He placed a kiss on her cheek, near her ear.
Feeling flustered, she mumbled, "There is no need to thank me."
"Rest now, lass."
A rush of emotion ran through her. Why had he kissed her so sweetly? It brought tears to her eyes. She wanted to turn and stare at him, study his expression, but was afraid he might kiss her lips if she did. Of course, she wanted another kiss on the lips from him, but should not. If someone knew they shared this bed, they would be forced to marry in truth. At the burst of excitement, she admitted to herself she wouldn't mind. But he might not want that. Besides, her brother would want to approve any man she would marry beforehand. Even though he had met Darack and might consider him a friend, she was unsure whether he would approve since Darack was not a chief or future chief. She didn't mind, herself, for she wasn't status hungry. She simply wanted a man she could love, who would love her back and treat her well. Of course, she wanted a safe place to live, but it need not be a grand castle.
She imagined what it would be like to be married to Darack. Every day would be an adventure, she was certain.
A sudden thought occurred to her—since four of Alec's men had been on the ship, had they gotten word to Alec where she and Darack were headed before it set sail? Alec could show up here at any time.
She sat bolt upright in bed.
Darack groaned and then stirred. "What is it now?"
"I'm sorry. Are you in pain?"
"Some. What has you riled?"
"Alec might find us here. His men could've sent word to him before they boarded the ship. Plus… the captain will take the two dead men's bodies back to Dundee so they can be claimed by the Lindsay clan."
"You're right." Darack's voice was rough and his tone dejected. "We must leave here this morn."
"How? You are too injured to walk." Panic consumed her.
"Remain calm and let me think." Darack took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "We'll hire a galley to take us to the other end of Loch Ness. Then, we'll send a missive to my cousin Ewan, the Grant chief, and have him send some men to help us go overland to the castle."
She quickly slid from the bed. "Sounds like a wonderful plan. What shall I do first?"
"Ask the innkeeper to help you arrange transport for us on a small galley along River Ness, then onto a larger one on Loch Ness. Take the money from my sporran. I know a couple of the captains who will extend us credit if we don't have enough funds."
"Oh, thank the saints. I didn't know what we were going to do." Feeling relieved that Darack knew which way to travel and would perhaps be familiar with the people along the way, she hastened from the room and down the steps, eager to leave this place.
In the inn's public room, she met Mistress Gillespie on her way to see Darack. By the time Mairiana returned to their room a half hour later, their transportation was arranged—with the assistance of Hamish. But she found Darack shivering and wrapped up tight in the blankets.
"What is happening?" Dread rising up within her, Mairiana closed the door and rushed to the bed.
"He has a fever," Mistress Gillespie said.
