Page 30 of The Highlander's Twisted Deal
“Do ye need anything?” he asked softly. He was standing too close, close enough to smell the metallic tang of blood on her clothes and the rich scent of herbs, savory and medicinal.
“Some warm water to wash up, I think,” Ava said wryly. “And a comb for me hair.”
“Are ye sure Brigit will recover?”
“Aye, she will. It was a tough birth, but she’s strong, and so is the babe.”
Callum nodded, biting his lip. “Perhaps now is a bad moment to bring it up, but the kiss—”
“Think no more of it,” she said firmly. “We’ll be more careful in future, aye?”
“Aye,” he echoed after a moment. “Aye, we’ll be more careful.”
She smiled, short and tense. “I’m glad we agree on that.”
* * *
Ava wasn’t entirely sure where the musicians had come from. One moment the villagers were all miserable and sober, the next they were taking out tambourines and fiddles and a strange instrument she’d never seen before that made a rattling sound.
After some time, Brigit appeared, carried in Tammy’s arms. She looked refreshed, if not drained and exhausted, freshly washed and poulticed, the baby girl wrapped in linen and flinging her fat arms about.
They were met with cheers and applause, and Brigit smiled weakly. She was placed on a mattress near the fire, wrapped in blankets and quilts, and provided with hot tea and plenty of food.
Then, the music began. It was a jig, jaunty and bright, and the villagers clapped happily along. Ava found herself a seat on an upturned log and wasn’t particularly surprised when Callum sat himself next to her.
“They’re speaking well of ye,” he said, his voice low, his eyes trained on the musicians and dancers. Brigit and Tammy sat together on the mattress, their arms wrapped around each other, the baby sleeping peacefully in their arms. “Arthur is singing yer praises.”
Ava allowed herself a small smile. It felt good to be a proper healer again.
“I did nothing that a good healer or midwife couldnae do,” she said. “I only did me duty. And Brigit is strong.”
She felt Callum’s eyes on her, his gaze tingling against her flesh. For the first time, Ava realized how close they were, their sides pressed together, their shoulders brushing. She could reach out and take his hand, feel the warmth of his skin.
She didn’t, of course. They’d shown themselves to the villagers as a betrothed couple, and they seemed to believe it. There was no need to go further to convince them.
It’s nae real.It’s nae real.
So, she folded her arms in her lap, rubbing her palm with her opposite thumb. Her hands were thoroughly washed and scrubbed free of blood and fluids, but she could still feel it. Childbirth was always a messy business.
“I only did me duty,” she repeated. “When I said that, I wasnae being modest. I was only telling the truth.”
He shrugged. “Perhaps, but ye still saved Brigit and her babe. Any idea what she plans to name it?”
“Violet, I think.”
“A good name.”
They fell into a comfortable silence, watching the dancing. A handful of couples were swinging each other around, squealing with delight, laughing and clapping. Ava found herself smiling, clapping in time to the music.
A young man with a mop of chocolate-brown curls broke away from the throng, panting for breath.
“Lady Ava,” he said lightly, flicking back his hair, “ye did so well with saving Brigit. I’m her cousin. Thank ye for saving her.”
“I only did me duty.”
He nodded eagerly, clearly working himself up to something.
“I was wondering, Lady Ava, if ye would like to dance with me?”
