Page 20 of A Knight To Call My Own
Lynet gave a deep sigh and went to the window to catch a hint of the sea breeze and calm her nerves. The night was dark, and, although she could not see far, she knew he was out there, just beyond her sight. Earlier in the day, she had been refused admittance to his tent and assumed he did not want to see her. She had asked Kenna to attend him in her place, since she could not convince Ian’s guard to let her pass.
Leaning against the stones, she felt the rough edges against her back whilst she watched Amiria holding her infant daughter and Katherine holding her young son. Jealousy reared its ugly head, for she became most envious of the visions they presented. ’Twas apparent motherhood agreed with them both, and she only wished she, too, were married with a bairn or two of her own to raise.
She needed to get out of here and away from all the domesticity surrounding her of late. Given the fiasco Dristan had started, she did nothing but fear the worst in her future prospect for a husband. Mayhap, something to eat would lighten her spirits.
She opened the door to the solar to depart and saw Rolf stood there with his hand in mid-air, since she interrupted his efforts to bid entrance. Her eyes darted in dismay to the sling holding an injured arm. She knew, in that instant, her fate where Rolf was concerned had been sealed. From the look on his face, he was aware of it, as well.
Lynet closed the door quietly so they might take a brief moment to have speech. Trying to form some semblance of words to express her sorrow, she found none and at last looked up into her captain’s face. There was a sadness there she had never thought to see.
“Oh Rolf!” she whispered and held her hand up to his cheek. He took her hand but briefly, afore letting it go. ’Twas apparent he had already resigned himself that he had lost any chance he may have had to have her as his bride.
“I am most sorry, Lynet,” he began. “I have failed you.”
“Nay, you have not, my friend. Has Kenna seen to the wound?”
“Aye. I fear I would not have been victorious in any case, despite my best efforts to make some claim on you. We both know I had already lost you prior to my injury.”
Lynet took the wimple from her head, finding the cloth choking the life from her. ’Twas actually done so she did not have to fully gaze at him. She had the uncanny feeling Rolf would be able to read her face and the emotions she was trying to hide from him. “I do not know what you are talking about,” she stated with a quivering voice, dropping her eyes to her shuffling feet.
She was not surprised when he took her chin between his fingers and gave her no choice but to meet his gaze. “Aye…you do, but that is of no consequence now.” He took her hand and bent over it, kissing it lightly. Straightening to his full height, he moved past her and put his hand on the latch to Dristan’s solar. “Ian is a good man and will make you a fine husband, Lynet.”
The odd, startled gasp that escaped her halted his progress in opening the door. She watched his brow rise in a silent demand to tell him what had caused such a reaction. She took a step closer, as though she wanted to delay the inevitable. “Ian said much the same about you.”
“Did he now?”
“Aye.”
Rolf gave a slight chuckle afore his composure returned whilst he masked his feelings from her. “I am most surprised he would think I would be a good husband.”
She shook her head realizing her mistake in not clarifying her words to him. “Nay, not about being a good husband, but how you are a good man.”
He gave her a lazy, charming grin, and she felt as if a little piece of her heart died inside, knowing she had inadvertently hurt him. “Well…that would be more like what I would have expected from him.” He leaned down and dared much by giving her a short kiss upon her forehead. “I pray you shall have all you ever desired in your life with him.”
Afore she could form any reply, he was gone. She stood in silence, looking stupidly at the closed door, almost willing him to return to her side so she could explain herself. But what was there really to clarify? Rolf knew her better than she knew herself. With Ian’s appearance and determination in the games, ’twas only a matter of time afore the Scotsman would become victorious. There were few who had not already fallen victim to Ian’s steadfastness to win her hand. Even Rolf had known ’twas only a matter of time ’til Lynet would let her defenses fall and open her heart to Ian of Urquhart.
She descended the turret stairs with a heavy heart and made her way to the kitchen more resolute than ever to keep her mind off her troubles. She had just sliced several pieces of cheese and an apple when she became aware she was not alone. She was surprised to see one of Ian’s guards standing afore her. She supposed she should be afraid to be alone with someone she was not familiar with, but nothing was further from the truth.
“Connor, is it not?” Lynet asked and saw his nod. “Is something amiss?”
“Aye, milady. ’Tis me laird. He be runnin’ a fever.”
Lynet began collecting various herbs from cook’s supply. “Why did not you come fetch me sooner then?” she stated in anger.
“He would not ’ave it, milady,” Connor explained. “Said he would see tae his own damn care, pardon me language.”
“Never mind. Take me to him, and hurry!”
Lynet reached for a cloak hanging from a wooden peg near the door and settled the garment around her head and shoulders. She all but ran to keep up with the tall giant beside her, who took her elbow as he ushered her to Ian’s tent. She did not wait for permission to come in, but quickly entered, making her way to the bed of furs Ian was resting upon. His head was burning with heat. She would have held some hope he was on the mend if such warmth was accompanied with perspiration, but his skin was dry to the touch. ’Twas not a good sign.
“Get some water boiling on the fire then send a lad to fetch cool water from the river,” Lynet ordered and began pulling things from the satchel she had brought. She looked up and saw Angus had taken Connor’s place. She nodded towards the man. “Come…help me turn him so I can remove the bandage.”
They worked swiftly. Lynet cleansed the wound and liked not what she saw. Quickly coming to a decision, she reached over and put a dirk into the heart of the fire afore her. She made another paste from the herbs and gently placed the concoction into Ian’s injury.
“We shall seal the wound,” she stated, reaching for the dagger.
“Do you not need to remove the paste you just put into his side?”
“Nay, it will not harm him, but only help with his healing.”
