but she was grateful that he left her in peace. Soaking in the tub was all she could manage at the moment. She squeezed her eyes shut, flexing her fingers open and closed when the pins and needles started. She didn’t say a word, didn’t even make a sound. But Brodie knew she suffered. As he watched his plucky little bride struggle in silence, he was certain he would kill whoever caused her a moment of discomfort. He cared not who it was. A member of his clan, a stranger, whoever.
Laurel winced several times as her feet twitched and moved