Page 26 of All I Want for Christmas is My Hart

She shook her head. “It’s Fraser…”

“Dear Lord—what’s happened?”

“He fell on the mountain,” she said. “Atalanta’s with him. Delilah sent the ghillie for the surgeon, but she’s very distressed. It’s his leg—he’s broken it.”

“Are you sure?”

She nodded. “Foolish man—he slipped off the path. He kept saying he was fine and walked all the way back. Lilah was furious!”

“What about the children?”

“They’re in the nursery with Rowena and Griffin,” she replied. “Don’t worry, they didn’t see it happen. But—oh, Devon—I heard the most awful crack when he fell!”

“Is he in pain?”

“Not now—Attie’s given him laudanum. I don’t know what we’d have done without her, Dev. She took charge when nobody knew what to do. Delilah was in hysterics, and Fraser kept going on about the Cullen skink being ruined. You must come and see him. He’s been asking for you.”

“For me?” Devon asked. “How can I help him?”

“More than you know, brother,” Thea said. “It’s about time you understood your value to us all.”

She ascended the stairs and led the way to Fraser’s chamber. The patient lay on the bed, his face pale. Delilah sat beside him, her face streaked with tears. Devon hadn’t seen his sister so distressed in years. But Attie—his Attie—radiated an aura of calm as she sat at the foot of the bed, securing a splint to Fraser’s leg with a bandage.

She looked up as Devon entered the chamber.

“Is he going to be alright?” Devon asked.

She nodded. “He’ll not be able to walk for some time, but the leg will mend. Why the devil he thought he could walk all the way back after breaking his leg, I’ll never know.”

“Because he’s a fool,” Devon said.

“And ye’re a bigger fool,” a voice croaked.

“Fraser!” Delilah cried. “You’re awake.”

“Of course I am,” Fraser said. “I wanted to ask Devon something.” He held out his hand. “Come here.”

Devon approached the bed, and his brother-in-law took his hand.

“Will you promise me something?”

“Anything,” Devon replied.

“Will you be the Yule King tomorrow?”

“Fraser!” Delilah cried. “Surely you don’t intend to continue with the party?”

“It’s Christmas,” Fraser said, “and we cannot disappoint the children. I’d never forgive myself. Devon will take my place, won’t you?”

“Nobody wants a monster as the Yule King,” Devon said. “I’d frighten the children.”

“You do them a disservice,” Fraser said. “Children see us with better eyes than adults. You wouldn’t deny an injured man, would you?”

Devon sighed. “I’ll think about it.”

Fraser nodded and closed his eyes.

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