Page 56 of A Sinful Night with a Scot
“Come and sit beside me,” Keane said, patting the bed.
Eyeing his hand that now lay gently on the sheet beneath him, a light flush rushed to her cheeks.
Perhaps she is remembering what happened on the last occasion she was in this bed.
Keane swallowed a smile and continued to gaze at her, until eventually, she made her way over to him.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Sleeping in her own bed had been a delight, particularly after spending four nights in a chair in Farlan’s cottage. Clearly, Elsie had not realized how very tired she was, for she had slept until noon. She might have slept a little longer had Anna not come to waken her.
The maid had been enthralled when Elsie had told her what had happened. The more she heard, the more excitable the young lass became. Especially discovering how close to death Elsie and the laird had come. It had taken a little time, but Elsie had calmed her and told her that all was now well.
After a late luncheon, Elsie had gone in search of Keane. She soon discovered he was in the great hall, meeting with the council. She had thus decided to read a while in the library to occupy herself. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, she could not concentrate and she found herself reading the same passage over and over again.
Her thoughts whirled no less now than they had for the last four days. Though, that first night, her mind had been on Keane’s survival only. As safe as he was, tucked behind the castle walls and being cared for by a healer who clearly knew what he was doing, even Farlan had voiced his doubts.
“I have done all I can dae,” the old man had said. “But I dinnae possess the power o’ the gods.”
“What dae ye mean by such a statement?” Elsie had gasped.
“The wound is as clean as I can mak’ it, me lady. Still, we need tae be mindful o’ infection. We will ken soon enough.” He had looked at her steadily across the room. “If he gets through this night with nay fever, he will be on a good path tae recovery.”
With that fear lodged in her mind, Elsie had checked Keane every hour, on the hour. Each time she had felt relief to discover his skin cool and dry. But afterwards, when she knew he would recover fully, her thoughts had not stopped.
First, she had replayed the entire scenario, over and over again in her head. The moment she turned back, the second she has known she wanted to be with him. The physical feeling, she felt in her heart. But her memory was marred with an act she struggled with.
It was difficult to avoid remembering her actions toward that soldier. Stabbing him repeatedly had caused her much distress. In fact, the only thing that had prevented her from spiraling into oblivion was the fact that the dreadful thing she had done hadsaved Keane’s life. Not once had she ever wielded a dirk. Nor had she ever harmed a hair on another person’s head. She was only grateful that it had been Keane’s striking blow that had actually killed him.
But that aside, her main focus had been the fact that, in that moment, she had made a choice that would change her life forever. Since then, she had not questioned her decision once.
Had anyone asked her what she desired, Elsie doubted she could have given an answer. Yet, in such a highly emotional state, death being just a breath away, she had gained immediate clarity. She now knew in her heart that her feelings for the laird had grown beyond anything she could have imagined.
Abandoning her reading, Elsie had thought about her future. The uncertainty of it all. The fact that she was now a member of Clan Mackay. One thought led to another, until she eventually came to a conclusion.
If I write tae Faither and tell him that I am happy here, perhaps he could convince Laird Gunn tae stay off any further attacks.
Elsie was not naïve. She knew there was everything else hanging in the balance, other than her happiness. The marriage to Laird Gunn had had one main purpose, to strengthen the two clans through an alliance. But she had to try. Seeing Keane so close to death had terrified her. It had also awakened a newfound determination. Her father was likely to refuse her request. Still, Keane was now her husband and Clan Mackay her new family.She had to make every effort to protect it, no matter how futile it might be.
But when Elsie returned to her bedchamber, she could find no parchment paper with which to write. Turning to the door, she was about to go in search of Anna, but then, her eye fell upon the adjoining door that led to Keane’s room and she had ventured in without a second thought.
Keane was no longer with the council, and upon seeing him in his bed, she had come to an immediate halt.
Now, he offered her to sit with him. But even as she approached, her face flamed at the thought of what had happened the last time she was in this room. In that bed.
“How are ye feeling?” Elsie said, settling herself tentatively on the edge of the mattress.
“Better. Thank ye,” he replied, a light smile dancing on his lips. “How areyefeeling?”
“Fine,” she said, unsure how she was supposed to answer.
He hitched an eyebrow and gazed at her. “Fine?”
She shrugged. “Well, ye ken. As fine as can be expected under the circumstances.”
He nodded, but did not speak again for a long moment. Still, he looked at her. It made her feel uncomfortable, and unable to hold his gaze, she dropped her eyes to the coverlets.
“Elsie,” he said softly.
