Page 58 of Captured By the Highland Devil
Nay, nay, nay! This isnae good. What have I done?
CHAPTER TWENTY
Guilt, shame and unease burned a hole in Paige’s chest. She gathered her things up, then hurried after Norah. She did not know if she would find Norah in time to apologize before Ruben caught on to her massive blunder.
She rushed into Ruben’s room and his meeting room, hoping he was there so she could talk to him first. He was nowhere to be seen, and she began to fret.
“Oh nay, nay, nay,” she spun around, frantic. “This is nae good. He’ll be furious when he finds out.”
Paige knew she had to find Norah and apologize, maybe find a way to explain why she had brought up the abduction attempt.
“I suppose me attempt to befriend her has failed,” Paige spun and around while thinking. The most logical place for Norah to go would be to her rooms, but Paige feared going there. “I’d have to ask directions first.”
Swallowing her pride, Paige set out to find Norah and a helpful maid told her where to go. Norah’s room was a story higher than the rest of the house, almost in the attic.
She came to the door and knocked—and pushed the door in a little. Not daring to step in, Paige heard soft sobs inside and felt her heart grip tight in grief.
“Norah,” she called through the door. “I am so sorry. Please, let me explain what I meant earlier.”
A sob came from inside the room, so soft, she would never have heard if her ear had not been cocked to listen. Her heart ached even more, “Norah,” she tried again, “Please, let me talk with ye. I can explain, I really can.”
Still, all she heard was sniffling and the stifled sobs of someone trying not to scream their pain away. Unable to stay where she was, Paige stepped into the room and found Norah in a corner on the floor, a pillow held to her chest as she cried.
“Norah,” Paige fell to her knees, frightened, and unsure of what to do. Should she reach out and touch her? Would that frighten Norah more? “May I touch ye? I?—”
The poor girl was in distress. Tears rolled down her cheeks, glistening in the dim candlelight. She had her lower lip pinned between her teeth to hold back the sobs that made her shoulders tremble in silent quakes.
Paige wanted nothing more than to flee this dimly lit room and the pain she couldn’t truly grasp. But…
If I’m to be the Lady here, I must see to the needs of the clan. Even the needs I daenae completely understand.
Even frightened out of her wits, Paige wrapped her arms around Norah and pulled her in for a warm hug. Norah did not seem to notice that she was being held.
The girl was crying buckets, her face flushed more than Paige believed was healthy. “Norah, I am sorry. I am so sorry that I—” she swallowed. “—I never wanted to hurt ye or bring back bad memories but?—”
The girl was losing her breath and Paige was frantic. This was not right. “Norah—” she stood and pulled the girl up. “I think ye need to go to the healers. Please, come with me.”
As she tried to pull Norah, the door opened, “Norah, are ye willin’ to come—” Ruben ran into the room, his eyes flickering to Paige. “What in God’s name happened to her?”
“I—”
Instantly, Ruben hauled her into her into his arms and took off to the healing hall, taking the steps two at a time. Paige could not do much but follow him, fearing his reaction when she told him what had led to this.
“Me laird, what is the—” a healer looked at Norah and called out to another woman there. “—get the calmin’ draught and a wet cloth.”
When they delivered the draught to Norah, Paige stood aside, hoping the elixir would help but Norah did not seem to improve. Her face was still flushed and her breathing erratic.
“Get the pure valerian root,” the healer said calmly.
With steady hands, she carefully undid the vial and carefully dribbled a few drops in Norah’s mouth. “This is strong. It should be enough to get her to sleep the night through.”
Finally, Norah began to calm and Paige felt Ruben’s eyes on the side of her neck. When the healers pulled a soft blanket over her, he wrapped a hand around her arm and pulled her from the room.
He did not speak a word to her until they arrived at their set of rooms and slammed the door behind him.
“What happened?” Ruben demanded.
Paige winced. “Ye’re hurtin’ me.”
