Page 71 of Highlander's Captive Bride
What was more difficult to manage was the desperate need to safeguard Daisy, too, and the realization of what that entailed weighed him down with sorrow.
* * *
Fortunately for Poppy, the blade had only struck her shoulder, not inflicting any major damage, but she had fainted from the shock. Daisy was concerned by how much blood she had already lost, but she worked tirelessly to staunch the flow and was able to bandage the wound firmly enough to stop it.
She burned the end of a quill feather in the fire and waved it beneath Poppy’s nose to try to bring her around.
At last, the servant coughed and opened her eyes, wincing with pain, her hand flying to her injured shoulder. “What happened?” she croaked as Daisy helped her to sit up. “Ugh!” she suddenly shrieked, seeing blood everywhere.
“Dinnae be scared. Ye’ve lost a bit of blood, but ye’re goin’ to be fine,” Daisy told her soothingly. “’Tis a wound in yer shoulder, not deep at all.”
“Och, by God, Daisy, it was Nadia who did it! She came in, and the next thing I knew, she was on me with a dirk in her hand, trying to stab me!” Poppy’s face was white, and her eyes were round with shock.
“Aye, I caught her just as she was about to attack Elodie. At least, that was what it looked like to me, but she told the Laird she wasnae intending to hurt her. I dinnae believe her, though,” Daisy explained briefly. “The Laird’s taken her away to the dungeons, so ye’re both quite safe now.”
Just then, they were both startled by the loud clanging of alarm bells ringing out from every tower belfry.
“That’s an alert for everybody to get inside so they can lock the castle gates!” Poppy exclaimed, looking bewildered. “Are we being attacked? What’s happening?”
“Nadia said her braither is goin’ to try to ambush the castle tonight,” Daisy explained.
Poppy expressed shock to hear Lachlan Pearson was alive. Then, she said, “Ach, what a thing to happen on Beltane! ’Tis a sly thing to do to attack on such a day. I hope God strikes him down for his arrogance and evil ways.” She tried to get up. “Can ye help me up? Och, I feel dizzy,” she complained.
Daisy helped her to her feet.
Poppy wobbled for a moment, leaning on Daisy’s arm for support, before regaining her balance.
“Ye will feel dizzy for a while, losing all that blood. I’ll fetch ye something for the pain and some fortifying wine to help ye feel better,” Daisy promised, leading Poppy to her chair.
The servant shakily lowered herself into the chair and then looked over at the sleeping child.
Daisy’s ears were ringing because of the alert, and it was a blessed relief when the bells ceased their clamor.
“And she’s slept through it all, has she, bless the wee mite? She was so tired after being at the party. She was right happy, she was,” Poppy observed musingly as she looked down at Elodie. Then, her expression became dark, and she looked up at Daisy. “Was it her all along, Nadia, giving poor Elodie that poison and making her so sick?” she asked.
Daisy nodded. “Aye, it was.”
She did not want to say anymore, and fortunately, Poppy asked no further questions. It was up to Bellamy to handle things from then on. Elodie was safe. Poppy was comfortable and would mend. Her own injuries from fighting with Nadia were painful but minor. There was nothing keeping her at Castle Murdoch, and she saw no reason to change her plan to leave.
“I’ll go and get ye something for the pain and the wine,” Daisy told Poppy and promptly left the room, intending to leave immediately after making Poppy comfortable. Her heart sank when she saw Bellamy hurrying towards her.
When they met, he asked urgently, “Is Elodie all right? How’s Poppy? Is she badly hurt?”
“Elodie slept through it all, thank God,” Daisy told him. “And Poppy has a flesh wound in her shoulder, but she’ll be fine after a rest.”
“Aye, thank God,” Bellamy said. Then, he looked at her and added, “Ye heard what Nadia said. Her braither is intending to launch a surprise attack on the castle tonight. There’s very little time, and I have to make sure everything is prepared so we can defend ourselves.” He moved closer to her, looking into her eyes. “If ye still want to leave, ye can go now, before anything happens.”
Hearing the words she had wished to hear for so long was shocking to her. She stared at him for a moment, her thoughts teeming.
Bellamy took her gently by the shoulders. “But, Daisy, I just want to say thank ye again for everything ye’ve done. I’ll send two men with ye to take ye home, that’s all I can spare, but if there’s ever anything I can do for ye, just let me ken, eh? I have to go now, to get things organized. So, goodbye.”
His voice cracked as he turned away, and it tore Daisy’s heart into pieces.
Am I really goin’ to just leave him like this, with an attack coming any moment, and I willnae be here to help? He needs me now more than ever!
“Bellamy!” Daisy called out, her heart thudding loudly in her ears. Bellamy stopped and turned around, looking back at her. “I’ll stay. Ye’ll need me to help with anyone hurt in the attack.”
Bellamy rapidly retraced his steps, caught her by the waist, and kissed her soundly.
