Page 66 of Highland Renegade
Terror struck him. He flung open the door so hard it banged against the wall and nearly hit him in the face on its rebound. He paid it no mind, his focus on the bed. Emily lay pale and still, a crimson stain spread across the white sheets.
“Is she—”
“She breathes,” Juliana said, holding her sister’s hand. “Barely.”
Ian hurried to Emily’s other side, noticing for the first time the empty wine glass half hidden in the folds of the sheet. He picked it up and sniffed, detecting a musty odor that he couldn’t identify.
“Laird?”
He turned, seeing Maggie at the door, Hamish behind her. “Send for Old Gwendolyn. Quickly!”
Hamish nodded. “Aye, laird.”
“What has happened?” Maggie asked, stepping inside the room, then she stopped upon seeing the stain. “Dear God! Do we need the physician, too?”
Ian shook his head. If Emily had been poisoned, the healer would know what to do. He looked at the plate of half-eaten marzipan and narrowed his eyes. “I want every servant who was in the castle last night to assemble in the Great Hall. And make sure everyone is accounted for.”
Her eyes grew round, but she didn’t ask any questions.
Ian turned back to Emily and put a hand to her forehead. Her skin was cold and clammy. He took hold of her shoulders and shook gently.
“Wake up,mo cridhe!Wake up!”
“Let me.”
Juliana brushed his hands away and then slapped her sister sharply on both cheeks. Ian started to grab her, but Emily’s eyes fluttered open. For a moment, she looked confused, then her face twisted into a grimace and she rolled suddenly, retching over the side of the bed. Instinctively, Ian wrapped his arms around her waist, hauling her from the bed and dangling her in front of him.
“I doona ken what ye drank or ate, but ye need to get it out of ye.”
She retched again, the foul odor wafting upward. He paid no heed.
“Please…” Emily managed to get the word out before spewing again.
“Air do shocair… Hush, now.”
“Leave…me…”
“Nae, I canna.”
“You are embarrassing her by witnessing this.” Juliana put a hand on his arm. “I can hold her until she is through.” She motioned with her head toward the door. “Please leave.”
“Please…”
It was the last thing he wanted to do, but Emily sounded suspiciously like she was crying. He couldn’t tell for sure, since she was still hanging half upside down. She made a choking sound, and Juliana all but knocked him over with the force of her push. “You are not helping!”
Ian backed off, realizing how mortified he would be if the situation were reversed. Besides, it would only make matters worse if she started to cry while she was casting up the dregs of her stomach. He frowned at Juliana. “I will be right outside that door.”
“Fine. Justgo. And close the door.”
He stepped outside, contemplating whether to follow Juliana’s order, then decided privacy was probably best.
“Is she going to be all right?” Lorelei was still sitting on the floor and looking like she might become ill herself.
“I doona ken. I pray so.”
It seemed like an eternity before Old Gwendolyn arrived, although in truth, her cottage was only a ten minute walk at most. Quickly, he started to tell her what had taken place, but she didn’t wait for him to finish.
“Wait here,” she said and stepped into the room, closing the door firmly behind her.
