Page 145 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
When he opened the door to Graeme’s room, he pulled up short. A small mob had crowded around the poster bed, including the surgeon, Brody, a maid holding a pile of towels, Ainsley, and his brothers. With the exception of the surgeon and Ainsley, everyone stared at Nick with varying degrees of dismay.
Graeme was as pale as milk but trying to look stoic, even though he was obviously scared and in pain. He was propped up on pillows while the surgeon took his pulse.
“How is he, Mr. Dillon?” Nick gruffly asked.
“A clean break as far as I can tell, my lord,” the surgeon replied, “but I’ll need to set his leg without further delay.”
He picked up his bag and began laying out implements on the bedcovers. Brody carefully folded back the tented bedclothes to expose Graeme’s leg. The lad’s boot and breeches had been cut away, exposing the ugly bruising and swelling over his calf. At least skin and muscle were intact, though, so Nick allowed himself a relieved sigh.
Now that his immediate fears were addressed, he glanced around the room. Grant ducked his head and Royal’s gaze slid away.
Predictably, Ainsley glared at him before marching over to take a seat by the hearth. “It’s about time you showed up. Your family is completely insane.”
From the opposite side of the room, Royal scowled at her. “Yes, the sooner my brother can get you back to Glasgow, the better. Then we won’t have to listen to your constant carping.”
“Can his lordship wave a magic wand and clear away the avalanche that your idiot grandfather triggered?” she said tartly.
“For God’s sake, you two,” said Nick. “Where is Angus, anyway?”
Royal affected a casual shrug, even though Nick could read the tension in his hiked shoulders. “Hiding from you?”
“If so, for once he’s acting wisely. What the hell were you lot thinking, anyway?”
Ainsley jumped up. “Please don’t shout. I’ve had quite enough of that for one day.”
“I wasn’t shouting.” Nick frowned, finally registering what she was wearing. “Is that—?”
“One of the maid’s gowns?” she said. “Yes, your brother’s chivalry did not extend to allowing me to bring additional garments on my abduction. He snatched me when I was returning home from a ball. My gown was quite ruined by the time we arrived here.”
“You are a complete arse,” Nick said to Royal. “I can understand the twins, but why you?”
His brother pointed at the irate girl. “She wanted me to do it.”
“What rot,” Ainsley said.
“Pardon, my lord,” interrupted Mr. Dillon. “We’d best get started on this before the lad’s muscles tighten up any further.”
“Of course,” Nick said.
He laid a hand on Graeme’s forehead. His brother’s face gleamed with perspiration, and he felt too warm.
“You foolish boy,” he said softly.
Graeme gazed up at him, miserable. “I’m sorry, Nick. Truly I am. I . . . I’ve made a mess of everything. I always make a mess of everything.”
Grant, on the other side of the bed, pressed his twin’s shoulder. “It’s my fault too. I’m just as responsible.”
“No, you’re not,” Graeme said. “I’m always dragging you into horrible trouble. I’m so stupid.”
Nick sighed as he studied their unhappy faces. Despite their strapping builds and brash ways, they were still so young. What the hell was he going to do with them?
He stroked Graeme’s mussed hair. “Don’t worry about it now, lad. We’ll figure it out later.”
The door opened and Victoria walked in. She blinked at the crowded room and then came to the bed.
“How are you, you silly boy?” she asked softly, taking Graeme’s hand.
He clutched her fingers like a scared child. “I’m all right. I’m sorry we caused so much trouble. It seemed a splendid idea at the time.”
