Page 37 of Married to the Highland Devil
They nodded silently to each other, both understanding what that meant.
Duncan protected Arran at all costs, and so did Arran. They also came back from every battle victorious but not unscathed.
This time, Duncan had more than just his clan to fight for. Thinking of how different things could be with Amelia if there was no war looming in the shadows propelled him.
He had a lot more to lose now.
17
Amelia was restless. Yvaine and Elspeth too paced around the chamber where they waited for news of Duncan’s battle. She had heard about it when she had returned from her walk around the moors with Dahlia.
“I am scared,” Yvaine said beside her as they sat on the bed, and Amelia’s first response was to take Yvaine’s frail hands in hers.
“He shall return safely,” Amelia said to Yvaine even though her own fear paralyzed her. She could not move or even breathe right. Reading about a battle and being present in a place where it was real were two different things.
Amelia could only imagine how Duncan and his clan survived the attacks. She did not know much about what was happening, but she had heard well enough to know that it was an attack from a neighboring clan.
“He shall return safely,” Amelia repeated.
“The last time my brother went off to fight off Lard MacGregor’s bandits, he returned with a gut-deep wound that nearly took his life.”
Amelia’s mouth gaped at the mention of the wound, and a vivid image of Duncan bleeding out on a field somewhere pierced her mind.
She bashed it out of her mind and shuddered. She wanted to console Yvaine, but she didn’t know how to do that when her own heart was in turmoil.
Amelia decided to think of the kiss instead. She had thought of it the entire night and rolled on her bedding, hoping to get the heated flush out of her system.
His kiss made it impossible for her to even hold onto her earlier anger at him, and now knowing he was in battle made her worry.
He shall return safely.
She could not bear to think of Duncan hurt or worse. That was even more bleak than her not being near him again. She knew she could be fine with the thought of him being alive and safe even though they lived separate lives.
Elspeth continued pacing, and Amelia could hear the heavy thud of her shoes against the hardwood of the floor.
“Let us do something,” Amelia suggested and rose to her feet.
Her hands shook now, and she hated this response. She knew she had to keep herself busy, or her mind would play out a million scenarios in which Duncan would not be well and alive.
“Where is the clan’s healer? Let us help him prepare herbs and tonics we shall use to treat the injured men when they return. We shouldn’t just sit here and panic; let us do whatever we can to help the men.”
“That is a great suggestion, Amelia,” Elspeth said.
Amelia heard her move again, so she turned in her direction.
“Ye are brilliant,” Elspeth complimented, and Amelia suspected she smiled. “Dahlia, send for the healer and ask the chief cook to place water on the hearth. We shall need towels, hot water, and—”
“I picked out some herbs,” Amelia chimed in. “They are in the chamber next to mine, the one that the Laird allowed me to use.”
“Ye ken how to use herbs?” Yvaine asked, coming up to where Elspeth and Amelia stood.
“Yes,” Amelia answered. “And tonics too. I know a lot about herbs and flowers; you have nothing to worry about. I needed to tend to my wounds after a fall quite often, after all. I shall assist your clan’s healer.”
Yvaine hugged her shockingly, and Amelia allowed herself to stay squashed in the girl’s tiny arms for a bit before she drew back and smiled.
Yvaine’s small laugh sounded rough, and she sniffled, proving to Amelia she was in tears or near it.
“Duncan shall return safely,” Amelia said to her now and hugged her again.
