Sir Duncan drew to a halt.
Emma’s chest tightened as she passed Joneta to the frantic woman.
Marie drew her daughter tight against her chest. Tear-filled eyes lifted to meet Emma’s. “You saved my daughter’s life.” Distress creased her brow as she caught sight of Patrik. “Oh God!”
“He is alive,” Lord Grey stated.
Relief swept Marie’s face as she gestured to her side. “Bring him to the well. ’Tis where they are treating the other men who are wounded.”
Lord Grey kicked his mount toward where his knights worked to tend their own. Patrik’s body was limp against him.
Sir Duncan and Sir Alexander followed.
As they pulled up, two knights hurried to their lord’s steed. Recognition dawned on both men’s faces. “’Tis Sir Patrik,” the closest man gasped.
“Aye,” Lord Grey stated. “He needs to be tended immediately.”
Both men bowed. “Yes, my lord.”
“Nae.” Sir Alexander dismounted, and stepped before the men. “I will care for him.”
Stunned, Emma watched as the dangerous Scot took Patrik into his arms with infinite care, and then strode off with his brother.
Sir Duncan swung down.
“Are you not surprised Sir Alexander is caring for your brother?”
With a shrug, Sir Duncan reached up and lifted Emma to the ground. “Nae. Once Patrik is healed, they will be going at it again.”
“Going at it?” she asked in disbelief. “You mean they will again fight?”
“Aye, but once healed, Patrik will give as good as he gets.” Dimples flickered in his face. “ ’Tis what brothers do.”
Her mind spun. “Sir Duncan?”
“Aye?”
“What did he do to make Sir Alexander so angry?”
Sir Duncan hesitated, then gazed at her thoughtfully. “He tried to kill Alexander’s wife.”
Several hours later, working alongside Sir Alexander as he tended Patrik, Emma had learned little more about why Patrik had tried to harm his brother’s wife. However much Sir Alexander rubbed her raw, however tense their conversation, her respect for him as they worked soared.
Sir Alexander rubbed his face, tired eyes scanning Patrik. “There is little more we can do.”
“His breathing is steady,” Emma said.
“’Tis good he is settling down.” Sir Alexander stretched his back.
“It is. He has lost much blood.”
Sir Alexander met her gaze. “You care for him.”
The confidence in his claim caught her off guard. She shrugged. “I told you, he saved my life.”
Shrewd eyes studied her. “Mayhap, but your tenderness as you helped over the last few hours assures me your feelings for him run deep.”
“How could they not after he risked his life to save mine?”
