Page 37 of A Scottish Lord for Christmas
“Come on, laddie. Wake up,” Douglas growled, and jostled Quinn roughly.
“Douglas?” Quinn’s voice was low and drowsy as his head lifted. “Are we home yet?”
Rowena gripped him tighter, hugging him close. “I’m here,” she told him.
His dazed gaze fell upon her and he smiled through obvious pain.
“My bold, brave lass.” He tried to kiss her but he didn’t have enough mobility.
“Hold that thought, laddie,” Douglas snapped. “You can woo your wife when we’re safely home.”
The three of them hobbled through the snow but their passage was easier as the snowfall stopped and the clouds parted, revealing a nearly full moon. The only shadows around were rocks and trees as they walked back down the hills. Rowena tried not to think about how isolated they were.Will we ever find our way home?
The wind carried an eerie whine that soon turned into a recognizable shout.
“My lady?” Morris’s voice boomed out in the distance. “Where are you?”
“Morris!” Douglas bellowed. “She’s here!”
Distant shadows moved closer until the search party was surrounding them. Rowena came face-to-face with the butler, and when he saw her holding up Quinn, a flash of shock and relief, then deep, honest respect glowed in his gaze.
“You found him,” Morris exhaled. “We lost you in the storm but found their garrons by a copse of trees. We got turned around and we would not have found Douglas or his lordship, but you did…”
The thought went unfinished but Rowena understood. If she hadn’t found Quinn and Douglas, no one would have and they may not have survived the night.
Morris took Rowena’s place, holding Quinn’s waist as they walked back to the ponies. It took a lot of work but Rowena helped Quinn onto a horse behind Morris and they were able to strap him to the butler using a belt from one of the grooms.
It took two hours to reach the house and Kenna was the first to rush out to meet them. She caught sight of Quinn’s ashen face and had a groom ride to the village for the doctor.
Quinn was taken upstairs to his chamber and stripped out of his soaked hunting clothes and put to bed with a roaring fire close by. Morris and Mrs. Stuart marshaled the servants into their chores while everyone waited for the doctor to arrive.
Rowena stood by the bed, leaning against one post and watching Quinn sleep.
“My lady,” Douglas whispered as he joined her. “It’s my fault we had an accident whilst hunting. I lost my footing and fell. His lordship saved me.”
She heard the catch in the gamekeeper’s tone but she could not look away from Quinn’s face to see him.
“Douglas, can you see if Blair is still awake? If she is, bring her here. If she’s sleeping, let her sleep.”
“Of course, my lady.” Douglas bowed and exited the chamber.
Rowena left the bedpost and walked over to sit on the edge of the bed closest to Quinn. Dark hair fell across his forehead and she brushed it back.
“I found you,” she whispered. The long dark lashes on his cheek, which she’d been counting as he slept, fluttered and his pain-filled gaze settled on her.
“Rowena.” Her name came out soft, each syllable uttered gently as though he took care in speaking her name. He lifted one hand.
“You need to sleep.” She placed her fingers in his and he gripped them with surprising strength.
“I’ve been a fool.” He uttered the words harshly, his eyes darkening as he struggled to continue. “I believed I was not ready, not in my heart. But from the moment I saw you save my child, I knew I would love you. How could I not? Beautiful, intelligent, and compassionate? I did not think fate would be so kind as to give you to me, but here you are.” A smile curved his lips. “I only wonder if I’ll ever be able to earn your forgiveness.”
Tears coated Rowena’s eyelashes as she pressed his hand to her cheek and fought off the urge to cry.
“There’s nothing to forgive. You love her still and I understand. Not all hearts can be mended. All I ask is that you let me love you, let me be with you.”
Quinn shook his head. “No, you don’t understand—”
The bedchamber door opened and Dr. McIntosh entered, followed by Kenna. He stroked his mustache and shook his head.
