Page 37 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

Once her voice returned, would she apologize for destroying him? Did she even realize she had kicked him into hell a year and a half ago? She appeared oblivious at the moment and only concerned about her own plight.

'Twas all in the past. Forget her and her lovers. After he got his answers, she could go home.

"Come, we'll find Finnian," he said, his voice gruffer than usual. He offered his elbow, but she did not take it. Instead, she lifted the smock and draping plaid off her boots and strode over the rough ground, keeping pace with him and his clansmen.

The guards unlocked the gate beside the portcullis, and they entered the bailey.

"Chief. M'laird," his clansmen called out.

He nodded and greeted them by name. Dropping silent, they locked their curious eyes on to the lass, for they well knew she was the traitorous Lady Elsea MacAuley. A few of them bowed, while others turned away and tried to hide their glowers.

"She's been injured. Where's Finnian?"

"Inside."

Brodie motioned for Elsea to proceed up the keep's main steps in front of him.

In the warm great hall, he glanced around, not spotting the physician. "Where is Finnian's chamber?" Brodie hadn't spent enough time here to know this information.

"I'll show you, m'laird." Drury, the steward, bowed. "M'lady."

They followed him up the stairs to the first floor. Brodie suspected he paid the man too much, for he was always better dressed than anyone, including Brodie. "We were worried when Finnian told us you needed help."

"Lady Elsea has a head injury."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Drury rapped his knuckles against the oak door.

"Aye?" The old man's voice echoed from inside.

"The chief is here to see you, sir."

"Just a moment." The door finally opened, revealing the ancient but robust man with a long white beard and hair to match. "Chief Brodie, come in. M'lady." Finnian bowed. "Glad you made it safely."

"I appreciate you sending my men out on the galley." Brodie ushered Elsea inside the room, closed the door back, and did quick introductions.

"In the keek stane, I could see you both were in trouble. Lady Elsea was close to drowning in the sea."

"Indeed. She sustained a head injury and has gone mute. Can you help her?"

"Well... I'll try. I only brought a few supplies and herbal tinctures from Blacktower. M'lady, if you would please sit in front of the window." He motioned to the seat in the bright morning sunlight, then rushed to the desk and picked up his spectacles. "I must see where you were injured."

After sitting, Elsea removed the plaid from her head and pointed to the spot.

"Och. 'Tis a bad gash, but thankfully it has stopped bleeding. There's some swelling, but 'tis nay too terrible. Does it pain you?"

She nodded.

"What about here?" Finnian touched the top of her head and the bloody blonde hair, then looked at his red-smeared fingertips. "What is this?"

"Blood?" Brodie strode closer.

"Nay. 'Tis far stickier than blood and...." Finnian sniffed his fingers and scowled.

"And what?" Brodie asked, leaning forward to get a whiff of the acrid stench. "What the devil is that?"

Finnian smelled it again. "Bat dung, rosemary, pine resin and ...." He thought for a minute. "Ambergris."

Brodie eyed him, mystified that he could identify bat dung as opposed to some other dung. "That makes no sense."